Blake Griffin; A New Hope

“With the first pick in 2009 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Clippers select Blake Griffin out of Oklahoma”.

With that one sentence, the Los Angeles Clippers may have changed the course of their franchises history. Rookie Blake Griffin has emerged as not only the best young player in the NBA, but one of the premier power forwards in the game, all at the tender age of 21. In his rookie season, Griffin is averaging 22.5 PPG and 12.8 RPG. Stellar numbers indeed. However it was his performance last night against Indianapolis that has the league buzzing. After leading the Clippers to a victory over the defending champs, the Lakers, with a modest 18 point performance, Griffin lambasted the Pacers for an astonishing 47 points – the highest total scored by any player in the league this season – en route to a 114-107 victory. What is even more impressive is that Griffin sent a loud message to his critics who labeled him as “a dunker” and a guy who just “jumps really high”. Griffin’s 47 points came in all kinds of packaging. He hit jump shots, lay-ups, fade-aways, hook shots, circus shots – you name it, he hit it.

Already an overwhelming favorite to be the NBA Rookie of the Year, Griffin has had a huge impact on the Clippers fan-base. Since the teams arrival in Los Angeles in 1984, the Clippers have only produced 2 seasons where their winning percentage was .500 or over. In that span, the team has made it to the postseason on 4 occasions, three of which have resulted in first round exits. But now, Clipper fans have something to look forward to. With Griffin and Eric Gordon, 22, the “other team in L.A.” looks to have a solid foundation to build on and for the first time, future success is completely fathomable. But for this to become a reality, the Clippers management has to lock these kids down for the better part of their careers. Historically speaking, they haven’t exactly done a good job keeping star players in their system and more importantly, keeping them happy. Hell, they haven’t even done a good job drafting elite talent with lottery picks. In the case of Blake Griffin though, it seems they simply can’t mess this up. Keep the kid. Keep Eric Gordon. They will make players want to come to the Clippers. Build around your core and make a serious run at this thing.

Oh and all the Lakers fans that are so sure that Griffin will eventually be a Laker… take it easy. This may be one time where your roommates surprise you.

Staples Center now hosts “The Lake Show” and “The Blake Show”. If this continues, tickets to either will be tough to find.