Players' Tribune:

[TucsonClip]

Also...

Griffin is 12th in usage and touches per game and 2nd in elbow touches, behind Marc Gasol. Meanwhile he is assisting on a career-high 25.2 percent of his teammates' baskets while on the floor, up from 19.2 last season.

This is a truly unique season Griffin is having, even if he is dunking half as many times per game. Offense hasnt been a problem for two years now, especially the HALF-COURT offense people always seem to be up in arms about.

It will need a few tweaks here and there in the playoffs. Griffin will have to attack the basket more, and draw fouls at a higher rate. I think Paul will also have to attack the basket a bit more, opening up driving lanes on the perimeter for Griffin, Barnes and Crawford. Still our offense was good enough last season and is fine this year as well.

[QRich3]

Griffin is 12th in usage and touches per game and 2nd in elbow touches, behind Marc Gasol. Meanwhile he is assisting on a career-high 25.2 percent of his teammates' baskets while on the floor, up from 19.2 last season.

This is a truly unique season Griffin is having, even if he is dunking half as many times per game. Offense hasnt been a problem for two years now, especially the HALF-COURT offense people always seem to be up in arms about.

Yup, watch how select his company is among passing big men: http://bkref.com/tiny/avSDq

[LACtdom]

Seems weird that if the stats say he's having a better season this year, then why isn't he even in the top 15 MVP candidates? Compared to the end of last season where he was considered 3rd best, it seems like he must have declined quite a bit.

I am a fan of the new Blake Griffin but we don't want to lose games because we got stuck with our two super stars both in "pass first" mode. Finding the balance will be the key. I was hoping that with Blake assisting more it might allow Chris Paul to take on a slightly more aggressive role.

[Dynamix]

Blake got a big MVP boost last season when he took over while CP was out. There are also more top tier teams this year with players deserving recognition. We are also underachieving, compared to pre-season expectations.

I feel like this version of Blake is just a few tune-ups away from constantly putting up LeBron-type numbers.

[QRich3]

Seems weird that if the stats say he's having a better season this year, then why isn't he even in the top 15 MVP candidates? Compared to the end of last season where he was considered 3rd best, it seems like he must have declined quite a bit.

I am a fan of the new Blake Griffin but we don't want to lose games because we got stuck with our two super stars both in "pass first" mode. Finding the balance will be the key. I was hoping that with Blake assisting more it might allow Chris Paul to take on a slightly more aggressive role.

Because MVP's are based on silly narratives more than on actual performance. Last year he was that high because the story said he maintained us afloat during Paul's injury, even though we were just a good team that had a decent record on an easy schedule. He was great, no denying that, but the cheesy storyline was on his side.

This year, even though we've spent all season having a better record than we did last year, the casual fan perception is that somehow we're a lot worse and we're melting down, which is far from reality. Performance-wise, he's been, at the very least, as good as he was last year. But people look at his FG% and love to follow another classic fabricated storyline: that he's soft, that he's fallen in love with his jumpshot, etc. I remember when Vince Carter, and even Lebron at some points, were victims of this same stupid narrative. Truth is, he's adapting so the team can be better on offense, and he's doing it great. Numbers wise and just watching the game, it's very noticeable that our offense is more fluid and more effective than it was last year. And it was the very best offense in basketball already.

I think we have already struck that balance you talk about. Having the two best passers at their respective positions is great, as long as we have good finishers to complement them. And we do in Redick and Jordan, and even Barnes and Hawes. That's why I've been campaigning to trade Jamal, we need more guys who can play off the ball, space the floor, and finish all the opportunities those two create, not more on-the-ball creators. And more than anything, we need that to happen while adding some defense.

[Forte IV]

I think the thing that is keeping him away from being mentioned as a MVP candidate are his rebounding numbers. If he was avg 8.7+ with his 22 and 5 assists he'd probably be mentioned more. That's my thought.

[nickhx2]

Some thoughts:

First, some of the doubters need to read and perhaps re-read what people like qrich and tuscon are saying. I think this whole year we've been hearing so much about blake losing a step or whatnot and it's patently ridiculous. Blake uses large swaths of the NBA season to evolve his game and this year's been no different. Go back and look at his rookie year where he is basically going HAM every night and diving for every loose ball and pair that with his "can't get out of bed" comments. And think about the years where he's been a cripple come playoff time. He's both managing his body and trying to work on balancing his game. Him being automatic as a jump shooter will be a thing in the playoffs.

