Blake Griffin is a likely All-NBA member for his play with the Detroit Pistons. After such a great season, it’s depressing to see him limp into the playoffs.
The Detroit Pistons traded for Blake Griffin last season, with the hope of Griffin returning to All-NBA form and taking them to the Playoffs. Many were skeptical of Griffin returning to such play, and whether he could actually get better.
Griffin went out this season and, likely, has accomplished both goals. Griffin had what is arguably his best season of his career, and carried Detroit the majority of the season to keep them in the playoff race.
He had played in 70+ games for the first time since 2014, and the only games he missed were due to rest. He had a season full of great health for the first time in years, and looked better than ever. He averaged 24.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.4 assists a game, while shooting 46 percent from the field and 36 percent from three on seven attempts a game. That is good for a true shooting percentage of 58, tying a career high.
With over a week left in the season, however, Griffin’s body stabbed him in the knee.
Griffin was a late scratch in a March 30th game against Portland, and proceeded to miss four of the last seven games of the season. In the first half of the Memphis Grizzlies game on the ninth of April, Griffin was openly emotional on the bench. He was trying to play through his knee injury, but physically could not help the Pistons.
The Detroit Pistons play game one against the Milwaukee Bucks five days after this game, so how healthy Griffin is currently is a serious question. He’s currently listed as day-to-day, so who knows if he even plays.
It was extremely sad to see Griffin get emotional on the bench. There is no way anyone can question this guys toughness. He’s doing everything he can to play for the city of Detroit, but his body may not allow him to.
Griffin was everything and then some for the Detroit Pistons this year, better than anyone could’ve possibly thought he’d be. And yes, even if he doesn’t play in the playoffs, he carried the Pistons to the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
He played with the attitude of Detroit this season; tough, hardworking, grit.
To know after such a great season that Griffin, the fans, the critics, and anyone who would be watching, Griffin would fail to then perform to his best capabilities under the bright lights due to injury is quite honestly depressing.
If he plays, hopefully the injury allows him to perform the best he possibly can.
Blake Griffin, the Detroit Pistons, the fans, the critics, the analysts… We all deserve it.