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Blake Griffin: The NBA’s Best Power Forward

By Gerald Bourguet

May 4, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) shouts directions to his teammates while playing against the Houston Rockets in the second half in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Los Angeles Clippers won 117 to 101. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
May 4, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) shouts directions to his teammates while playing against the Houston Rockets in the second half in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Los Angeles Clippers won 117 to 101. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Blake Griffin
May 4, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) shouts directions to his teammates while playing against the Houston Rockets in the second half in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Los Angeles Clippers won 117 to 101. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

Here’s what we knew about the 2014-15 Los Angeles Clippers heading into last night’s Game 1 against the Houston Rockets:

  1. They were more resilient than anybody ever gave them credit for during the regular season by knocking off the defending champion San Antonio Spurs in one of the best first round series/Game 7s of all time.
  2. Any idiotic playoff narrative about Chris Paul not being clutch became null and void after he beat the Spurs on one good leg with the pivotal Game 7 game-winner.
  3. With CP3’s hamstring sidelining him for Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals, and with the Clippers playing only 48 hours after their Game 7, Lob City was all but doomed.

Or at least, that’s what we thought we knew.

With a 117-101 victory last night, the Clippers stole home-court advantage while starting Austin Rivers at point guard. That’s right, folks. Austin Freaking Rivers.

The Rockets coming out flat after seven days of rest probably didn’t help. James Harden playing passive and finishing the game with nine turnovers helped the Clips too. But if you’re looking for an explanation behind last night’s inexplicable result, look no further than Blake Griffin, the league’s best power forward.

Chris Paul was this team’s MVP during the regular season, but Blake Griffin has quietly been the Clippers’ best player since the playoffs started. Superstars are expected to make big plays in the postseason. Griffin hasn’t been perfect, but it’s time to acknowledge how he’s taken these playoffs by storm.

Note: When referring to Blake Griffin as the NBA’s best power forward, we’re excluding Anthony Davis from the conversation if only because he’ll likely wind up being more of a Kevin Garnett-type center than a power forward.

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