Tag: Blake Griffin

What exactly is it that Blake Griffin likes about playing for the Boston Celtics?

The former No. 1 pick had plenty of good things to say about his time in Boston last season; will he return?

Sometimes, you can just tell when a player is trying to wriggle out of a question without insulting former teammates when a player is asked how their season with a ball club went. But that was anything but the case for former Boston Celtics big man and current free agent Blake Griffin in a recent interview with the host of the “Fore Play Golf” podcast.

“How was last year?” came the inquiry that can make even a veteran player squirm when asked. “How was Boston?” The answer from Griffin left little doubt about how his tenure went with the Celtics in 2022-23.

“Dude, Boston was unbelievable,” came the emphatic reply. “Cool city, right?” asked the host. “Awesome.”

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ANMMu9ebrRE

“So, I was never like– a lot of times you go to play there, but sometimes you don’t really spend much time in a city no matter how many times you’ve been there.”

So what made it so awesome? Check out the short embedded above to hear Griffin’s take for yourself.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=590969556]

Report: Warriors expressing interest in veteran Blake Griffin

The Warriors are reportedly one of the teams showing interest in veteran big Blake Griffin.

[anyclip pubname=”2123″ widgetname=”0016M00002U0B1kQAF_M8170″]

After acquiring Chris Paul in a blockbuster trade with the Washington Wizards at the start of the summer, the Golden State Warriors are reportedly showing interest in his former teammate in “Lob City.”

According to Sam Amico of Hoops Wire, the Warriors are one of the teams expressing interest in veteran big man Blake Griffin. The Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Clippers are also showing interest in Griffin, per Amico.

Via @WireHoops on Twitter:

 

During the 2022-23 season, Griffin played 41 games with the Boston Celtics, averaging 4.1 points on 48.5% shooting from the floor with 3.8 rebounds in 13.9 minutes per contest. Griffin is a six-time NBA All-Star, most recently coming during the 2018-19 season with the Detroit Pistons. Paul and Griffin were teammates on the Clippers for six seasons.

Following the peak of the offseason transaction period, the Golden State Warriors still have two open roster spots. However, it’s unclear if Steve Kerr and Mike Dunleavy Jr. will fill those spots or stay flexible with an open roster spot.

This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! 

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Celtics are hosting free agents for workouts – who makes the most sense?

What will the team prioritize for filling their last open roster spots?

[anyclip pubname=”2123″ widgetname=”0016M00002U0B1kQAF_M8170″]

The Boston Celtics are hosting several free agents for workouts as they look for the final additions to their 2023-24 roster, including TJ Warren, Lamar Stevens, and Louis King. Blake Griffin also recently praised the fans, team, and championship-focused environment of the city, hinting at a potential wish to return.

The Celtics are exploring options for signing these free agents, considering factors like defensive ability, offensive contributions, and potential roles off the bench. Stevens is particularly known for his defensive hustle while Warren has shown improvement in his three-point shooting, King’s potential role could be as a two way player for Boston.

The hosts of the CLNS Media “How Bout Them Celtics!” podcast recently got together to talk over these late offseason free agency rumbles.

Check out the clip embedded above to hear what they had to say!

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=590969556]

Do the Boston Celtics have competition for Blake Griffin’s services?

The 34-year-old vet would be a valued voice off the bench able to scale up to an occasional spot start for Boston — if they can re-sign him.

If the Boston Celtics hope to bring back veteran big man Blake Griffin, they might have to beat out a few other ball clubs to do it according to recent reporting from Hoops Wire’s Sam Amico. Per Amico, multiple teams ” are expressing interest in free agent power forward … Griffin, including the Celtics”.

Griffin recently gushed about his time in Boston, hinting that the former No. 1 pick is disposed to such a return to the Celtics. Amico suggests that the Philadelphia 76ers and Golden State Warriors may also be interested in signing the Oklahoma alum for the looming 2023-24 season, though it’s unclear if that is sourced reporting or his own estimation.

The 34-year-old vet would be a valued voice off the bench able to scale up to an occasional spot start for Boston, something they may need this season with Kristaps Porzingis, Robert Williams III, and Al Horford all likely to miss frontcourt minutes this season.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=590969556]

Boston’s Blake Griffin opens up about his time with the Celtics

The veteran big man gushed about a ball club he was once warned not to join.

In a recent appearance on the “Fore Play” podcast (h/t Sports Illustrated’s Jesse Cinquini), current free agent and former Boston Celtics veteran big man Blake Griffin shared his view on his time with the Celtics during the 2022-23 regular season. Griffin praised the Celtics organization, their fans, and his teammates from a ball club he was once warned against joining.

“Boston is unbelievable,” said Griffin. “Living in Boston, playing in Boston, was like one of the best experiences. Dude, the fans are incredible … One of the best parts, the players on that team are just like such a great group of guys.”

Griffin has had a lengthy NBA career after reinventing his game when his athleticism started to fade, playing for multiple teams including the Los Angeles Clippers, Detroit Pistons, and the Celtics.

During his time with the Celtics, he averaged 4.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game over 41 appearances in the 2022-23 season, with 16 of those as a starter.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=590969556]

Should the Boston Celtics try to get Usman Garuba on their roster?