Now, while I definitely have to admit I'm pretty critical of him not beasting more inside and taking too many jumpers (there are times when it feels so obvious to just dominate inside so we can get a win), my only REAL criticism of him is he starts getting too timid in crunch time. But that is a pretty large byproduct of having CP3 on your team calling the shots (which you can't complain about) as well as blackhole jamal crawford taking shots from him (which I definitely do complain about). I think the thing to remember is whatever you're NOT seeing here are things that are leading towards his end game. Once he figures out the balance of it all he will be insane. And remember, all of this is by design.

This thread is really great because blake seems to get some really unwarranted flak from clipper fans. It goes with the territory of being a superstar, especially when you're producing atypical numbers. But try and keep in mind he's trying to mold himself into a player who plays a style conducive to what this team needs.


Oh yeah and read that zach lowe article. It's fantastic. I thought it deserved its own thread but it has a place here.

[KyletheDingbat]

I understand what Blake's doing and appreciate it, but I'm still disappointed at his lack of Mosgoving people because I need a hero. Blake was superman, doing things we'd never seen on a regular basis. I remember his first few years in the league you couldn't get out of your seat at games in case you missed something incredible. I remember one time I was walking back in from the hall and I heard the place erupt, and it turns out I missed him just destroying Lamar Odom on a putback. He was truly a spectacle, the likes of which we've only had a few in league history. Now he's not doing it any more and I'm sad.

One thing I don't get is why so many athletic guys tone it down so early? Amare' toned it down, VC did, lots of guys do in their mid 20's. But Jordan didn't, until his 2nd 3 peat. Even 1993 Jordan was out there demolishing centers at the rim. He evolved his game alongside that stuff. Why can't Blake do that? Give me your fade-aways, your jump shots or whatever, but remind us that you're a rocket ship of a person every now and then. One day he'll realize that jumping is actually hard and feels heavier than it used to, and he won't be able to do it anymore. Maybe he's already there.

Rant done.

[DLaren]

Every time Blake shoots a jump-shot the other team breathes a sigh-of-relief.

I don't want my power-forward shooting jumpers, I want my power-forward in the paint pushing *****s around.

Imagine if Marshawn Lynch or DeMarco Murray said, "In the off-season I'm going to spend time running sweeps to the outside because my body can't take running up the middle anymore";their contracts would be voided on the spot. That's all I hear when Blake says he's shooting jumpers because he's "sore" from banging down-low. Man-up. I'd rather get 5 rim-rocking years from Blake than 8 jump-shooting ones.

I respect him for trying to expand his game, but he needs to be expanding his post-game...not trying to extend to the 3pt line.

[Quake Griffin]

sticking with everything Q Rich wrote.

take your feelings and "I want" emotional stuff outta here.

[KDRE]

I didnt care to get into a book on the whole ordeal. I know defenders clog the lane but Blake takes too freaking long to make a decision first of all in alot of those cases, and every superstar has a move that is about 2 dribbles or less where they can get a shot off almost automatic.. whether they make or miss it, but usually they perfected it and use it to score in pressure situations... Blake doesn't have that im sorry.

He doesn't look as good as he did last year even with the jumpshot but telling me that him going out further and further is good for him, then im not sure I agree with that... I could see if he was making a Karl Malone like transition but he's too freaking young to be moving away from the basket more and more at this point. Not saying he shouldnt have it because he should but not rely on it more and more.

[KyletheDingbat]

Agree with KDRE, transitions like the one Blake is making seem better fitted for when you're 29 or 30. I'm 31 now and still try to get into the lane and fly as much as possible, even though admittedly I'm transitioning into more of a facilitator role. The NBA is a different beast of course, I'm just saying that I want to use whatever physical advantage I have over my opponent to my utmost ability. Blake's essay reads like a millennial, which is fine cause that's what he is. I just wish he had more Barkley in him I guess.

Speaking of which I really enjoyed listening to Barkley commentate the game today. He had really insightful things to say about Blake and how he could better utilize his abilities. Also, it was great watching Angry Blake for a period today. If he had that Westbrook intensity all the time he'd be a perennial MVP.

