Power Ranking Every Clippers Player: Who’s Their MVP?
By Tom West
2nd: Blake Griffin
May 6, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) and Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) in game two of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Choosing between the Clippers’ top two players is by far the hardest part of this process. The way both Blake Griffin and Chris Paul can carry the team puts them straight to the top of the discussion, but it’s still a close call between the two. Especially after Blake’s performance in Paul’s absence during the playoffs.
Griffin was proving himself to be one of the top few power forwards in the NBA during the regular season before his triple double prowess even began in the playoffs. His dunks continue to be terrifying, his range is expanding (40 percent from 16 feet out), his post game is developing and his passing is better than ever before. With averages of 21.9 points on 50.2 percent shooting, 7.6 rebounds a career high 5.3 assists and improved ball handling, he’s becoming a point guard/quarterback in a power forward’s body.
His level of explosiveness, skill and vision of how to run a team simply allow him to do a combination of things that few other players can.
Griffin is easily one of the best all around offensive big men in the game now. He’s not just a highlight dunker anymore; he’s a highly skilled player with an offensive arsenal that continues to grow year after year. On top of that, he has the playmaking ability and ball handling to be able to run an entire offense; as he proved in the playoffs with a with a stat-line of 25.5 points, 12.7 rebounds and 6.1 assists, including back-to-back triple doubles to finish the Spurs in game seven and start strong against the Rockets.
The one thing stopping him being ranked as the Clippers’ MVP, though, is that his defense isn’t on level with his offense. Which is where the two-way greatness of Chris Paul comes into play.
Next: Chris Paul