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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Mike D. Sykes, II

Blake Griffin’s short, but dazzling, playoff performance against the Celtics was really an unofficial tryout

Blake Griffin is a Boston Celtic now. And, boy, do they need him. Their frontcourt depth is shot with Danilo Gallinari lost of the year and Robert Williams on the mend after surgery until further notice.

There’d been talk of other options for the Celtics behind their injury woes. Carmelo Anthony was one. Leaning more on internal improvement from the current roster with players like Luke Kornet and Sam Hauser was another.

But, ultimately, the Celtics decided to go out and sign Griffin. They signed the former All-Star to a fully guaranteed one-year deal despite him not actually being good with the Nets last season. He even fell out of the rotation at one point completely.

 

The question is why? He wasn’t particularly good with the Nets last season — The answer might actually be in Griffin’s playoff appearance against the Celtics for Brooklyn.

Obviously, Boston completely dominated the series in a 4-0 sweep. But Griffin’s performance made him one of the lone Brooklyn Nets that were effective against the Celtics.

Remember back in Game 3 of the series when Griffin scored 8 points in 8 minutes and played some spectacular defense? That looks like a tryout now.

I’m not saying this is what got Blake Griffin to the Celtics. But I’m also not saying that this is not what got Blake Griffin to the Celtics, either.

Regardless, the dude is back on a team. And that’s cool to see. I just wish it was the Clippers reunion we were all hoping for.

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