Sports

No Longer Just a Dunker, Griffin Emerges as a Playoff Star

Published

11 years ago

May 16, 2015

(AP Photo)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Every NBA fan knows Blake Griffin, resident dunk-monster of Lob City. His one-handed jams have been fodder for highlight reels since his pro career began five years ago.

This playoff season, Griffin is showing a new level of production.

His gaudy numbers are proving he’s more than just a dunker; he’s matured into a multi-faceted star in a town long dominated by Kobe Bryant, whose Lakers are nowhere to be found in the postseason.

Griffin has three triple-doubles, with two against the defending champion San Antonio Spurs, including 24 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists in a victorious Game 7. He joined Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson and Oscar Robertson with at least three in the first eight games of the postseason.

Griffin is the conduit through which everything flows for the Clippers, who find themselves tied 3-3 in their Western Conference semifinal series against the Rockets after blowing a 3-1 lead.

Game 7 is Sunday in Houston, with the Clippers trying to reach the conference finals for the first time in franchise history. It’s a familiar position from the first round, when they beat the Spurs at home in Game 7 to advance.

Griffin is averaging 25.4 points in the playoffs, sixth-best in the league, with his 13 games the most among any player in the top 10. His 12.8 rebounds are a playoff best. He’s shooting 51 percent from the floor, 72 percent from the line and logging 39.5 minutes a game.

“Blake came into the league with talent, but now he’s becoming a better NBA player,” Rockets coach Kevin McHale said. “Blake handles the ball well, he’s got that jump hook and he’s got a jump shot.”

Griffin is difficult to stop in the open court, sometimes running his own one-man fast break. In the paint, he forces teams to throw extra bodies on him. He’s averaging 6.2 assists, making opponents wary of leaving the passing lanes open.

Griffin is well-known among his coaches and teammates for the hours he puts in the gym, in-season or out, getting shots up and doing the little things to add new dimensions to his game.

“We ask him to face the basket more instead of turning your back on the basket on the post. That’s the area to me that he’s made the biggest improvement,” coach Doc Rivers said.

“Very difficult to guard him when he faces up to you right off the block because you can’t put your hands on him, with his first step and his quickness and his ability to see the floor, he’s just impossible.”

Griffin is every opponent’s favorite target for hard fouls, and yet the 26-year-old power forward keeps his cool.

“My entire career everybody says I need to punch somebody. I never have,” he said. “Hard fouls are a part of playoff basketball, and I think that’s how basketball should be.”

After a standout career at Oklahoma, Griffin was drafted No. 1 overall by the Clippers in 2009. He missed his entire first year after injuring his left knee in the team’s final preseason game. He quickly made up for it the next season, becoming the league’s first unanimous rookie of the year since David Robinson in 1989-90.

Led by Chris Paul, the Clippers have made the playoffs each of the past four years, although they have yet to advance beyond the second round.

If they don’t win Sunday, that failure would weigh heavily on Griffin, who has become an equal partner with Paul in trying to deliver the once-beleaguered franchise its first NBA championship.

“Blake puts more pressure on himself than anybody else does,” teammate Jamal Crawford said.

Griffin has developed a full game, including a reliable mid-range jumper and the ability to pop 3-pointers when needed. With Paul’s hamstring sidelining him for the first two games against the Rockets, Griffin took it upon himself to distribute the ball, dishing out 13 assists.

“Every year you kind of learn a little bit more,” he said. “Every year you kind of figure something new out. The biggest thing for me is you can’t just get too high with the highs or too low with the lows.”

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Seth Curry Makes Impressive Debut with the Golden State Warriors

Seth looked comfortable in his new uniform, seamlessly fitting into the Warriors’ offensive and defensive system. He finished the night with an impressive 14 points, becoming one of the team’s top scorers for the game. Seth’s points came in a variety of ways – floaters, spot-up three-pointers, mid-range jumpers, and a handful of aggressive drives that kept the Oklahoma City Thunder defense on its heels.

Published

4 months ago

December 4, 2025

Oakland Post

Seth Curry is a point guard on the GSW team.Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

By Y’Anad Burrell

Tuesday night was anything but ordinary for fans in San Francisco as Seth Curry made his highly anticipated debut as a new member of the Golden State Warriors. Seth didn’t disappoint, delivering a performance that not only showcased his scoring ability but also demonstrated his added value to the team.

At 35, the 12-year NBA veteran on Monday signed a contract to play with the Warriors for the rest of the season.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening came before Seth even scored his first points. As he checked into the game, the Chase Center erupted into applause, with fans rising to their feet to give the newest Warrior a standing ovation.

The crowd’s reaction was a testament not only to Seth’s reputation as a sharpshooter but also to the excitement he brings to the Warriors. It was clear that fans quickly embraced Seth as one of their own, eager to see what he could bring to the team’s championship aspirations.

