NBA Draft Preview: Blake Griffin

Blake Griffin, Freshman PF, Oklahoma

6’10  240 lbs  15.2 ppg  9.2 rpg

Pros:  Griffin is an appealing prospect for the next level for a number of reasons, with the most immediate being because of his physical tools. He is a beast for his age, 18, at 6-10 240 pounds with a nice wingspan and an outstanding frame. Griffin is also a pretty athletic big man and gets up and down the court extremely well for a player his size.  The mid-range jumper is crucial for him to add to his game in order to be a duel threat on the offensive end, showing some light in his face up game.  He also has a little handle out there, showing some crossovers and through the legs in one on one situations.  Griffin’s motor is always running as he is a monster on the glass, however his effort seems to fizzle on the defensive end at times. 

Cons: On the offensive end, Griffin shows little outside of 10 feet, not possessing a reliable mid-range jumper and shooting a woeful 59% from the stripe, though his form doesn’t look terrible. This is certainly something Griffin will need to add to his game, and because he’s missing a few important ripples such as this, many believe he’d be best served spending an extra year in college developing these things.  He also needs to work on his passing skills out of the post.  This kid can be a black hole at times, never looking for the kick out and forcing the issue inside a lot. 

Notes:  I have seen this kid in a few draft previews in the top 10 or not even on the board as we await confirmation on him going pro.  With the Sixers most likely drafting in the 14-17 range, Griffin could definitely still be on the board pending his declaration to go pro of course.  If he can add that mid-range jumper to his repertoire, and continue developing the rest of his game, he compares pretty favorably to Carlos Boozer in terms of what he should be capable of doing on the floor.  Griffin could be a great fit for the 76ers and have a shot to play right away due to his high intensity and toughness on the glass, something the Sixers lack in the PF/C positions.   His defensive skills would have to improve in order for him to succeed in the league.  A year or two of hard work should make this kid a real player in the NBA and a force to be reckoned with on the block.