Detroit Pistons Blake Griffin: Honorary MVP

Averaging 24.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game, Blake was the quintessential embodiment of the Detroit Pistons this season.

The NBA Awards have finally concluded. Giannis Antetokounmpo has won the NBA MVP award.

Now at the end of the day, there’s going to be a large consensus that is in total agreement that he deserved the award. You’ll have your skeptics here and there, but 27.7 points, 12.5 rebounds and 5.9 rebounds per game while leading your team to a 60 win season is pretty deserving.

Now, with that being said there is something to be said for players in smaller markets on teams struggling to find identities. The unsung players who battle night in and night out while receiving a fraction of the recognition.

Blake Griffin is your honorary MVP.

Averaging 24.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game, Griffin was the quintessential embodiment of a Detroit Piston this season. Putting his body on the floor, attacking the basket, and even transcending his game with an elevated perimeter shot.

Blake ranked within the top ten of the following categories to end the season (among forwards).

Points per game, field goals made/attempted, three-pointers made/attempted, free throws made/attempted, and assists.

Things went right for Blake this season, as he proved a countless amount of people wrong who doubted his athleticism and his ability to stay healthy for an entire season. Blake appeared in 75 games this season, which was his most since the 2013-2014 season.

Backtracking to an earlier point, the transcendence of Blake’s perimeter shot was truly marvelous this year. Shooting 36.2 percent from beyond the arc on 7.0 attempts per game is quite insane for a guy who just three seasons ago hadn’t attempted more than .5 attempts per game.

The unfortunate about this “Honorary MVP” label is that it’s nothing more than that. Giannis proved that you don’t have to necessarily be in a big market franchise to receive the recognition that you deserve, but you do have to win ball games.

It seems fair to assess the situation the way that it is; had the Detroit Pistons been able to climb up to a #4 seed or higher in the Eastern Conference, Blake would have received more attention in the MVP conversation.

Detroit is having a terrific off-season so far with the prioritization of wing depth. With free agency looming, a backup point guard and center are of the utmost importance. Individual accolades are seldom the route of motivation for NBA players, but with the right team around him, Blake Griffin has tremendous odds at gunning for an MVP.

He’s a proven leader, a league-best in terms of top teammates. Blake adopting the point forward position for the Detroit Pistons has proven to be a difference in wins and losses.

Blake is a star, he just needs a sky to shine in.