New Brooklyn recruit Blake Griffin recalls LA Clippers days under head coach Doc Rivers

 

The Brooklyn Nets have strengthened their lineup even further by adding former Detroit Pistons star Blake Griffin. Before joining the Pistons, Griffin made his name at the Los Angeles Clippers under the tutelage of head coach Doc Rivers.

The Clippers were a very strong unit at that time with Chris Paul also at the helm, leading the side from the front at the court. It was during this time both Paul and Griffin combined, Paul loved giving those cheeky passes while the 31-year-old came up with some powerful dunks. Therefore the Clippers were given the nickname ‘The Lob City’.

While the Clippers traded him to Detroit in 2018, the Six-time All Star holds nothing against head coach Doc Rivers and in fact credits him for being the best motivator in his career.

After failing to cross the second round of the playoffs for many years, the franchise decided to part ways and therefore Rivers had to leave the Clippers and now is currently working with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Griffin recently in one of his interactions with media highlights the kind of coach Doc Rivers is and also shares anecdotes about him. He said, ” Doc is one of the best motivators of all time. There are times where he would do a great pregame speech. One particular time in Cleveland – when LeBron, Kyrie, and Kevin Love were there.”

“He focused on, ‘the only time you’ll be back here is if you make the Finals’, and the whole thing was motivational. It’s one thing he does better than anybody – his ability to speak and motivate guys.”

The 31-year-old recently bought out his contract with the Pistons and while there were rumours of him joining several franchises he has now signed for the Nets. Brooklyn badly needed a power forward and Griffin, on the other hand, wants to be in a team that can challenge for the title so it is a matchup made in heaven. Also, he is now reunited with his best buddy DeAndre Jordan and it looks like a more balanced team now.

“They have a need for a four-man. I’ve always had a lot of respect for Steve Nash and all of the guys that they have. Sean Marks has done a great job there. It was a tough decision, and I wanted to be on a team that was contending,” the former Pistons star explained his call.

While he does not have his athleticism from his Los Angeles days but still he will be a valuable player for the Nets and also for Steve Nash. He will add balance and especially his experience will also be important for the Nets.