Blake Griffin | |
NBADraft.net: What made you decide to return to Oklahoma when
you likely would have been a Top 5 pick last year?
Blake Griffin: When it came down to it, I didn’t feel
completely comfortable with leaving. I wanted to get another year under my belt
to improve physically and skillwise. And it turned out to be a great decision
in the long run. I got to experience things this year that I didn’t experience
in my freshman year. And I’m able to do things now that I couldn’t after my freshman
year.
NBADraft.net: How important is it for you to be the #1 pick?
Blake Griffin: You know that wasn’t my reason for going back. It’s a great honor,
but whether I go #1 or #31 it doesn’t make me a better or worse player. I’m still
going to work just as hard to improve.
NBADraft.net: What makes OU coach Jeff Capel such a good coach? What is the most
important thing he taught you?
Blake Griffin: Just how he relates to players. He does a great job, particularly
considering how young he is. It’s amazing how much he knows and how well he understands
the game. He’s taught me a lot about being a leader. He talks to me about that
a lot. The way you should conduct yourself and the way you need to work to be
succesful.
NBADraft.net: You have been working out in San Francisco with Frank Matrisciano
and Bob Hill. How has preparation gone so far leading up to the draft?
Blake Griffin: It’s been great, we’ve really gone after it. Working really hard
on a lot of things just trying to improve.
NBADraft.net: How is his style of training better than the standard methods used?
Blake Griffin: I don’t think you can necessarily say it’s better but it gets you
in a different kind of shape. It really gets your endurance up. I can go a little
bit longer in my workouts and I’m just as fresh at the end of my workout as at
the beginning.
 Blake Griffin | |
NBADraft.net: What area of your game are you focused on improving
most? What are you doing to improve it?
Blake Griffin: I’ve really been working on my shot.
I’ve been trying to add to my offense, and get better as a whole.
NBADraft.net: How much did having an older brother to compete with help to mold
you into the player you are today?
Blake Griffin: He’s been a big influence on me, not just in basketball but everything.
Having him around, someone that I can go to. He’d been through 2 years of college
when i got to OU so he had a lot of advice for me.
NBADraft.net: You guys are very close – what will it be like next season when
you’ll likely be playing away from each other?
Blake Griffin: It’ll be alright. We’re both very capable. He’ll have my back and
I’ll have his.
NBADraft.net: LeBron James and Dwight Howard are considered
the small forward and center of the future. Will you be the power forward of the
future in the NBA?
Blake Griffin: I hope so. I guess we’ll find out over the next few years.
NBADraft.net: There have been a lot of comparisons
thrown out there about your game (LeBron, Malone, Charles Barkley, Amare Stoudemire,
Kenyon Martin, Antonio McDyess). Who do you see your game most like, and is there
anyone you pattern your game after?
Blake Griffin: I’m not really sure. Everyone always asks me that. I think I bring
something different to the table than any of those guys. I hope to have a great
career like those guys. I really pride myself on trying to be versatile.
NBADraft.net: Are you ready to be the focal point of the Clippers offense?
 Blake Griffin | |
Blake Griffin: I feel like I am. Coming back for another year
has prepared me.
NBADraft.net: The pick-and-roll has become very prevalent
in today’s game. How much focus do you place on defending the pick-and-roll?
Blake Griffin: I’ve been focused more on improving my offensive game. That’s something
that I think will come as I make the adjustment to the NBA game.
NBADraft.net: Who is the toughest opponent you’ve ever played against (offensively
and defensively)?
Blake Griffin: Offensively it would have to be Michael Beasley. Defensively it
was the 3 guys from Utah all at one time.
NBADraft.net: What are your goals for next season?
Blake Griffin: To come in and help to turn the team (Clippers) around. Make a
difference in the win column. To both help my team improve and to get better myself.
NBADraft.net: Who will be your main competition in next year’s ROY race?
Blake Griffin: I haven’t seen a lot of Ricky Rubio but from
what I’ve heard it could be him. James Harden would be the other guy I
think is ready to be a player from the very beginning.
NBADraft.net: Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule and best of luck
with the Clippers next year!
