Los Angeles Clippers: Blake Griffin Must Shine in Game 7
Over the past two seasons, few players have improved as significantly as Los Angeles Clippers star Blake Griffin. His statistics may not be rising meteorically, but Griffin has gone from a dunk artist with a limited repertoire to one of the most complete players in the NBA.
In the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs, Griffin has elevated his game to new heights. He’ll need to take it even further come Game 7.
Through six games, Griffin is averaging 24.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.7 steals per game. Not a single one of those numbers is a typo.
According to Basketball-Reference.com, Griffin is on pace to be the second player in NBA history to average at least 24.0 points, 13.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists in the Playoffs.
The other: Oscar Robertson in 1962-63—a point guard.
It should be noted that Robertson played in 12 games during the 1963 NBA Playoffs, while Griffin has only been out there for six in 2015. It should also be noted that no other player has ever done this—not in a 3-0 sweep in the pre-2003 NBA Playoffs, a seven-game battle or a 20-plus game run to an NBA championship.
When a player is associated with The Big O, they’re doing something right.
During the regular season, Griffin averaged 21.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 0.9 steals per contest. His rebounding numbers were down, but as the postseason has shown, that’s more a product of DeAndre Jordan controlling the glass with Griffin serving as a transition threat.
Per Basketball-Reference.com, Griffin was the first interior player to average at least 21.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists since Kevin Garnett in 2004-05.
Statistically, Griffin is performing at an all-time level. For the most part of this series against the San Antonio Spurs, his quality of play has been on par with his numbers.
The question is, can he seal the deal and help the Clippers close out in Game 7?
For as brilliantly as he’s played in this series, the most commonly discussed play from Round 1 came in Game 2. It wasn’t a part of Griffin’s 29-point, 12-rebound and 11-assist triple-double, but instead a play at the end of the game.
With the Clippers up two points in the closing moments of the fourth quarter, Griffin committed a costly turnover that allowed Patty Mills to tie the game upon being fouled in transition.
That play embodied what’s plagued Los Angeles in previous postseason appearances: indescribably unfortunate mistakes in key situations.
For Griffin and the Clippers to call this season something close to a success, they’ll need to close out the Spurs in Game 7 at home. Los Angeles has already won a pair of games in San Antonio, including Game 6 with a 3-2 series deficit, which should give it confidence in a must-win setting.
In many ways, Doc Rivers has helped his team shake off the stigma of an underachiever. This is the game to prove the full corner has been turned.
Unfortunately, having a First Round series that feels like the Western Conference Finals isn’t an achievement; losing in Round 1 would still be losing in Round 1. In the scope of history, it would likely be blamed on Griffin.
Fair or foul, his Game 2 mishap will not be soon forgotten if the Clippers suffer another early-round exit.
Therein lies the dilemma for Griffin, Chris Paul and the rest of the Clippers. They’ve clearly improved upon past flaws and appear primed and ready for a deep postseason run, but they’re in a clash with the defending NBA champions.
What would normally be a forgivable Game 7 loss is now a must-win encounter.
For Griffin, legitimizing his rise to the ranks of the NBA’s elite requires him to thrive in this setting. He was a Top 5 MVP candidate in 2013-14 and has been a star since his rookie season, but winning in the playoffs is what separates the best of the best.
Both Griffin and Paul have been superb in this series, but this game will go a long way towards deciding the future of the organization. Los Angeles has lost in the Western Conference Semifinals or earlier in three straight seasons, and a fourth early exit would put the writing on the wall in permanent marker.
If Griffin’s play thus far is a sign of things to come, the Clippers are in good hands.
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