Blake Griffin is a six-time All-Star, the face of the “Lob City” Clippers, and will likely be a Hall of Famer someday. However, he is best known for his incredible rookie season in 2010-11, where he averaged 22.5 points and 12.1 rebounds, making the All-Star team and receiving MVP votes.
He was the last rookie to make the All-Star Game, so it stands to reason that he knows a thing or two about young players and instant impact in the NBA.
However, fans of the San Antonio Spurs and the French might disagree with his most recent take.
Blake Griffin Seems to Have Forgotten What NBA Fans Have Already Seen
Cooper Flagg is an elite young player, and the Dallas Mavericks are lucky to have him on their roster. However, let’s not get ahead of ourselves: Wembanyama entered the NBA already as the best defender in the world and a nearly unstoppable force on the offensive end of the floor.
Griffin, it seems, has forgotten that.
“I think he’s the most complete player that we’ve seen coming to the NBA in recent memory,” declared Blake Griffin of Flagg on Post Moves. “He passes, he shoots, he defends, he rebounds. He seems like a great teammate, seems like a great kid. What’s the red flag?”
We don’t intend on saying that Flagg is not “complete” or anything short of remarkable, and his upcoming rivalry with Wembanyama should be the highlight of the sport. There is a possibility—however distant—that Flagg will surpass Wembanyama, but as prospects, Wembanyama has him beat.
Griffin, however, doesn’t seem eager to acknowledge that.
“I mean, even Wemby is very complete as well,” added the former player. “But Cooper is just able to play so many different positions, guard so many different positions.”
On offense, it might be true. Wembanyama is limited to playing down low or as a “jumbo wing.” While he can handle the ball and facilitate, he is by no means a point guard. Flagg, meanwhile, can play four positions and guard all five.
While Flagg might be more versatile than Wembanyama, it’s hard to name an area where the rookie is the clear-cut better player, except maybe shooting, although Wemby has showcased some rapid improvement there.
For the NBA’s sake, hopefully Flagg can go toe-to-toe with Wembanyama as soon as possible, but despite what Griffin said, there is expected to be a vast gap in talent.
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