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NBA: Ranking The League’s Top 10 Power Forwards For 2016-17

By Gerald Bourguet

Oct 31, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) is guarded by Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the first half of a game at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) is guarded by Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the first half of a game at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 18, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) dribbles the ball during the first quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Blake Griffin

2015-16 Stats:  21.4 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 4.9 APG, .499/.333/.727 shooting, 22.2 PER

Blake Griffin‘s 2015-16 campaign was quite a disappointing one. Not only did his Los Angeles Clippers bow out in the first round under the burden of his and Chris Paul‘s season-ending injuries, but he also missed a huge chunk of the season because of other injuries — one of which he inflicted upon himself after punching a team equipment manager.

No one should forget how tremendous and well-rounded a player Griffin is when healthy though, which is why the 2016-17 season represents a great opportunity for a bounce-back year. After all, it wasn’t that long ago he put up 25.5 points, 12.7 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.0 blocks and 1.0 steals per game in the playoffs as some kind of Magic Johnson–Kevin Garnett–LeBron James hybrid.

Related Story: NBA: 10 Candidates For A Bounce-Back Season In 2016-17

There’s a ton of pressure on this team in 2016-17, since both Griffin and CP3 can opt out and join free agency next summer. This year has a title or bust mentality, and if the Clippers fail to make their first ever conference finals appearance — or win a title —  it could be the end of the best era of Clippers basketball.

The Warriors are still the cream of the crop out West, but the No. 2 seed could be up for grabs. If Griffin stays healthy and leads the Clippers to the second seed, he could very well be a dark horse MVP candidate.