The chance to win a title played a huge role in Blake Griffin‘s decision to sign with the Nets after clearing waivers Sunday, writes Brian Lewis of The New York Post. That was one of the topics Griffin addressed Monday when he answered questions from fans during a session with Bleacher Report.
“My only goal is to help win a championship,” Griffin responded when asked why he chose Brooklyn. “Some years it’s more realistic than others. But that’s why I came to Brooklyn.”
Griffin hasn’t been past the second round of the playoffs in his 11 years in the NBA, but the Nets may give him a legitimate chance at a ring. Griffin will add another versatile offensive weapon to a team that already has three stars in place and sits a half game away from the best record in the East. Front court depth is one of Brooklyn’s few weaknesses, and Griffin is confident he can make a difference.
“They have a need for a 4-man,” he said. “I’ve always had a lot of respect for (head coach) Steve Nash and all of the guys they have. (General manager) Sean Marks has done a great job there. It was a tough decision and I wanted to be on a team that was contending.”
There’s more from the Atlantic Division:
- Sixers coach Doc Rivers is concerned about how a condensed schedule will affect his team over the second half of the season, according to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. The 76ers will play 36 games in 67 days as they try to hold onto the top spot in the East. “I would say (this) is not the way I wanted it for our team, you know, being so young,” Rivers said. “We are really young, actually look at the guys that are playing. To cut off practice time for a young team is usually not good.”
- The Raptors need a strong return from Pascal Siakam to be contenders in the second half, writes Doug Smith of The Toronto Star. Siakam will have missed almost two full weeks due to health and safety protocols when Toronto resumes play Thursday night.
- The Celtics would love to pry Nikola Vucevic away from the Magic, but Orlando has other pieces that could be helpful in Boston. Josh Robbins, Jay King and Jared Weiss of The Athletic examine potential Celtics deals involving Evan Fournier, Aaron Gordon and Terrence Ross.
Orlando and Sacramento have received attention as Boston trade targets but I’d like to get slant on a another team with assets. The Cavaliers have expressed a willingness to listen on Cedi Osman and Taurean Prince. As second unit pieces, I think Taurean Price’s role is as a big who can shoot. His contract is in the $15 million/yr range and would cut into the $28 million TPE.
Good call on Prince. Celts are so shallow even getting a decent 3+D guy could make a big difference.
Thanks, I watch most of the Cavs games and Prince is athletic and active. I guess we’ll see…
I hate when people bring up guys on losing teams that are having great yrs well daa!! Someone needs to score most of the time those get traded to a top team and produce nothing close to what they were and improve ur team unless that guys done it for yrs stay away from the one yr wonders please Celtics all I ask
Vuc isn’t a one-year-wonder
Where are the Nets getting all this money?
Their owner is loaded
Yes, Joe Tsai is the founder of Alibaba, but Blake Griffin signed for the vet’s minimum. They didn’t even use their MLE or DPE on him. They would need to use their DPE before they either trade Spencer Dinwiddie or he returns. Personally, I hope he isn’t traded, then returns for the playoffs and exercises his option for next year.