It wasn’t perfect.
Blake Griffin saw his first action with the Celtics in Charlotte Friday night. He only hit one of his six shots (his 3-pointer at the top of the arc) and in less than 17 minutes he scored two turnovers. The 14-year veteran just signed with Boston a week ago. He hasn’t played much in his 5-for-5 and felt like he had a little more speed on the court, but off the court Griffin blends in well.
“It’s always a little weird coming in, but they’re great. The coaching staff has been great. They give you a clear message.” Griffin told NBC Boston’s Abby Chin After Boston finished with 7 points, 9 rebounds, and +8 after falling into the 15-point hole.
“The intensity level for this group is off the charts. You don’t have to tell us to be trapped.
Griffin spent his second time in Brooklyn last season with the Nets and Steve Nash. After Kevin Durant’s trade request quickly turned into an ultimatum and later fell through this summer, Griffin is not just a contender, he’s with a stable organization that has weathered a difficult offseason. Part of that was managing first-time head coach Joe Mazzurra.
“He’s very relaxed. He knows how to talk to men, he knows how to make them laugh, but he also knows how to get along with us.”
with celtics With 15 men down in the first half, Mazura chose to start Griffin after halftime. Boston then took a 13-point lead by the middle of the fourth quarter, with Griffin replacing Noah Vonley as the starter.
Griffin didn’t jump over any cars like he did in his early Clippers days, but Boston is considering a reduced version of the No. 1 overall pick, who was named an All-Star in Detroit three years ago. There is a possibility that
With Boston starting the regular season without Danilo Gallinari and Robert Williams (and probably Luke Cornette nursing a sprained ankle), Griffin is the Celtics’ first choice to start the year against a packed frontcourt. could be seen for 15 to 20 minutes at night. 76ersHeat, Magic, Bulls, Cavaliers.
“I’m just trying to find that rhythm. The next practice gets better, the next practice gets better, and I keep getting better,” Griffin said.
