Blake is better than ever
Blake Griffin has never been known for defense. Despite having such explosion, he’s never been a shot blocker (a career-high of 0.7 per game in 2011-12), and he’s simply made an All-NBA name for himself with his incredible, constantly evolving offensive skill.
However, to start this season, he’s been key on defense. And it goes well beyond his rebounding, which already does a lot to help the team get stops and create transition opportunities.
A team built around All-Defensive First Team players Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan at point guard and center is going to be successful. These two are too good by themselves, but the Clippers have still managed to improve upon their ranking of 4th in defensive efficiency last season and play less top heavy, showing more balance and fight on defense across the roster.
Like every Clipper, effort has been a key part of Griffin’s improved defense. He has more quickness and agility than pretty much every big man in the game, and along with that nimbleness and brute strength, he has an imposing physical profile for defense, even if he lacks a crazy wingspan.
Partnered with an uptick in effort has been improved awareness, with Griffin operating as an ideal frontcourt partner to Jordan as someone who can help in the right positions when Jordan shifts across the lane to block a shot. Griffin has used all his physical tools better than ever to switch like crazy this year, covering anyone he needs to.
From a purely effort standpoint, plays like the following where Griffin fights through his opponents using that strength are why he’s averaging a career-high 1.3 steals per game this season.
“Now, defensively, really grown,” Tom Thibodeau said to Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times after the Minnesota Timberwolves’ game against the Clippers. “You can see the multiple effort plays. It’s not just his individual defense. His team defense is excellent now, too.”
Here’s an example of some of that on-ball and team defense that Griffin provided against the Timberwolves and for the Clippers all season.
After starting the play guarding Gorgui Dieng and shifting well to the baseline to prevent Shabazz Muhammad from trying to drive past Jamal Crawford, then shifting back to stop a possible mid-range jumper from Dieng, Griffin does a good job of pressuring a high pick-and-roll run by Andrew Wiggins. Despite Wiggins’ brilliant speed and long strides, Griffin stays right with him on a drive down the lane and forces him into missing a tough jumper, rather than allowing a layup opportunity.
On the following possession, Griffin switches perfectly again after Wiggins dribbles off a pick-and-roll from Karl-Anthony Towns.
Once Griffin switches onto Wiggins, he applies perfect pressure to keep him away from his preferred look of a shot at the rim. Wiggins has to pick up his dribble and uses Dieng for a quick hand-off at the arc, only to be forced into a contested three over DeAndre Jordan while Griffin stays further back to prevent a roll from Dieng or drive by Wiggins.
With Griffin playing at such a high level, both his and the Clippers’ standing in the league will be far better.
Next, a look at just how impressive Luc has been, beginning what could well be a campaign for an NBA All-Defensive team.