[QRich3]

I don't want my power-forward shooting jumpers, I want my power-forward in the paint pushing *****s around.

Sounds like what you want is a losing team.

It's sad to hear Barkley make a fool of himself on TV, acting like we're in the 90's NBA, blabbing about post game and his stupid "live by the jumpshot, die by the jumpshot" catchphrase. It's sadder to see people of my generation buy it and repeat it like it makes any sense. Post isolations, like the ones people here seem to love, are inefficient and outdated plays in this league, you need shooters everywhere to have any chance at success, and I thought that had been clear for nearly a decade, but it seems a lot of fans still haven't understood what handchecking rules and zone defense mean for the game. Look at the rosters of the best teams in the league and tell how many have one of those PF's, go on, do it. Go through the last decade's NBA champions and tell how many play that kind of game.

Watch the Spurs with Duncan for instance, they made a point of making him lose weight in about 2009, so he could be more of a face up threat, and stopped using him on the post except for very few occasions. Watch how they embarrassed the post-heavy Grizzlies in the 2013 WCF by clogging the lane because Memphis didn't have any jumpshooting threat but for Conley. In the postseason more than ever, if one or two of your players can't shoot very well, you're gonna be exposed for it.

I know defenders clog the lane but Blake takes too freaking long to make a decision first of all in alot of those cases, and every superstar has a move that is about 2 dribbles or less where they can get a shot off almost automatic.. whether they make or miss it, but usually they perfected it and use it to score in pressure situations... Blake doesn't have that im sorry.

Not true, at all. Blake is actually one of the very best players in the league, if not the best, at making those kind of reads, where he has to quickly decide if the best option is to attack the basket, pass the ball to an open man, or just take a jumpshot. He's the 12th highest usage player in the league, and of all of those volume scorers, he's the 6th most efficient (even with his increase of midrange shots), just behind Curry, Durant, Lebron, Harden and Bosh: http://bkref.com/tiny/AXRHm
Considering that he has the lowest turnover rate of all of them by far, and he has a higher AST% than Durant and Bosh, numbers say he's among the 3/4 very best volume scorers in the game. And he doesn't even shoot 3s yet, if he ever adds that to his arsenal, he might become the best offensive player in the NBA. Seems like you guys are being impressed by highlight dunks and 50 point outbursts and taking for granted the awesomely consistent season he's having.

I'm gonna use another one of the video examples from the Zach Lowe article, and wonder how many players in the NBA are able to make these kind of reads on the regular, while being a threat to drive for an easy basket if you leave him any space, or drain a jumpshot at a 40% clip if you play off him:

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cp8xCV6KSt4[/youtube]

He has A LOT of these kinds of assists, and that is only possible because defenders have to play him closer now that he is a credible threat to nail a jumper if you don't guard him close.

[madmaxmedia]

I think the composition of the starting 5 has a lot to do with Blake needing to venture outside. Had he not developed a jumper, things would be worse for the team as a whole (regardless of Blake's dunk count, etc.) When he is able to known down a couple of jumpers, it opens up the floor for the team as a whole.

We don't have any wing players who can create. Redick is a great shooter and player, Barnes has his strengths too. But neither is a creator, and I think it is a big weakness of our offense. Because we have CP3 and Blake sometimes it doesn't matter, but I think it makes us easier to stop for teams that really bear down on defense.

[madmaxmedia]

Also, next week's article: "Why Ain't He Contributin'?" by Spencer Hawes

[KyletheDingbat]

I don't want my power-forward shooting jumpers, I want my power-forward in the paint pushing *****s around.

Sounds like what you want is a losing team.

It's sad to hear Barkley make a fool of himself on TV, acting like we're in the 90's NBA, blabbing about post game and his stupid "live by the jumpshot, die by the jumpshot" catchphrase. It's sadder to see people of my generation buy it and repeat it like it makes any sense. Post isolations, like the ones people here seem to love, are inefficient and outdated plays in this league, you need shooters everywhere to have any chance at success, and I thought that had been clear for nearly a decade, but it seems a lot of fans still haven't understood what handchecking rules and zone defense mean for the game. Look at the rosters of the best teams in the league and tell how many have one of those PF's, go on, do it. Go through the last decade's NBA champions and tell how many play that kind of game.

