The Ringer: Griffin Needs to Find Another Gear as Playmaker

[Ranma]

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[KevinOConnorNBA]

Thanks for posting. Very interested in reading the input from Clippers fans. Blake's playmaking opportunities have increased in recent years, but still think so much more can be done.

[QRich3]

Thanks for posting. Very interested in reading the input from Clippers fans. Blake's playmaking opportunities have increased in recent years, but still think so much more can be done.

It's a very good piece Kevin, very thought provoking. I think he's been evolving at a good pace as a playmaker in his career so far and hopefully he's gonna continue to. I do not agree that he should be running pick'n'rolls as a ball handler, and the fact that they finished at a good rate in the 44 possessions Synergy recorded him as running the P&R does not seem reliable enough to me to make it a featured play. The Paul/Griffin P&R, even if predictable, has been one of the most efficient plays in the last few years with Paul as the ball handler, and one of the main reasons for it is Blake's playmaking ability when he pops out. Tinkering with that and putting Paul as the screener seems overthinking a bit too much for me, and I don't think Blake's ready to do that at a high volume without turning it over more than what's desirable (and taking care of the ball is one of the things that make Paul and the Clippers offense great). Having probably the best P&R PG in the league, it seems like a waste to make him play off ball.

Blake's current strength as a playmaker comes from two spots mainly, when he pops to the high post as the screener in the P&R, and in isolation/early post ups from the elbows. And I think where Doc could make the most of his abilities is playing him in those situations with the bench as the playmaking C while the rest of the starters sit. But I'd still rather see him screening for Felton than running pick'n'rolls there.

One of the main areas with room for improvement imo, is what you mention about Griffin expanding his range. With last season showing how devastating the Paul-DJ P&R is when surrounded by shooters, and DJ ever improving rolling skills, Griffin being able to stretch the floor to the 3PT line would make the Clippers so much more versatile and difficult to defend. The thing with Blake is, he's not only one of the best playmaking bigs of his generation, he's also been one of the best finishers inside in the league (as you illustrate in the article with the many dunks he used to get at the start of his career). If you add to that the gravity to space the floor from the weakside, he'd pretty much be the perfect offensive big for the current NBA. His quad injury probably prevented him to work too much on his shooting this summer, but everything's been pointing to that being the next step on his development.

But it’s also the case for transition play. Instead of always looking for Paul, Clippers bigs should outlet the ball to Griffin, considering he’s one of the NBA’s best in the open floor.

That is actually one of Doc's most loved plays

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[madmaxmedia]

I think what the article showed very well is that there is an opportunity to make the Clipper offense a lot more dynamic than it currently is.

It can be a lot more than CP3 dribble, dribble, dribble or Blake low/high post wait, wait, wait. We have the skills players to do more of the interchangeable stuff other teams are doing, Blake handling on the pick-and-roll is just one (great) example of that. When you mix things up like that, its a lot harder for the defense to get set and anticipate what's coming.

When you have a PG like CP3 or a PF like Blake, you understandably want them doing the prototypical PG or PF stuff a lot and play to their strengths. But it can make our offense predictable too.

[TucsonClip]

Thanks for posting. Very interested in reading the input from Clippers fans. Blake's playmaking opportunities have increased in recent years, but still think so much more can be done.

I would agree and have been a strong proponent of Doc splitting some of his minutes away from CP3 to prop up the bench. This also would take some needed pressure off Jamal and Austin to run the offense. That should change some with Felton around. Still, Blake needs more possessions initiating the offense, as you point out in the article.

[KevinOConnorNBA]

When you have a PG like CP3 or a PF like Blake, you understandably want them doing the prototypical PG or PF stuff a lot and play to their strengths. But it can make our offense predictable too.

I think that's the fear I'd have if I were a Clippers fan. Why would things be any different this year? I know, the injuries, there are other variables. But to beat the Warriors, some revisions have to be made to strain their defense.

[KevinOConnorNBA]

Thanks for posting. Very interested in reading the input from Clippers fans. Blake's playmaking opportunities have increased in recent years, but still think so much more can be done.

