All things Blake Griffin thread Rookie Year edition

[Max Power]

Re: Blake Griffin is the second-best player in L.A. >>> O.C. Register

Pau Gasol's career stats are:

18.8 Points
9.0 Rebounds
52.1% Shooting
3.4 Assists
0.6 Steals
1.7 Blocks

Blake has been shattering those numbers in limited pre season minutes. I bet he beats a minimum of 4 of those numbers. He might crush them all.

That says it all right there. I love Blake Griffin and I believe one day he will be the best power forward in the League, but he hasn't done it in a real game that counts.

 

[bocabull]

Re: Blake Griffin is the second-best player in L.A. >>> O.C. Register

OK smarty pants. Which of those stats won't Blake best? I say he will beat at least 4 of them.

This is the same old story. I make a pre season prediction that will end up being right and the peanut gallery argues about it all the way up until the end of the season.

Man it must suck to be a little nay saying sheep. Grow a pair kids.

 

[boksooner]

Re: Blake Griffin is the second-best player in L.A. >>> O.C. Register

I think everyone is confused. Boca is not saying that Blake is going to beat Pau's numbers of this year. He is going to beat his career numbers.

18.8 Points
9.0 Rebounds
52.1% Shooting
3.4 Assists
0.6 Steals
1.7 Blocks

I don't think it is crazy to think that Blake could beat several of those categories, especially FG% and rebounding. I don't think Blake has a good enough team around him to best the 3.4 assists, but points, blocks and steals are attainable, if somewhat unlikely.

 

[NickZepp]

Re: Blake Griffin is the second-best player in L.A. >>> O.C. Register

I think I agree with Boca if he is saying Blake will be better than Gasol. But right now Gasol is one of the best inside players in the league. Blake still hasn't played a game in the league.

 

[bocabull]

Re: Blake Griffin is the second-best player in L.A. >>> O.C. Register

Actually BOK, Gasol's numbers last year were pretty much identical to his career stats other than a big jump to 11.3 rebounds.


The writer for the OC Register sees what he sees. Gasol is a nice player but he is the classic role player. Yeah he led Memphis for 8 years ... led them to zero playoff wins and he didn't make All NBA a single time. Now he lines up next to Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom and Kobe Bryant and get's overrated because he's on a great team and sneaks his way on to the All NBA 3rd team.

But everybody knows he is no Tim Duncan, no Dirk Nowitzki, no Amare Stoudemire. You need 30 or 40 those guys can go get it.

And yes, he's no Blake Griffin.

 

[Mr.B!!!]

Re: Blake Griffin is the second-best player in L.A. >>> O.C. Register

We'll see...if I know Blake Griffin he laughs off comparisons to other players as he hasn't proven anything on this level yet. FWIW, I think that he'll be fantastic so long as his health cooperates, 6'10" 260 isn't the easiest thing on the knees, espescially when you can (and do) jump out of the gym.

 

[jmizzy4ou]

Re: Blake Griffin is the second-best player in L.A. >>> O.C. Register

Blake has the potential to be better than Gasol. He has yet to translate on the court, and even one yr of better stats won't prove that. Once he shows it consistently for a few yrs, then CROWN HIM.

I agree with Boca that Gasol gets credited alot with taking LA over the top, but few realize how me he benefits from playing with Kobe on the perimeter. Gasol is a nice inside scoring option, but he still needs a defensive presence alongside of him, or he absolutely gets abused. Remember how KG did him in the finals with Bynum on the bench injured. This past yr, he at least had a banged up Bynum to provide a defensive presence.

I love what Gasol brings to my Lakers, but if Blake winds up being as good as he appears to be, then he will be one of those rare players that can put an average team on his back and carry them to playoff success. I'm not sure that Gasol could do that because of his defensive shortcomings.

 

[jmizzy4ou]

Re: Blake Griffin is the second-best player in L.A. >>> O.C. Register

4got to add that before he can be the 2nd best in LA, he 1st needs to be the best on his team. Kaman and B-Diddy both are looking pretty good right now.

