Banged up Blake Griffin expected to start against the San Antonio Spurs – NBA Update
The start of the season has not been the best one for the Los Angeles Clippers and to make matters worse their star power forward Blake Griffin is suffering from burst bursa sac in his right elbow and a neck strain. Their coach
Vinny Del Negro however is confident that his third year forward will be able to play through pain in Wednesday’s game against the rampaging San Antonio Spurs.
"His elbow is a concern," Del Negro said. "His neck is a concern but Blake is a tough kid. He'll fight through it and give us what he can give us."
Griffin’s style of play is such that he is bound to get a few hits here and there. His elbow problem has been there for the past two seasons, but Del Negro admitted that this time around, the pain is extreme;
"It's a little bit worse," Del Negro added. "There's a little bit more swelling. He's had that for a long time but this time it seems to be a little more than normal. It affects everything when you have a bunch of fluid in your
elbow. It's going to bother you but he's going to fight through it and give us what he can."
The Clips have had it rough so far this season. They started off with a win against the Memphis Grizzlies and then thumped the Lakers to make it 2-0. In the last two games however, they have been outplayed by relatively easier
opponents in Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers. One of the main reasons behind the losses has been Griffin’s struggle. The dunking sensation is averaging only 16.3 points on 45.1 percent shooting thus far - figures which are below his career
numbers.
The problem with the Clippers is that they do not have a reserve capable enough to replicate Griffin on a consistent basis and if he sits out due to injury, there will arise a big hole in the Clippers front court. DeAndre Jordan
has so far failed to develop a decent post game and the only offense he brings to the game is either in the form of tip-ins or alley oops. In that scenario it is quite understandable that Del Negro wants his ace big to fight the pain out.
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