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Lowe: Dispelling the Blake Griffin Myths
Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2014 7:22 pm
by mkwest
Dispelling the Blake Griffin MythsAs the Clippers continue to win without Paul, it becomes increasingly clear the “HE CAN ONLY DUNK!” crowd simply does not watch Los Angeles Clippers basketball. The schedule has been easy and heavy on Eastern Conference teams, but the Clips are 9-3 since Paul went down, and Griffin has been sensational in shifting into a role as the team’s clear no. 1 option. Griffin has produced in exactly the sort of varied ways the screaming mobs claim are beyond his skill set. The Clippers have had the most efficient offense in the league since Paul’s injury — read that again, but also consider the schedule — and Griffin has shot better overall and gotten to the line more often this season with Paul on the bench, per NBA.com. He is not a remora fish mooching off a shark.
The Post GameThe four players who have exceeded Griffin’s post-Paul efficiency on the block: LeBron James (the best player alive, though Kevin Durant is closing the gap); Brook Lopez (out for the season); Boris Diaw (not nearly as frequent a post-up scoring threat); and Dirk Nowitzki (sort of a well-known post-up guy). Griffin’s post-ups this season have produced .981 points per possession, meaning he’s actually been better without Paul, even while assuming a larger burden. But even so: That .981 figure ranks Griffin 12th among those 79 players, in a virtual tie with some dude named Kevin Durant. Respected post scorers below Griffin include Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, David Lee, Al Jefferson, Zach Randolph, Kevin Love, DeMarcus Cousins, Nikola Pekovic, and many others.
How He’s ImprovedGriffin has post moves and countermoves. I repeat: Blake Griffin has actual post moves. He prefers to work from the left block, as most righties do, and if he’s backing you down there, he’s probably going for his righty jump hook in the lane. Sit too blatantly on that, and he’ll fake it, watch you jump, and go to a lefty up-and-under layin. He’s gotten stronger as a back-down force. You can’t guard him with weaker post defenders anymore, and he even knocked Joakim Noah off-balance with shoulder blocks last week in Chicago.
Zach Lowe,
Grantland
Lowe goes in-depth into his post game, mid-range shooting, defense, crunch time play and more. It's definitely worth reading.
Re: Lowe: Dispelling the Blake Griffin Myths
Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2014 7:51 pm
by okpistolpete
Great to see this. Griffin gets absolutely killed by most people outside of LA as they only see the dunk highlights and countless scraps with other players who try to take him out of the game.
Also, I really love Zach's writing. In my mind he's become the best basketball analyst there is. Very smart, very observant, does not draw conclusions too early, is willing to change his mind, and has enough wit to keep it interesting. Glad to see him appreciating what Blake has been doing this year.
Re: Lowe: Dispelling the Blake Griffin Myths
Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2014 8:46 pm
by mttwlsn16
All he does is dunk. He can't shoot
Re: Lowe: Dispelling the Blake Griffin Myths
Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2014 9:17 pm
by mj_shoefanatic
His low post and mid range game have drastically improved. I'm hoping it continues to get better and better after CP3 returns and into the postseason.
Re: Lowe: Dispelling the Blake Griffin Myths
Posted: Thu Jan 30, 2014 11:15 am
by QRich3
Love it. National media basically validating everything we've been saying about him, and doing it with a in depth, basically impossible-to-argue-against analysis. Lotta people about to eat some crow or act like they were always in the bandwagon.
Re: Lowe: Dispelling the Blake Griffin Myths
Posted: Thu Jan 30, 2014 11:12 pm
by TucsonClip
Good article, I wrote last season how Griffin finally developed counters to his post moves. This season those counters look second nature. He is able to recognize how a defender is playing him and seamlessly transition from a jump hook into an up and under.
I love the development we are seeing and I think it will only continue. His shooting has improved greatly over the past two seasons and when his range begins to solidify from 3, he is going to be a match up nightmare.
Re: Lowe: Dispelling the Blake Griffin Myths
Posted: Fri Jan 31, 2014 2:50 am
by Neddy
nothing that all of us the clipper faithful didn't already know.
but glad that the rest of the league is catching up. Blake right now without CP3 is a legitimate MVP candidate. he is right there if not just a notch below Lebron and Durant.
Re: Lowe: Dispelling the Blake Griffin Myths
Posted: Mon Feb 3, 2014 8:38 pm
by Don Tommy
Lowe is a heck of a writer. I find myself learning things about the NBA every time I read his stuff, mostly because I haven't watched a non Clipper game at all this year!
Re: Lowe: Dispelling the Blake Griffin Myths
Posted: Fri Feb 7, 2014 1:49 am
by Angel strike1
Wait doesn't Blake just dunk??lol
Re: Lowe: Dispelling the Blake Griffin Myths
Posted: Fri Feb 7, 2014 4:53 am
by mkwest
Angel strike1 wrote:Wait doesn't Blake just dunk??lol
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4n-XYtnERA[/youtube]
Re: Lowe: Dispelling the Blake Griffin Myths
Posted: Fri Feb 7, 2014 6:35 pm
by Angel strike1
Lol
Re: Lowe: Dispelling the Blake Griffin Myths
Posted: Sat Feb 8, 2014 4:59 pm
by TheNewEra
Who will be the next poster victim?