Blake Griffin; is he a top big man in the league already?

So I was watching the Clipper game last night, and they showed Blake Griffin's stats compared to other top big men's stats... And the only players with slightly better stats were Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard. This got me thinking; is Blake Griffin one of the best big men in the league already? I for one think he is top 5 already. I mean, just look at this kid's stats: 20.7ppg, 11.6 rpg, 2.7 apg, and shooting 53.1%. Now you tell me that isn’t a top 5 big man in the game... And no rookie has averaged 20/10 in a decade; the last rookie to do that was Elton Brand. I wouldn’t be surprise if Blake won roy AND made the all star game. Last player to do that was… Shaq?


Blake Griffin is the definition of Beast, a one-of-a-kind talent that has made the CLIPPERS a team worth watching. Averaging 20/11 shooting 50%+ and leading the league in dunks… Blake is probably the 2nd hardest player (Behind Dwight ofc) to guard in the paint; Due to his combination of strength, explosiveness and aggressiveness. You just can’t guard him 1 on 1 in the paint( Dwight probably can though), he’ll simply blow past you with his speed or overpower you and finish strong at the rim. Facing up from the mid-post, Griffin’s quickness and fluidity makes him an absolute nightmare to try and stay in front of. Even when he gets fouled around the rim, or is unable to simply throw down a powerful dunk, he’s often able to convert regardless thanks to his excellent touch and massive hands.


Now don’t get too caught up in his crazy athleticism and sick dunks, he can do more than that, unlike Amar’e. Griffin has been an absolute monster on the glass, with 11rpg and nearly 8 defensive rebounds per game and is ranked #2 in the NBA in double – doubles. His ball handling is very impressive for a guy 6’10, 250 lbs...He has the ability to grab a defensive rebound, initiate the fast break, and drive hard to the rim where all the opponent can do is foul. When he does that he is basically a 6’10 LeBron James.


Now I already know someone is going to try to bash his defense… Defensively, Griffin relies too much on his physical tools. He often gambles for steals, and gives up position too easily on the block (to avoid fouls?), but there is no doubt in me that he should be able to develop into an excellent defender in time if he wants to thanks to his physical tools, and work ethic. The only part of his game that I don’t like is his free throw shooting. Shooting 50 something percent from the free throw line isn’t going to get it done... But then again I have no doubt in me that he’ll improve his free throw shooting due to his work ethic and winner mentality.


Wait, I almost forgot to talk about his jump shot *face palm*. Blake’s jumper seems to improve every game. He has a nice 10 – 18 ft jumper. . His mechanics are solid, with a nice release and follow-through, and the ability to use the glass in like Duncan. Once he develops a consistent jumper, he will just be ungaurdable.

Now I’ll finally post my top 5 big men of this season. Keep in mind that this list is based solely off of these players’ performance THIS SEASON. So I don’t want to hear any bs about what a guy did last year or through out his career.

My top 5 big men of this season:

1. Pau Gasol – Averaging 20.4 ppg, 12 rpg, 4.0 apg, 2.0 bpg, shooting 53% from the field and 82% from the ft line. Gasol is having his best season by far. He is an mvp candidate for most people and some even go far enough to say he is the mvp of the Lakers right now. When he struggles, LA struggles; which is exactly the case with LA right now.


2. Dwight Howard – Averaging 21.3 ppg, 12.1 rpg, 2.4 bpg, and shooting 58%. Dwight’s offensive game has seen major improvements this season... as he leads ORL to another top seeded season. He’s in the talks for mvp… it was really a toss up between him and Gasol.


3. Dirk Nowitzki - Averaging 25ppg, 8 rpg, shooting 53% from the field, 85% from the ft line, and 37% from 3pt. Dirk is by far the best scoring/shooting big man in the game… having another mvp caliber season. Was kinda tricky putting on here, if this was a top 5 pf list he would probably be ahead of Gasol.

4. Blake Griffin – 20.7ppg, 11.6 rpg, 2.7 apg, and shooting 53.1%. I think talked enough about how good he is lol.

5. Kevin Love – 18.6 ppg, 15 rpg, 43% shooting. The best rebounder in the NBA… he also had a 30/30 game. Nuff said.

Honorable mentions:

Amar’e Stoudemire, Tim Duncan , Chris Bosh, David Lee, Paul Milsap, David West.

So yea... There are only 3 other big men who are “better” than Griffin right now. And If I were starting a franchise I would choose Griffin over all these guys… except for Dwight maybe. But this is all my opinion, I want to hear what you guys think

Do your jaws hurt?

No???

wow. Such great stamina. Impressive.



Either way....yes Blake's been playing like a monster this year...and he'll get my vote for ROY
But I don't see him making the all-star game.....not because of his game...but I don't think the fans and league will recognize him as one that quickly...

