The get started of Blake Griffin’s occupation as a Celtic in Greensboro on Friday evening wasn’t the rest to put in writing house about. In reality, it’ll it transparent why the veteran ahead didn’t sign up for a group for all of the offseason. There was once a fumbled cross, a badly bricked 3, a neglected wide-open midrange jumper and a turnover. Whether this was once merely rust or the indicators of a persevered decline wasn’t transparent at first, however the indicators weren’t promising.
The journey didn’t take lengthy to show even though after Boston fell right into a 15-point first quarter hollow whilst resting nearly all of their beginning 5. Griffin began to do one of the vital little issues that made him an invaluable position participant in Brooklyn for portions of the final two seasons. A few robust rolls to the rim earned him journeys to the loose throw line. Discipline at the defensive glass earned him 9 forums in simply 16 mins. The maximum encouraging building even though got here with his offensive unselfishness. He was once obviously concerned about making the additional cross and rewarding his teammates with higher seems quite than settling for his personal out of doors jumpers.
There was once one specific collection involving Sam Hauser hustling for an offensive board that were given tipped out to Griffin that stood out. The former All-Star may have taken his wing 3 however as a substitute despatched a no-look dish to Hauser relocating within the nook, leading to a prime proportion appearance from 3. He adopted up with a identical great appearance to Derrick White a little while later.
Griffin ended up beginning in the second one part over Noah Vonleh along Grant Williams, a possible lineup appearance for nights Al Horford is rested. Boston outscored Charlotte 36-21 within the body because the added flooring spacing helped Jaylen Brown and Derrick White have giant quarters.
In a postgame interview with Abby Chin of NBC Sports Boston, Griffin summed up his evening after posting seven issues and 9 rebounds in 16 mins.
“It felt alright,” Griffin stated. “A little rusty, I hadn’t played 5-on-5 yet so it’s always a little weird coming in. These guys are great, the coaching staff was great, they gave me a clear message and I was glad we picked it up in the second half and got the win.”
The extra eye-opening feedback from Griffin even though got here when he was once requested about reflecting on his time with his new Boston teammates to this point. For the second one time this week, Griffin seemed to take a subtle shot at his former teammates whilst showering his new group with praise.
“I think the intensity and maturity level of this group is off the charts,” Griffin stated. “Every day when we get to work it’s intense. It’s not that we’re going forever but these guys are locked in and no one has to tell us to be locked in. It’s refreshing.”
Griffin may have any other week of coaching camp to paintings off the rust with his new teammates sooner than heading as much as Canada for Boston’s preseason finale on Friday towards the Raptors.