The Brooklyn Nets continued to add complimentary pieces around their star trio of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden, as they recently picked up Blake Griffin after the former All-Star was bought out by the rebuilding Detroit Pistons.
Griffin, who is averaging just 12.3 points per game and shooting 36% from the floor this season, could’ve gone to any number of contenders, but the chance to play as a complementary piece alongside this trio in Brooklyn was too good to pass up.
While Griffin was one of the most exciting players in the league during his time with the Los Angeles Clippers, his “Lob City” teams fell short of a championship. Clearly in the mood to slip a ring on his finger, Griffin had been eyeing the Nets as a potential team with which he could see his championship dreams realized.
Per the man himself, Griffin’s reasons for joining the Nets include their need for a player with size, his respect for head coach Steve Nash, and the culture that GM Sean Marks has been able to create in Brooklyn.
Blake Griffin on why he chose Nets over Lakers
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 9, 2021
“They have a need for a four-man. I’ve always had a lot of respect for Steve Nash. ... Sean Marks has done a great job there. It was tough decision and I wanted to be on a team that was contending.”https://t.co/vt4PfyzOGc
How will Blake Griffin fit on the Brooklyn Nets?
Griffin’s assessment of the roster is up for debate. While the Nets are clearly lacking in rebounding and interior defending, veteran Jeff Green has been doing an excellent job on the offensive end. Griffin needs to show that he can help the Nets on the glass if he is to contribute anything of value.
Griffin is not the offensive player he once was, but he can give the Nets some muscle down low, provided he is willing to see his scoring evaporate. If he rediscovers his shot, Brooklyn may have stumbled into a gold mine.
While the Nets have on occasion gone so small that the 6-4 Bruce Brown is down in the low post, that combination will get destroyed by some of the better big men in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Griffin could change the complexion of the bench, as he knows his way around the paint more so than Green while being more experienced than Nic Claxton.
Anyone expecting anything close to Lob City Blake is going to be sorely disappointed. The optimal role for Griffin in LA is a tough rebounder off of the bench that finishes in close and hits open 3-pointers every now and again. If he can do that, he’ll fit on this roster like a glove and help the Nets chase a title.