BLAKE GRIFFIN TO DONATE 2011 KIA OPTIMA TO BENEFIT STAND UP TO CANCER

In Tribute to Friend and Former Teammate Wilson Holloway

 
Auction Begins on Thursday, May 5 at 6 PM PST/ 9 PM EST at www.autotrader.com/BlakeDunk
Additional Donations Can Be Made at www.su2c.org/BlakeDunk

LOS ANGELES – May 5, 2011 – Shortly after being named the NBA’s 2010-11 Rookie of the Year, Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin donated the autographed 2011 Kia Optima midsize sedan used in his jaw-dropping dunk in the Sprite Slam Dunk at NBA All-Star 2011 for an upcoming public charity auction on AutoTrader.com to benefit Stand Up To Cancer.

Proceeds from the auction of the automobile will go directly to cancer research funded by Stand Up To Cancer in tribute to Griffin’s friend and former high school teammate, Wilson Holloway. A Tulsa native, Wilson passed away on February 16 after a three-year battle with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Griffin will work with Stand Up to Cancer to identify the best way to utilize the funds to target research done specifically for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

The 10-day charity auction will run on AutoTrader.com, beginning at 6 PM PST / 9 PM EST on Thursday, May 5, and will run through 6 PM PST / 9 PM EST on Sunday, May 15. To find out more information and to bid on the auction package, go to www.autotrader.com/BlakeDunk

“I am honored to memorialize Wilson’s legacy by helping to raise funds for cancer research,” said Blake Griffin. “Wilson was an inspiration to everybody who knew him, and a very dear friend and teammate. I dedicated my All-Star weekend to him.”

To further support Griffin’s commitment to raise funds for cancer research in honor of Holloway, Stand Up To Cancer has created a fundraising team called Team Blake: In Honor of My Friend, Wilson Holloway, through which the public can donate any amount of money at www.su2c.org/BlakeDunk.

“Wilson Holloway’s memory lives on through the generosity of his friend Blake Griffin,” said Laura Ziskin, a cancer survivor and co-founder of Stand Up To Cancer. “Basketball fans and all of us who have loved or lost someone in the fight against cancer can be a part of Blake’s tribute to Wilson, to help fund critical cancer research that can make a difference.”

AutoTrader.com doesn’t normally offer vehicle auctions, but was pleased to support an auction solution on this occasion to help raise the most money possible. “As the Ultimate Automotive Marketplace, what better place to showcase this unique car, help generate excitement behind this vehicle and raise the most money possible in the fight against cancer,” said AutoTrader.com Chief Marketing Officer Clark Wood.

Griffin dedicated his NBA All-Star 2011 debut to Holloway, and said he plans to give Holloway's family the Sprite Slam Dunk championship trophy he earned with his spectacular dunk over the hood of the Kia Optima.



About Stand Up To Cancer
Stand Up To Cancer  -a program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, the 501 (c) 3 charitable organization of the film and television businesses - raises funds to accelerate groundbreaking cancer research that can get new therapies to patients quickly and save lives. SU2C brings together the best and brightest in the cancer research community, encouraging collaboration instead of competition, and draws on the assets of the entertainment industry in unique ways to create awareness and build broad public support for this effort. For more information, go to www.standup2cancer.org.

No Break For All-Star Blake Griffin

In the midst of the NBA's longest road trip of the season - 11 straight road games - and having just completed a span of eight games in 13 days, the All-Star break could not come fast enough for many on the Clippers roster. 


There's not much of a break, however, for Clippers rookie Blake Griffin. Griffin will have a jam-packed schedule of All-Star events waiting for him when he returns to STAPLES Center this week.

Between the Rookie/Sophomore Challenge, the Dunk ContestAll-Star Game itself, Griffin will become the first NBA player to ever appear in competitions Friday, Saturday and Sunday of All-Star weekend. And with that exciting, yet daunting assignment ahead of him, the runaway contender for Rookie of the Year made sure to get as much rest as possible on the road - something that's actually easier than being at home. 

foxsportswest.com: No Break For All-Star Blake Griffin

Blake Griffin Should Be An All-Star, Period!

The NBA is set to announce the reserves for this year's All-Star Game live on TNT on Thursday and Blake Griffin should be named.

Ironically, Griffin and the Clippers will be en route to Atlanta - home of the TNT studios - when the announcement is made. The rest of the league could know if Griffin makes the All-Star Game before he even does, although there shouldn't even be an "if."

