Blake Griffin of the USA Men's National Team signs some autographs for fans during training camp on July 7, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images/AFP)
One day after he was dismissed from Team USA workouts to “tend to contract matters,” Blake Griffin produced predictably rich results.
Griffin, the No. 1 overall pick in 2009, agreed to a five-year, $95 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Clippers just three days after joining the Olympic roster because of a series of injuries.
Griffin limped through the season-ending playoff loss to the Spurs with a knee injury but said he’s 100 percent entering the London games.
The 23-year-old power forward is an explosive leaper whose highlight reel dunks have stretched his appeal well beyond Los Angeles does room for improvement. He shot 54.9 percent from the field in 2011-12 and averaged 20.7 points and 10.9 rebounds, benefiting from the addition of point guard Chris Paul.
But Griffin’s range is modest and he’s prone to foul trouble, two areas in which, if he shows sizable gains, coach Vinny Del Negro said could help the All-Star reach the next level.
He’ll be better served getting there if the Clippers can also retain Paul, one of the top potential free agents next summer.
