What are Blake Griffin's weaknesses?

Leor_77 · Post #1 » by **Leor_77** » Wed Dec 29, 2010 7:40 pm

Also, who does he currently have trouble going against?

I think it's pretty cool when you have to think about it for a while. Obviously, free throw shooting must improve. I also want to see him develop his back to the basket game a little bit more, and I want to see him demand the ball more. His spin move is sweet, but he needs a counter to it, as players will now know what he's doing, and will get to the appropriate spot to contest it. I think that his shot selection is generally good, but I'm not a huge fan of his fade-aways, and think that he shouldn't have to settle, given his height, strength and athleticism.

As far as tough match-ups, one of the more notable ones I've noticed was Dwight Howard. I think that legit 7-footers with skill and strength are a problem for him.

SportsFan215 · Post #2 » by **SportsFan215** » Wed Dec 29, 2010 10:23 pm

He isn't necessarily matched up against bigger, stronger guys like Dwight, since Blake is a PF, and most of the time DeAndre matches up against those guys.

In terms of his weaknesses, I would say right now it would be an outside jumper, which I have no doubt that he will improve in the near future. Second, he could also work on a more consistent defensive effort, but that also will come with more experience and better team defense around him.

Post #3 » by **mkwest** » Thu Dec 30, 2010 2:23 am

Long players can be problematic. In his first meeting with the Suns, they doubled him as soon as he touched the ball. It took him a little while to adjust. Good veteran defenders can slow him down some. He's defended more physically then most players in the league, so there have been times when he had hot starts, but had less juice in the tank as the game went on. Pacing himself, is something that he will learn from playing. Not only pacing himself for a game, but for the season.

Areas of needed improvement:

Free-Throw Shooting
Interior Defense
Mid-Range jumper
Develop more post moves/counters
Limiting Turnovers

His foul shooting is on the rise and is just shy of 60%. He needs to be about 10% higher if the ball is going to be in his hands at the end of the game. DeAndre Jordan has been a terrible foul shooter in his career, and we can't afford to have both of our post options shooting that badly when the game is on the line.

Extended range would open his game up and make him even more dangerous on offense. An athletic big that can drive, shoot and pass would be incredible. The defenders would have to respect his shot and that allows more versatility for us.

Defense has been a huge knock on him. He doesn't have to be a shotblocker, but he needs to learn how to use his strength and strong base for positioning on defense.

Turnovers are high partially because he is a rookie and he has the ball in his hands much of the time. His awareness should improve over time and that number should decrease.

Right now he can out jump most players and he is a quick leaper as well. It's great to get a strong finish, but he does need to expand his offensive arsenal. He's not afraid to use the glass, but he's got a lot of work to do before that that's consistent shot. On NBATV, he showed one of those guys (McHale?) his "go-to" move. You can't do that. He needs to develop a counter or 2. When you watch Olajuwon break down the Dream Shake, he had multiple counters. The defender knew what was going to happen, but not how it was going to come. He needs to get to a point where guys are guessing as opposed to anticipating his next move.

Sofia · Post #4 » by **Sofia** » Thu Dec 30, 2010 6:05 am

kryptonite.

TLJ · Post #5 » by **TLJ** » Sat Jan 1, 2011 11:38 pm

SportsFan215 wrote:He isn't necessarily matched up against bigger, stronger guys like Dwight, since Blake is a PF, and most of the time DeAndre matches up against those guys.

In terms of his weaknesses, I would say right now it would be an outside jumper, which I have no doubt that he will improve in the near future. Second, he could also work on a more consistent defensive effort, but that also will come with more experience and better team defense around him.

You dont get to decide who defends you.

Recently · Post #6 » by **Recently** » Sun Jan 2, 2011 2:06 pm

I think he will have a dependable mid-range jumper sooner than most rookies who come into the league. Pretty sure he knows he needs to work on it, since hes often left unguarded from 18 feet and out, and hes already shown some improvement in his range, especially with the 3's (is it me or did the 3 point shooting come out of NO WHERE lol)

PG3 · Post #7 » by **PG3** » Sun Jan 2, 2011 6:13 pm

I agree with Interior defense. He should also develop a finesse post move (hook shot, 10 ft fadeaway) and obviously ft%. But remember he's a rookie. He will only get better.

Post #8 » by **mkwest** » Sun Jan 2, 2011 9:55 pm

Recently wrote:I think he will have a dependable mid-range jumper sooner than most rookies who come into the league. Pretty sure he knows he needs to work on it, since hes often left unguarded from 18 feet and out, and hes already shown some improvement in his range, especially with the 3's (is it me or did the 3 point shooting come out of NO WHERE lol)

He's shown the ability to hit 3's in limited attempts. 37.5% as a sophomore, although it was only on 8 attempts. He made them in summer league and probably last preseason as well. He usually gets a wide open look, so opportunities to convert are much higher than they should be. I'd love to see him improve from the 15-18 foot range and for him to hit that bankshot with consistency.

Det the Threat · Post #9 » by **Det the Threat** » Mon Jan 3, 2011 5:42 am

Shooting(FT's and mid range jumper), low post offense(he needs at least about 1 or 2 more moves) and defense.

Though, he's only a rookie and will get better at that, thanks to his great work ethic.

scratch21 · Post #10 » by **scratch21** » Mon Jan 3, 2011 6:59 am

hes really slow & very nonathletic