Blake Griffin was hardly an All-Star talent when he suited up for the Detroit Pistons this season. But his move to Brooklyn has bookies thinking the Nets are the new NBA title favorites.
The Nets surpassed the Los Angeles Lakers as the odds-on favorites, per BetOnline.ag. Those two teams are followed by the L.A. Clippers and Utah Jazz, respectively. The Milwaukee Bucks have the second-best odds among Eastern Conference teams.
Griffin agreed to a buyout with the Pistons, promptly deciding to sign with the Nets. There is familiarity in Brooklyn.
Blake rejoins former Lob City partner DeAndre Jordan. He also moves from a cellar-dweller in Detroit to a legitimate championship contender in Brooklyn. But which Griffin will the Nets get as they hope to realize their championship dreams?
Griffin averaged 12.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 20 games with the Pistons. He shot under 37 percent from the field, including 31.5 percent from beyond the arc. There are also durability concerns, especially considering Griffin played just 18 games during the 2019-20 campaign.
At his best, however, Griffin gives them yet another capable playmaker who can also start Brooklyn's offense in transition and play a stretch-4 role when he is shooting the ball well.
The Nets were already title favorites prior to landing Griffin. Brooklyn has hardly even gotten to see all of Kyrie Irving, James Harden and Kevin Durant share the floor due to Durant's time in health and safety protocols and, most recently, his hamstring issue.
Griffin could be the kind of frontcourt playmaker who puts the Nets over the top. But the L.A. clubs are still going to be tough to beat, and the Jazz are probably the most balanced team in the NBA.
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