 

[boksooner]

Re: Blake Griffin is the second-best player in L.A. >>> O.C. Register

I think everyone is confused. Boca is not saying that Blake is going to beat Pau's numbers of this year. He is going to beat his career numbers.

18.8 Points
9.0 Rebounds
52.1% Shooting
3.4 Assists
0.6 Steals
1.7 Blocks

I don't think it is crazy to think that Blake could beat several of those categories, especially FG% and rebounding. I don't think Blake has a good enough team around him to best the 3.4 assists, but points, blocks and steals are attainable, if somewhat unlikely.

Everyone seems to be dodging the question by focusing on whether Blake or Pau is better, right now.

Do you think that Blake can put up numbers that exceed Gasol's career numbers? Can he exceed some of his numbers?

 

[jmizzy4ou]

Re: Blake Griffin is the second-best player in L.A. >>> O.C. Register

Everyone seems to be dodging the question by focusing on whether Blake or Pau is better, right now.

Do you think that Blake can put up numbers that exceed Gasol's career numbers? Can he exceed some of his numbers?

He has the potential to surpass all of those numbers, but who really knows if that will come to fruition?? Heck, alot could happen, he could become the most dominant big man in the league for yrs to come, or he could be a guy who battles injuries/lack of production/etc for yrs. The most that anyone can say as now is what his POTENTIAL is, and IMO he potentially is a rare big guy who can carry a team like KG use to do, or like Duncan did.

 

[gracefor24]

Re: Blake Griffin is the second-best player in L.A. >>> O.C. Register

He has the potential to surpass all of those numbers, but who really knows if that will come to fruition?? Heck, alot could happen, he could become the most dominant big man in the league for yrs to come, or he could be a guy who battles injuries/lack of production/etc for yrs. The most that anyone can say as now is what his POTENTIAL is, and IMO he potentially is a rare big guy who can carry a team like KG use to do, or like Duncan did.

Exactly. RIGHT NOW, he's not better than Gasol. Potentially? Of course, he has tools that Gasol could only dream of, but of course the flip side is true as well. Gasol has tools that are so underrated just because he can't jump out of the gym.

 

[boksooner]

Re: Blake Griffin is the second-best player in L.A. >>> O.C. Register

He has the potential to surpass all of those numbers, but who really knows if that will come to fruition?? Heck, alot could happen, he could become the most dominant big man in the league for yrs to come, or he could be a guy who battles injuries/lack of production/etc for yrs. The most that anyone can say as now is what his POTENTIAL is, and IMO he potentially is a rare big guy who can carry a team like KG use to do, or like Duncan did.

I'm just talking about this year. Will Blake's rookie numbers be better than Gasol's career averages as posted above. Not whether his career numbers will be better than Gasol's career numbers. That was Boca's original question, before the thread got off track.

 

[Mr.B!!!]

Re: Blake Griffin is the second-best player in L.A. >>> O.C. Register

I'm just talking about this year. Will Blake's rookie numbers be better than Gasol's career averages as posted above. Not whether his career numbers will be better than Gasol's career numbers. That was Boca's original question, before the thread got off track.

I think that he has a definite shot at it, in fact, I'd probably bet that he will. I will be curious to see if Gordon and Davis defer to him...even in the article in the OP, there is an allusion to Blake getting points "by just being out there." I agree that he will definitely get those points, but I'd hope that they would design some iso's for him as well.

 

[Mr.B!!!]

Re: Blake Griffin is the second-best player in L.A. >>> O.C. Register

Just to add (and I got laughed on another board for saying it) but Blake is the closest thing athletically to Dwight Howard as there is in the NBA, plus he is a better "basketball" player IMHO. Add that to the more up-tempo Western Conference and I think that you'll see Blake with very similar numbers to Howard, maybe even more points and rebounds (fewer blocks though).

 

[jmizzy4ou]

Re: Blake Griffin is the second-best player in L.A. >>> O.C. Register

Just to add (and I got laughed on another board for saying it) but Blake is the closest thing athletically to Dwight Howard as there is in the NBA, plus he is a better "basketball" player IMHO. Add that to the more up-tempo Western Conference and I think that you'll see Blake with very similar numbers to Howard, maybe even more points and rebounds (fewer blocks though).

