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LA Clippers: Blake Griffin is ready to ascend this season

By Leonard Saldana

Oct 27, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) shoots after being fouled by Portland Trail Blazers forward Maurice Harkless (4) in the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 27, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) shoots after being fouled by Portland Trail Blazers forward Maurice Harkless (4) in the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Now that Blake Griffin is healthy, motivated, and has spent the summer working on his jumper, he and the LA Clippers are ready to ascend.

The LA Clippers ended their preseason with 3-3 record. After the initial blowout loss against the Golden State Warriors, the Clippers rebounded in the preceding games to try out new lineups and players. Beyond the additions to the team, the sight of a healthy Blake Griffin is what L.A. wanted to watch, and his ability was on full display in limited minutes. Then, in the Clippers’ regular season opener, he took control with 27 points, 13 rebounds, and a smooth three-pointer for good measure.

There has never been a question of Griffin’s work ethic or physical prowess. He’s at his best when he’s aggressive and pushes the ball up court before opposing defenses can set. When he isn’t attacking inside or operating from the post, he has his mid-range game and even worked on adding three-point range in the offseason, which will allow more space for DeAndre Jordan to cause havoc in the paint.

As we saw in the preseason, Blake’s ability to shoot the mid-range and now step out from three requires respect. Pulling defenses out further than they’re used to or attracting double teams will create more space for others inside.

With Blake back into the fold, it gives the Clippers’ offense a completely different look, and gives Chris Paul the ability to take spot-up looks when the offense goes through Blake and he operates as the lead facilitator. He will be able to bring up the ball more and work from the post and elbows, then read and react to what the defense gives him. For most of last season due to his quad and hand injuries, this was completely absent and sorely missed.

With Doc Rivers wanting to stagger Griffin and Paul more with the bench this season, there will be even more time for Blake to control the ball. The addition of Raymond Felton gives the Clippers another ball handler to help distribute, drive, and lighten the load on Paul, but Blake’s passing will be the key if they want to make it to the Western Conference Finals for the first time, and even further if at all possible.

In the 2014-15 playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs, Blake turned into a triple-double machine, averaging 24.1 points, 13.1 rebounds and 7.4 assists for the series (25.5 points, 12.7 rebounds and 6.1 assists for the entire postseason). If it wasn’t for the collapse in the second round to Houston, the Clippers had their best chance to get into the Western Conference Finals. Blake shining brighter than ever was a driving force in that; he and the starters just lacked depth and support to last.

Last season’s playoffs were a wash, but Blake never had the health to prove what he could do.

Now, he’s ready (and healthy) to be better than ever. Literally.

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Rowan Kavner of Clippers.com reported last month just how strong the state of Griffin’s prepared quadricep tendon is after surgery this summer:

"“It just looks like a brand new tendon,” Griffin said, after seeing the results with his doctor. “No tendinitis, no anything… The doctor was like, ‘This is probably as healthy as your tendon’s been since high school,’ just because of the nature of how much basketball we have to play.”"

With Blake coming into the new season finally healthy, he will be able to start where he left off before the injury; one of the most dominant players in the league. A summer full of rehab and sharpening his shot mechanics is now under his belt. He’s playing loose and free, but with an aggressive edge.

The season is wide open for Blake to ascend to the next level and take more responsibility, and he has an extra gear to do so. Now, it is time for it to be seen consistently. When that happens, the Clippers may contend for a championship, not just the Western Conference Finals.

Next: Clippers' healthy stars take control in season opener

Blake finished third in the NBA MVP Voting in the 2013-14 season. The new question is can he win it this year.

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