Arrived this offseason, in particular to compensate for the absence of Danilo Gallinari, Blake Griffin made everyone agree at the Celtics. The interior has been able to reinvent itself to adopt this role of veteran and locker room leader to perfection, so much so that his coach paid tribute to him at a press conference.
He is one of those people.
Of these veterans who bring wisdom to a locker room, of these former glories who share their past and who bring this touch of experience.
Blake Griffin is an important member of the Boston Celtics, in his own way. Arrived free at the end of September to make up for the absence of Danilo Gallinari, the former All-Star has reinvented himself in recent years and changed his game, but also his role. At 33, the former glory of the Clippers is no longer an indisputable holder, around whom everything passes, but a veteran who comes off the bench but remains impactful. Joe Mazzulla praised the role of his interior, which he believes has a major role in the Greens and Whites locker room.
“He is the perfect teammate, he is very important to us. He is a pillar of the locker room, he lifts the others up. With the career and status he has now, we can rely on him.” – Joe Mazzulla after the Celtics win over the Pistons
It’s really a beautiful story that is being written between friend Blake and the legendary franchise. The Oklahoma City native joined Massachusetts after two years with the Nets, and while the move to Brooklyn was average but okay, his signing to Boston was good for everyone. Admittedly, he is no longer the All-Star and the crazy dunker he once was, but he remains a very good basketball player capable of rendering services. This season, the 33-year-old is shooting 4.8 points and 3.6 rebounds in 13 minutes, not what will make him an MVP but, on the other hand, the kind of contribution that can help the Celtics get the title.
Every contender needs a veteran like Blake, who stays in his role, who accepts him and who helps the friends. And Brad Stevens was right in signing The Dunk Master. On a short and cheap contract, the C’s did not take too many risks and friend Blake made everyone agree by becoming one of the darlings of the fans, who are now campaigning for his extension.
That’s exactly why they didn’t move him on the deadline. Not crazy playing time, but all the noise coming out of Boston in the last 3 months confirms the same thing: Blake is perfect in this locker room. Everyday Equilibrium with Al Horford. https://t.co/YGJDMwHqWT
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) February 16, 2023
Alongside Al Horford, Blake Griffin plays this role of uncle with a talented workforce and provides valuable services when needed. It deserved a little big up from his coach, right?
Source texte : NBCS, Basketball Reference