While the Pistons have shuffled their roster in recent weeks, Blake Griffin and Derrick Rose remain their most recognizable players. Both of them are healthy in the early days of camp, Keith Langlois of Pistons.com writes.
Griffin and Rose have been full participants in drills and scrimmages, according to coach Dwane Casey. Griffin has the spring in his legs back after undergoing another knee surgery which kept him sidelined much of last season.
“He’s back to being the Blake of old. We’re excited about that,” Casey said. “We know he’s been putting in the work. All the naysayers, all of that stuff, he’s back to being the Blake of old.”
We have more news from the Central Division:
- The looming deadline for Giannis Antetokounmpo to sign an extension — December 21 — hasn’t affected his work ethic in camp, Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters, including The Athletic’s Eric Nehm (Twitter link). “He wants to be coached hard,” Budenholzer said of Giannis. “He wants everybody to do everything they can every day to get better.”
- Center Thon Maker is on the Cavaliers’ roster after signing a training-camp deal and he knows he’s fighting for a roster spot, Chris Fedor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. “Nothing is ever given, period. Even being the top-10 pick it wasn’t given as well,” he said. “I’m not coming in thinking I’m a top-10 (pick) now. I’m coming in aggressive like I was when I was a first year. I’m approaching it as if I just came out of college.” Maker became an unrestricted free agent when the Pistons didn’t extend him a qualifying offer.
- Deividas Sirvydis is scheduled to arrive in Detroit on Wednesday and will have to go through COVID protocols before he can start practicing, Rod Beard of the Detroit News tweets. The Lithuanian swingman, who was drafted in the second round in 2019, signed a three-year contract with the Pistons at the beginning of the month.
- The Bulls’ G League team, the Windy City Bulls, is unlikely to participate in the Atlanta “bubble” event,” Emiliano Carchia of Sportando tweets.
Will be interesting to see how many fans and teams are begging for a Blake Griffin trade come February. After turning their noses up at him this off season.
Even if he plays well, teams will only want him if Detroit gives him away or takes back some bad contracts as well. He’s too old, too expensive and too fragile. He reminds me of Stoudimire on the Knicks. Every year we were told this was the year he would stay healthy…
Two years ago he had a great year but yeah I’m not sure how much I’d give up to bet on a repeat performance
Nothing. Bet on a pretty good year.
Only if they can guarantee he won’t opt in for the 2021-22 season.
If he breaks down it will probably be in the 2nd part of the season or the playoffs. Buyer beware!
i like it. sounds like getting a used car with high miles or been in an accident. Buy As Is.
Could swap him to Houston, at least he only has one more year of expense. Harden can cry cry cry in Detroit, or sit out and void his contract.