Does Giannis offer a good glimpse of what Blake Griffin’s ceiling could have looked like?

No-more-rings · Post #1 » by **No-more-rings** » Sat Jan 21, 2023 3:16 am

You have two hyper athletic power forwards, Griffin was much more “star ready” early in his career than Giannis and was more hyped but because of injuries and some other factors don’t think he reached nearly his maximum potential. Griffin was never a guy that had great defensive iq, but had physical abilities that allowed him to be fairly solid there at times, but i’d argue he was a more gifted passer than Giannis and had a better jumper. Not a perfect comparison of course, but I don’t think anyone can say with a straight face that Griffin maxed out his abilities. Then again, idk maybe I’m overrating what his talent was.

ronnymac2 · Post #2 » by **ronnymac2** » Sat Jan 21, 2023 3:21 am

There's a meaningful difference in defensive potential since Giannis is super long and Blake has alligator arms.

RCM88x · Post #3 » by **RCM88x** » Sat Jan 21, 2023 3:22 am

Probably the most similar player in recent years. Blake felt like a much better shooter to me, though more of a catch and shoot guy. Real shame what happened to him, he was really becoming a elite level player in 2015, 2016 before it fell apart for him.

Colbinii · Post #4 » by **Colbinii** » Sat Jan 21, 2023 3:59 am

I don't see the comparison. Griffin was a much better shooter/had better touch with the ball. Giannis is much lengthier and more active defensively [I dont see a meaningful difference in their defensively IQ and Griffin at his best was likely a better man defender overall].

OhayoKD · Post #5 » by **OhayoKD** » Sat Jan 21, 2023 7:45 am

Colbinii wrote:I don't see the comparison. Griffin was a much better shooter/had better touch with the ball. Giannis is much lengthier and more active defensively [I dont see a meaningful difference in their defensively IQ and Griffin at his best was likely a better man defender overall].

Was not expecting to read that. Could you make the case?

scrabbarista · Post #6 » by **scrabbarista** » Sun Jan 22, 2023 5:11 am

AussieBuck · Post #7 » by **AussieBuck** » Sun Jan 22, 2023 5:19 am

Colbinii wrote:I don't see the comparison. Griffin was a much better shooter/had better touch with the ball. Giannis is much lengthier and more active defensively [I dont see a meaningful difference in their defensively IQ and Griffin at his best was likely a better man defender overall].

Blake is a great man defender and he's gotten smarter as he's aged but if he had Giannis' defensive IQ with his explosive athleticism he had as a youngster he would have been a waaaay bigger factor as a weak-side helper even with his wingspan deficit.

threethehardway · Post #8 » by **threethehardway** » Sun Jan 22, 2023 5:48 am

I really don't see how Blake Griffin comes anywhere near Giannis.

What makes Giannis special is his physical dimensions combined with elite wing athleticism. The guy is 7ft or close to it, with arms that are the size of helicopter blades.

Blake is 6'10 on his best day with t-rex arms.

Blake Griffin also was a savvier offensive player in prime, that developed a variety of moves and counters along with an off the dribble 3 point shot.

Giannis is really like a stretched out Orlando Shaq on offense, instead of using raw strength, it's the length and the force and the strength combined with ballerina feet that makes him dangerous.

Blake Griffin isn't the athletic marvel that Giannis is nor did he lived by overpowering and out-athleting the opponent. Outside of the poster dunks, and his first 3 years as a rim running big, he played like a lesser second Cavs stint Lebron. Take second Cavs stint Lebron, dial him down about a 3, that's prime Blake Griffin. An elite passer at the forward position that can get layups at the rim and compliment that with shotmaking.

And where are people getting this idea that Blake Griffin is a great man to man defender?

Seriously.

Blake tries hard, but he isn't locking anybody up.