Blake Griffin is the Real Deal

[LakersFan_33]

I knew this just by seeing what he did in College, and more so by what I saw from him in the pre-season, but this guy is just a phenom. Besides his athleticism and strength, he is impressing me a lot with his decision making and passing. He obviously won't stay with the Clippers when his contract runs out, but I don't think you're very likely to see many players like him.

[GreenFaith1819]

And you are not kidding there, LA Fan.....Man if Baron Davis can regain his form from 3 yrs ago, LA Clips will be scary. They could be scrapping for a playoff spot.

[GreenEnvy]

Yeah, I think he is the real deal, likely RotY and probably a perennial all-star in his prime.

[GreenFaith1819]

Man this just makes me feel worse for Oden. He needs to be playing.

[GreenFaith1819]

Man seems to be patient, too...doesn't seem rushed to bad decisions.

[guava_wrench]

He jumps really high. Amazing hands. Definitely a multiple all star.

[LakersFan_33]

And you are not kidding there, LA Fan.....Man if Baron Davis can regain his form from 3 yrs ago, LA Clips will be scary. They could be scrapping for a playoff spot.

Yeah, unfortunately, Baron Davis is a major bust for the Clippers with his contributions and his contract. I'm also not impressed with the new coach. They still need one or two more pieces, IMO.

[zerophase]

Blake is legit. He's going to make the All-Star team next year if he keeps this up. He's like a PF version of Lebron. This is just crazy.

[GreenFaith1819]

Man's a solid 260, too...I watched one sequence there where he just held his hands up, and LaMarcus missed badly just by making contact with him. Man is hard to move.

[Prof. Clutch]

Took me about three minutes into the Clippers game tonight to believe this guy will be a star.  Whatever 'it' is, he's got it.

[LarBrd33]

he definitely seems like it from this game.   He's quick as heck, outruns everyone on the break, is an excellent finisher, has fantastic moves... actually went coast-to-coast a couple times dribbling in traffic and didn't lose the ball... and his passing has seemed excellent.  Tons of offensive boards. 

Bill Simmons said in his podcast that Griffin was already a top 25 player in the league and then tonight prior to this game tweeted that Griffin was the best rookie the league has had in 7 years.   So far he doesn't seem wrong.

[Who]

Bill Simmons said in his podcast that Griffin was already a top 25 player in the league and then tonight prior to this game tweeted that Griffin was the best rookie the league has had in 7 years.   So far he doesn't seem wrong.

I am expecting the best rookie season since Tim Duncan.

[LakersFan_33]

Yeah...It might seem like a surprise to some people, but Blake was soaring in the air the entire pre-season. Most people think that last years injury was due to coming down on the knee, when in fact, that's not true AT ALL.

He was injured when he bumped knee's with Craig Smith in practice during that summer. He did not allow enough time to heal, and then re-injured it when coming down. Not saying another injury won't happen, but he's built like a machine.

[FallGuy]

Count me amongst those who are gonna prioritize Clipper games on LP this year. Griffin looks like a transcendent talent.

[PosImpos]

If he doesn't get injured Blake should run away with Rookie of the Year is the preseason and this game are any indication at all.  John Wall will give him a good challenge, and DeMarcus will have a solid campaign as well, but Blake looks like something else entirely.

That said, this was a night of ridiculous performances.

46 pts from Monta Ellis...okay.
36 points 16 rebounds from Luis Scola, following up a 15 rebound performance?  Woah.
18 pts 19 rebounds 3 blocks from Joakim Noah.  What?
28 pts 10 rebounds 6 assists 2 steals 1 block from Russell Westbrook.  Holy crap.
28 points 9 rebounds 3 blocks from Roy "Hungry Hungry" Hibbert. Dayum.

Okay, we're only 2 games into the season and these are great games from players who will be very up and down.  But still, we're 2 games into the season and the current MVP candidates after 2 games don't include people named Wade, James, Durant, or Bryant.  That doesn't mean anything, it's just amusing.