Detroit Pistons power forward Blake Griffin is an All-Star this year for the first time since 2015, and a healthy 2018 offseason which allowed him to work on his game instead of rehabbing an injury is one of the main reasons the high-flyer is having a career year.
Griffin has an extensive injury history. During the past couple summers, the former No. 1 overall pick hasn't been able to improve his game in the gym because he's always had to rehab an injury.
That wasn't the case last offseason, though, as Blake Griffin finished the 2017-18 season healthy and used the summer to build his body and basketball skills. The results have been great, as Griffin is averaging a career-high 26.2 points per game and no longer has lingering injuries. The All-Star says the 2018 summer was vital for him to get back to playing at a superstar level this season for Detroit.
“It was huge just because I was able to build,” Griffin told Jake Fisher of Sports Illustrated. “I always felt like the last two, three summers I was struggling trying to get healthy, trying to get to a place where I could start training camp. The first time I was able to get on the court was mid-August, and I was limited to 20 minutes of just spot-shooting, no movement or anything like that.
“I have peace of mind of knowing when I get on the court, there’s nothing that’s bothering me or restricting me from getting the most out of that movement.”
Griffin is trying to lead the Pistons to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Detroit is currently in the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference standings.
If the Pistons miss the postseason, you can't blame Griffin, who is putting up stellar numbers on a nightly basis.
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