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LA Clippers player grades for first 30 games of 2016-17 NBA season

By Tom West

Dec 14, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; LA Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) and teammates get pumped up before the game against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; LA Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) and teammates get pumped up before the game against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 14, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; LA Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) prior to the game against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; LA Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) prior to the game against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Blake Griffin: A

If it wasn’t for arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and a terrible game against the Golden State Warriors (which we can now see was impacted by that knee), Blake Griffin would be receiving far more praise this season. He’s been brilliant, scoring 21.2 points per game to go along with 4.7 assists and increased rebounding at 8.8. Until he started struggling with his knee before finally undergoing surgery, he was playing the best defense of his career, too.

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Heightened awareness and activity allowed Griffin to be a key part of the Clippers’ defense that started at overwhelmingly dominant levels. He can comfortably switch to the perimeter and use his quickness against smaller players, and if it wasn’t for injury, we’d be hearing more about how Griffin has improved even more as a highly skilled two-way player.

He’s always progressed his game, and now he’ll be subject to the tiresome claims that the Clippers are better without him, because apparently spacing with Paul Pierce at the four is really an upgrade over Griffin. Right… Good one.

We know how integral Griffin is to the success of this team, and his point-forward play and scoring was as good as we’ve ever seen it before his injury. The Clippers aren’t as successful without Griffin operating as a secondary playmaker to anchor the offense, and they can’t let everything hinge on Chris Paul (hopefully, we’ll see more staggering to enhance this when Griffin returns).

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In the meantime, we’ll have to see how he recovers and how he looks when he returns. The injury is concerning, especially as it’s to his knee. But, to stay positive, I’ll grade Blake Griffin for the season he put together beforehand, which certainly deserved an A.

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