Ramona Shelburne, former writer at the LA Daily News who has since moved on to ESPNLA.com, has written this story about Blake Griffin and the Clippers.
This should please Clipper fans.
“It’s impossible to predict where Blake Griffin will be in the summer of 2014, when he will become an unrestricted free agent.
But as far as the Los Angeles Clippers are concerned, he’s not going anywhere.
“I can guarantee you he will only ever be a Clipper,” general manager Neil Olshey said of his prized rookie. “If [Oklahoma City Thunder general manager] Sam Presti arrived on Kevin Durant’s doorstep at midnight on July 1st with an extension, understand that Blake Griffin lives two blocks away from me in Manhattan Beach so it’s going to be a much shorter commute for me.”
Griffin has arguably been the most exciting rookie in the NBA since LeBron James. He’s averaging 22.5 points, 12.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists.
The Clippers (15-25) have won 10 of their last 14 games, beating both the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers during that span.
“Blake will continue to do what he’s doing. So will Eric Gordon and so will the rest of the All-Rookie players we’ve drafted over the years,” said Olshey.
He’s been even better in 2011, averaging 27.6 points, 14.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists since Jan. 1.
“When it comes time for him to be a free agent, we won’t be losing,” Olshey said. “We’re not losing now. We’re 10 out of 14 now with our All-Star center [Chris Kaman] sitting around in a suit. The future looks pretty good. The only question will be, in two or three years with Blake, is how much more we’ll be winning.”
Ramona Shelburne can be found on espnla.com
