Brian Kamenetzky on Blake Griffin:

Blake Griffin’s act is counterproductive against the Lakers. 

Because he’s such an athletic freak and makes genuinely funny commercials, I’d like to like Blake Griffin. I really would. He doesn’t make it easy, though. 

Wednesday night, Griffin earned himself a couple of spectacular highlights, both at the expense of Gasol. First came the soaring putback dunk for the LAC’s first points. Then there was the massive poster job on Gasol in the third. Either could have been an offensive foul, particularly the second play, when Griffin cleared Gasol out with an elbow to the face. That isn’t the issue. What hurts Griffin against L.A. is the posturing and preening accompanying each play. And the shove in the back on Gasol running full speed on the break. And the headlocks, and so on. 

The Lakers are like the Incredible Hulk. Don’t make them angry. You wouldn’t like them when they’re angry. Rather than get the Lakers out of their game, that sort of stuff tends to galvanize them. Beyond that, it would help if Griffin contributed more than artwork for the wall. When not dunking, Griffin missed virtually every shot he took, and was a minus-16 for the game.

Blake wins if games are played for Sportscenter highlights, but I’d rather take the ‘W’ that goes in our w/l column.