| |
|
NBA -- Griffin's Olympic dreams KO'd by injury
By Joan Secuya-Medida
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 14 Jul 2012
Blak Griffin.
SAN FRANCISCO -- Before writing this piece, I watched the YouTube video of Blake Griffin's monster dunk during a Las Vegas practice for Team USA Basketball. The feat of wonder, which has 1,462, 252 views and counting, was made last July 7.
Six days later, the Los Angeles Times reported that the high-flying Griffin has been grounded by a medial meniscus tear in his left knee, The LA Clippers forward will undergo arthroscopic surgery next week and will be sidelined for up to eight weeks.
Sadly, Griffin will miss the Olympic Games in London. And just like that, Griffin's chance to wear a rare Olympic gold medal is flushed down the drain. Yet another example of how fragile life is.
But Griffin's loss is another man's gain. That man is rookie Anthony Davis, who has been been tapped by USA Basketball to replace the injured star. Davis, a college standout from the University of Kentucky, was chosen by the New Orleans Hornets as the No.1 overall pick in this year's NBA Draft.
And while the LA Clippers are pained by Griffin's injury, they are relieved that the mishap isn't career-ending. After all, they recently inked Griffin to a massive contract extension worth $95 million for five years.
"We're relieved that this does not affect Blake's ability to be ready in time for training camp," Clippers head coach Vinny Del Negro said in a statement. "Missing out on the Olympic experience is tough for him to take. I know how dedicated he was to doing that. We're glad we can get this fixed now and take advantage of the available time for him to recover."
At 6-foot-10, 251 pounds, Griffin is one of the most electrifying young players in the NBA. A two-year pro, the 23-year old has already compiled a thick scrapbook of gravity-defying dunks. Griffin averaged 20.7 points and 10.9 rebounds per in 66 games last season. (Joan Secuya-Medida.)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joan Secuya-Medida.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Sirimongkhol, Midgley Make Weight for WBF World Title in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 17 Oct 2025ICTSI South Pacific on Oct. 28-31
By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Oct 2025PIONEERING FILIPINO BOXERS TAKE THE SPOTLIGHT ON FIL-AM HISTORY MONTH (PART II)
By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 17 Oct 2025California Commission Backs Dana White’s ‘American Boxing Revival’ and Expanded Muhammad Ali Act
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 17 Oct 2025MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS PRESENTS “COUNTDOWN TO THRILLA IN MANILA” AND “THRILLA IN MANILA 50”
, Fri, 17 Oct 2025Rafael Espinoza-Arnold Khegai Featherweight World Title Showdown Set for Nov. 15 in San Luis Potosí, Mexico
, Fri, 17 Oct 2025Irish welterweight contender Paddy Donovan Positioned for another World title shot
, Fri, 17 Oct 2025DAY ONE: TEAM ASIA LAUNCHES TITLE DEFENCE WITH DOMINANT WHITEWASH AS AJ ‘STARBOY’ MANAS SHINES
, Fri, 17 Oct 2025CONNOR MITCHELL SIGNS FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AND DREAMS OF SURPASSING HIS LEGENDARY FATHER
, Fri, 17 Oct 2025CONWAY-LIDDARD YORK HALL WEIGH-IN RESULTS
, Thu, 16 Oct 2025PR Run - Break Your Record on Oct. 19
By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 16 Oct 2025PIONEERING FILIPINO BOXERS TAKE THE SPOTLIGHT ON FIL-AM HISTORY MONTH (PART I)
By Dong Secuya, , Thu, 16 Oct 2025BOXING HALL OF FAME RELEASES FALL 2025 LETTER OF APPEAL SEEKING FUNDRAISING SUPPORT
, Thu, 16 Oct 2025Mendoza bags bronze
By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 16 Oct 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 20: MUHAMMAD ALI VS. JOE FRAZIER III ON OCTOBER 1, 1975 AT THE ARANETA COLISEUM
By Maloney L. Samaco, , Thu, 16 Oct 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: History of Boxing in Reynosa, Tamaulipas
By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Thu, 16 Oct 2025YORK HALL PRESS CONFERENCE: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AS CONWAY AND LIDDARD GET SET FOR HUGE DOMESTIC CLASH
, Wed, 15 Oct 2025Unbeaten Super Featherweight Contender Andres Cortes Set for Return on October 18 Against Derlyn Hernandez-Geraldo in Long Beach
, Wed, 15 Oct 2025JOEL “LETHAL” LEWIS RETURNS NOV 28TH THUNDERDOME 52 – METRO CITY PERTH
, Wed, 15 Oct 2025Shane Mosley Sr. Blasts Oscar De La Hoya of Blocking Son’s Title Shot, Calls for Trilogy Fight on Drew & Pris Uncensored podcast
, Wed, 15 Oct 2025MASOUD vs McGRAIL HEADLINES BLOCKBUSTER MONTE-CARLO SHOWDOWN VI CARD ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6 – LIVE ON DAZN
, Wed, 15 Oct 2025WFM Mendoza seizes lead in 2025 FIDE World Youth Chess Championship
By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 15 Oct 2025YOENLI HERNANDEZ KNOCKS OUT RAMON DELACRUZ SENA IN FIRST ROUND OF MAIN EVENT OF FISTS OF FURY 8
, Wed, 15 Oct 2025BEN WHITTAKER TITLE SHOT CONFIRMED WITH PRESS CONFERENCE THIS FRIDAY
, Wed, 15 Oct 2025GOLDEN BOY ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP TO BOOST AMATEUR TALENT IN CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO
, Wed, 15 Oct 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
