NBA Special: Los Angeles Clippers' Blake Griffin wins Western Conference rookie of the month award
Five players of NBA (National Basketball Association) were nominated for the award of Rookie of the Month, based on their performances during the month of January. However, when it came to choosing the one to be crowned, Blake griffin of Los Angeles Clippers
was head and shoulders above the others.
Prevailing over a group of nominees including Greg Monroe (Detroit Pistons), Landry Fields (New York Knicks), Evan Turner (Philadelphia 76ers), DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings), and Gary Neal (San Antonio Spurs), Griffin led all rookies in scoring with
26.0 points per game. In addition, he also paced all rookies in rebounding with 13.4 rebounds per game.
The 21 year old power forward also ranked second in assists (4.4 assists per game). Griffin has now become only the fourth rookie over the last 20 NBA seasons, to average at least 25 points and 10 rebounds in a month.
Griffin’s January was highlighted by four sizzling performances:
January 5 vs. Denver Nuggets
Blake Griffin stuffed the stat sheet with 22 points, 18 rebounds, 7 assists and 1 block as the Los Angeles Clippers clipped the Denver Nuggets 106-93 on January 5 at ARCO Arena. Griffin extended his double-double streak to 22 games, third-longest in the
NBA since the 1991-92 season. He has scored at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in 11 straight games.
January 12 vs. Miami Heat
Griffin recorded 14 points, 14 rebounds, six assists, one block and one steal to lead the Clippers to an impressive 111-105 win over the Miami Heat on January 12 at Staples Center. It was his 24th consecutive game with double digits in points and rebounds
and 13th straight with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds.
January 17 vs. Indiana Pacers
Los Angeles Clippers first-year forward Griffin established a franchise rookie record and produced the highest-scoring game in the NBA this season, scoring 47 points in a 114-107 victory against the Indiana Pacers on January 17 at Staples Center.
Griffin himself was surprised of his breath-taking performance as he stated, “I looked up at one point and I saw I had 41 points and after that I was not even sure what I finished with. It is fun to have a game like that, but it is even more fun to get a
win.”
January 22 vs. Golden State Warriors
The rookie Griffin played one of his best all-around games, scoring 30 points, matching his season high with 18 rebounds and distributing a season-high eight assists as the Clippers downed the Golden State Warriors 113-109 on January 22. He lifted his team
to victory by hitting a tiebreaking 3-point basket with 46 seconds remaining. His 3-point basket was just his 10th attempt of the season. He has converted six so far.
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