Nets starting big forward Griffin exploded on social networks with two lightning dunks on the head of Celtics center Robert Williams III on Tuesday. But Nets general manager Sean Max wasn't surprised because the former dunk contest champion's dunk still had an impact.
"He'll tell you right away that he can't recover anytime soon enough to be able to jump over a car (he's done that kind of show)," Max told ESPN. "But I think one thing is very clear to almost everyone who has watched him play, and that is that he feels good about himself."
"Honestly, I think over time, he's going to get better and better, he's getting stronger."
In February, after reaching a buyout deal with the Pistons, Griffin joined the Nets as a free agent. Griffin has never attempted a dunk in a game since December 12, 2019. But since joining the Nets, he has dunked 19 times in 28 games. But what transformed him wasn't just new opportunities or wanting to win championships.
Griffin's agent, Taylor Griffin, told ESPN that his brother underwent two arthroscopic knee surgeries to repair the torn meniscus. During the recovery process, he always set his goal of returning to the stadium in March this year. During the Pistons' 2019 season, Griffin was injured in the playoffs he made his first in three years.
In less than nine months, Griffin underwent two knee surgeries. When the NBA decides to bring the season's start to Christmas, he will need up to three months to recover.
Taylor Griffin said: "It's definitely a rushed schedule. I think a lot of people just need a little more downtime to get back to their former sharp state. “
"He hasn't played in a whole year last year, but he can't (start this season) continue to be idle at home. ... His knees are 100 percent healthy, but if you can walk as usual, that doesn't mean you can engage in high-intensity NBA games every night. ”
In other words, Griffin can't dunk repeatedly. After his first surgery in April 2019, he experienced major setbacks and has not been able to completely correct the knee problem. Taylor Griffin said: "His first surgery did not meet our expectations. 'Last season, when he was trying to play, he always felt that the aftermath was not removed.
"But the second surgery in January 2020 was very successful."
Griffin averaged 12.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 20 games for the Pistons this season before the two sides agreed to a trade or buyout deal. The Pistons have begun a rebuild under new general manager Troy Weaver, and griffin, 31, has just spent a year and a half trying to recover his knees and dream of replaying when the Pistons make the playoffs.
As part of the buyout deal, Griffin repaid the Pistons with a large sum of money. As soon as his buyout was approved, Brooklyn quickly became his first choice.
When Max and the Nets signed Griffin as a free agent, they had long-term plans for Griffin's health.
"We're going to take some time and wait patiently for his recovery," Max said. "Make sure you don't put too much pressure on him, too soon, too early. We know we got an experienced veteran with a high basketball IQ. So it's a question of how to maximize the residual heat of Griffin's athletic career. From the first day we signed him, we were lucky enough to see that he was still a hot and energetic player. ”
Griffin was very efficient in the games he played for the Nets, although he played about 10 minutes less per game than when he was in the Pistons. Shooting was 12.7 percent better than when shooting at the Pistons and 6.8 percent more three-point shooting was made.
But it was those snaps that opened the eyes of social media and earned enough eyeballs.
"We knew he could still dunk strongly," said Griffin's longtime agent, Sam Goldfield. "It's not surprising. It's just a matter of time. “
(Original Compilation)