A couple of years in the past, the Boston Celtics signing Blake Griffin would have been large information. Sadly for all involved, Griffin is not enjoying like a six-time All-Star. After beginning simply 24 video games with the Detroit Pistons, the 33-year-old energy ahead signed a one-year, $2.9 million cope with a Boston staff determined so as to add massive our bodies to the roster after a sequence of dangerous well being breaks.

It started with ahead Danilo Gallinari tearing his ACL in a FIBA World Cup qualifier, an damage that may preserve him out during the season barring some kind of medical miracle. The lack of their main free agent signing of the offseason was doubly painful as a result of he was anticipated to sometimes begin instead of veteran massive Al Horford, whom the Celtics hope to keep away from overworking in the course of the common season.

Then got here the information that beginning heart Robert Williams would bear a second knee operation, one that’s anticipated to maintain him off the courtroom for 8-to-12 weeks. As a substitute of having the ability to relaxation Horford early within the season, the Celtics have been within the place the place they have been going to should pencil him in because the on a regular basis heart. On high of all the pieces else, backup massive Luke Kornet has been recognized with a sprained ankle that may sideline him for a couple of weeks of coaching camp.

As a way to signal Griffin, Boston needed to reduce Denzel Valentine. It’s a disgrace he gained’t get an opportunity to show himself in coaching camp however at this level the Celtics’ instant frontcourt wants meant that there wasn’t room for him.

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If there’s a serious criticism to be made right here it’s that, after dropping so many massive males to damage, the Celtics have determined to signal a participant on the flawed facet of 30 who has a checkered damage historical past. You’d suppose that the Celtics would prioritize sturdiness and reliability, however this doesn’t appear to be the case right here.

Griffin performed simply 17.1 minutes per sport in Brooklyn whereas averaging simply 6.4 factors and 4.1 assists. His protection has additionally been a critical situation, which isn’t excellent for a staff whose id is wrapped up in how effectively it may possibly stifle opposing offenses. Then once more, if he have been coming off a extra productive 12 months, one other staff would have already picked up Griffin.

Possibly start line guard Marcus Sensible has the appropriate mentality concerning the Celtics’ most up-to-date audition. Talking with Sports activities Illustrated, Sensible dismissed any ideas of making an attempt to play the position of Chris Paul and recreate the previous when enjoying together with his new teammate.

“Clearly,” Sensible informed Sports activities Illustrated, “Lob Metropolis Blake and that Blake Griffin, he is not there, he is not above the rim anymore, however he nonetheless does nice issues. He is an awesome skilled. Final 12 months, he led the league in fees taken, which is, for a man that does not play as a lot, or did not play as a lot as him, that speaks volumes about what he does.”

If all goes proper for the Celtics, they gained’t want far more from Griffin than that: a backup massive with veteran smarts who would possibly nonetheless be able to an occasional spectacular scoring night time. Assuming that Williams returns and is wholesome, it’s probably that Griffin will slide down Boston’s depth chart and that gained’t be a foul factor. If the staff finds itself able the place they want common contributions from him, that in all probability means issues have pointedly not gone proper.