Blake the Great

Few players have lived up to the hype and also made such a name for themselves in a shorter time than Clippers forward Blake Griffin. This former No. 1 draft pick sat out his first season with an injury to his kneecap, suffered in the 2009-2010 preseason. After discovering the stress fracture was not healing properly, Griffin decided to have season ending surgery, a season which never truly began.

But, let’s back track for a moment. Blake Griffin’s basketball career started at the Oklahoma Christian School under his father, who was the head coach. He won state championships all 4 years of high school. His talent drew recruits and eventually scholarship offers from prestigious basketball schools:  Duke, North Carolina, Texas, and Kansas, but Griffin decided to stay close to home and play for the Oklahoma Sooners.

Griffin’s short career at the University of Oklahoma was highlighted with the John Wooden Award, and Naismith and AP Player of the Year in 2009. I was fortunate enough to see Blake in action while at OU, and marveled at his rebounding ability, over-powering dunks, and heart for the game. As just a sophomore, he decided to enter the NBA draft. Injuries had always been a concern for Griffin, who suffered a sprained left MCL, torn cartilage in his right knee, and a concussion in his 2 years at Oklahoma. But with his leaping ability, athleticism, aggressiveness, and work ethic, it would have been foolish not to keep him at the top of any NBA draft board.  

And so it was. Blake Griffin was taken by the Los Angeles Clippers as the No. 1 pick in the 2009 draft. After missing the 2009-2010 season, Griffin burst into the 2010-2011 season as one of the league’s best rebounders and dunkers, quickly placing himself among the league’s best. One NBA commentator summed it up best, “He’s the only reason to buy a ticket to a Clippers game.” Playing less than halfway into first season, Blake Griffin has already etched his name on the short list of Clipper legends. His electric play has given Clippers fans a reason to have hope for the future, the very near future.

But his aggressive style and thunderous dunks aren’t being received on the court as well as they are off the court. Opponents are undercutting him on lobs and getting unnecessarily physical in the paint. Veteran Baron Davis recently stuck up for the young forward after Lakers forward Lamar Odom became a little impatient and angry after being out-rebounded and dunk on numerous times by Griffin. After the game, Baron Davis said that they have to start taking care of him. Blake is a mild mannered guy, and will walk away from confrontation, and with the support of his teammates, he won’t have to fight the battles alone.

For the fans who have not been able to see Griffin in action yet, the Slam Dunk Contest during the NBA All-Star weekend will surely amaze. As exciting and jaw-dropping as Blake Griffin’s dunks can be, this might be a down year for the Dunk Contest. Griffin should win easily and add yet another accolade to his growing list of achievements. You're a beast, Blake.