The player: Blake Griffin, a 6′10″, 251 lb. sophomore forward.

The game: Utah Utes (5-3) @ Oklahoma Sooners (9-0.)

The result: Oklahoma 70 Utah 52.

Griffin, the consensus #1 pick in the 2009 NBA draft if he declares, came in averaging about 24 points and 15 rebounds a game. In this game he was matched up for the most part with Utah C Luke Nevill, who, as a reasonably skilled 7 footer, might end up in the NBA himself. At the very least he has NBA size, so it was interesting to see how Griffin approached him on both ends of the court.

What he did well:

  • Court awareness. Griffin was able to determine quickly whether or not the double was coming and pass if it did and start to make a move if it didn’t.
  • Pass. Showed a nice touch for a big man.
  • Get to the line and convert. He has a pretty good first step for a big man and was able to use it to get past his man and draw a foul on several occasions. He went 11-14 from the line.
  • Keep his body on people. On defense, he kept his man far enough from the hoop so even if he caught the ball he couldn’t do anything with it. He did his work before his man caught the ball. He puts his body on people underneath the glass as well and works hard to get rebounds. He pulled 11 boards.
  • Screamed at his brother when he missed a pass for an easy assist. Noone likes a fuckup sibling.

What he didn’t do well:

  • Establish low-post position. He was not able to set up shop near the bucket when he was being guarded by Nevill, which is not encouraging.
  • Score on the block. He showed some ability off the dribble but he’s not going to be able to make a living 18 feet from the bucket in the NBA.
  • Alter shots on defense.

The verdict: Griffin has good but not great size and athleticism so he’s going to have to outwork and outskill NBA players. He has a chance to do this b/c by all acoounts he’s a good kid and a hard worker and he already has plus skill for a big. He should settle in near or at the all star level.