Photo courtesy of the Nets
6 things to know about newest Net Blake Griffin
The team announced Monday that the veteran All-Star forward signed on for the remainder of the season
The Brooklyn Nets made news Sunday when they signed six-time All-Star forward Blake Griffin for the remainder of the season, a hire that impressed some more than others.
Love it or not, here are few things to know about the newest Net, a 31-year-old, 6’9”, 250-pound forward who agreed to a buyout on the remaining, ahem, $56.5 million left on his contract with the Detroit Pistons on Friday.
He guest-starred on ‘Broad City’
Griffin has become a popular television personality over the years. One of his most notable appearances was in the 2014 season of “Broad City,” where he had an … erotic cameo.
Wait, he’s actually funny
Griffin’s other extracurricular exploits feature a variety of comedic ventures, including participating in Comedy Central’s roast of Alec Baldwin and roast battle against comedian Jeff Ross, where he more than held his own.
He won the 2011 NBA Dunk Contest with one of the most famous dunks in the competition’s history
In his younger years, Griffin’s high-flying ability was something to behold. He won the contest in part by dunking over a KIA, the car company where he eventually landed an endorsement. (Coincidence?) (Probably not.)
This is a reunion of sorts with current Nets center Deandre Jordan
Not exactly a secret, but Griffin began his career with the Los Angeles Clippers, where he started at forward alongside Jordan. The pair became the most entertaining duo in the league, famous for their alley-oops that frequently turned regular season games into dunk contests.
He posted up against Kevin Durant in high school
Before they became NBA superstars, Griffin and Durant went at it in a AAU game while they were in 9th and 11th grade respectively. Now, they’ll be uniting to maybe definitely bring a championship home to Brooklyn.
He’ll most likely change positions for his new team
The Nets “imagine Griffin as a small-ball center option off the bench,” ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted over the weekend. At the Pistons, Griffin was deployed exclusively as a forward. And while Griffin is no longer the freak athlete he was when he was younger, his perimeter shooting and strength to compete with taller players defensively will make him an ideal candidate to split minutes at center with his former teammate Deandre Jordan.
