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The Brooklyn Nets X-Factor: Blake Griffin

Matt Huff, Director of Recruiting and Development
Jrue Holiday

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 13: Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons looks to pass against Jrue Holiday #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the fourth quarter of the game at Little Caesars Arena on January 13, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. Milwaukee Bucks defeated Detroit Pistons110-101. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

The Brooklyn Nets are the favorites to win the NBA Finals. When you look at their roster, it is easy to see why. A star trio consisting of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving gives the Nets an advantage right off the bat. However, what tends to go overlooked when it comes to this stacked team is their depth. Players such as Jeff Green, Joe Harris, Bruce Brown, and Nicolas Claxton have all stepped up immensely this season. However, the true x-factor is a former All-Star that was traded to the Nets this season. The former Pistons and Clippers’ All-Star power forward, Blake Griffin.

Blake Griffin: The X-Factor for the Nets

What Griffin Provides Brooklyn

Blake Griffin has carved out a great niche for himself on this stacked Brooklyn Nets roster. He has provided a great punch coming off the bench, but he can also provide stability when inserted into the starting lineup.

With the injury to James Harden, he is being asked to step up more in this series against the Milwaukee Bucks led by the former two-time MVP, the Greek Freak. He no longer has the heavy expectations that weighed him down in Los Angeles, and it is helping him in his new role. Griffin can still grab rebounds and is still able to roll to the rim and the numbers reflect it.

Blake Griffin: His Numbers

During the regular season, Griffin averaged 10.0 points, 4.7 rebounds per game, to go along with an effective field goal percentage of 57.4 percent. Not bad numbers considering the injuries he had to deal with all season long, both with the Detroit Pistons and the Brooklyn Nets.

On top of all of this, he has shown his worth during this year’s playoffs.  So far, he is showing us flashes of his old self during these playoffs. In this series, Griffin is averaging 10.0 points per game to go along with 9.3 rebounds. The cherry on top of this is 54.5 percent shooting from the field. Considering how good the Milwaukee Bucks are defensively, especially with Giannis manning the paint, this shows why Blake has become such a significant x-factor for the high-powered Brooklyn Nets. We will see if he can continue this excellent play throughout the rest of these playoffs and help the Nets march to their first NBA title in their franchise’s history.

Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images

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