Blake Griffin - dubbed “Bully” by Mike for his resemblance to the title character of the stellar Xbox and PS2 game - impressed at the Vegas summer league, where he averaged a double-double and was named MVP.
After conquering that hurdle, he has now decided to work on fitting in better with his teammates. Step #1? Getting injured. Welcome to the club, Blake.
ESPN reported today that Bully will be held out of practice for the next 3-4 weeks to rest a shoulder he strained during the second summer league game. This means he will miss his opportunity to compete for a roster spot on the next generation of Team USA.
It also means that he is one step closer to blending into the ranks of the 12 core Clippers players since 1976 to suffer a career-altering injury. (Bill Simmons, America’s favorite pop culture blogger inexplicably being paid as a sports analyst, went in depth about Blake’s predecessors here.)
This should come as absolutely no surprise, considering that we’re dealing with a guy who smashed his own head against the side of the backboard while attempting to dunk in the NCAA tourney last year. It’s the perfect storm, really.
Nevertheless, congratulations to Bully. Good to see he’s not wasting any time in learning the ways of the Clippers.
-T
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