Los Angeles Clippers News: Chris Paul Tells Blake Griffin to Play Better ?[VIDEO]
Chris Paul's recent comments about his teammate Blake Griffin seem to be his way of sending his fellow Los Angeles Clipper a message, according to some NBA pundits.
"Blake is one of those guys, where his age has nothing to do with anything," Paul told ESPNLosAngeles.com this week. "People may say he's a young guy, but he's been special in this league, he's been an All-Star. His voice carries a lot of weight and I think our team will definitely go as Blake goes."
The remarks have several media outlets claiming that Paul would like Griffin to play better than he has since the duo joined forces two seasons ago. When Paul left the New Orleans Hornets to join the Los Angeles Clippers for the 2011-2012 season, Griffin was a major reason he choose to join the team. Griffin was coming off a season where he averaged 22 points and 12 rebounds.
Those numbers dipped in the following two seasons to 18 points and 8 rebounds last year. Griffin played six less minutes last season, but many insiders still say Griffin can improve his defense and rebounding and become a bigger offensive threat in the post.
NBA analyst, Jalen Rose, said Paul's comments are an indirect plea to Griffin to bring his best effort to the court.
"He's subliminally saying 'I know this is only your fourth or fifth year young fella, but I need you to play like it's your 12th year,' " Rose said on his show on ESPN's Grantland network. "The last couple of post seasons, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan have struggled to defend their positions on defense in the post and make free throws."
With the acquisition of coach Doc Rivers, who is regarded as one of the best leaders in the league, the Clippers are expected to take their game to the next level and truly compete fro a championship. Paul is entering his ninth year in the NBA and knows the next three or four seasons will provide the best chance for him to bring a championship to Los Angeles.
"As you get older you realize it's all about winning and I think we both realize we really need each other in order to do that," Paul said of Griffin's value in his quest for a championship.
