From Stephen A. Smith’s story on Tyler Hansbrough and Blake Griffin. Some great quotes on Griffin’s NBA potential.
“Blake Griffin is a man,” one NBA scout said. “You can end whatever speculation there is right now. Come June, he will be the No. 1 overall pick in the draft by anyone who gets it. Anyone.
“The only way that doesn’t happen is if he elects to stay for his junior year. His skills are too superior to everyone else. He can score at will. He’s a ferocious rebounder with quick jumping ability. He’s about to be the player of the year. There’s ‘star’ written all over this guy.
“Tyler Hansbrough is a very good player with a place for him on the next level. He’s simply too good a kid, too productive and too hard a worker not to be picked somewhere in the top 15. But Blake Griffin is just special. They shouldn’t be mentioned in the same sentence.”
After watching Blake for two years in college and four in high school, I’m honestly starting to wonder if he’s the type of player you sell the farm to get. People can question the little things about him – free throw shooting, defense, mid-range jumper – but he’s got those tools. They just weren’t always on display. He didn’t need the mid-range game because he could post up any player in America. His defense sometimes didn’t look great because he was concerned with foul trouble – OU couldn’t afford for Blake to not be on the floor. And his free throw shooting numbers look bad, but he’s got a great release and a small mechanical hitch. Nothing some good coaching can’t fix.
Blake Griffin is an incredibly special player because he combines unreal ability with passion, intensity and outstanding character. Regardless of where the Thunder lands in the lottery, I know I’m doing just about anything (within reason) to get Blake. He’s worth the price tag. Maybe you don’t think he fits well or there’s a place for him. Trust me, a guy like this, you find a place.
And don’t count the Thunder out of the Griffin Sweepstakes quite yet – if you have the worst record in the league you get just a 25 percent chance of landing the top pick. That means there’s a 75 percent chance you don’t. Right now, OKC stands at 8.8 percent. The Bulls had just a 1.7 percent chance last year and won the top spot. It can happen people.
Joey :
Kev :Sorry people - no one is going to be dumb enough to trade that pick - and if they were foolish enough to take Westbrook or Green and picks for Griffin, Presti would be silly NOT to do it . . . RW and JG are both replaceable . . .
Kev…you have seen the organizations in question, yes? I mean, we ARE talking about the Clippers, Kings and Wizards here. I don’t think you can ever say “no one is going to be dumb enough to trade that pick” when the Clippers, Kings and Wizards are a part of the discussion.
It's like the old Bill Simmons joke about (former Clippers GM) Elgin Baylor being a "veteran" of the lottery process.
The problem with moving a pick in the 5-7 range is that it really doesn't have a lot of value. No one is real excited about this draft class, everyone seems to have question marks, and other than Griffin there isn't a single player who will sell a single ticket.
I just don't think we have the pieces to make a big trade -- we have future picks, small expiring contacts, and role players. I'm opposed (and I would think Presti is as well) to moving KD/Russ/Green and Thabo can be a key cog on a contending team. What's left?
Kev :Sorry people - no one is going to be dumb enough to trade that pick - and if they were foolish enough to take Westbrook or Green and picks for Griffin, Presti would be silly NOT to do it . . . RW and JG are both replaceable . . .
Kev...you have seen the organizations in question, yes? I mean, we ARE talking about the Clippers, Kings and Wizards here. I don't think you can ever say "no one is going to be dumb enough to trade that pick" when the Clippers, Kings and Wizards are a part of the discussion.
@Vega
co-sign . . .
If the Thunder don't get the first pick, the ideal other team to get it is Washington. With the right combination of picks and expiring contracts, plus being willing to take Darius Songaila's ridiculous contract, we could possibly get the first pick without giving up Green. But, as nice as it is to talk about this, I doubt that we would be able to trade for the first pick. We should be looking at players to get with the fifth or sixth pick.
@Joe
definitely agreed
Vega :
I’d deal our lotto pick, the ‘10 Suns pick, and some expiring contracts to get him, but I would not deal Westbrook or Green to get him.
I would trade Green no problem. Love him, but he's a tweener.
