At long last, Blake Griffin

[mkwest]

For Griffin, the physical component of the rehab wasn't the hard part. It was the isolation that accompanied the daily grind. While teammates were practicing and running drills, Griffin was confined to the treatment room or away visiting a specialist. Griffin was still a presence at the Clippers' training facility Playa Vista, but a more peripheral one than he wanted to be. When word came down in January that despite his diligence he'd miss the remainder of the season, Griffin was crushed.

"I was talking to Coach [Vinny] Del Negro, and the first thing he said was, 'I don't look at you as a rookie. You've gone through this,'" Griffin said. "That's the mindset I have. I'm not going into this like it's my first year. But at the same time, I have to prove to everyone I can play."

That's the challenge ahead for Griffin: He has all the responsibilities and expectations that come with being a veteran, without any of the professional on-court experience. Last season was supposed to be the consummation of his young lifetime of work, but it spiraled into an exercise of managing frustration. This season, Griffin arrives as a mystery guest. Some of those eager to see him play, particularly in Clipper Nación, have visions of Amare Stoudemire with rebounding and defense. Others might be rubberneckers, skeptics who see Sam Bowie and Greg Oden under the cloud of the Clippers' history.

But the person most eager to see Blake Griffin suit up and play NBA basketball?

That would be Blake Griffin.

"There's been so much more fuel added to my fire," Griffin said. "I'm even more excited than last year because things change when something is taken away from you."

Kevin Arnovitz, ESPN True Hoop

[RiversideClips]

I think that Blake will prove people that there is "NO" Clipper Jinx. I also expect a lot out of his buddy and former College teammate Willie Warren.

[JustAwesome]

Far too many people have handed the rookie of the year award to Wall. Griffin is going to make it a competition.

[thanumba2clippersfan]

It will be great to see Griffin play. We've waited so long.

[mkwest]

Blake Griffin Interview (Text & Video)

[Gold Chain]

Extremely excited to see this guy play next year.

As an NBA fan, I hope he wins ROTY.

He's coming to Toronto on February 13 and I'll be there to see him play.

[Recently]

I still think wall will get RoY if only because his team is so devoid of talent, he will be able to blackhole the ball all game and no one will care.