Clippers News: Doc Rivers says Blake Griffin ‘looks great’
By Tom West
As well as Blake Griffin himself saying that he’s “very close” to returning, Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers has confirmed it, too.
On Tuesday, we heard reports of Blake Griffin saying that he’s “very close” to returning following the ceremony to retire his jersey at Oklahoma. It was encouraging for the Los Angeles Clippers to hear that comment from their superstar just as much as it would have excited fans. When Blake does make his long awaited comeback, the Clippers can get even better than their 23-7 record without him.
A comment on a possible return from Griffin himself may be filled with slightly more optimism, though. We know he’s been comfortably taking jump shots again which is good to see as he finishes the rehab on his broken right hand, but he may be a touch more positive when it comes to an actual return time than doctors or head coach Doc Rivers.
However, we now have a comment from Doc that perfectly matches what Blake has said.
As Rowan Kavner of Clippers.com has reported, Doc also believes that Griffin looks great now, and believes that the doctors waiting to clear him for contact is the only thing preventing his return for now:
"Just like Griffin, head coach Doc Rivers described the power forward as “very close” to a return.“The last couple days, he’s been playing and looking great,” Rivers said.“That’s probably why he’s not playing,” Rivers said. “My guess is that he’s healthy, but the hand doctor probably has not cleared him for contact as far as getting hit. That’s the only thing. Honestly, watching him today, I was thinking that has to be the only reason is they’re worried it’s not healed properly yet. That’s the only thing I can come up with.”"
The matter of dealing with contact is obviously totally different to taking jumpers on an empty court, so it’s no wonder that doctors are still hesitant with Griffin. It’s unlikely he’s in game-shape already, but hearing that he’s been “looking great” from Doc and that he seems healthy is all the encouragement his teammates and fans can hope for.
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After fighting away a 22-point deficit to pull off a miraculous comeback against the collapsing Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night, the Clippers are still doing just fine without Griffin. It was possibly their best victory of the season thanks to how unexpected it was, and they upped their intensity to pressure the Thunder who continued to miss shots and turn the ball over during the final period. It really was quite remarkable.
The Clippers’ first half performance was far worse, though, and their rebounding was simply pathetic, as the Thunder won the battle of the boards 63-45.
That cannot continue, which is where Griffin is desperately needed. Although, the excellent 35-13 result in the fourth quarter, Chris Paul‘s leadership, vital late defense and threes from Wesley Johnson, big shots from Jamal Crawford, clutch finishes and rebounds (plus clutch free throws) from DeAndre Jordan and the whole team keeping their resolve was admirable.
Next: Clippers cannot win a title without Blake, says CP3
Until Griffin does return, the Clippers have this high to continue as they now sit just two wins behind the Thunder with a 40-20 record.