You think Barkley's comments were foolish? He was talking about how Blake can use the defender's physicality and momentum against him to get easy buckets. You agree with that right? I loved hearing that stuff. If Blake has the ball down there it's best for our team if he knows what he's doing. And would you really rather have Blake taking a 16 footer than a 2 footer?

You can have Blake be an effective post player while still maximizing spacing and shooting. If Blake becomes dominant down there it'll open up passing angles all of the court to open shooters. CP3 aint on that slash and kick game anymore, and we don't have any other slashers except Craw, so how are we gonna get those shooters open? Blake already operates as a hub on the block and on the elbow. From my observation we've been more effective with him on the block, but I understand the need for him to space it out.

Beyond all that, Aggressive Blake dominates games and Shooting Blake doesn't. Aggressive Blake can help us win a championship. But I guess we don't want him getting out of bed sore in the morning.

Couple things: post shots are more efficient than any other shot besides an open layup. Also, LMA, Duncan, Z-Bo/Marc, Davis, all go to work on the block regularly. 2008-2010 championships were won around post up bigs, though whether you consider KG/Gasol PF's is up for debate. Honestly you could say no team has ever won a championship that was built around a PF, or especially a PF/PG combo and that we're doomed.

[mike3]

I think the composition of the starting 5 has a lot to do with Blake needing to venture outside. Had he not developed a jumper, things would be worse for the team as a whole (regardless of Blake's dunk count, etc.) When he is able to known down a couple of jumpers, it opens up the floor for the team as a whole.

We don't have any wing players who can create. Redick is a great shooter and player, Barnes has his strengths too. But neither is a creator, and I think it is a big weakness of our offense. Because we have CP3 and Blake sometimes it doesn't matter, but I think it makes us easier to stop for teams that really bear down on defense.

This is exactly it. In the article he even went on about the team suffering because Blake can only play inside. And all his career he heard that his inability to do anything but play inside his hurting his team. Credit Blake A LOT for the growth of DJ IMO.

Agreed with your second paragraph as well, Blake has turned into more of a Point Forward at times. And who knows, if we actually pickup a decent SF next year (which we are well overdue for) I think Blake will go back to more of his old style of play, but add in that jump shot and you've got yourself a damn dominant player.

[QRich3]

I don't want my power-forward shooting jumpers, I want my power-forward in the paint pushing *****s around.

Sounds like what you want is a losing team.

It's sad to hear Barkley make a fool of himself on TV, acting like we're in the 90's NBA, blabbing about post game and his stupid "live by the jumpshot, die by the jumpshot" catchphrase. It's sadder to see people of my generation buy it and repeat it like it makes any sense. Post isolations, like the ones people here seem to love, are inefficient and outdated plays in this league, you need shooters everywhere to have any chance at success, and I thought that had been clear for nearly a decade, but it seems a lot of fans still haven't understood what handchecking rules and zone defense mean for the game. Look at the rosters of the best teams in the league and tell how many have one of those PF's, go on, do it. Go through the last decade's NBA champions and tell how many play that kind of game.

You think Barkley's comments were foolish? He was talking about how Blake can use the defender's physicality and momentum against him to get easy buckets. You agree with that right? I loved hearing that stuff. If Blake has the ball down there it's best for our team if he knows what he's doing. And would you really rather have Blake taking a 16 footer than a 2 footer?

You can have Blake be an effective post player while still maximizing spacing and shooting. If Blake becomes dominant down there it'll open up passing angles all of the court to open shooters. CP3 aint on that slash and kick game anymore, and we don't have any other slashers except Craw, so how are we gonna get those shooters open? Blake already operates as a hub on the block and on the elbow. From my observation we've been more effective with him on the block, but I understand the need for him to space it out.

I didn't watch the game yesterday so I'm not sure what were the exact comments, but I was talking more about the usual nostalgic rants Chuck gets on, that don't make a lot of sense in today's NBA.

