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5 Reasons For Blake Griffin To Join Westbrook, Thunder Next Year

By Sai Mohan

December 21, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) controls the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
December 21, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) controls the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 28, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan speaks to his team during the game against the Golden State Warriors in game six of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
May 28, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan speaks to his team during the game against the Golden State Warriors in game six of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

More Depth And Young Talent

Purely based on talent level, the Clippers’ starting five, which boasts the Big Three and sniper J.J. Redick, should rank among the best in the league. However, their bench rotation and overall depth chart has often resulted in their letdown.

The Thunder, on the other hand, is blessed with a lot more depth and talent. The potential frontcourt pairing of Adams and Griffin would be backed up by Enes Kanter, budding Lithuanian power forward Domantas Sabonis and veteran stretch-4 Ersan İlyasova.

Further down the depth chart, the Thunder have added Spanish sniper Alex Abrines, a year after drafting Cameron Payne to back up Russell Westbrook. There’s more depth at the wing with three-point specialist Anthony Morrow and Kyle Singler performing key roles off the bench.

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    • With Victor Oladipo and Andre Roberson in the starting lineup, Thunder’s perimeter defense is going to be a top-notch.

    There’s also the Billy Donovan factor. Donovan has shown extreme dexterity with his rotational schemes, often switching lineups based on opponents, while also hiding weaker defenders.

    During OKC’s playoff series against San Antonio, Donovan went big as the Thunder killed the Spurs on rebounds and became one of the few teams to bounce back from a 32-point Game 1 defeat.

    Against the Warriors, Donovan became the first coach to beat Golden State at their own game, employing a small-strategy that helped his team assert a 3-1 series lead in the conference finals.

    Even though Clippers coach Doc Rivers has a solid track record which includes a championship with the Boston Celtics, Donovan, within one season, has shown more of a hands-on approach with his coaching style.

    Griffin is capable of putting up 25 points and 10 rebounds on any given night. However, last season, his Defensive Rating (103) was poorer than that of teammates Cole Aldrich, DeAndre Jordan, Josh Smith, Alex Stepheson and Wesley Johnson.

    Enes Kanter, who was perennially viewed as a defensive liability, has improved leaps and bounds as a defender under Donovan’s coaching. Donovan could have a similar impact on Blake Griffin.

    Next: Westbrook Over CP3?

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