Clippers see Blake Griffin emerging as a leader

Blake Griffin skies for a dunk over San Antonio’s Tim Duncan in the first half of the Clippers’ Game 1 victory Sunday night at Staples Center. (David Crane/Staff Photographer)

Blake Griffin skies for a dunk over San Antonio’s Tim Duncan in the first half of the Clippers’ Game 1 victory Sunday night at Staples Center. (David Crane/Staff Photographer)

The man has defied gravity with his earth-shattering dunks. He has proven more to be a one-trick pony with an increasingly dependable mid-range jumper.

But Blake Griffin added another line to his resume through the Clippers’ 114-105 Game 4 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday at AT&T Center. As the Clippers enter Game 5 on Tuesday at Staples Center with the series tied at 2-2, Griffin has become one of the team’s leaders.

Chris Paul briefly sat out of the game because of foul trouble. DeAndre Jordan also left to escape the Spurs from intentionally sending him to the free throw line. But even without the Clippers’ leading passer and rebounder, Griffin filled in both areas well. Griffin offered a near triple double, his 20 points, career-high 19 rebounds and seven assists continuing a series-long trend in which he has dominated nearly every category.

“Blake has taken the lead on both ends of the floor now,” Clippers forward Matt Barnes said. “He really has a complete game in offense, whether it’s picking and popping, attacking the basket, making shots or making plays for others.”

Clippers coach Doc Rivers seemed aware he would need Griffin to check all those boxes well before Jordan played only 32 minutes and Paul appeared in 38.

Hence, Rivers’ question to Griffin beforehand.

“‘What are you going to do differently or more?'” Rivers recalled asking. “‘If someone took away something from you, what else can you do to help the team?'”

To which Griffin responded, “‘I’m going to help the team by getting [19] rebounds.'”

Griffin backed up his words with action, noting that he has prioritized defense and rebounding after the Clippers determined those two factors could determine the series.

“That’s what we needed,” Griffin said. “[Big] Baby was doing a good job in keeping Tim Duncan off the boards. So somebody has to go get it. Everybody blocked it. A lot of times I was guarding [Boris] Diaw and [Matt] Bonner, who are more out on the perimeter. I just had the opportunity.”

Griffin did this two games after playing a huge part in the Clippers’ Game 2 unraveling in which he committed a costly turnover both late in the fourth quarter and in overtime. He also completed this despite averaging a series-high 41.3 minutes per game.

Yet, Griffin said he is “feeling fine minutes-wise” despite also nursing a stinger in his right shoulder. Griffin also credited his past playoff experiences. In 2012, the Clippers overcame 29-point deficit in a Game 1 win over Memphis before winning a seven-game first-round series on the Grizzlies’ home court. In 2013, the Clippers won the first two games against Memphis before losing four consecutive games. Last year, the Clippers lost in the second round to Oklahoma City while controversy emerged over formerly embattled Clippers owner Donald Sterling over making racist remarks on an audio tape.

“I think through trials and when your back is against the wall, you find out a little bit of who you are,” Griffin said. “But you also show that with how you handle success.”

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