from nba.com

Blake Griffin spent more than 10 minutes surrounded by cameras and reporters at the interview table during Clippers Media Day, but in a matter of seconds he put to rest any concerns about his surgically repaired left knee.

“I feel great. I’m ready to go,” Griffin said. “I don’t have any restrictions, which was what I pretty much hoped for and knew it was coming, but in the back of my mind it’s always better to be safe than sorry.”

Griffin underwent surgery in July to repair a medial meniscus tear, and has been back on the court for several weeks.

He spent a significant portion of the summer, along with frontcourt mate DeAndre Jordan, under the tutelage of new Clippers shooting coach Bob Thate. While Griffin improved his field goal percentage in year two (50.6% in 2010-11 to 54.9% last season), his free throw numbers unexpectedly fell. The two-time All-Star said his time with Thate was divided between work on the perimeter and the line.
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From Bleacher Report

Blake Griffin underwent surgery on his left knee Monday, and it was deemed a “success,” according to a release from the team.

Here’s the full statement:

“Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin underwent successful arthroscopic surgery today to repair the medial meniscus tear of his left knee which he suffered during Team USA’s practice in Las Vegas on Wednesday, July 11th. The surgery was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic.

Griffin experienced discomfort following Wednesday’s practice in Las Vegas. He underwent a magnetic resonance imaging examination on Thursday afternoon in Los Angeles which revealed the injury. MRI data was then analyzed by Clippers’ Team Physician, Dr. Steven Shimoyama, and Dr. ElAttrache.

Griffin is expected to be ready for the opening of training camp in the fall.”

from nba.com

Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin has been diagnosed with a medial meniscus tear of his left knee. The injury will require arthroscopic surgery, but he will be at full readiness when the team’s training camp opens this fall.

“We’re relieved that this does not affect Blake’s ability to be ready in time for training camp,” said Clippers’ Head Coach Vinny Del Negro. “Missing out on the Olympic experience will be tough for him to take. I know how dedicated he was to doing that. We’re glad we can get this fixed now and take advantage of the available time for him to fully recover.”

Griffin experienced discomfort following Wednesday’s Team USA practice in Las Vegas. He underwent a magnetic resonance imaging examination on Thursday afternoon in Los Angeles. MRI data was then analyzed by Clippers’ Team Physician, Dr. Steven Shimoyama, and Dr. Neal ElAttrache of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic.

The surgery is expected to take place fairly soon, and will be scheduled following Griffin’s appointment with Dr. ElAttrache on Sunday.

from nba.com

The Los Angeles Clippers today signed All-Star forward Blake Griffin to a multi-year contract extension. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not announced.

After averaging 20.7 points, 10.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 66 games played last season, Griffin was named to the NBA’s 2012 All-NBA Second Team. Griffin led the Clippers in points, rebounds, field goals made and attempted, free throws attempted and minutes while playing every game last season. Griffin was the only player in the NBA last season to average 20+ points, 10.5+ rebounds and 3.0+ assists and was one of only two players in the league (Dwight Howard) during the 2011-12 campaign to average 20+ points, 10.5+ rebounds and shoot at least 54 percent from the field.

Griffin’s standout season helped the Clippers finish the year as the fifth seed in the 2012 Western Conference Playoffs and win their First Round matchup against the fourth seeded Memphis Grizzlies. Griffin averaged 18.0 points and 6.4 rebounds during the Clippers seven game series against the Grizzlies, which culminated with a stunning Game Seven Clippers’ victory in Memphis. Los Angeles would eventually fall to the top seeded San Antonio Spurs in the Conference Semi-Finals.
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a couple of years ago Blake threw out the first pitch at a LA Dodgers match

Ive added30 pics to gallery from the 2009-2010 Media Day

so im going through Getty and getting all the photos I dont have. so a lot of these will be old photos. These ones are from last seasons media day. Ill also be adding pics from the 2009-2010 media day

from NBA.com

Lamar Odom is a Clipper once again.

The versatile forward will return to the team that made him their fourth overall draft pick in 1999 after the Clippers Friday agreed to send guard Mo Williams to the Jazz and the rights to 2012 second round selection (53rd overall) Furkan Aldemir to Houston as part of a four-team trade. The Dallas Mavericks will ship Odom to Los Angeles and will also send the draft rights of Shan Foster, the 51st pick in the 2008 Draft to the Jazz. Utah ships the draft rights of Tadija Dragicevic, the 53rd pick in the 2008 NBA Draft to Dallas, while the Mavs receive cash considerations from the Rockets.

The acquisition of Odom has been rumored for days, but was contingent on Williams, who scored 13.2 points off the bench for the Clippers last season, picking up the player option on the final year of his contract. Williams opted in Friday afternoon making the trade official.

“Lamar is a versatile and experienced player who has had a lot of success in this league,” Clippers head coach Vinny Del Negro said. “It is no secret how talented he is and his ability to play multiple positions will add a new dimension to our team. Lamar has the understanding of what it takes to win in the NBA, and will be a veteran presence that makes us better.”
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from ClipsNation

Ironic that it’s me who gets to put this on the front page (I’ve questioned Griffin’s willingness to sign an extension for awhile) but according to the LA Times, Griffin agreed to a five-year 95 million dollar extension this evening. No news yet if there’s an option year, but that’s not a big deal.

Simultaneously, and not unexpectedly Chris Paul declined to sign a three-year max extension. He’ll make a lot more dough by waiting til next year. Brad Turner also reports that Clips are making an offer to Chauncey Billups.

Great news for Blake Griffin. Great news for the Clips. Great news for us fans.

LASVEGASSUN.COM

The 2012 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas will feature a record 24 teams, the NBA announced Thursday.

The summer league, which returns to the Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion at UNLV after skipping last season because of the NBA labor dispute, is 60 games from July 13-22. Each team will play five games.

This is the league’s eighth year in Las Vegas, beginning in 2004 with just six teams and 13 total games. The league has featured several notables in their professional debut — such as top draft picks Blake Griffin and John Wall, and No. 2 pick Kevin Durant.

Here is the list of teams committed to play: Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Bobcats, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers.

Other teams scheduled to attend: Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Hornets, New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trailblazers, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards. Also, a team of all-stars from the D-League will participate.