Blake Griffin is known to be a player with a physical presence on the court plus his heart and passion only a few can match.
He’s living proof that hard work and perseverance pay-off.
With a 6’10†frame, Griffin intimidates most players, and attacks the glass with understated authority. The Oklahoma Sooner does not rely only on his physical stature, but has improved his ball skills tremendously during the off-season. By adding elusiveness to his game, he has become much more versatile on the court.
Throughout the 2008-2009 season, Griffin led the Sooners to a 27-5 record, giving the school to the No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament in the South Region. Though Griffin is currently averaging 22 points and 14 boards a game, Sooner fans have been given a reality check, losing 4 of their last 6 matches.
But the first-rate forward has more to worry about these days, being placed in a region that holds powerhouses such as North Carolina, Gonzaga, Syracuse, and Illinois.
Many believe that the South Region in the NCAA tournament is the easiest road to the Final Four. It won’t be a walk in the park, however, rest assured that breathtaking talent lies throughout the region like Tyler Hansbrough, Ty Lawson, Josh Heytvelt, and Marcus Thornton.
Though all four can single handedly take over a game at any time, Blake Griffin sticks out like a sore thumb. Being one of the top contenders for the Naismith Player of the year award, Griffin has the leadership and mental state of mind needed to take the Sooners to the Final Four.
One of Griffin’s potential struggles will most likely be against Tyler Hansbrough and Ty Lawson if Oklahoma ends up meeting UNC in the Elite Eight. Since Oklahoma and UNC hold the top two seeds in their region, this is very likely to happen.
Other than Chapel Hill’s dynamic duo, Blake has his work cut out for him as he prepares for the Sooners first game against Morgan State.
Griffin may be the premier player in college basketball, but older brother Taylor, a member of Oklahoma’s basketball squad, will always be credited for persuading Blake to attend Oklahoma in the first place.
“Taylor is such a good salesperson,†said Tommy Griffin, the brother’s father. “He sold him on O.U. If it hadn’t been for Taylor talking to him, I’m not sure what Blake would have done.â€
Griffin, a native of Oklahoma City, has a natural competitiveness that was tracked from an early age when he and his brother Taylor would compete so intensely that they would have to be separated.
His characteristics showed little change when he attended Oklahoma Christian School, and led them to four state championships. Averaging 21.7 points, and 12.5 rebounds per game, Griffin earned himself The Oklahoman Player of the Year award in his junior season.
He will have to lead the Sooners on a much bigger stage and a different atmosphere. You cannot question if he is ready, because you can tell by his actions that he is.
William Queen, JOCKlife sports writer
Original Story:
http://jocklife.com/news/cbk/blake-gr...
He’s living proof that hard work and perseverance pay-off.
With a 6’10†frame, Griffin intimidates most players, and attacks the glass with understated authority. The Oklahoma Sooner does not rely only on his physical stature, but has improved his ball skills tremendously during the off-season. By adding elusiveness to his game, he has become much more versatile on the court.
Throughout the 2008-2009 season, Griffin led the Sooners to a 27-5 record, giving the school to the No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament in the South Region. Though Griffin is currently averaging 22 points and 14 boards a game, Sooner fans have been given a reality check, losing 4 of their last 6 matches.
But the first-rate forward has more to worry about these days, being placed in a region that holds powerhouses such as North Carolina, Gonzaga, Syracuse, and Illinois.
Many believe that the South Region in the NCAA tournament is the easiest road to the Final Four. It won’t be a walk in the park, however, rest assured that breathtaking talent lies throughout the region like Tyler Hansbrough, Ty Lawson, Josh Heytvelt, and Marcus Thornton.
Though all four can single handedly take over a game at any time, Blake Griffin sticks out like a sore thumb. Being one of the top contenders for the Naismith Player of the year award, Griffin has the leadership and mental state of mind needed to take the Sooners to the Final Four.
One of Griffin’s potential struggles will most likely be against Tyler Hansbrough and Ty Lawson if Oklahoma ends up meeting UNC in the Elite Eight. Since Oklahoma and UNC hold the top two seeds in their region, this is very likely to happen.
Other than Chapel Hill’s dynamic duo, Blake has his work cut out for him as he prepares for the Sooners first game against Morgan State.
Griffin may be the premier player in college basketball, but older brother Taylor, a member of Oklahoma’s basketball squad, will always be credited for persuading Blake to attend Oklahoma in the first place.
“Taylor is such a good salesperson,†said Tommy Griffin, the brother’s father. “He sold him on O.U. If it hadn’t been for Taylor talking to him, I’m not sure what Blake would have done.â€
Griffin, a native of Oklahoma City, has a natural competitiveness that was tracked from an early age when he and his brother Taylor would compete so intensely that they would have to be separated.
His characteristics showed little change when he attended Oklahoma Christian School, and led them to four state championships. Averaging 21.7 points, and 12.5 rebounds per game, Griffin earned himself The Oklahoman Player of the Year award in his junior season.
He will have to lead the Sooners on a much bigger stage and a different atmosphere. You cannot question if he is ready, because you can tell by his actions that he is.
William Queen, JOCKlife sports writer
Original Story:
http://jocklife.com/news/cbk/blake-gr...