One of the main areas with room for improvement imo, is what you mention about Griffin expanding his range. With last season showing how devastating the Paul-DJ P&R is when surrounded by shooters, and DJ ever improving rolling skills, Griffin being able to stretch the floor to the 3PT line would make the Clippers so much more versatile and difficult to defend. The thing with Blake is, he's not only one of the best playmaking bigs of his generation, he's also been one of the best finishers inside in the league (as you illustrate in the article with the many dunks he used to get at the start of his career). If you add to that the gravity to space the floor from the weakside, he'd pretty much be the perfect offensive big for the current NBA. His quad injury probably prevented him to work too much on his shooting this summer, but everything's been pointing to that being the next step on his development.

Thanks QRich. One thing I'm curious about here, and I haven't heard or reach much about it. But do you know why the Clippers fired their shooting coach? I thought he was the guy that worked directly with Blake. Am I wrong about that?

[nickhx2]

i believe they just simply think the new guy is better.

[Wammy Giveaway]

Thanks QRich. One thing I'm curious about here, and I haven't heard or reach much about it. But do you know why the Clippers fired their shooting coach? I thought he was the guy that worked directly with Blake. Am I wrong about that?

According to Dan Woike, it was a simple coaching shakeup. Dave Severns is also gone, Lawrence Frank has been promoted to the front office, and Kevin Eastman (not to be confused with the co-creator of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) has retired.

Two known people taking their places include John Welch and Dee Brown. John is so unknown, Masai Ujiri joked (perhaps seriously) about not releasing his job credentials to the public for fear of opposing teams taking advantage of, and countering his system. Dee is a Doc guy: he played for him before when he was coaching the Orlando Magic in the 2000-01 season. And as we all know, Doc treats the Clippers like a Mile High Club: "You have to have known me, defeated me, or be related to me to even work for me."

[QRich3]

Thanks for posting. Very interested in reading the input from Clippers fans. Blake's playmaking opportunities have increased in recent years, but still think so much more can be done.

One of the main areas with room for improvement imo, is what you mention about Griffin expanding his range. With last season showing how devastating the Paul-DJ P&R is when surrounded by shooters, and DJ ever improving rolling skills, Griffin being able to stretch the floor to the 3PT line would make the Clippers so much more versatile and difficult to defend. The thing with Blake is, he's not only one of the best playmaking bigs of his generation, he's also been one of the best finishers inside in the league (as you illustrate in the article with the many dunks he used to get at the start of his career). If you add to that the gravity to space the floor from the weakside, he'd pretty much be the perfect offensive big for the current NBA. His quad injury probably prevented him to work too much on his shooting this summer, but everything's been pointing to that being the next step on his development.

Thanks QRich. One thing I'm curious about here, and I haven't heard or reach much about it. But do you know why the Clippers fired their shooting coach? I thought he was the guy that worked directly with Blake. Am I wrong about that?

Yeah that was a bit puzzling at first, Bob Thate was indeed the guy they hired to work with Blake and DJ 4 years ago, after he was credited with changing Jason Kidd's shot. As nick says above, I think it's just that John Welch (the new shooting coach) is a Doc guy and he likes him more than Thate, who was hired before him, in the Vinny del Negro/Gary Sacks days. Welch has every bit the reputation of Thate though, and apparently they're even really good friends, so hopefully the change is not noticeable, or if it is, it's for the better.

[madmaxmedia]

When you have a PG like CP3 or a PF like Blake, you understandably want them doing the prototypical PG or PF stuff a lot and play to their strengths. But it can make our offense predictable too.

I think that's the fear I'd have if I were a Clippers fan. Why would things be any different this year? I know, the injuries, there are other variables. But to beat the Warriors, some revisions have to be made to strain their defense.

Yeah, the perfect example was watching the Clippers trying to grind it out on offense and stop the Rockets run at the end of that one game (you know the one.)

There is legitimate question about whether the talent level on this team is good enough to win a title. But I think it is also true that the team has not maximized the talent level it does have.

