National Basketball Association

LA Clippers 2016-17 Player Outlooks: Blake Griffin, reloaded

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 9:01 p.m. ET

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Dec 14, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; LA Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) react after scoring late in the fourth quarter during the fourth quarter of the game against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Detroit Pistons 105-103 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Leon Halip-USA TODAY Sports

Fresh off of an injury plagued season, Blake Griffin looks primed to return to superstardom and take a leap in his seventh season with the LA Clippers.

He’s the guy you see on Kia, AT&T, Jordan, and many other commercials. Sometimes, he’s a comedian. But to the LA Clippers, he’s their 2009 first round draft pick. He’s their All-Star. Blake Austin Griffin is the Clippers franchise.

During the team’s run with Blake Griffin, one of the ongoing constants has been that he’s a mammoth problem for opposing teams. When your name is tossed into the same category as the legendary Oscar Robertson, people tend to take notice of what you’re able to do on a basketball court.

Throughout the course of his already legendary career, Blake Griffin has evolved immensely as a player. When he first arrived to the NBA scene, Griffin was perceived as an above average rebounder and, first and foremost, an extraordinary athlete to become the mayor of Lob City.

During the last several years, though, he’s turned into something way more essential than just an explosive dunker. He’s turned into what the ideal power forward should look like (a three-point shot would be a nice addition now).

In today’s NBA, power forwards are no longer one-dimensional rebounders or post scorers. Plodding bigs are becoming more irrelevant and extinct as each season passes. Griffin has been able to evolve past these one-dimensional abilities and has transformed into a dominant offensive dynamo. One that has been the most important leader for the Clippers.

This year’s free agency proved to keep fans on their seats, although nothing of significance actually occurred. Many different rumors surrounded the team. A J.J. Redick trade (an unwarranted one at that) and the possibility of free agents leaving brought forth some concern.

However, the largest rumor that surrounded the team was the possibility of Blake Griffin being traded.

These rumors all emerged, primarily, because of Griffin punching former, equipment manager Matias Testi. Much sentiment was dispersed throughout the league that the team’s positive locker room situation was suppressed by Griffin’s actions.

As a result, teams, such as the Celtics (via trade) and Thunder (via next year’s free agency), started to emerge faster than the Flash for the Clippers star. However, the rumors were soon laid to rest by general manager and head coach, Doc Rivers. This was his response to the matter in a conversation with Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical:

“We are hoping that Blake ends his career playing for the Clippers. Period…No team is calling right now because teams know we don’t have any interest. It just tells you the different times. Things have changed. Everyone believes that they’re the media now. There are so many good, credible guys, and then there’s some of the guys who are bloggers who have nothing to do with the sport…”

Doc’s response provides a clear indication that there was no disdain between the two parties. It was nothing more than another segment of “The Boy Who Cried Wolf.” Besides this, Griffin news has been relatively quiet this offseason. One could only wish that it would’ve been the same way during the 2015-16 season.

April 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; LA Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) controls the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Recap of Griffin’s 2015-16 season

The 2015-16 season was perceived as a chance at redemption for Griffin and company. Fresh off of blowing a 3-1 series lead in the Western Conference Semifinals, the LA Clippers were seeking stark retribution. Their number one goal: a championship.

As soon as the season started, Blake Griffin was having another inevitable All-Star caliber season. However, the Clippers’ aspirations didn’t translate onto the court for the most part and there with struggles with integrating a totally new bench. As a result, through the first 29 games, the team had a disappointing 16-13 record. During this time, he averaged 23.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game.

Griffin was one of the main focal points during this time, on a team that was still trying to address rotational issues. It appeared that these problems would soon work themselves out and everything would go right for the Clippers.

But what’s the joy of being a Clippers fan something happening to the team?

On Christmas night, the team played the Lakers. It was a sub-par matchup, as per usual, for the Clippers. However, during the game Blake Griffin suffered a partial quadriceps tear.

These types of injuries are taken and handled very seriously. The extent of Griffin’s injury was primarily diagnosed as minuscule, with a recovery time of two weeks.

Obviously, this didn’t happen (many say because of the diagnosis and rehab process) and Griffin was advised to have surgery. Instead, he wanted to return during the season so he declined that option. He ended up missing 47 games during the regular season, but it was accompanied by other eventful circumstances.