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The full laugh track was in effect as Griffin made light of his reputation as a non-defender at the press conference after Monday night’s win over Minnesota. At the same time, the perception bothers Griffin, most notably because it’s often accompanied with the suggestion that he’s not fully vested in the craft of defense, or isn't willing to do the grunt work to become an elite defender. Preparation is a point of pride for Griffin. His workout schedule, nutrition, the amount of time he spends with shooting coach Bob Thate -- all of it is in service of doing this pro basketball thing the right way. So Griffin offers another theory.

"Honestly, I didn't know a lot of things I should’ve known during my first three years,” Griffin said. “I really do feel like I've gotten a little bit better each year. This year, it’s one of those things where I feel like when we’re on defense, I can affect the game.”

The increased selectivity is bearing out in Griffin’s shooting numbers from the floor. His effective field goal percentage of 57.9 percent far exceeds his career best of 55 percent two seasons ago. His assist numbers are down a bit, but he’s also encountering fewer double-teams because J.J. Redick and Jared Dudley merit the defense’s attention behind the arc. The shooting wings have contributed to a slight drop in Griffin’s usage rate this season, but rebounding numbers are up while turnovers are down.

Tensions have existed in Griffin’s game and persona since he arrived in the league: force and finesse, irony and earnestness, monastic discipline off the floor versus showmanship on it. Imagining what Blake Griffin: The Final Product will look like is a fascinating exercise, one reason his evolution as a player never seems to be progressing quickly enough for many. It’s a subtle, slow reveal for an athlete who so often seems larger than life.

Kevin Arnovitz, ESPN