Kev :
that being said - we have what a 10-15% shot of landing Griffin? It’s not enough of a shot to warrant much debate. I am sure OKC is focusing on how to make the team better under the assumption that we aren’t getting him.
And the worst record in the league has a 25 percent shot. Again, Chicago won the lottery with a 1.7 percent chance. It's definitely more than possible.
The Wizards would be the most likely team to the pick...They are in major salary trouble...or I bet you could pull Jamison or Butler away from them...(but would you really want to at this point in their careers?)
that being said - we have what a 10-15% shot of landing Griffin? It's not enough of a shot to warrant much debate. I am sure OKC is focusing on how to make the team better under the assumption that we aren't getting him.
Sorry people - no one is going to be dumb enough to trade that pick - and if they were foolish enough to take Westbrook or Green and picks for Griffin, Presti would be silly NOT to do it . . . RW and JG are both replaceable . . .
I'd deal our lotto pick, the '10 Suns pick, and some expiring contracts to get him, but I would not deal Westbrook or Green to get him.
@dork
I don't think it's an "assumed promise." Blake can absolutely do those things. And he's a much, much more driven player. He HAS a mid-range game, but he just never needed it. And Blake plays solid defense. He rarely got scored on in the post, he just never was aggressive in helping. He had to stay out of foul trouble and he knew it.
And if you see any Chris Wilcox in Blake Griffin, you're watching a different game. Wilcox was drafted entirely on potential. He never came close to dominating the college game. His best year (2002) his numbers were 12 ppg and 7 rpg. His freshman year he averaged under four points and three rebounds.
Blake isn't a "potential" player. He's an immediate impact guy that maybe just needs some polishing. Like every great player does out of college.
What i ment by that is that would be a lot to pay for the assumed promise of him being able to play defense, improve FT% and have a mid range game...
Granted I am not apart of the Blake Griffon fanclub I just wanted to point out you excused his lack of mid-range, poor free throw%, and questionable defense (which to some extent i can agree with)and offset it with he was able to post up anyone in college... Is it me or did you just about describe Chris Wilcox?
IMHO if we land the number 1 great! if we don't land it and a team wants Green, Durant, Westbrook or Thabo we don't trade up.
I think the easiest way to answer the question of "What would you do to get Blake Griffin?" is this simple equation:
Is Kevin Durant + Blake Griffin - (insert Current Players Used in Trade) > Kevin Durant + Current Player Used in Trade + Other Draft Pick?
In almost any conceivable scenario, the answer will almost always be "Yes, Durant + Griffin is greater than...", so the issue really becomes how much damage to your current roster and team chemistry/confidence would it take to land Griffin and is that acceptable?
Because, honestly, I can't think of a more eye-opening and terror inducing tandem than the Inside/Outside pairing of Kevin Durant and Blake Griffin. Two freaks of nature and arguably two of the best talents in the last decade on the same team. But this is the hard part of the business because we love RW, we love Green, etc...but are they worth more as pieces in a trade to the organization than as major players?
Obviously it would depend upon the circumstances and demands, but it's certainly a legitimate proposition to ponder.
I'm with you all the way Keith.
An interesting question that I've only recently looked for is the question of Griffin's measurements. A lot of players are overestimated in college and even the pros. Skill will almost always trump height, but height certainly helps. As such does anyone have solid measurements for this kid? I've seen everything from 6'7" to 6'11" from different message boards and "sources." The only eyeball measurement I can say is that he looks at least as tall as Hansbrough. Hansbrough is listed at 6'9". Hansbrough also tends to look taller than other players because he plays very straight. I wouldn't surprise me to find out Griffin is taller than Hansbrough, and Hansbrough seems a legit 6'9".
In any case, within reason, I would throw the kitchen sink at whomever gets the top pick. Do they want to shed a bad contract? We have space. Do they want multiple picks? We've got 4 first rounders in '09 and '10. Do they want a package? We have only one player who is totally off limits. Everyone else would be available assuming they are properly valued in the trade.
The only real problem is if Sacramento or Memphis win the lottery, as those are the only teams I can see that can't gain much from a trade, but are significantly improved by landing Griffin.