Good point. The Clips are emphasizing the uptempo game, so BG should get plenty of dunks/layups when he runs with B-Diddy. I believe that the uptempo part of his game is his bread/butter right now. I also believe that he may struggle some early in the 1/2 court. With Kaman coming on, and the perimeter guys able to knock down 3's, I believe that the 1/2 court O will go through Kaman/Davis more, with Gordon and Butler getting kick outs for 3. Of course BG will get his share of offensive boards, IMO. I believe that he will be close to Gasol's pts, pass Gasol's boards and blocks, and be a little below Gasol's assists. Blake should shatter his steals avg....

 

[Max Power]

Re: Blake Griffin is the second-best player in L.A. >>> O.C. Register

Exactly. RIGHT NOW, he's not better than Gasol. Potentially? Of course, he has tools that Gasol could only dream of, but of course the flip side is true as well. Gasol has tools that are so underrated just because he can't jump out of the gym.

That is exactly what i was trying to say earlier n the thread.

 

[gracefor24]

Re: Blake Griffin is the second-best player in L.A. >>> O.C. Register

Good point. The Clips are emphasizing the uptempo game, so BG should get plenty of dunks/layups when he runs with B-Diddy. I believe that the uptempo part of his game is his bread/butter right now. I also believe that he may struggle some early in the 1/2 court. With Kaman coming on, and the perimeter guys able to knock down 3's, I believe that the 1/2 court O will go through Kaman/Davis more, with Gordon and Butler getting kick outs for 3. Of course BG will get his share of offensive boards, IMO. I believe that he will be close to Gasol's pts, pass Gasol's boards and blocks, and be a little below Gasol's assists. Blake should shatter his steals avg....

It will be interesting because he didn't play much with Davis in the preseason and they never played with all 4 in the game (Gordon, Davis, Griffin, Kaman). Sheer numbers tells you that it will effect his PPG. I think Griffin will round out around 17-18 PPG and 10 RPG. We have yet to see what he does when having to guard PF starters night in and night out and deal with foul trouble.

I think BG is a really special player and could be a guy who could be a 10X All Star (and more) and be a HOF player.

 

[jmizzy4ou]

Re: Blake Griffin is the second-best player in L.A. >>> O.C. Register

It will be interesting because he didn't play much with Davis in the preseason and they never played with all 4 in the game (Gordon, Davis, Griffin, Kaman). Sheer numbers tells you that it will effect his PPG. I think Griffin will round out around 17-18 PPG and 10 RPG. We have yet to see what he does when having to guard PF starters night in and night out and deal with foul trouble.

I think BG is a really special player and could be a guy who could be a 10X All Star (and more) and be a HOF player.

I agree. How he fairs on the defensive side of the ball with be important. Alot of rookies battle foul problems as they adjust to the speed of the game, and the physical nature of the game.

 

[BigTime]

Re: All things Blake Griffin thread

Whats New for 2010-11: The Rookies >>> NBA.com

 

[scrybe]

Re: Blake Griffin is the second-best player in L.A. >>> O.C. Register

Just to add (and I got laughed on another board for saying it) but Blake is the closest thing athletically to Dwight Howard as there is in the NBA, plus he is a better "basketball" player IMHO. Add that to the more up-tempo Western Conference and I think that you'll see Blake with very similar numbers to Howard, maybe even more points and rebounds (fewer blocks though).

I'm probably the one who'll be laughed at for saying this, but how anyone can think that Dwight Howard is a better athlete than Blake Griffin is simply beyond my comprehension. Howard is probably the best player at his position in the NBA today. What makes him great is a combination of size, brute strength and sufficient mobility to dominate most other big men in the league. Dwight possesses great NBA skills, but Blake is by far the better athlete – and in a matter of just a few years (barring injuries/health issues) he'll also be the better all-around player.

Go ahead; fire away!