Griffin is having an All-Star season. What else does this kid have to do?


foxsportswest.com: Griffin Should Be an All-Star

Blake Griffin Named Rookie Of The Month.. Again

NEW YORK, January 3, 2011 – The New York Knicks’ Landry Fields and the Los Angels Clippers’ Blake Griffin today were named the Eastern and Western Conference T-Mobile Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played through December.

Among Eastern Conference rookies Fields ranked second in scoring (8.8 ppg), third in rebounding (7.9 rpg) and led all rookies in steals (1.23 spg).  He started all 13 games for the Knicks during the month, scored in double figures in six games and recorded five games with 10 or more rebounds.  

Griffin led all rookies in scoring (23.0 ppg) and rebounding (13.5 rpg).  He also ranked third in steals (0.87 spg), second in assists (3.9 apg) and first in minutes (38.5 mpg).

Here is a recap of the month for both Fields and Griffin:

Landry Fields, New York Knicks

Dec. 5 @ Toronto: Scored 15 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and three steals in a 116-99 win over the Raptors.  

Dec. 12 vs. Denver: Tallied 18 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block in a 129-125 victory over the Nuggets.

Dec. 22 vs. Oklahoma City: Registered 14 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block in a 112-98 win over the Thunder.

Dec. 25 vs. Chicago: Posted 14 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and one block in a 103-95 victory over the Bulls. 

Blake Griffin, LA Clippers

Dec. 1 vs. San Antonio: Scored 31 points, and added 13 rebounds, four assists and one block in a 90-85 victory over the Spurs.

Dec. 18 @ Chicago: Recorded 29 points, 12 rebounds and four assists in a 100-99 victory over the Bulls.

Dec. 26 vs. Phoenix: Posted 28 points, 12 rebounds and four assists in a 108-103 win over the Suns.

Dec. 29 vs. Utah: Tallied 30 points, 12 rebounds and two assists in a 103-95 loss to the Jazz.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference T-Mobile Rookies of the Month were Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins , San Antonio’s Gary Neal and Washington’s John Wall.

Building upon its already strong appeal to the nation’s youth and as Official Partner of the NBA, T-Mobile is showcasing the NBA’s youngest players -- the Rookies -- through the T-Mobile Rookie Program.  Highlights include rookie awards presentations such as the T-Mobile Rookies of the Month and T-Mobile Rookie of the Year, and the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam, an All-Star competition between NBA rookies and second-year players.  During NBA All-Star 2011, T-Mobile and the NBA will host more than 3,500 students from the Los Angeles Unified School District to watch the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam from the best seats in the house at STAPLES Center on Friday, February 18.

Blake Griffin Named Rookie of the Month

Los Angeles Clippers’ rookie forward Blake Griffin today was named the NBA’s Western Conference T-Mobile Rookie of the Month for games played from the start of the season (Oct. 26) through November. The New York Knicks’ Landry Fields won the award for the Eastern Conference. 

Griffin leads all rookies in scoring (20.2 ppg) and rebounding (11.6 rpg).  He also ranks second in minutes per game (35.5 mpg), fourth in assists (2.6 apg) and third in field goal percentage (.520).  On Nov. 20, Griffin scored 44 points, the most by a Clipper since Elton Brand scored that many in February, 2006. He also led the team with 15 rebounds and a season-high seven assists.
 

Fields ranks fourth among rookies in scoring (10.8 ppg), second in rebounding (7.1 rpg), eighth in assists (1.6 apg) and second in field goal percentage (.544).   He started all 19 games for the Knicks this season, leads all NBA guards in rebounds and is the only rookie in the top eight in scoring.   

Here is a recap of the month for both Griffin and Fields: 

Blake Griffin, LA Clippers
Nov. 20 vs. New York: Scored 44 points, and added 15 rebounds and seven assists in a 124-115 loss to the Knicks. 

Nov. 22 vs. New Orleans: Recorded 24 points, 13 rebounds and four assists in a 99-95 victory over the Hornets. 


Nov. 25 vs. Sacramento: Posted 25 points, 15 rebounds and five assists in a 110-82 win over the Kings. 

Nov. 28 vs. Utah: Tallied 35 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists in a 109-97 loss to the Jazz.
 


Landry Fields, New York Knicks

Nov. 12 @ Minnesota: Registered 16 points, 10 rebounds and three steals in a 112-103 loss to the Timberwolves. 


Nov. 16 @ Denver: Tallied 21 points, 17 rebounds and two steals in a 120-118 loss to the Nuggets. 


