During the pre-season, expectations were high that the other team in Tinseltown, the woeful Los Angeles Clippers, will finally hit paydirt and crash into the post-season play come April of next year. With the number one pick over-all in the 2009 draft, the Clippers selected Blake Griffin of the Oklahoma Sooners.
But as we take a look at the current standing of the Clips, Mike Dunleavy's wards continue to struggle in the Pacific Division with a disappointing 12-17 win-loss card. This can all be attributed to Griffin’s absence since the tip-off last October.
Griffin suffered from a broken kneecap during the final pre-season game of the Clippers against the New Orleans Hornets. Actually, he was very impressive during the exhibition games wherein he submitted norms of 13.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg. He was hailed as “The Savior” for the Clippers, who are coming off from a mediocre 19-63 finish in the 2008-09 season.
An outstanding collegiate star, Griffin posted 22.7 ppg and an NCAA-best 14.4 rebounds per game last season for the Sooners. After the Clippers won the draft lottery and selected him, Griffin strained his right shoulder during a summer league game in July. The team brought him back cautiously, and Griffin said he was totally healthy in the preseason.
“Once I feel comfortable, I can get out onto the court. That's definitely a goal. That's what we're looking for”, Griffin remarked when asked on when he should be able to play his first game for the Clippers.
Clipper fans are hoping for his return early next month and any further delay on his much-anticipated debut may come too late to turn things around for the Clippers this season.
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