When the Detroit Pistons open the regular season later this month, Blake Griffin will have gone nearly one full calendar year between games.
He is eager to get back on the court, even with a young, rebuilding team not expected to win many games, and he is motivated to return to his All-Star level of two years ago.
“It’s been a long year of chatter,” Griffin said Tuesday during a media Zoom call. “I’ve been through this so many times. You miss a year, have a down year or you deal with some injuries and you hear it all. I have had a lot of time to think and a lot of time to gather motivation.”
Griffin was limited to 18 games in 2019-20, when knee issues led to career-lows in scoring (15.5), rebounding (4.7) and field-goal percentage (35 percent). His season ended Dec. 28. In February, he underwent his second knee surgery in nine months.
Now it sounds like he is ready for his usual workload.
“I had lunch with Blake a few weeks ago and he didn’t want to hear about a minutes restriction; we put that off until later,” coach Dwane Casey said. “He’s been working his behind off in L.A. We’re a different team with him. Fortunately, and unfortunately, this pandemic gave him an extended period of time to get his health back and nobody’s worked harder on their body. He’s lighter. He looks really good.”
The Pistons began training camp Tuesday in limited groups of players and coaches. They hope to start full-squad workouts on Sunday.
Griffin, 31, said he was anticipating a lot of changes to the roster. He is among four players (along with Derrick Rose, Svi Mykhailiuk and Sekou Doumbouya) returning from last season. The new group includes rookies Killian Hayes, Isaiah Stewart, Saddiq Bey and Saben Lee and free agents Jerami Grant, Mason Plumlee, Jahlil Okafor and Josh Jackson.
“I like the pieces that we got,” Griffin said. “I think we got a lot of guys who are, most importantly, great guys, and also guys that compete and play hard, and work hard.”
Griffin has connected with one of the rookies, having Bey come to Southern California to work out with him.
“Saddiq has one of the most complete games that I’ve seen, especially for a rookie,” Griffin said. “One of my favorite things about him is his hunger for getting better and for the game of basketball. That’s all the kid wants to talk, that’s all he cares about. He asked the right type of questions. I’m glad I got to spend some time with him because it’s very encouraging to know that there’s like-minded guys on the team.
“The rest of the rookies I’ve seen tape on them. I love their attitude, their approach. Each of them brings something a little bit different. It’ll be great for Killian to learn from Derrick and have that role model. Isaiah and Saben as well, great guys and hard workers. I’ll take those attributes in a rookie any day.”
Griffin likely will remain a trade candidate given the Pistons’ direction, his age and his contract (two years remaining at $76 million). The Pistons reportedly contacted Washington about a potential trade for John Wall, but the talks gained no traction.
“I’ve been doing this for too long for (trade talk) to bother me,” Griffin said. “I have a great relationship with the front office, and we have an open line of communication.”
He added: “If developing young guys is the goal for this season then I’ll do whatever they ask of me. I’ll spend more time with the young guys. I’ll try to teach more, listen more, whatever it is. I’m a Piston and whatever they decide that’s what the common goal is.”
Injuries to Reggie Jackson and the team’s lack of depth at point guard thrust Griffin into more of a ball-handling role the past couple of years. Hayes will take some of the load off.
“My agenda isn’t to come out and score as many points or shoot as many baskets as possible,” Griffin said. “(It’s) to be a complete player, a leader. When you’re asked to score, score. When you’re asked to do something else, do that.”
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