I might as well start off by saying Merry Christmas (and Happy Holidays to all my more politically correct friends). Since it’s Christmas Eve, you’ll hopefully forgive me for keeping this one short and understand my excitement about an early Xmas present for Los Angeles Clippers fans.
That’s right; there’s been some promising Blake Griffin news. The highly-touted forward and number 1 draft pick has just been cleared to step up his rehab by running on an anti-gravity treadmill. If all goes well (*fingers crossed*) he could resume basketball activity within a month.
Kevin Arnovitz from ClipperBlog.com/Espn just recently did a great piece detailing Griffin’s intense rehab and his eagerness to get back on the court.
2009 Clippers 1st round draft pick Blake Griffin has been cleared to increase rehab on his injured knee.
(Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE/Getty Images)
After watching the Clippers suffer another tough 108-99 loss at the hands of the Houston Rockets and forward Carl Landry, it’s hard not to wonder how different the outcome would have been with a superb athlete like Griffin out there.
Landry regularly took advantage of his athleticism against Marcus Camby and the other Clipper big men on his way to matching his career high with 27 points. In spite of the loss, Camby continues to put up terrific numbers, tallying 12 points and 19 rebounds.
There’s no doubt that his play this season, coupled with his expiring contract, will draw the interest of several teams. The big question is whether or not the Clippers will move him. D.J. Foster of ClipperBlog.com takes a look at a few intriguing possibilities, including a trade for Caron Butler that has some Clips fans salivating.
So even as the team prepares for its big Christmas day match up with the Phoenix Suns and looks to close out 2009 with a few wins, a new chance and second beginning may just be on the horizon as the new year approaches.
Let’s hope it doesn’t go the way of so many failed resolutions.
To read part 7 of “Diary of an LA Clippers Fan” click here.
-Will.
“Diary of a Clippers Fan” will be published Mondays and Thursdays during the regular season.
