Soon after Blake Griffin acquired off the cellphone with Brad Stevens to inform him he wished to affix the Celtics final week, the veteran ahead had a call to make.
Of course, Griffin needed to choose what quantity he wished to put on together with his new crew – a vital determination. But it was tougher than he most likely thought.
Nos. 32, 23 and a pair of – Griffin’s numbers with the Clippers, Pistons and Nets, respectively – are all retired by the Celtics. And the franchise’s 23 retired numbers – plus all of the numbers being worn by present C’s – didn’t give Griffin rather a lot to work with.
“I was just sitting with some of my friends and we were looking at the numbers,” Griffin stated. “And the primary out there quantity was like 27 or one thing like that. … Then it jumped a bunch and it went from like 49 to love 90-whatever.
“And then I was trying to think of a number that had never been worn before…”
Then, it hit him. A pal prompt No. 91 as a homage to Dennis Rodman, the Hall of Famer who wore that quantity on the Bulls groups of the late Nineteen Nineties. It felt proper to Griffin – a longtime admirer of Rodman – who will change into the primary C’s participant and fifth in NBA historical past to put on the distinctive quantity.
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— Boston Celtics (@celtics) October 3, 2022
“I just liked the Rodman 91 jersey,” Griffin stated. “I always thought that looked sick. … I was thinking about it and I was like, ‘Oh yeah. That’s the one.’”
It appeared pure to Griffin, whose earliest basketball recollections included Rodman. Growing up in Oklahoma, Griffin didn’t have a neighborhood crew to root for – the Thunder didn’t exist till 2008 – in order that meant his solely possibility had been nationwide TV video games, which nearly at all times included the Bulls.
“I’m a huge Michael Jordan fan, but I just think Rodman’s basketball personality, like the way he played, how hard he played, that’s kind of how I want to be and hopefully with a little more finesse offensively,” Griffin stated. “But I think the passion and the intensity with how he played is something that everybody should try to (emulate).”
With his jersey quantity locked up, Griffin can be hoping to do what Rodman did 5 instances in his legendary profession – win a championship.
With their frontcourt shorthanded to begin the yr, the Celtics signed Griffin final week to supply depth. The 33-year-old Griffin – the 2009 No. 1 choose, six-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA choice – is effectively previous his prime however nonetheless has loads to offer. And he has one pursuit in thoughts at this stage of his profession. He’s by no means had a greater alternative to win his first title than with these Celtics.
“That’s the reason I’m playing basketball,” Griffin stated. “I’ve had moderate success, individual success. We’ve played in some big playoff moments. But the reason we all play or most of us play is to win a championship. … That’s the reason I’m still playing basketball.”
Griffin solely joined the C’s on Monday, nevertheless it already appears like he’s been in Boston longer. Grant Williams stated on Wednesday that Griffin, a infamous jokester, is already one of many funniest gamers on the crew. Teammates are gravitating to Griffin, who looks as if a pure match within the locker room and is assimilating himself effectively.
“The organization top to bottom is so well run,” Griffin stated. “It’s so effectively thought out. Everybody’s tremendous welcoming as a crew. The maturity stage of the crew is fairly unbelievable. I don’t know what the common age is. I do know Al (Horford) and I most likely convey that up rather a lot nevertheless it’s gotta be one of many youthful groups.
“You can tell that this organization instills that in the young guys. It’s really cool. I haven’t truly experienced that.”
And although he arrives with loads of fame and notoriety, Griffin doesn’t need to step on toes.
“As I get older, it’s just more comfortable with exactly who you are,” Griffin stated. “You’ve seen 1,000,000 totally different locker rooms. I feel the older guys, guys who’ve been by means of it, it’s our job to not solely be sure that we’re entering into the fitting path however … you additionally need to be sure that it’s setting, too. You need to be sure that guys are getting alongside and these guys already know one another effectively, so I’m simply looking for my method. …
“I think I’ll find that, but my personality isn’t to like, be that guy right away. I think we have so many guys who are leaders here. Guys that when they speak, everybody listens. It’ll be picking and choosing times. … That was like the biggest thing I’ve learned in my time. If you’re genuine and you take a genuine approach to leadership, people will listen. You just can’t force yourself onto something, so I just let it sort of come to me.”
Griffin can be looking for his method on protection, which he famous has been a significant emphasis in his early time with the Celtics. That’s no shock given the C’s had one of the best protection within the NBA final season, and Griffin can already see why.
“The thing I love the most is just (it’s) clear and concise,” Griffin stated. “I think in the NBA, you have to be willing to live with a certain type of shot and we know what that is here. These guys play exactly how they’re supposed to, and the best part about it is in practice, the intensity is so high, especially defensively. You have no choice but to get better.”
Griffin has seen his particular person defensive ranking decline over latest seasons, however he stated he takes delight on that finish of the ground and is specializing in discovering methods to contribute. Last season, he led the NBA with 26 fees drawn regardless of taking part in restricted minutes for the Nets, emblematic of the sacrifice he’s making at this level of his profession.
Griffin understands he’s not the participant he was a decade in the past, when he was a high-flying spotlight machine. Or even three years in the past, when he was nonetheless placing up 24.5 factors per night time, as accidents have run its course. He’s not even beginning anymore, which he stated wasn’t a tough change for him. To his credit score, Griffin is aware of who he’s, and he is aware of what he needs – and that may solely bode effectively for the Celtics as they chase a title this season.
“I think another way of maximizing your time in this league is to make sure your ego is always in check,” Griffin stated. “You can’t be one of those guys that because you started at one point, because you made an All-Star Game or whatever, that you always expect to do that. You have to be realistic and you have to have self awareness. If your goal is to win a championship, then those two things have to be there.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com