No one can handle Blake Griffin’s athleticism
Apr 19, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) drives to the basket against San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) and forward Tim Duncan (21) during the second quarter in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Going into the game, we knew that the only player who would be capable of limiting Griffin in the post would be Tim Duncan. Yet the dominance that he asserted over the Spurs’ frontcourt made it clear that no one can contain him when he gets a chance to attack the basket.
Griffin finished the night with 12 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, 3 blocks and 26 points on 9-of-20 shooting. He was just too explosive down low for any of the Spurs’ big men to deal with. Whether he was blowing past his man to the basket with his quick first step or using a spin move, Blake couldn’t be stopped in the paint.
Oh, and incase you missed the internet blowing up last night, he completely humiliated Aron Baynes.
The final dunk in this video — where Blake span around Cory Joesph before hitting the launch pad over Baynes capped off his night.
Or, if you want to feel the full authority and emphasis of this dunk, you can watch it here in slow motion:
Duncan is still be a strong defender in the post, and once again this year he averaged 1.9 blocks per game. That being said, when Griffin has a lane to the basket from the elbow there’s no one who can keep up with him.
He span, jumped and dunked his way past everyone the Spurs had to offer last night. And even though he may not drop 26 points that easily again, he showed that San Antonio are going to have an extremely tough time trying to contain him.