[og15]

When you have a PG like CP3 or a PF like Blake, you understandably want them doing the prototypical PG or PF stuff a lot and play to their strengths. But it can make our offense predictable too.

I think that's the fear I'd have if I were a Clippers fan. Why would things be any different this year? I know, the injuries, there are other variables. But to beat the Warriors, some revisions have to be made to strain their defense.

Yeah, the perfect example was watching the Clippers trying to grind it out on offense and stop the Rockets run at the end of that one game (you know the one.)

There is legitimate question about whether the talent level on this team is good enough to win a title. But I think it is also true that the team has not maximized the talent level it does have.

The 2014-2015 Clippers team was ranked 15th in Drtg during the season and based on league rank was the 2nd worst defensive Clippers team since Paul was added with the only worse one being the 11-12 team which was the first year and a lot of things were being figured out.

One thing last seasons team showed they could do which would have prevented them from losing to Houston in that same fashion is use defense to win games. Not only was that 14-15 team mediocre on defense, it was also probably the worst bench the team has had. Hawes became non-existent and the bench was Rivers in his first season here + Crawford and then Glen Davis who actually got injured vs the Spurs and was playing through it.

[madmaxmedia]

The 2014-2015 Clippers team was ranked 15th in Drtg during the season and based on league rank was the 2nd worst defensive Clippers team since Paul was added with the only worse one being the 11-12 team which was the first year and a lot of things were being figured out.

One thing last seasons team showed they could do which would have prevented them from losing to Houston in that same fashion is use defense to win games. Not only was that 14-15 team mediocre on defense, it was also probably the worst bench the team has had. Hawes became non-existent and the bench was Rivers in his first season here + Crawford and then Glen Davis who actually got injured vs the Spurs and was playing through it.

Better defense would've prevented that huge run from occurring in the first place, so yeah you are definitely right.

But it was absolutely painful watching the Clippers trying to 'bear down' on offense and respond to Houston's run. CP3 dribbling 10+ seconds off the shot clock, or Blake taking 10+ seconds to establish some sort of high post position and finally get the ball, etc.

[og15]

Part of the problem in that whole series was fatigue. Blake was pretty awful to end that game, but then Redick was playing 40 mpg and guarding Harden for most of the games. The roster was just not well built and the team suffered. Redick mentioned on his podcast how both he and Blake talked about how exhausted they were in that series, I think in his podcast with Bill Simmons, can't remember.

The team is better built and more balanced now, but of course going against the Warriors, if fully healthy you could do everything right and still lose, so there will be the need of luck and random things like some role player getting super hot, etc to win such a match up.

Of course the Clippers ideally would be 2nd, hopefully at worst 3rd, and assuming GS is 1st again, Clippers would still need to beat the other team that is 2nd/3rd, not to mention whomever is 6th/7th to even face GS. I think with the "same old" on offense plus better defense and depth the Clippers can certainly take on any 1st/2nd round match up and give GS a tough battle.

[KevinOConnorNBA]

Thanks for the info on Bob Welch, QRich3 and Wammy. Sounds interesting.

[KevinOConnorNBA]

Part of the problem in that whole series was fatigue. Blake was pretty awful to end that game, but then Redick was playing 40 mpg and guarding Harden for most of the games. The roster was just not well built and the team suffered. Redick mentioned on his podcast how both he and Blake talked about how exhausted they were in that series, I think in his podcast with Bill Simmons, can't remember.

The team is better built and more balanced now, but of course going against the Warriors, if fully healthy you could do everything right and still lose, so there will be the need of luck and random things like some role player getting super hot, etc to win such a match up.

Of course the Clippers ideally would be 2nd, hopefully at worst 3rd, and assuming GS is 1st again, Clippers would still need to beat the other team that is 2nd/3rd, not to mention whomever is 6th/7th to even face GS. I think with the "same old" on offense plus better defense and depth the Clippers can certainly take on any 1st/2nd round match up and give GS a tough battle.

I remember that too on the podcast. Redick's podcast is tremendous and I appreciate how much he speaks openly about his experiences.