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What's more interesting, and longer lasting as far as the Clippers go, is the maturation of Griffin. Two nights ago he's highlights' Nos. 1 & 2 on ESPN's "SportsCenter"; Monday night, he's just lousy.

The kid is only 22, and it's hard to remember — given the ferocity of his play — how dominate he can be. As a rule, there's so much to take for granted given his level of talent and production.

But it's a grind, everyone wanting a piece of him now as he excites both home and away fans. Throw in the TV commercials, the smirk for the camera on occasion and summer fun with Will Ferrell and ask why he has shut himself down?

Now it's as if he's walking around with blinders on. Some of those who travel regularly with the Clippers have taken notice of the guarded change in Griffin.

"You don't even say 'hi' to folks that you know anymore is what I'm being told," I say to Griffin as teammate Ryan Gomes walks by.

"Hey, what's up, Ryan — hi," gushes Griffin, as quick with the wit as he is the last step to the hoop.

Griffin then acts as if he hasn't seen DeAndre Jordan in weeks.

"Good to see you, DJ," Griffin gushes, while yelling hello to Trey Thompkins. The message is delivered: he's still capable of being himself.

"I don't want to say I'm guarded; I'm shy," Griffin explains. "And I'm not as outgoing as people think."

There is no way of knowing whether he's listening. With the blank look on his face, you sometimes wonder whether he's awake.

"His mother told me one time that she'd be talking to his brother and Blake would act like he wasn't listening," says Clippers Coach Vinny Del Negro. "But the next day Blake would almost recite word for word what she had said. He listens."

That guy right there is scary now, and as Blake continues to get better, it is light's out; everybody better watch out. He's one of those guys that when he misses shots that he knows he can make, he goes to the gym tonight or tomorrow and beats himself up about it."

TJ Simers, LA Times