Last week, Chris Paul seemed to challenge his teammate saying the Los Angeles Clippers will “go as Blake [Griffin] goes.” Fortunately for Clippers fans, Griffin seems to be on the same page, according to ESPNLA.com.
Griffin, 24, said Thursday that Paul has carried a huge load for the team last season, especially at the end of games. However, things are going to change.
"But in my mind, this is the year I need to step into that role and really help him shoulder that load,” the 24-year old power forward said. “I'll be right there with him at the end of games, being the guy that he can always count on."
Griffin, a three-time all-star, also said he’s been working on different parts of his game in the offseason.
"To be honest, I'm more excited about this upcoming season than I've ever been," he said. "My workouts with [shooting coach] Bob Thate and our coaches have been geared around figuring out how I'm going to be used this season.”
Griffin (18.3 ppg and 8.3 rpg) may take on more of a scoring role than last season.
"I'm doing a lot of stuff at the elbow, a lot of shooting,” he said, “One of the things [new coach Doc Rivers] said to me was, 'I don't want you to be afraid to go 0-for-15.' In other words, just have the mindset of a shooter. And with the work I've done this summer, I'm starting to get that confidence and think like a shooter."
Griffin’s scoring and rebound for the 2012-2013 season were career lows (20.4 ppg and 10.4 rpg in his career). However, he also played less minutes last season due to more depth on the team and his injuries that occurred at times through the season.
In the Clippers’ first round exit from the playoffs courtesy of the Memphis Grizzlies, Griffin sprained his ankle. This hampered his performance in Game’s 5 and 6.
"It lingered for a little over a month," the Oklahoma product said of the injury. "But by the time I was back to working out, it was fine. I won't really take that much time off the rest of the summer. I want to keep the training going."
At age 24, Griffin is already the face of the Clippers’ franchise along with Chris Paul. If they are going to get out of the first round this season they’ll need the Blake Griffin that has averaged 20 (points) and 10 (rebounds) throughout his three-year career.
*Stats according to ESPN.com.
