Blake Griffin is one of the best power forwards in the league right now. He's currently in his first full season with the Detroit Pistons after being traded by the Los Angeles Clippers last year.

In his eight-plus years in the league, he has formed friendships with his fellow NBA players, past and present. He recalled a conversation he once had with future Hall of Famer and San Antonio Spurs legend Tim Duncan, which led to the beginning of their friendship:

“I remember one of my first times playing against him … (he) looked at me and made a joke. Every time we would line up next to each other, he was always like … I remember, probably, three or four seasons in, it might have been preseason or early in the season, and he looks over and goes, ‘Oh … You’re still here?’ That type of stuff. I always remember talking to him.

“There’s a lot of guys you talk to at the free-throw line, and definitely relationships form.”

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Tim Duncan was one of the nicest players in the league. Although he often showed no emotion when playing, he was actually someone who rarely involved himself in in-game altercations. He'd rather beat you with his game than with his fists.

Griffin sees Duncan as an older brother, and he probably learned a lot from the five-time champion, which helped him elevate his game. Griffin started as a player who relied mostly on his athleticism to score down low, but as time has passed, he has learned to improve on his low-post arsenal and has also developed a dependable 3-point shot.

Blake Griffin might not be as good as Tim Duncan, but he's aging like him.