While the 2019-20 NBA season seems like it is a long way away, it is never too early to make bold predictions, as the Detroit Pistons would be happy to see star forward Blake Griffin return to his previous form. Here are three bold predictions for the six-time All-Star this season.
3. Griffin Will Appear In More Than 75 Games This Season
As nice of a career as Griffin has had in the league, one of his few weaknesses is that he has tended to be injury-prone. While at one time he was one of the league's high-flying, athletic freaks, Griffin has lost a lot of that initial above-the-rim flare that helped him put a number of NBA players on posters, with a lengthy injury history that most Pistons fans are fearing in the back of their minds.
Despite these injury concerns, Griffin has adjusted beautifully and now plays a different brand of basketball than he did in the early years of his career. He doesn't bang inside as much, and his improved three point shot – which has gradually gotten better since 2015 – has allowed him to score a maximum amount of points with minimal injury risk.
Combine that with the signing of Markieff Morris, who should be able to give Griffin a nice rest while providing a nice spark off the bench, and Griffin should be able to stay healthy enough to appear in over 90 percent of games this season.
2. Griffin Will Finish Top-10 In Points Per Game
From the 2017-18 season to the 2018-19 season, Griffin had his biggest jump in points per game in his career, going from 19.5 points per game to 24.5 points per game. While that jump can be partially attributed to him being able to settle in with the Pistons following a midseason trade, Griffin had one of his best seasons last year because he has finally figured out who he is at this late stage of his career.
Long gone are the days where Griffin would rise over seven-footers every other play to help create highlight mixtapes. As the league shifted away from the traditional power forward role, Griffin embraced the change and learned how to properly space the floor and use the pick-and-pop to free up open shots for himself and his teammates.
After this summer of offseason training, a similar jump may be in store for Griffin this season. If he's able to bump that scoring average to 27.0 points per game, he will easily crack the league's top-10 scorers.
1. Griffin Will Make The All-NBA Second Team
Over the past couple years, the forward position has been the most stacked out of any in the NBA, as superstars such as Kevin Durant, Paul George, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kawhi Leonard have arguably been the four most talented players in the league.
This offseason was one for the ages. After a multitude of moves, perhaps the one that will shake up the NBA the most is George and Leonard teaming up in their hometown to instantly make the LA Clippers a title contender.
On paper, it looks like the talent of George and Leonard will lead LA to a 60-win season and a return to their respective All-NBA teams. But games aren't played on paper for a reason, and if George and Leonard can't set aside their egos and get along, it may be an ugly situation in southern California.
If that nightmare scenario were to happen, George and Leonard's numbers will suffer, freeing up a forward like Griffin to sneak into an All-NBA Second Team spot with another dominant season after leading the Pistons back to the playoffs.
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