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LOS ANGELES -- The Clippers are taking Blake Griffin. Yes, everyone knew that already, but this morning assistant general manager Neil Olshey officially let the worst-kept secret on the West Coast out of the bag.
“We made the decision in June of 2008,†Olshey said.
That’s when Blake decided to go back to Oklahoma for his sophomore season. The consensus collegiate player of the year -- he averaged 22.7 points and 14.4 rebounds -- is at the top of every team’s draft board.
“We saw the same things the other 29 teams in the league see,†Olshey said.
What they see is a 6-foot-10, 250-pound power forward who’s physical, has an expanding skill set, can play both ends of the floor and multiple positions along the frontline.
That frontline is crowded. Al Thornton, Zach Randolph, Chris Kaman, Marcus Camby and last year’s rookie big man DeAndre Jordan already man the 4 and 5 spots. Are there enough minutes to go around or is a trade in the works to free up time for the future No. 1 pick?
“I’m sure Mike Dunleavy is sitting on his flight from Spain going over those scenarios,†Olshey said of the Clippers coach who was overseas scouting probable second pick Ricky Rubio. “Obviously, we strengthened a strength last night with getting Blake. Maybe there’s some adjustments we have to make, but right now we have to catch our breath.â€
Olshey said several players, including Baron Davis and Randolph, texted him last night after the ping-pong balls popped up the Clippers’ way. They were swept up in Blakemania.
“The guys follow the game,†Olshey said. “They know how good the guy is.â€
“We made the decision in June of 2008,†Olshey said.
That’s when Blake decided to go back to Oklahoma for his sophomore season. The consensus collegiate player of the year -- he averaged 22.7 points and 14.4 rebounds -- is at the top of every team’s draft board.
“We saw the same things the other 29 teams in the league see,†Olshey said.
What they see is a 6-foot-10, 250-pound power forward who’s physical, has an expanding skill set, can play both ends of the floor and multiple positions along the frontline.
That frontline is crowded. Al Thornton, Zach Randolph, Chris Kaman, Marcus Camby and last year’s rookie big man DeAndre Jordan already man the 4 and 5 spots. Are there enough minutes to go around or is a trade in the works to free up time for the future No. 1 pick?
“I’m sure Mike Dunleavy is sitting on his flight from Spain going over those scenarios,†Olshey said of the Clippers coach who was overseas scouting probable second pick Ricky Rubio. “Obviously, we strengthened a strength last night with getting Blake. Maybe there’s some adjustments we have to make, but right now we have to catch our breath.â€
Olshey said several players, including Baron Davis and Randolph, texted him last night after the ping-pong balls popped up the Clippers’ way. They were swept up in Blakemania.
“The guys follow the game,†Olshey said. “They know how good the guy is.â€
Mike Dunleavy has saved Clippers' fans and the NBA from a lot of drama over the next month.
"Clearly, we're taking Blake Griffin," Clippers General Manager and Coach Mike Dunleavy said in a telephone interview from Barcelona, Spain.
"This guy is the No. 1 pick. We're extremely excited. He's the guy."
"Clearly, we're taking Blake Griffin," Clippers General Manager and Coach Mike Dunleavy said in a telephone interview from Barcelona, Spain.
"This guy is the No. 1 pick. We're extremely excited. He's the guy."
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