Can Blake Griifin Be an NBA Small Forward?

Post #1 » by **Klomp** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 12:53 am

Since I'm a Facebook creeper, I thought Id ask the question. Could Griffin play SF for the Wolves? It would put our frontcourt as Griffin/Love/Jefferson.

some_rand · Post #2 » by **some_rand** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 12:58 am

big3_8_19_21 · Post #3 » by **big3_8_19_21** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 1:00 am

I think with his athleticism and surprising ball handling skills, he COULD play SF, but I think PF is easily his best position. He will be out of place at SF, but he technically could play SF, I think. All 3 of Love/Jefferson/Griffin are so different...if we could combine all of them into one player, that's a perennial MVP candidate...

Rakocevicftw · Post #4 » by **Rakocevicftw** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 1:08 am

This is such an insane and bold gambit that I have to support it.

mnWI · Post #5 » by **mnWI** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 1:17 am

The question you have to ask before thinking about his offensive game is, can he guard 3s in the NBA. I would say that makes it a no.

Post #6 » by **Klomp** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 1:28 am

mnWI wrote:The question you have to ask before thinking about his offensive game is, can he guard 3s in the NBA. I would say that makes it a no.

Why don't you think he can guard SFs?

some_rand · Post #7 » by **some_rand** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 1:34 am

i think the best thing to do (assuming rubio doesnt declare) is trade griffin to the thunder for green and their pick and take jennings

MINNY4LYFE · Post #8 » by **MINNY4LYFE** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 1:40 am

Could he guard Durant, Lebron, Odom, Caron Butler, more upon more? IMO, I give it a no.

mnWI · Post #9 » by **mnWI** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 1:56 am

some_rand wrote:i think the best thing to do (assuming rubio doesnt declare) is trade griffin to the thunder for green and their pick and take jennings

No way I trade Griffin. I would take him number 1, play him next to Al, and either see how Love does in a bench role, or move Love for a different piece.

mnWI · Post #10 » by **mnWI** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 2:01 am

klomp44 wrote:
mnWI wrote:The question you have to ask before thinking about his offensive game is, can he guard 3s in the NBA. I would say that makes it a no.

Why don't you think he can guard SFs?

His defensive stance. Plays too far back on his heels. His perimeter defensive fundamentals are pretty much terrible. He's not a great defender against 4s either, but has a much better chance of getting better at that spot on the defensive end of the floor.

JR Rider · Post #11 » by **JR Rider** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 2:11 am

If we do land the #1 pick... We 100% select Griffin... Shortly after that we trade him for pieces...

He is not suited to play the 3 in the NBA... and I would rather have Love (and/or Jefferson) than Griffin....

Post #12 » by **Klomp** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 2:12 am

mnWI wrote:His defensive stance. Plays too far back on his heels. His perimeter defensive fundamentals are pretty much terrible. He's not a great defender against 4s either, but has a much better chance of getting better at that spot on the defensive end of the floor.

I like your posts. They actually show a little insight.

And I agree about the 3-man rotation of Al, Griffin, and Love. Find a defensive center as the 4th big and we're set.

mnWI · Post #13 » by **mnWI** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 2:22 am

JR Rider wrote:If we do land the #1 pick... We 100% select Griffin... Shortly after that we trade him for pieces...

He is not suited to play the 3 in the NBA... and I would rather have Love (and/or Jefferson) than Griffin....

I am a Love fan, but Griffin is a much better prospect in my opinion. He shares the same feel for the game, touch inside, tenacity on the glass, and strong hands as Love. But Griffin is a much more explosive athlete, and has a much more developed offensive game. Some of the moves Griffin finished today were absolutely jaw-dropping. His footwork is just ridiculous, as he showed today on that spin out of the post into a step-back jumper off his right foot. Griffin and Al together would turn into the most unstoppable scoring tandem at the 4 and 5 in the NBA.

mnWI · Post #14 » by **mnWI** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 2:50 am

Playing him at the 3 would probably have some type of negative impact on one of Griffin's biggest assets too, his rebounding.

collin_k41 · Post #15 » by **collin_k41** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 3:00 am

MINNY4LYFE wrote:Could he guard Durant, Lebron, Odom, Caron Butler, more upon more? IMO, I give it a no.

There's no need to include Lebron on any "can he guard this guy" list. Thinking you're going to actually do a good job guarding him is simply unfathomable.

Can Blake Griffin be a SF? I say yes he can using the exact same argument as big. He could do it but he's better off as a PF. There aren't many 6'10"ish guys with his build who are SF's.

Post #16 » by **TheFranchise21** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 3:53 am

It would be foolish for anyone to try to move Griffin to small forward. If you have the opportunity to select Griffin, you take him and keep him. Beyond his talent, he has the kind of exciting style of play that puts fans in seats and the Wolves are hurting for ticket sales.

Zeitgeister · Post #17 » by **Zeitgeister** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 4:06 am

Griffin needs to play power forward. His game is perfectly suited for that role. I wouldn't trade him either, and I would look to trade Kevin Love before Griffin. Not that I don't think Kevin Love is a very good player, but Griffin is on another level.

Post #18 » by **Klomp** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 4:08 am

When I originally posted this question, I meant it to mean more of a part time role. I'm not expecting him to make the full-time switch. That would just be dumb.

prefuse73 · Post #19 » by **prefuse73** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 4:49 am

I think the question should be... could we fit all three on this team. They all bring something different to the table, but none of them are particularly good defenders.

Could we thrive with simply a 3 PF rotation (no legit center) of Jefferson, Griffin and Love. No doubt offensively they would be the most lethal group in the NBA, but would lack of interior D make it a wash? I personally would like to be in the position to see if it could work. It would be tough for me to see Love traded cause I think his IQ is very unique, the kid works really hard and I am positive that he will improve greatly over the summer.

Jefferson / Love
Griffin / Love
Brewer / Gomes
Foye / Miller
Telfair / Foye / Brown

Dan's with the Wolves · Post #20 » by **Dan's with the Wolves** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 6:15 am

It's about time there is some love for griffin on this board. Seems like the first thing everyone wants to do is trade him. I'd draft him and keep him. And then take the rest of the league to the woodshed inside! Having a three headed monstor in the paint allows all of them to be more aggressive at the defensive end as well.

Can Griffin play SF in the NBA?