Nov. 23 vs. Charlotte: Scored 14 points in addition to seven rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal in a 110-107 win over the Bobcats. 

Nov. 28 @ Detroit: Posted 16 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and two steals in a 125-116 victory over the Pistons. 



Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference T-Mobile Rookies of the Month were New Jersey’s Derrick Favors, Philadelphia’s Evan Turner, Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins and Washington’s John Wall. 

Going 1-on-1 With Baron Davis

Coming into this Clippers season, there were two questions fans were constantly asking and they usually came in the following order:

1)  How’s Blake’s knee?

2)  How’s Baron’s attitude?

If you saw Blake Griffin play in any preseason games this month, then you already know the answer to No. 1.  He’s definitely 100% healthy and ready to go.

As far as No. 2 goes, however, that one may not be as easy to answer with any confidence.  Since training camp opened, Baron Davis seemed to be saying and doing all the right things, except for that little issue with his conditioning, or lack thereof.

Regardless though of what Davis was saying to the media, I wanted to talk to him face-to-face and away from other reporters to get a true sense of his emotions going into this season.

Here’s part of that conversation.  Judge for yourself.

foxsportswest.com:  Going 1-on-1 With Baron Davis
 

What's Griffin's Impact on Clippers' Wins?

By Don MacLean
FOX Sports West & PRIME TICKET    

October 13, 2010

It’s that time of year. Hoops season is upon us and everyone is getting geared up for the NBA regular season. Baseball is moving out of Southern California’s consciousness and basketball is moving in. 

How do I know it’s that time of year (other than the fact that we are getting ready for another great year of Clippers Basketball on Prime Ticket)? I know because of the questions. When I’m out and about people are asking me how the Clippers are going to be this year, if Blake Griffin is really that good, and are the Clippers going to make the playoffs this year. I enjoy sharing my insight with people that follow the Clippers and it seems like this year there have been more questions and more interest which is a good thing. So we decided to get your opinion.  

For the last week our community poll question on the Clippers page at foxsportswest.com has asked how many more games the Clippers will win with Blake Griffin. The choices are A) 5-10, B) 10-15 or C) 15+. The question is still up on the website so you can still weigh in, but since it’s been a week I decided to check in on the results so far. 




foxsportswest.com: What's Blake Griffin's Impact on Clippers' Wins?

Blake Griffin Profiled In Men's Fitness

Even before the Clippers made him the #1 overall draft pick last summer, Blake Griffin's high-intensity, military-inspired workouts were becoming legendary.  Prior to suffering a fractured knee cap in last year's final preseason game, the Oklahoma native was poised to enter the league with one of the most physically fit bodies the NBA had ever seen.

And he didn't sculp that body just in the weight room or on the sand dunes.  Griffin is part of a small, but ever-growing portion of NBA players who are using yoga as a major part of their conditioning programs. 

"I learned a lot the past year, the importance of being patient and finding the positive in every situation, said Griffin in the latest edition of Men's Fitness. "My mindset was to not just sit around, but to also get better and try out some new things."

Not only is yoga a good way to prevent injuries due to increased flexibility, but it can also play a significant part in the rehab from a major injury.  That's right, "down dogs" and "warrior twos" can be just as important as resistance band exercises and laps in the pool.



Men's Fitness:  The Big Warrior Returns

Blake Griffin Is Ready To Go

I went to the Clippers practice facility earlier this week to do a 1-on-1 interview with Blake Griffin--a.k.a the #1 question mark going into the Clippers upcoming season.

Griffin's road to recovery from mid-season knee surgery has been pretty much right on-course since he woke up from the anesthesia.  He's been running for months.  He took part in the team's Summer League practices, although he did not play in any of the games.  Basically, everything pointed to him being 100% in time for the start of training camp at the end of this month.

Well, I have news for you after witnessing some pickup games the other day.  If Blake Griffin is not 100% recovered from that knee injury right now, then I don't know what 100% looks like.

Not only was he running with a limp or a brace, but the explosion we all witnessed during his two years at Oklahoma and in those handful of preseason games last year seems to be the same as it was before the surgery.  I didn't see all of the pickup games, but he had at least 4 rim-shattering dunks while I was there, including one that started as face-up post on DeAndre Jordan and ended with a face-at-rim-level, one-handed punch.  DeAndre may still be looking for Blake after getting shook with that spin move.

During my interview with Griffin after the pickup games, we discussed a number of topics relative to him personally and the team as a whole.  You can watch parts of that interview in the video section on foxsportswest.com.