His defense needs work...but he's good...or whatever...wall is better

Yes,he is

I mean,he's playing on a superb level.He's one of the most athletic players in the game,from the start who is one of the best rebounders,inside scorers and by far no one is better than Blake in dunking.

He has the tools to be great.At the defense,he's solid there.He will become great defender,on his man and has the athleticism to hang with other players in the air to challenge their shots out there.

I predict that he will become the best big man in the league at some point thanks to his ability to soar,rebound and dominate.His defense will be fine.

Quote :

I wouldn’t be surprise if Blake won roy AND made the all star game. Last player to do that was… Shaq?

A:Tim Duncan.

And no he isn't a top 5 Big.

Griffin is the first (in the paint with no Kaman)/second option on a shitty team. When the Clippers are winning (I mean winning record not like... Hey... the Clips won last night) and he puts up the same numbers with another actual post player get back to me.

I think he'll be Rookie of the Year... I dunno if he makes the All-Star game this year... Maybe the Dunk Contest (which would actually make me watch it) and definitely the Rookie/Sophomore game.

I just don't see him as a Top 5 big right now.

PG. WALL
SG. FIELDS
SF. ??? GARY FORBES
PF. GRIFFIN
C. COUSINS/MONROE

Should be the starting 5 for the Rookies v. Sophomores ASG


:p


Turner doing bad this yr...

@ Nick, who are your top 5 big men?

EM That's Fresh wrote:

PG. WALL
SG. FIELDS
SF. ??? GARY FORBES
PF. GRIFFIN
C. COUSINS/MONROE

Should be the starting 5 for the Rookies v. Sophomores ASG


:p


Turner doing bad this yr...

Aminu at SF....No rookie sf's besides him are good this year...

Oh yeah Aminu is pretty good I like him. Blake Griffin is rising inmy big men ranking list but not top 5 quite yet.

Gasol
Dirk
Amar'e
Noah
Howard

Hell, I'll throw in Duncan too.

YEH! all of them are better!
....

Now do the john wall! AAYYYYE!

Hmm... That list is aight. But no, you shouldn't put Duncan in there.. My list is based only off of the players' perfomance this season, and Duncan has not been that good this season... Oh shit I think I underated Amar'e. Here is my revised list:

Gasol
Dwight
Dirk
Amar'e
Griffin

but amare dribbles the ball off his foot like 25 million times a game...

Like Tony said. He's rising fast and if he can turn the Clips around and keep his numbers up even with Kaman back in the post. Then yeah... as of now, he is one of the top 5 players you have to watch.

Griff is a monster.

Griffin is a beast

Aminu from the SFs is by far the best.Cannot wait to see the return of another good defensive Small Forward,Warrior's Eke Udoh

EM That's Fresh wrote:

PG. WALL
SG. FIELDS
SF. ??? GARY FORBES
PF. GRIFFIN
C. COUSINS/MONROE

Should be the starting 5 for the Rookies v. Sophomores ASG


:p


Turner doing bad this yr...

Imma be hyped for the Rookies v. Sophomores ASG.... Wall + Griffin =

Rebirth™ wrote:

Hmm... That list is aight. But no, you shouldn't put Duncan in there.. My list is based only off of the players' perfomance this season, and Duncan has not been that good this season.

Yeah I'll keep Duncan there.

Plays less than 30 minutes a game and all he does is win games. Spurs keeping his old butt fresh for the playoffs. Yet he is still producing. Spurs without Duncan are a non-playoff team in the West, where a 50 win season doesn't mean you'll be playing past April.

Griff's performances are part no Kaman and part shitty team.

Lemme' see him do it a full season and turn the team around and I'll put Blake on my top 5.

Timmy is playing very efficiently

Nick C wrote:

Rebirth™ wrote:

Hmm... That list is aight. But no, you shouldn't put Duncan in there.. My list is based only off of the players' perfomance this season, and Duncan has not been that good this season.

Yeah I'll keep Duncan there.

Plays less than 30 minutes a game and all he does is win games. Spurs keeping his old butt fresh for the playoffs. Yet he is still producing. Spurs without Duncan are a non-playoff team in the West, where a 50 win season doesn't mean you'll be playing past April.

Griff's performances are part no Kaman and part shitty team.

Lemme' see him do it a full season and turn the team around and I'll put Blake on my top 5.

It'll be hard for him to turn around such a shitty team.. But ya, he'll do it... just wait.

When you almost score 50 points along with 14 rebounds and 7 assists (damn close to a mosnter triple double) and you still lose to the Knicks...you're not leading the team anywhere.

no

Raza wrote:

When you almost score 50 points along with 14 rebounds and 7 assists (damn close to a mosnter triple double) and you still lose to the Knicks...you're not leading the team anywhere.

the knicks arent as laughable anymore so the "still lose to the knicks" point might not be a great one. but if you almost score 50 points, get 14 and 7 and still lose to anybody beside the lakers, magic, celts, heat(?) or spurs... you're not leading the team anywhere.

He's still a beast though