But yeah, it's not as easy as "would you really rather have Blake taking a 16 footer than a 2 footer?", if it was like that I'd rather we only dunk all the time. What I keep saying is, we have the best offense in the league, hell, we have the best offense since the 2009-10 Phoenix Suns of Nash & Stoudemire. What are you expecting to maximize here? you expect that we're gonna have the best offense ever in the NBA just because Blake tries to force shots closer to the basket? if he does that, maybe Barnes is affected because a lack of spacing and he gets into a shooting slump like he did last year, instead of having the best shooting season of his 11-year career like he's having this year. Maybe Jordan has nowhere to be like he did last year, and instead of being on the verge of breaking Wilt's record for FG% in a season (like he is now) he just obstructs the paint making everything harder for everyone, like he did last year. Maybe Paul gets back to shooting a league average 3PT% like he did last year, instead of being close to 40% like he is now (on increased amount too). So many things in the team's offense are working to perfection, you can't ignore how beneficial has been Blake's new positioning. What you say about "opening up passing angles all of the court to open shooters" is exactly what's happening right now with Blake playing from the high post and the elbows, better than ever, and I fail to see how it will improve from how GREAT it is right now. You can obsess with how much he scores and from where, but the team's clearly benefiting from what he's doing right now, and that's all that matters.

[nickhx2]

chuck was mostly talking about blake taking more advantage of the indivdual matchups he gets a few times a game, where he gets someone who's clearly out of his league trying to keep him out of the paint.

personally i don't think he has a vendetta against blake or the clippers (like many seem to believe) as he often makes pretty pointed comments at them. but fwiw last night was pretty tame compared to what he usually says. my guess is he's a lot more appreciative of how blake is playing this year than in years past.

[KyletheDingbat]

Sounds like what you want is a losing team.

It's sad to hear Barkley make a fool of himself on TV, acting like we're in the 90's NBA, blabbing about post game and his stupid "live by the jumpshot, die by the jumpshot" catchphrase. It's sadder to see people of my generation buy it and repeat it like it makes any sense. Post isolations, like the ones people here seem to love, are inefficient and outdated plays in this league, you need shooters everywhere to have any chance at success, and I thought that had been clear for nearly a decade, but it seems a lot of fans still haven't understood what handchecking rules and zone defense mean for the game. Look at the rosters of the best teams in the league and tell how many have one of those PF's, go on, do it. Go through the last decade's NBA champions and tell how many play that kind of game.

You think Barkley's comments were foolish? He was talking about how Blake can use the defender's physicality and momentum against him to get easy buckets. You agree with that right? I loved hearing that stuff. If Blake has the ball down there it's best for our team if he knows what he's doing. And would you really rather have Blake taking a 16 footer than a 2 footer?

You can have Blake be an effective post player while still maximizing spacing and shooting. If Blake becomes dominant down there it'll open up passing angles all of the court to open shooters. CP3 aint on that slash and kick game anymore, and we don't have any other slashers except Craw, so how are we gonna get those shooters open? Blake already operates as a hub on the block and on the elbow. From my observation we've been more effective with him on the block, but I understand the need for him to space it out.

I didn't watch the game yesterday so I'm not sure what were the exact comments, but I was talking more about the usual nostalgic rants Chuck gets on, that don't make a lot of sense in today's NBA.

But yeah, it's not as easy as "would you really rather have Blake taking a 16 footer than a 2 footer?", if it was like that I'd rather we only dunk all the time. What I keep saying is, we have the best offense in the league, hell, we have the best offense since the 2009-10 Phoenix Suns of Nash & Stoudemire. What are you expecting to maximize here? you expect that we're gonna have the best offense ever in the NBA just because Blake tries to force shots closer to the basket? if he does that, maybe Barnes is affected because a lack of spacing and he gets into a shooting slump like he did last year, instead of having the best shooting season of his 11-year career like he's having this year. Maybe Jordan has nowhere to be like he did last year, and instead of being on the verge of breaking Wilt's record for FG% in a season (like he is now) he just obstructs the paint making everything harder for everyone, like he did last year. Maybe Paul gets back to shooting a league average 3PT% like he did last year, instead of being close to 40% like he is now (on increased amount too). So many things in the team's offense are working to perfection, you can't ignore how beneficial has been Blake's new positioning. What you say about "opening up passing angles all of the court to open shooters" is exactly what's happening right now with Blake playing from the high post and the elbows, better than ever, and I fail to see how it will improve from how GREAT it is right now. You can obsess with how much he scores and from where, but the team's clearly benefiting from what he's doing right now, and that's all that matters.

I see what you're saying. Very good points.