One of the subjects I was most interested in was what Griffin thought of his new head coach.  He told me that he actually knew more about Vinny Del Negro as a player rather than a coach--makes sense considering Del Negro played 12 NBA seasons while coaching for only two years in Chicago.

Griffin said that three early impressions of Del Negro stand out to him before training camp has even started.  1) He puts a high priority on player development.  2) He wants the team to get out and run.  3) He doesn't "over coach" (in other words, Del Negro may be the complete opposite of Mike Dunleavy).

So with Griffin fully healthy and Del Negro making quite the first impression on the franchise player, everything points towards a good start to training camp--something the team hasn't had since 2005 (Sam Cassell's first year with the team).  However, even with that being said, the Clippers still have several other question marks to answer as training camp and the season progress, including but not limited to, 1) How will Baron Davis fit in with the new coach and system?  2) How did the Team USA experience affect Eric Gordon?  3)  Can Chris Kaman back up his All-Star season with another one?

We should start to find out some of those answers when training camp opens September 28th.

1-on-1 With Blake Griffin

I sat down recently with Clippers rookie Blake Griffin to talk about his decision--and it was his decision--to have surgery on his fractured knee cap, thus ending a season which never really started for him.  In fact, he says it's not season-ending surgery, it's debut-prolonging surgery.

In this interview you will learn a couple of things: 1) he is not depressed about the situation--frustrated, yes, but definitely not depressed  2) he's not concerned whatsoever that he won't be the same explosive player after the surgery that he was before.  In other words, Griffin couldn't have a better attitude going into surgery.

But enough of me telling you what he said, why not just take a look for yourself?

foxsportswest.com: Michael Eaves goes 1-on-1 with Blake Griffin

Clippers Need to Look Out for No. 1, not wait for No. 1

Wait until Blake gets back!  Wait until Blake gets back!!  That seems to be the Clippers team motto through the first two months of the season.  From fans to players, everyone seems to be waiting with bated breath until the day Blake Griffin rejoins his teammates on the court.

"We'd be scary if we keep playing the way we are and get the No. 1 pick back and get him into the flow of things," Al Thornton said when the team was sitting at 8-10 on the season. "It could be on the up and up."

Well, he's right. The Clippers could be on the up and up with Griffin back in the mix.  Of course, the operable word there is "could."


foxsportswest.com: Clippers Need to Look Out for No. 1, not wait for No. 1

Blake Griffin Captures His First NBA Poster Dunk

Even in a loss, Clippers fans just can't stop talking about the signature play from Sunday's preseason clash with the Lakers. You can't find anyone who thinks Blake Griffin won't have a serious impact on the Clippers this season, and last night's dunk over DJ Mbenga was just a reminder of the rookie's superior athleticism and enormous potential.

In case you missed, here it is. By the way, be sure to check out the reaction on the Lakers bench. No one wants to clown a teammate, so they were doing their best to hide their laughter.




Now, I am never one to make too much out of one play in one meaningless game, but that dunk will be talked about for quite sometime--at least until Griffin posterizes someone else!

By the way, the Clippers meet the Lakers again on NBA Opening Night next week.

My First Peek At This Year's Clippers Did Not Disappoint

Earlier today, I caught my first glimpse of the new and improved Clippers in action. I made it to the team's facility in Playa Vista in time to catch the last few games of the morning scrimmages. Before giving you my early impressions as well as some insight I received from Mike Dunleavy during lunch, I will give you some injury updates.

Blake Griffin did not take part in any of the workouts today. He is still nursing that bruised left knee. While the rest of the team ran some games, Blake sat--rather impatiently, I might add--on the sidelines watching. Occasionally, he would get up and some shoot some free throws and mid-range jumpers before the team's training staff wrapped his knee in ice.

Dunleavy does not expect Blake to participate in any workouts this week, and said that the rookie will probably have another MRI done just to be sure the bruise is healing and he's ready for contact. Hopefully, Blake will be able to take part in drills early next week.

Sebastian Telfair also sat out the scrimmages after spraining his left ankle during the morning drills. He was seated next to Blake with his left foot propped up on a big exercise ball.

Other than those two injury notes, the Clippers collectively look very healthy and fit. The scrimmages were high-paced with high intensity. DeAndre Jordan was impressive grabbing boards and running the floor. Craig Smith scored several buckets in the paint. And Eric Gordon was driving the lane and getting the rim with regularity. Granted, it's still early in camp, but the tempo and tone look drastically different than last season, and that's without Blake Griffin even taking the court yet.

