My read in the Lakers FO: They want to make a splash for better or worse. Their going to be aggressive this offseason. If that includes holding meetings with Blake in an attempt to woo him to the Lakers, don't be shocked.
While I like his game, he has had knee issue in the last that have kept him out for awhile. In the end, I think he stays with the Clippers.
I don't know what happened to Blake. 3 or 4 years ago he had a great playoffs and was, IMO, a top 10 player in the league. Now I wouldn't want him or his price tag.
Don't get me wrong either. I'm not a Griffin fan. He's been every bit as annoying in the NBA as Chris Paul and the two together drag each other down. To me he's a means to an end. He's an established All-Star who can revitalize the team's image as a destination. If you can get him I think you do it. You at least have to try if you're the Lakers. Got to start somewhere.
A lot of why some of you don't want Griffin is legit. But a 20-10 all-star in his prime who can jump over Staples for dunks would really enhance the team. Especially for a point guard like Russell who can probably get 3 or 4 assists just to him, above the rim, each game.
Not a fan of Blake Griffin at all. He has it easy on the Clippers, a team most in LA don't care about, a team the media don't even talk about anymore, with a really good roster of players around him and a PG to spoon feed him. He's the type of player I can see absolutely crumbling under the pressure of being a Laker and having mediocre or inexperienced teammates. To me he appears mentally fragile (also stupid) as well as injury prone, and I want no part of that.
Yes. CarolinaLakerFan had it right above. Dwight 2.0 (though far more skilled) But he too won the dunk contest. Only. For all the Blake advocates here you go below. Haven't watched yet but heading there now. I worry about that he has the stench of being a Clipper and being a butt hole regardless .... but also the big flag about his knee and his health to be Blake for how much longer?
I feel like Blake would be similar to Melo for a lot of us a couple years back. We didn't really want him, but when there turned out to be mutual interest, a lot of us sort of started to come around on him. Then he signed with New York and we were all sort of relieved. When you're single for a long time, sometimes attention is nice...even if the girl has daddy issues and cankles. That's Blake Griffin. We've been single for a while as Laker fans...we'd probably take him and be sort of OK.
For fun I looked up Griffin's post All-Star numbers: 20.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.1 blocks 45.3 FG% 29.6 3PT% 36 min For funsies, Julius Randle's: 12.3 points, 12.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1 steal, 0.42 blocks 44.6 FG% 28.6 3PT% 31.4 min
I wasn't ecstatic when they hired Pelinka...but I'm warming up to the idea. He seems to have a swag that I like about him. Also he doesn't suggercoat anything and I like that too. He called his appointment a calling which resonates very well with me and explains why he gives up cash to do this. I still think Magic has no idea about evaluating talent or running a team. But I know for sure that Magic through out his life has been smart enough to know his limitations and get good people around him.
Who has the quote, something about holding the player accountable, they should show pride when putting on the purple and gold jersey.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/lakers-746488-pelinka-russell.html Keep in mind he told them this before the Sixers game, let alone the Denver game...