5 reasons the Los Angeles Clippers are for real
By John Buhler
1. Blake Griffin’s newfound commitment to defensive excellence
What could top Paul playing at an MVP level? Well, seeing one of the NBA’s two biggest ifs come to live would do that. No, the Milwaukee Bucks point forward Giannis Antetokounmpo isn’t making threes. The Clippers are getting a newfound commitment to defensive excellence from power forward Blake Griffin.
This is a game changer. Griffin has been a solid offensive player and rebounder for years but had not been the elite defensive player like many thought he could be coming out of the University of Oklahoma.
While he is not a proficient defensively as the other three of the core four, Griffin is in the midst of his best defensive season as a professional. Griffin is boasting career bests in PER (24.4), Win Shares/48 (.247), Offensive Box Plus/Minus (3.1), Defensive Box Plus/Minus (4.0), and Box Plus/Minus (7.1).
To have two strong defensive players in the starting front court for Rivers in Griffin and Jordan, this gives the Clippers the necessary muscle to push around Western Conference elites like the Golden State Warriors and the San Antonio Spurs come playoff time.
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Griffin’s health is always an issue, but with this newfound appreciation for defense, this could make the Clippers among the favorites to win the West this year. Let’s just say getting to the 2017 Western Conference Finals is a very realistic possibility for this team.