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Including former six-time All-Star Blake Griffin following his buyout with the Pistons final March was a “no-brainer” for the Nets regardless that he was previous his super-athletic prime. The 6-9 Griffin grew to become the Nets’ undersized beginning middle, averaged 10.0 factors per sport in simply 21.5 minutes per sport, and set the tone on protection together with his willingness to take prices and sacrifice his physique.
Following the season, Griffin made it clear he hoped to return, and he did that by signing in free company for the $2.6 million veterans’ minimal. It actually helped that he stands to gather the ultimate $29.7 million installment from his Pistons buyout, however Griffin stated he had different affords for more cash that he declined.
“Simply going to make more cash or going to a brand new spot for perhaps a much bigger function wasn’t actually a factor,” Griffin stated in a media convention name on Thursday. “I do know what I can do with this workforce, I do know my function and we nonetheless sort of left the season with type of a nasty style in our mouths.”
After the Nets had been eradicated in Sport 7 of the second spherical by the eventual NBA champion Bucks, Griffin praised the group from proprietor Joe Tsai all the best way down by way of the efficiency workforce and help employees.
“Having that have and figuring out what sort of folks I’m working with is big,” Griffin stated. “So it was a no brainer for me…We really feel like there’s undoubtedly unfinished enterprise. There’s one thing larger that we need to obtain, and I nonetheless need to be part of that.”
Earlier this week basic supervisor Sean Marks emphasised Griffin’s worth past how he suits with the Massive 3 celebrity trio of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden. And throughout the current Tokyo Olympics, Durant stated he instructed the group it was essential to carry Griffin again.
“One factor I need to contact on with Blake is behind the scenes,” Marks stated. “I feel you guys all noticed what he did on the courtroom, the intangibles that he introduced, simply the bodily presence that he’s … the rejuvenation of how he performed.
“Nevertheless it’s actually the issues within the locker room with Blake, loads of the issues that go on behind the scenes with simply who he’s. It speaks volumes when a participant like that might have simply gone to a mess of different locations and determined, ‘There’s unfinished enterprise right here. I need to do one thing particular in Brooklyn.’ To have a man like that purchase in actually sends the suitable message to the youthful guys and the entire workforce basically.”
Griffin advised he could be an much more vocal presence this season. “You don’t all the time need to have coach (Steve) Nash to must say one thing, drill one thing into our heads each time, or the Massive 3 as a result of they’re type of anticipated to do this,” Griffin stated. “I believed (departed free agent) Jeff Inexperienced was type of that for the workforce final 12 months, and that’s one thing I hope to have the ability to assist out with this 12 months.”
Notes & quotes: First-round choose Cam Thomas capped a 31-point effort with a game-tying three-pointer on the finish of the primary additional time after which hit one other three within the sudden-death second additional time to present the Nets (2-1) an 84-81 Summer season League victory over the Wizards.
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