The hidden talents of the Detroit Pistons

Blake Griffin’s hidden talent: Passing

In one of Dwane Casey’s first public statements after being hired as the Pistons’ new head coach on June 11, he told ESPN‘s Stephen A. Smith that he plans to experiment with Blake Griffin at the point-forward position.

For those who only know Griffin as the high-flying rim-wrecker whose dunks made him famous in Los Angeles, it may come as a surprise that he’s a very good passer. Not just for his position — Griffin is arguably the best passing power forward in the league — but overall, he holds his own with even the NBA’s best playmakers.

Griffin averaged a career-high 5.8 assists last season, splitting time between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Pistons, to whom he was traded in January. In the 25 games he played with Detroit, Griffin averaged 6.2 assists. In seven of his games with Detroit, Griffin recorded eight or more assists.

He’s not quite LeBron or Larry Bird with the rock, but Griffin has vision and touch, and he’s not afraid to try some creative passes.

Anyone who has watched Griffin knows he can get into bull-in-a-china-shop mode when he’s looking to score. But when he’s in a passing mood, it’s like watching that bull play the piano in between smashing everything around him.