Clippers-Rockets Game 2 Preview: What We’ve Learned So Far
By Tom West
Blake Griffin is the best player in the 2014-15 NBA playoffs
May 4, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) shouts directions to his teammates while playing against the Houston Rockets in the second half in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Los Angeles Clippers won 117 to 101. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Blake Griffin hasn’t just been the MVP of the Clippers during the postseason so far, he’s been the best player in the playoffs all together.
Has anyone else led their team in scoring, rebounding and assists? And added three triple doubles?
No one has come close.
Over the last eight games — seven of which he spent giving the San Antonio Spurs nightmares — Griffin has averaged 24.4 points on 46.8 percent shooting, 8.1 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.3 blocks, and his 13.3 rebounds are the best of any player in the playoffs. Simply put, he’s been phenomenal.
He showed us last year just how good he can be without Chris Paul around, too. When the Clippers’ star point guard missed 20 games, Griffin stepped up and became a top five MVP candidate. He increased his scoring by more than 6 points per game from the previous season and upped his numbers across the board. And more importantly, he led the Clippers to a 57 win season — the best in franchise history.
Griffin already has three triple doubles in the first eight games of this year’s playoffs, and he isn’t showing any signs of slowing down.
He now has two of them back-to-back, after he recorded 24 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists in game seven against the Spurs, before going off for 26 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists in the series opener against the Rockets.
Griffin already contributed 34.5 points per game through his scoring and passing in the regular season, but somehow he’s taken his game to another level in the postseason. His aggressive attitude has helped him increase his rebounding and defensive impact (he’s averaging nearly three times as many blocks in the playoffs compared to the regular season) and he’s shown how well he can run the offense without Paul.
Right now, it seems like Blake can do almost anything.