Blake Griffin admits being upset over internet rumors that he wasn’t giving 100% during his time with the Pistons last season, writes Andrew Hammond of The Detroit Free Press. Griffin, who joined the Nets after agreeing to a buyout with Detroit in February, addressed that topic during an appearance on J.J. Redick‘s podcast, “The Old Man and the Three.”
“It bothered me,” Griffin said. “Because the stat was, he hadn’t dunked in 400-something days … sure.”
Griffin pointed out that the number is misleading because the Pistons weren’t part of the NBA’s restart in Orlando in the summer of 2020 and he only played 20 more games for Detroit before the buyout. He laughed off the criticism, but Hammond believes he was irritated by the narrative that formed.
There’s more from the Central Division:
- The Bucks were among several teams that worked out veteran center Johnny O’Bryant, according to Jeff Garcia of Locked on Spurs (hat tip to Dalton Sell of FanSided). The 28-year-old spent four years in the NBA, but has been out of the league since the 2017/18 season. He has been playing overseas and spent last season in the Turkish League. Milwaukee, which drafted O’Bryant in 2014, has two openings on its training camp roster. The Nets and Warriors also hosted workouts for O’Bryant, according to Garcia.
- Arturas Karnisovas is keeping his promise to not accept mediocrity on the Bulls‘ roster, observes Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. Cowley notes that Zach LaVine and Coby White are the only players still remaining from when Karnisovas took over as executive vice president of basketball operations in April of 2020. Cowley expects the changes to continue as Chicago tries to break a four-year playoff drought.
- On his Instagram account, Cavaliers guard Collin Sexton claims that team officials were crying during his 2018 pre-draft workout because they had lost to the Warriors in the NBA Finals the day before.
It’ll be interesting to see how Ball LaVine DeRozan Williams and Vuce work as a starting 5.
3 guards that like the ball in their hands, and a centre that likes touches too. LaVine is the only true real floor spacer. Lonzo can hit three efficiently but he’s not a true floor spacer, he likes the ball in his hands and creating for others and playing on the break.
Ball and Williams are solid defenders but LaVine and DeRozan aren’t exactly and I can see them having some tough times on the wings.
Off the bench you have Coby White, Alex Caruso, Jones Jr, Brown Jr, Johnson and Bradley. Think they might have a tough time getting the ball in the rim sometimes. No real experience or stand out leader of that bunch so that’ll be interesting.
Think the bulls finish the 6th seed
Agreed. I feel the way this team succeeds is through ball movement.
No rebound, no ball
No ball, no ball movement
Move what?
Who grab the rebound?
Trading Lauri for Nance Jr make more senses
I think the silivin bot is broken again
Especially if you look at the improved teams in the east. At the top you have the Nets Bucks Sixers Celtics and Heat. Then there the young Hawks team, Knicks look solid, Pacers are always interesting, Raptors are a challenge, Hornets on the rise, Wizards have some names.
Bulls v Hornets last year was 31 wins vs 33 wins, 11th vs 10th LaMelo will get better, they got Oubre, Plumblee is an upgrade and they drafted well.
Largely the same players coming back whereas Bulls have a bunch of fresh faces amd will take time to gel.
If lucky they make the 6th seed with a strong end of season push, but could also see them around 8th
The top of the east is the Bucks and the Nets, then after a huge drop-off there’s the Hawks, Celtics, and Heat battling for the #3 and #4 seeds. Then there are about a half a dozen or so other teams competing with the Sixers for the remaining playoff/play-in spots.
Sixers were the first seed last year and at this stage haven’t lost anyone.
They are a top 5 team in the east like it or not and after they trade Simmons they will still be a top 8 team easy
The number 1 seed was who ? And that number 1 seed is still intact and all starting 5 including Simmons is under contract, so until that changes my sixer hating friend nip it in the bud.
That number 1 seed who went to the NBA Finals. No? Of course that number 1 seed surely went to the ECF, right? No again? Just speaking the truth, not hating. The only thing regarding the Sixers that needs to be nipped in the bud is getting rid of Simmons. It’s tearing the team apart and their situation is becoming more toxic and explosive every day he remains on their roster, so good luck with that.
Have fun watching Houston blow the next 10 years.
Sexton trying to find new ways to get out of Cleveland. Of course, also making a great impression to those he’d like to pay him serious coin.
Don’t be making up narratives. Sexton told CLE he doesn’t want to be traded and wants to be here. And the quote about them crying was him responding to an interview question about what his draft day workout was like with the team. Nothing more to read into than that.
word. #nothingtoseehere
“It’s known that the Cavaliers are exploring trades for Sexton because they’re uncomfortable committing money to him right now. Cleveland also has to find a team that is willing to extend Sexton, like New York and Miami, and that narrows their opportunities as well.Jul 19, 2021”
link to fearthesword.com
Cavs have been trying to move Sexton since the TD of last yr. Why would it change now. They don’t want to pay him. He’s due a new contract and wants max. He’s not worth it IMO. Love and Sexton will be moved this yr.
or..or… Kobe Altman is an idiot who can’t see a win if it bit him in the ass. Cleveland does not attract free agents in the prime of their careers. they must depend on drafting and extending players. that’s what they should do with Sexton.
He’s not the one who tried to trade him. Seems obvious Cavs do not want to pay him. Paying the wrong players only make it worse for the franchise. You have to know when to fold. Cavs future is Mobley. When you build a good team. You will attract the right FAs.
Altman is the person who drafted him and is the current GM. The Cavs need to retain their draft wins. Defense is the only issue with Sexton. Than can be handled. Im not going to bother to discuss his numbers. No one cares unless there in a major market.
I’m not sure what to make of the comment about Collin Sexton….
“It was all bad in there, everybody was cryin’…” was the quote. It wasn’t about the crying, but exeggeration for effect… Cavs execs were in a sad mood at his workout, is the comment.
It was a rough year, 17/18. As the instagram poster said, Gilbert started a rebuild in the last year with Lebron still present. I’m sure the scouts were thinking about what could have been done with the Net’s firstrounder that would give the team a boost in the finals. The Nets themselves had Dinwiddie and couple forwards to mark Durant.
Anyway I’m sure it was a dramatic day with Gilbert thinking he found the next IT. Maybe he did, but not even Boston wanted the original.