The Next Big Thing

By Migs Cortez

A year removed from suffering a stress fracture in his left knee, Blake Griffin has broken through with a vengeance.

The former Oklahoma Sooner is averaging 20.2 points and 11.6 rebounds per game this year for the woebegone 3 and 15 Clippers. After watching him for a couple of games, I can't help but liken him to a young Charles Barkley, sans the off-court craziness. Blake's got range to go along with his ridiculous athleticism and impressive footwork which he has used to frazzle opponents. A 52% field goal clip for a 6,10" rookie who plays inside and outside is ridiculous, and, while his team is stuck in the doldrums (and looks to be stuck there for a while longer, so long as they have Baron Davis' contract on the books), at least he, and guard Eric Gordon, have blossomed into major bright spots for a franchise that is starved for success.

Being the top overall pick in the NBA draft has its fair share of pressure tied into it. Just ask guys like Kwame Brown and gasp, Michael Olowokandi. Most times, the number one overall selection finds his way to stardom ala Dwight Howard, Shaquille O'Neal, Lebron James, and Yao Ming. There too are number one overall picks who remain on the undercard, like Andrew Bogut and Andrea Bargnani. Griffin, I believe, has staked his claim as a member of the "destined for stardom" group. Give this fellow a decent playmaking point guard and in a few years, he could be the best power forward in the game.

Vinny Del Negro isn't exactly the most flexible coach in the basketball, therefore, he should be considered lucky to have Blake. This is similar to Paul Silas having Lebron those first few years. Once Elgin Baylor and the other members of the Clippers brass get tired of losing and playing second fiddle to the Lakers (and pretty much everybody else), then maybe they'll go on and find a more seasoned mentor to hone Griffin, along with cap friendly pieces to help lead him to the promised land. Then again, we've been praying for rain in the Clipper desert forever, and images of players like Loy Vaught and Matt Fish come to mind alongside their seemingly unending mediocrity.

That mediocrity COULD vanish if Griffin is left to be the beast he can be, while still holding the reins tightly enough to help him through the NBA's growing pains.

-MC-