Los Angeles Clippers: 5 goals for Blake Griffin in 2017-18
5. Earn a selection to the Western Conference All-Star team
An All-Star selection seemingly was automatic for Blake Griffin, as he became just the second rookie to earn the honor since 2000, joining Houston Rockets center Yao Ming. The next three years, Griffin was included on the All-Star squad, securing enough fan votes to earn a place in the Western Conference starting lineup.
Griffin began his career with five consecutive selections to the NBA All-Star team, a feat matched only by Ming, Shaquille O’Neal, David Robinson, Hakeem Olajuwon and Michael Jordan over the past 30 years.
More from LA Clippers
- NBA Trades: This wild Mavs, Clippers, and 76ers deal must happen ASAP
- Ranking the 10 championship-less NBA teams by closeness to title
- Can the Clippers realistically sign Chris Paul after shocking waive news?
- NBA Rumors: This playoff team is now the leader to land Westbrook
- NBA Rumors: Westbrook may have played his final game for the Clippers
While Griffin has managed to continue to post a stellar statistical line, averaging over 21 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game each of the past two years, his productivity has been marginalized by his inability to remain on the court.
Since the start of the 2015-16 season, Griffin has appeared in just 96 of a possible 164 regular season games. While sitting out with an injured quadricep, Griffin broke his hand after punching a member of the Clippers training staff, drawing a four-game suspension once he was cleared to play.
This season, the Clippers are hoping they won’t have to deal with a prolonged period of time without Griffin in the lineup, as he hasn’t appeared in 70 games since the 2013-14 campaign.
Injuries are the only real obstacle for Griffin to overcome, as the 2017 Western Conference All-Star roster featured just two true power forwards — Anthony Davis and Draymond Green. Griffin’s productivity should be enough to earn a place on the All-Star team.