| |
|
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:
Press Conference Notes: Keyshawn Davis Ready to Settle Unfinished Business in Saturday’s Hometown Rematch against Nahir Albright LIVE on DAZN , Fri, 15 May 2026Eros Correa vs. Anthony Garnica, Set to Clash for WBC Continental Americas Title. , Fri, 15 May 2026Eman-Perez rematch now title-match By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 15 May 2026Montreal Experience greatly benefited Undefeated Kansas boxing prospect Marco Romero for this Saturday’s fight , Fri, 15 May 2026”MERCILESS” RAY MERCER TO ATTEND 2026 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND , Fri, 15 May 2026IIEE Metro Central dominates the IIEE National Midyear Convention sportsfest By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 15 May 2026Ancajas Boxing team to join Koronadal slugfest By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 15 May 2026Jojo Legaspi eyes four squads in JCI Senate Lipa 3X3 Open Rapid Chess Tournament on June 20 By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 15 May 2026Paras ready to face Yokoyama on June 6 By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 14 May 2026Keyshawn Davis vs. Nahir Albright II Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels , Thu, 14 May 2026Champion Outside the Ring: Gustavo Trujillo and Bio Cell Wellness Group Support Children with Autism Through Life-Changing Therapies , Thu, 14 May 2026IBA and WBA successfully deliver first joint professional training course for referees and judges , Wed, 13 May 2026GAB to give managers, matchmakers and trainers 3 years license By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 13 May 2026ROBIN “ROBZ” SAFAR TO FACE ARGENTINA’S HIGHLY RATED YAMIL PERALTA FOR WBC SILVER CRUISERWEIGHT TITLE , Wed, 13 May 2026Influencer/boxer Brooklyn Barwick anxious to Bounce back from first loss this Saturday in South Carolina , Wed, 13 May 2026Mama ready to facer Ayala in Mexico By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 13 May 2026Demecillo to fight undefeated Martin on May 16 By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 13 May 2026‘Rumble at the Rink II’ card to feature Pro Boxing & Sports Entertainment Experience this Saturday in Quincy (MA) , Wed, 13 May 2026Oberio, Bernardino, Talaboc power QC past Isabela in PCAP chess tilt By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 13 May 2026WBC president Mauricio Sulaimán on Barcelona-Real Madrid La Liga finals By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 12 May 2026Canadian Cruiserweight Contender Ryan Rozicki Fires Warning Shot at Chris Billam-Smith Ahead of Zuffa Boxing 07 showdown on June 6 , Tue, 12 May 2026Judgement Day coming this Friday In Germany for Paddy Donovan , Tue, 12 May 2026Six Rounds to Silence the Magic Man: Why Rolando Dy is Malignaggi’s Worst Nightmare By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 11 May 2026The Eternal Contender: Inside Nonito Donaire’s Record-Breaking Title Run By Dong Secuya, , Mon, 11 May 2026Boxing trio reunited up there By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 11 May 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|