For Detroit Piston fans, what turned out to be twenty days seemed like an eternity, as they began the 2019-20 NBA season with Blake Griffin on the mend with hamstring and knee ailments.
Last night, the Piston star made his return to the court, and though the Pistons would lose to the Minnesota Timberwolves 120-114, he showed them what they had been missing, and what makes him such a special player.
And it took all of 50 seconds.
Timberwolves big man Karl-Anthony Towns, with the ball at the three point line, fed Andrew Wiggins on a baseline back cut, and, as Wiggins elevated, he was met by Griffin, who contested the shot. The ball was rebounded by Tony Snell, who then threw an outlet pass to Griffin, who ran the ball up the middle of the floor, going behind his back as he approached the three-point arc before leading Luke Kennard - who was cutting baseline - with an on-the-money one-handed bounce pass.
The play was a small one, and would ultimately not play any sort of role in the outcome of the ball game, but what it did show was that the 30 year old Griffin was officially back, displaying to the home crowd and to those watching just what the Pistons had been missing.
With Griffin sidelined, starting center Andre Drummond had gone on a tear. Four games of at least 20 points and 20 rebounds, with two 4-steal games and four games of at least 3 blocks, with a season-high 5 on November 2 against the Brooklyn Nets. While Drummond also had games of 6, 7 and 8 assists, the responsibility and burden to lead so often in so many categories would have been too much to handle. Plus, he isn't a natural at handling or passing the ball like his frontcourt mate.
Griffin is not just a willing passer, but in a lot of cases he brings the ball up the floor and helps initiate offense. His abilities as a passer were likely obscured by the years in Los Angeles playing with Chris Paul, but he is really good in a point-forward role. He handles the ball unusually well for a 6'9-6'10 power forward, and is dangerous in the open floor with a full head of steam. He twirling finishes at the basket are fun to watch, and he has the strength to ward off defenders at the rim.
Griffin finished last night with 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists in just 24 minutes of action as the team eases him back. He was 6/12 from the field and 6/8 from the free throw line, tying the Wolves' Andrew Wiggins for the most makes and attempts from the line in the game. Although they lost, Griffin was stellar, and the crowd energy and anticipation both prior to game time and when he had the ball in his hands was palpable. It was clear how much they missed him, and how badly they wanted him back.
Griffin will sit out tonight versus the Miami Heat, understandable on a back to back just coming off of an injury. As he makes his way back into the fold, the Pistons suddenly have a nice trio of he, Drummond, and Derrick Rose, the latter who also returned last night after a four game absence. Griffin and Drummond are right up there in the league when it comes to the top power forward-center combinations, and the duo - leading a team that was the 8th seed a season ago - could not just get to the 8th spot this year, but reach even higher heights if all pans out.
It will depend, of course, on how well Griffin performs. In last night's sample, he reminded Piston fans of what they were missing, while reminding NBA fans just how good he is.
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