The Oklahoma City Thunder have announced their decision to waive former first-round pick Usman Garuba.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have announced their decision to waive former first-round pick Usman Garuba, who was initially selected by the Houston Rockets as the 23rd pick in the 2021 NBA draft. Despite his potential, Garuba struggled to secure significant playing time during his time with the Rockets. Would it make sense for the Boston Celtics to sign him? A recent analysis by Sports Illustrated’s Bobby Krivitsky explored the idea, perking our interest as well.

Garuba, on one hand, averaged ten minutes per game in his rookie season and 12.9 minutes per game in the following season, putting up 3.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, and just under an assist per game during Houston’s 2022-23 campaign while shooting 48.6% from the field and 40.7% from deep on limited attempts.

On the other, he won’t get much playing time with Boston’s regular roster, and would likely have to spend much time in Portland with the Maine Celtics to continue developing his game.

Such a move would also, as Krivitsky notes, signal the end of the Blake Griffin era in Boston without really replacing what he can do in spurts for Boston, should both sides elect to move forward together this season.

If Boston were to use the contract of Luke Kornet to land a player at another position of need, one could squint and see the wisdom of such a move, but we would be surprised if a club with more playing time doesn’t beat Boston (and the rest of the league) to the punch.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=590969556]

Four potential Celtics depth options to shore up Boston’s frontcourt

With Kristaps Porzingis already showing signs of poor durability, another big man option is a wise target for the Celtics.

The Boston Celtics are facing a potential frontcourt availability concern as new Boston big man Kristaps Porzingis enters a rehabilitation process for his foot, recently diagnosed with plantar fasciitis serious enough to cause the Latvian center to eschew suiting up for his national team in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Although the Celtics center is expected to be cleared for the start of the storied ball club’s 2023-24 training camp,

Porzingis’ injury history, including playing less than 65 games in the regular season in recent years, raises questions about his availability for a full 82-game season in Boston’s campaign to come. Considering the team’s other factors, such as veteran forward Al Horford’s age and Robert Williams III’s frequent absences to injury as well, it’s prudent for the Celtics to consider front-court additions.

To such an end, NESN’s Keagan Stiefel came up with four potential options that the Celtics can sign to shore up their frontcourt depth – let’s take a look at each.

NBA executive says the Lakers should sign Blake Griffin

Would veteran Blake Griffin be an adequate option to fill the Lakers’ hole at the center position?

[anyclip pubname=”2123″ widgetname=”0016M00002U0B1kQAF_M8170″]

Many are high on the Los Angeles Lakers’ chances of winning the NBA championship this season. However, they have one roster hole that could spell their demise — the center position.

At this time, they have only one true center on the roster — Jaxson Hayes, who may or may not get significant playing time. In four NBA seasons, he hasn’t fully panned out, despite being the No. 8 pick in the 2019 draft.

The Lakers have been rumored to be interested in signing Christian Wood to shore up the 5 spot. But it isn’t clear how much interest they truly have in him, and it also isn’t clear how interested Wood is in coming to L.A.

One executive says the team should turn to veteran big man Blake Griffin (h/t Lakers Daily).

Via NBA Analysis Network:

“An NBA executive told Evan Massey of NBA Analysis Network that the Los Angeles Lakers should sign Blake Griffin, who is an unrestricted free agent.

“‘Blake Griffin is still out there and I think his best fit is the Lakers,’ the NBA exec said. ‘He would be a perfect depth addition for L.A.'”

Griffin spent this past season with the Boston Celtics. He averaged 4.1 points and 3.8 rebounds in 13.9 minutes a game, and he is clearly not what he was several years ago when he was a perennial All-Star with the Los Angeles Clippers.

But if he were to commit to the defensive end of the floor, perhaps he could provide some depth for the Purple and Gold.

Report: Celtics still mulling a possible Blake Griffin reunion

Could another year of Blake Griffin in Celtics green still be in the cards?

The Boston Celtics have a few more decisions to make before the 2023-24 season officially begins. The club has just 11 guaranteed contracts at the time of this writing, with two full roster spots still available. After waiving former Pitt Panther Justin Champagnie earlier this week, the Celtics have a bit more financial breathing room, too. How will Boston’s front office round out this roster?

One potential move could be bringing back veteran Blake Griffin. The 34-year-old provided important leadership in Boston’s locker room last season, though his impact on the court was limited at best. Regardless, according to CLNS’s Bobby Manning, the “door remains open” for another stint for Griffin in Celtics green.

“I’ve heard the door remains open for his return despite the distance from family and his home on the west coast,” Manning reported. “Given that he mulled his options until October last year, it’s worth assuming he’ll follow a similarly deliberative process this summer.”

NBA Rookie of the Year: The 5 players to win the award unanimously

Only five players have won the NBA Rookie of the Year award unanimously.

The NBA has seen some of the best players to ever step foot on the hardwood enter the league and have strong rookie campaigns straight out of the gate over the years.

But, only five players have ever unanimously won Rookie of the Year.

The award has been given to the top first-year player since the 1952-53 season when Don Meineke of the Fort Wayne Pistons won. Thirty of the non-active winners have been inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and 22 were drafted with the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft.

The winners are selected by a global panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. The voters submit ballots with three players — first place (five points), second place (three points) and third place (one point) — and the player with the highest point total is the winner.

There have been several players that have come close to winning unanimously, like Ja Morant in 2020 (99 first-place votes) or even this year with Paolo Banchero (98 first-place votes), but only five have received every first-place vote.

Here are the players to have won Rookie of the Year unanimously.