Warriors’ superstar Steph Curry – Seth’s brother – did not play due to an injury. One could only imagine what it would be like if the Curry brothers were on the court together. Magic in the making.

Seth’s debut proved to be a turning point for the Warriors. Not only did he contribute on the scoreboard, but he also brought a sense of confidence and composure to the floor.

While their loss last night, OKC 124 – GSW 112, Seth’s impact was a game-changer and there’s more yet to come. Beyond statistics, it was clear that Seth’s presence elevated the team’s performance, giving the Warriors a new force as they look to make a deep playoff run.

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Barbara Lee

WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries Kick Off Season with Community Programs in Oakland

“The Golden State Valkyries are more than a team—they’re a movement,” said Oakland Interim-Mayor Kevin Jenkins. “Their touchdown in Oakland marks a new era of opportunity, inspiration, and equity in sports. This partnership reflects our city’s deep commitment to uplifting women, investing in youth, and building a community where every dream has a place to grow. We’re proud to welcome the Valkyries to The Town.”

Published

11 months ago

May 18, 2025

Oakland Post

The Valkyries came to Oakland City Hall with a “Hoopbus.” Present were (from left to right): City Councilmembers Noel Gallo, Rebecca Kaplan, Zac Unger and Rowena Brown; Oakland Mayor-elect Barbara Lee, Valkyries President Jess Smith, a Valkyries team representative and Deputy Mayor LaNiece Jones. Photo courtesy Rebecca Kaplan’s office.

Team installs new nets at playgrounds, holds flag-raisings at City Halls in Oakland and S.F.

Special to The Post

The Golden State Valkyries brought the excitement of their inaugural season to every corner of the Bay Area with a full slate of community celebrations leading up to their historic home-opener against the Los Angeles Sparks at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Friday.

The week featured flag-raising ceremonies at city halls in Oakland and San Francisco, three “Violet Net” installation days at Oakland parks to encourage basketball play, fun “Hoopbus” takeovers at multiple schools presented by Kaiser Permanente, and player appearances.

In total, 90 violet nets were installed on 45 basketball courts across 34 public parks throughout Oakland this week. A list of the parks receiving violet nets can be found at Valkyries.com.

About the Golden State Valkyries

The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA affiliate of the seven-time NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, were announced as the 13th WNBA franchise on Oct. 5, 2023. According to Norse mythology, Valkyries are a host of warrior women who are fearless and unwavering – flying through air and sea alike.

This brand is Golden State’s modern interpretation of Valkyries: strong, bold, and fierce. Tipping off during the 2025 WNBA season, the team is headquartered in Oakland and will play home games at Chase Center in San Francisco. For Golden State Valkyries’ assets, including team logos, visit valkyries.com.

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McClymonds High Names School Gym for Star Graduate, Basketball Legend Bill Russell

William “Bill” Felton Russell was born on Feb. 12, 1934, and died on July 31, 2022. He achieved fame as a U.S. professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969. He was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career.

Published

1 year ago

February 18, 2025

Oakland Post

Bill Russell and Brian McGhee in McClymonds High School Gym, 2011. Photo courtesy of Brian McGhee.

By Ken Epstein

West Oakland’s McClymonds High School, “the School of Champions,” this week named the school’s gymnasium in honor of one of its most famous graduates, basketball legend Bill Russell (class of ’52).

Russell is widely known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. In 2011, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civil honor, from President Barack Obama for Russell’s contributions to basketball and the Civil Rights Movement.

The McClymonds’ naming ceremony was held on Wednesday, the same day as Russell’s birthday. Oakland leader Bill Patterson, a longtime friend of Russell’s, was scheduled to cut the ribbon at the reopening of the gym, which had been closed for several months for renovation. Russell’s daughter Karen was scheduled to attend the ribbon cutting.

Russell’s name and signature are now printed on the gymnasium floor.

Patterson was working at DeFremery Park when he met Russell. “I befriended him as a boy and during his years at University of San Francisco” said Patterson. “We stayed friends for the rest of his life.”

Said McClymonds Principal Darielle Davis, herself a McClymonds graduate, “We are excited to honor Bill Russell for his sports accolades and because he broke color barriers. He is part of our legacy, and legacy is really important at McClymonds.”

Brian McGhee, community schools manager at McClymonds and former football player at UC Berkeley, said that Russell meant a lot to him and others at the school. “He was a beacon of light and hope for West Oakland,” he said. “He did a lot for sports and for civil rights.”

Starting in 2018, Ben “Coach” Tapscott worked with Patterson and other McClymonds grads, community members, and former coaches to encourage the Oakland Board of Education to endorse the naming of the school gym, which finally happened recently.

“We worked hard to make this happen,” said Tapscott. “He’s an important part of McClymond’s history, along with a lot of other famous graduates,” he said.