Detroit Pistons point guard Ish Smith says his perception of All-Star power forward Blake Griffin changed once they became teammates in 2018.
Smith says Griffin and the “Lob City” Los Angeles Clippers didn't have the best reputation around the league. That's why the backup guard was surprised to see how different Griffin actually was once they became teammates during the second half of the 2017-18 season.
“It’s funny, because they didn’t have the best depiction,” Smith said, via James Edwards III of The Athletic. “Everyone thought that they were front-runners, hit you in the mouth, and then once they go up by 15 or 20 they’ll embarrass you. But if you fight with them and make it a game, then they start getting on the refs and stuff like that.”
Once Griffin arrived in Detroit in January 2018, Smith’s perception immediately changed. He, too, was surprised by the spirit in which Griffin plays the game, the way in which he outwardly plays for the name on the front of the jersey and not the back.
“You can’t judge a book by anything you hear,” Smith said. “That’s my guy. I’d go to war with him any day of the week. We get out there and start rolling, and I’ll get to talking trash for me and for him.”
Griffin won over all the Pistons fans this season with his stellar play this season. The high-flyer averaged 24.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.4 assists while shooting 46.2 percent from the field and 36.2 percent from beyond the arc.
Griffin took his popularity to another level in the playoffs when he played in Games 3 and 4 against the Milwaukee Bucks despite dealing with a serious left knee injury. The Pistons fans gave Griffin a standing ovation as he exited the floor in Game 4.
Griffin underwent surgery a few days later. It's safe to say Griffin's reputation around the NBA is a lot different than what it was when he was with the Clippers.