After practice, Dunleavy joined me, Don MacLean, Ralph Lawler, Mike Smith, Dain Blanton and our producer Sara Takata for lunch at Piknic in Playa Vista. It's an annual gathering we have at the beginning of camp to get the coach's ideas and plans for the upcoming season. It really helps with our tv production throughout the year.

While most of our conversation is not for mass consumption, I will share with you some overall impressions Mike has about his team and this season. As the team's general manager, he's obviously the one responsible for acquiring the new pieces, and once all the moves were made he really liked his team. Now having seen them in action for several workouts, he likes this mix of guys even more. He probably has more versatility and depth since he's been here, both of which every coach covets.

As far as a starting lineup is concerned, Dunleavy reaffirmed what he said at Media Day about the starting spots being wide open. He said the starters from last year will start atop the depth chart, but any and all spots can be won during the preseason.

He believes there are about 5-6 teams from the Western Conference who are locks for the playoffs. You don't have to be an NBA insider to figure who those squads might be. But beyond those teams, Dunleavy thinks it will be a battle for the last 2-3 playoff spots. And barring any devastating injuries, he expects the Clippers to be right in the mix.

Griffin Brothers Out West Working Out To Prep For Draft

One of the cool things about traveling this great country of ours is bumping into people along the way. I am at SFO right now heading back to LA after covering last night's Dodgers/Giants game.

Just after I finished some breakfast, I ran into Blake and Taylor Griffin. I worked their game last season against USC in LA. Even as a freshman, it was readily apparent to me at the time that Blake Griffin would one day be a dominating figure on the basketball court.

I'm not sure, however, if I expected him to develop into the clear cut #1 pick in this year's NBA Draft, after just two years in college. He is, by far, one of the most athletically-gifted and talented players the college game has seen over the last few years.

I congratulated them on a great season at Oklahoma. They thanked me but said they wish it would have lasted a bit longer. Even several weeks removed from their South Regional Final loss to eventual national champion North Carolina, the guys were still feeling the disappointment of that loss. Such drive to win is what makes a winner, a winner. It's also something every NBA team looks for when drafting lottery picks.

I asked them what brought them to the West Coast. They told me that they were out here working out with the same personal trainer they worked with last summer. I was not immediately familiar with the guy they mentioned, but they told me he definitely knows what he's doing. Considering how well both Blake and Taylor performed this season and their overall body composition, I would have to agree.

As I mentioned earlier, Blake Griffin will definitely be the #1 pick in June, regardless of ends selecting first. Taylor's NBA future is more in doubt. He will definitely get a look from several teams prior to the draft, but he may be better suited not getting drafted. Unless you are a first-round pick, it's oftentimes better to go undrafted so you can decide between various free agent offers from teams. That way, you can pick a situation that gives you the best opportunity to make the team coming out of training camp.

Here's to wishing both of them luck wherever they end up.

Ford and Horn Are Not The Right Choices For UK Right Now

Having been born and raised in Kentucky and a proud UK grad, I can understand why so many people think getting a person with Kentucky ties would be good for the program. And while there may be some merits to that idea, it doesn't mean that a Kentucky person would be the right choice right now.

The program needs a person who would make a splash nationally to put the program back in the minds of every top recruit in the country.

I have known Travis since I was 10 years old, and I covered Darrin's high school games in Lexington. But with all due respect to both of them, neither would make blue chippers take notice if they were hired at UK--at least not right now.

Kentucky needs someone to come in like Rick Pitino did back in 1989-- a coach who had success in the college ranks and also had NBA experience. That's why I think Lon Kruger from UNLV or Tim Floyd from USC would be great choices.

However, if you can't find someone with NBA experience, then someone like Jamie Dixon would be a good choice. I have also previously mentioned Lorenzo Romar at Washington and Jeff Capel at Oklahoma because both coaches come from winning programs in their past (Romar was an assistant on UCLA's national title team in 1995 and Capel of course played at Duke) and both have recruited some of the top players in the nation, who have moved or are going to move on to be all-stars in the pros (Brandon Roy at Washington and Blake Griffin at Oklahoma).

Travis and Darrin do not have the overall appeal of any of those coaches.

At times like these, UK fans have to get out of their Kentucky/SEC bubble. UK should be a national program not a regional one.

I think Mitch Barnhart, who came from a very regional program in Oregon State, either lost sight of that fact or never understood it in the first place.