Blake Griffin losing his popularity among fans – NBA Feature
When Blake Griffin entered the NBA scene in the 2010-2011 season, he immediately made his mark. His outstanding athleticism had everyone talking about him before he made his debut and once in the league, Griffin quickly rose through
the popularity charts with his monstrous dunks day in and day out.
Mr Griffin became a worldwide sensation with a matter of months. His ability to jump and the aggression with which he dunks catapulted him to being one of the most talked about NBA athletes in his rookie year. Griffin won the Western
Conference Rookie of the Month for 6 straight months last season, and culminated the season with the Rookie of the Year award.
His performance helped him become popular but his team did not do too well last season. This season, with the Clippers starting line-up looking good after the addition of Chris Paul, the Clippers have become one of the formidable
teams of the Western Conference.
However, with the spot light on him more than ever before and being part of a team that is actually winning, Blake’s popularity seems to be diminishing.
Blake’s behaviour this season has not gone down well with many people. His dunks, which made him famous in the first place, are not being received very well anymore and come under scrutiny almost after every game.
Griffin has started coming off as somewhat of a snob and a guy with an attitude problem. His aggressiveness has taken a turn for the worse as he has been seen staring down at guys, getting physical, doing a lot of trash talk on
the court and even arguing with officials over fouls. A particular trait is the trend of dunking over big guys while pushing them down on the floor in the process, and then standing over them in a disrespecting fashion.
I would like to compare Blake Griffin to Andre Iguodala of the Philadelphia 76ers and before you start screaming about the fact that there is no comparison to make, hear me out. I am only comparing their dunking abilities and
not their overall game, as that would require a separate article.
Andre Iguodala is almost as good a dunker as Blake Griffin. He also jumps high, dunks with authority and finishes with style. But the point I’m trying to make is that we have not seen Andre engaging in insulting or disrespecting
acts after making his dunks. Aggressiveness has nothing to do with his behaviour. Think Vince Carter, perhaps the greatest dunker of all time and perhaps the most respectful person on the court at the same time.
I am not implying that Griffin should become a softie or change his aggressive style of play. However, Blake can focus on becoming an even better player with more than one dimension to his game instead of trying to dunk over everyone
and then insult them thereafter. After all, Blake Griffin dunking over Pau Gasol does not make him a better player than Pau Gasol and Griffin needs to remember that small fact.
Chris Paul recently said that everyone loves Blake Griffin except for the people whom he has dunked on.
“What’s not to like about him? He’s fun. He’s funny. He laughs, jokes, smiles. He’s a great guy off the court. Shoot, everybody loves him. Shoot, don’t nobody love him more than my son. I don’t know nobody that don’t like Blake.
Except for the guys he dunks on.” Said Paul
Mr CP3, it is good to see that you are there to support your team mate when he has come under fire but I really feel you are unaware of the reputation this young kid is developing for himself. Perhaps he is inspired by Dennis Rodman.
But if one wants to be Dennis Rodman, one should be Dennis Rodman. One should not try to become a cross between Dennis Rodman and John Stockton. The fame for Griffin has perhaps arrived a bit too early.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not represent Bettor.com’s editorial policy.
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