PistonPowered
Fansided

Detroit Pistons: Three goals for Blake Griffin this season

By Travis Gibbs

DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 1: Blake Griffin #23 and Luke Kennard #5 of the Detroit Pistons high five during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on February 1, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 1: Blake Griffin #23 and Luke Kennard #5 of the Detroit Pistons high five during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on February 1, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Detroit Pistons will need a big season out of Blake Griffin this year. There are a few goals that Griffin should strive for in order for that to happen.

The Detroit Pistons added Blake Griffin to their roster on January 29 last season in hopes of pulling the team out of a slump. They went on to miss the playoffs for the second straight season.

After a shake-up in the front office and a new head coach, the Pistons are expecting to compete and be in the thick of things in the east.

Blake Griffin will have to be the center piece of the team’s efforts if that will happen. Here are a few goals for Griffin as the season approaches.

Stay healthy

This should be priority number one. Griffin has been unable to stay healthy over the past few seasons.

He missed 24 games between the Clippers and the Pistons last season. That’s over 25 percent of the season. He missed 21 games the year before and 47 games in the 2015-2016 season.

Related Story. Three reasons why Glenn Robinson III deal will pay off. light

If the Pistons are going to be successful this season, Griffin will need to be on the floor for at least 70 games next season. He’s not been able to do that since the 2013-2014 season.

It’s something that can be a bit of a concern when talking about Blake Griffin and the need to rely on him. He is their best player and he keeps trying to modernize his game in a way that will help him stay on the floor.

Be an All Star again

Griffin went to five different All Star games as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers. At one point, he averaged 24 points per game as well.

He’s now 29 and has lost a little bit of an edge. That’s reasonable when you think about what Griffin’s body has been through since he started playing in the NBA.

Last season, he averaged 19 points, six rebounds and six assists. Let’s compare his numbers to some of the All Stars from last season.

Al Horford was an All Star and averaged less points and assists than Griffin last year. Griffin’s numbers prove that he was a more versatile player than Kevin Love as well. He also made an All Star team last season.

With Griffin at 100 percent, this goal is very achievable.

Continue to improve shooting

Griffin has been changing his game since he first entered the league. He was very aggressive early on and played without any kind of caution for his body. The days of being a high-flyer and trying to dunk on everyone are over.

It’s created too many injuries for Griffin. There is one trend in his game that has been extremely noticeable. He’s been expanding outward from the rim by handling the ball and taking more outside shots.

That doesn’t mean he can’t ever play with his back to the basket. That ability got him to the NBA and it will continue to be apart of his game.

He averaged 34 percent from three-point range last season. The league average is 36 percent. A goal for Griffin should be getting his average up to around 38 percent.

This is not only good for his health. It’s great for the flow of Detroit’s offense. It will only add to the space on the floor and will compliment players like Reggie Bullock and Luke Kennard.

The Detroit Pistons could benefit from an improved outside game by Blake Griffin.

Home/Pistons News