Blake Griffin is not broken, but maybe he should be

Blake Griffin used to be extreme. He would leap over players and cars in the name of sports and entertainment. He used his otherworldly athleticism and general disdain for rims to wow audiences on a nightly basis. He hurled his body around the court, fearing not the consequences. He skied over opponents for rebounds. Blake was the most exciting young player in the league during his first few seasons, filling up highlight reel after highlight reel.

As time passed, the extreme one began to wear down. Injuries, lack of playoff success, and a desire to get better caused Griffin to evolve. He became Blake Griffin Version 1. Facts are, he became a better a shooter, a better passer, and a better ball-handler. He was no longer the guy who puts everyone on a poster. He was turning into one of the best power forwards in the league.

The change in style proved that he wasn’t a one-trick pony. But the evolution didn’t lead him any closer to a championship. The injuries continued to pile up. The playoff flame-outs became even more embarrassing.

Now, it would appear that Blake Griffin is broken. He’s played in 96 of 164 games the past two seasons. He’s injured himself in each of the last two postseasons. He looks to be frustrated with everything around him. Some wonder if the Los Angeles Clippers will be inclined to move on in the offseason. Others are afraid that their team will invest in a 28-year-old who seems to be on the downswing.

Blake is not broken, but becoming broken might make him whole. To break is to shatter everything you’ve ever stood for. It’s to change your way of thinking and the way you’ve always done things. It means shutting out those who helped you along the way and surrounding yourself with those who truly care about it. Finally, it means no longer conforming to what others want and expect from you. Not only do you not turn into what they want you to be, you get them to see your brilliance, and change their ways.

The negative connotation surrounding the word “broken” is old-age thinking. Being broken can be delightful. Wonderful, even.

Becoming broken is not as simple as saying, “I Quit.” It’s a process that no one fully understands. While I’m no expert in spotting if a man is broken, the signs are certainly there when it comes to Griffin. He has exhibited strange behavior the past couple of seasons. Punching an equipment manager, taking less shots, being kinder to rims, and complaining far more. His body language tells me that he has grown tired of the Los Angeles ants and Brother Emmanuel. Not even a doctor from the river can save this man.

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But, to prove that he is broken, Griffin will likely need to leave the dilapidated Los Angeles franchise in search of a new challenge. This offseason, Blake must consult his premonitions to determine if he would rather delete or become obsolete.