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5 Players Needing To Step Up In Blake Griffin’s Absence

By Kyle Tomasi

Dec 16, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; LA Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) takes a breather during the first half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; LA Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) takes a breather during the first half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 16, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; LA Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) reacts during the second half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. The Clippers won 102-98. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; LA Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) reacts during the second half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. The Clippers won 102-98. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

DeAndre Jordan

DeAndre Jordan will have a significant role in the Clippers offense with Griffin being out. He will see a lot more attention on the block with his fellow “Lob City” brother out of the lineup.

Jordan is averaging 11.7 points and 13.0 rebounds per game through 29 games. The pick-and-roll is the Clippers bread and butter, but with Griffin being out, Jordan and point guard Chris Paul will need to find a groove on the offensive end.

Jordan should focus on the defensive end for the next three to six weeks instead of offense. His unbelievable athleticism can definitely be utilized with Griffin out and shot blocking ability should be at an all time high.

He has never been one to put up huge numbers on the offensive end and the Clippers probably won’t look to change that with Griffin out. Where they will look for help is defensively.

He has all the tools to be the best defensive player in the league and instead of taking him out of his comfort zone on the offensive end, why not just utilize him more on the defensive end and allow him to be the rim protector that he has proven to be.

This is, however, the first year in the past four seasons that he has not averaged two or more blocks per game. If he can get his defensive numbers up a little bit while Griffin is out, the Clippers have enough fire power on the offensive side of the ball to make up for the scoring void.

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