LA Clippers: Blake Griffin primed to ascend in franchise history

By Tom West | Sep 8, 2016

Apr 23, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) dunks over Portland Trail Blazers center Mason Plumlee (24) in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /

Blake Griffin is already one of the top few players the LA Clippers have had, and he’s primed to take a major leap forward in franchise history next season.

When scrolling through countless statistics of some of the best players in LA Clippers history, it doesn’t take long for the numbers to emphasize just how remarkable Blake Griffin‘s talent is. His ranking among the franchise leaders in numerous areas speaks volumes about his performance and rapid production by his 27th birthday.

He even missed what would have been his rookie year due to injury in 2009-10 and missed 47 games last season. And his production to this point is still terrific.

Sure, his statistical standing says a little about the decades of failure and level of basketball that have been so prevalent in the history of the Clippers. But it also says a lot about the talent of Griffin.

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Already, he’s one of the very best players in the league and easily one of the very best to represent the Clippers. It’s why I placed him at 2nd in my rankings of the 10 greatest big men in franchise history, only losing to 1975 league MVP with the Buffalo Braves and unstoppable scorer Bob McAdoo.

With such progression since his dunk-filled rookie season, Griffin has developed the kind of guard-like ball handling, quarterback playmaking, mid-range shooting and overall triple-double threat that has him climbing up the NBA ranks. Both currently and historically.

However, while his statistical achievements weren’t surprising as a I weighed up his place in LA Clippers history, what he’s primed to do in the coming season is eye catching without a doubt.

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Currently, Griffin’s talent and leadership role of the team has him sitting at 7th in minutes played in the team’s history at 14,491. Providing he stays healthy and avoids punching equipment mangers in the face, he’ll climb several spots next season.

Moving into 3rd place and passing the likes of Chris Kaman, Loy Vaught and Corey Maggette will be easy, leaving Griffin to take over the current 3rd place spot of DeAndre Jordan (16,051).

Minutes aren’t that interesting, though. Where Griffin can really make his mark is elsewhere, leaping past others to become one of the top few scorers, passers and rebounders the Clippers have ever had. Already, by the time he’s 28.

Right now, even after playing just 35 games last season, Griffin is currently ranked 5th in total points with 8,801. Just 34 points behind 4th place Corey Maggette, Griffin can climb up one spot within a couple of games.

And as for 3rd and 2nd place, Elton Brand and Bob McAdoo, respectively, Griffin is also well within reach for what he can achieve next season.

Brand is at 9,336 points and McAdoo is at 9,434, placing both in Griffin’s range to surpass in 2016-17. In a healthy, 80-game season in 2013-14 (admittedly benefiting from an 18-game stretch when Chris Paul was out, allowing Griffin to carry more of the offense), Griffin scored 24.1 points per game and finished with 1,930 for the season.

Trailing McAdoo by only 633 points, Griffin is set to surpass McAdoo even if he falls off. If he averages somewhere around 22 points, Blake will pass McAdoo by a mile; such a mark would result in 1,760 points in 80 games.

1st place is out of reach for the time being. Two-time All-Star shooting guard Randy Smith averaged 17.8 points per game over nine seasons with the Braves and San Diego Clippers, amassing 12,735 points. If Griffin re-signs on a long-term deal with the Clippers next summer, though, and he’s reportedly intending to stay around, becoming the leading scorer in franchise history will rapidly become possible for him.

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As a rebounder, Griffin can also take a major leap forward. At 7th place in total rebounds with 3,927, he’s only 783 boards away from 2nd place Elton Brand. Griffin had 757 in that healthy 2013-14 season, averaging 9.5 per game, so this mark may be slightly out of reach. Nevertheless, overtaking 3rd place Loy Vaught (544 ahead) is far easier.

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Finally, as a passer, Griffin’s development in this regard has made him storm up the rankings. Already at 5th in assists with 1,654, he can inch closer to 4th place Norm Nixon (2,540). As a power forward, that’s nothing but impressive for Blake.

With health on his side and possibly (hopefully) more playmaking responsibility from Doc Rivers (this would only help the Clippers), Griffin is set for a major comeback season. Spurred on by his recovery, a pursuit of a complete season, and the urge to take the team as far as possible after a wasted season due to injury in 2015-16, All-NBA performance should be the only expectation.

Finishing 2016-17 with a stat line around 22.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and five assists seems like a reasonable prediction to go along with that.

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Providing that’s the case, Griffin could be a top-three scorer and rebounder in franchise history at the end of the season. Along with Paul, he’s already one of the top few players the LA Clippers have had, and he’s just getting into his prime.

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