The 6-foot-7 forward will be transitioning to playing out on the perimeter in the NBA. During summer league, he averaged 6.2 points and 3.0 assists per game. Last year playing with his brother on the Oklahoma Sooners, he averaged 9.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per contest.

While the Suns might like his talent, there is also financial motivation for this move. Since he’s a second round pick, they can sign him to the smallest deal allowable in the NBA. With the luxury tax looming, saving every possible penny is good news for Phoenix.

Expect this Griffin to be playing in Iowa for at least part of the season so that the Suns can get a look at him in the NBA D-League. If he can improve his outside shooting and his ballhandling, he may eventually be known for something other than being Blake Griffin’s older brother.

Taylor Griffin and Blake Griffin (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

Suns Sign the Other Griffin

–Stephen Curry LAUNCHED 15 three’s against the Sooners yesterday in a 4 point defeat. He only made 6 of them. Taking 29 shots to score 44 points isn’t the type of efficiency a team looks for from their PG.

–Bryant Barr had a lousy game, only connecting on 1-9 field goals.

–Davidson showed their explosiveness for sure. Oklahoma had a 21 point lead and in a blink of an eye Davidson had it down to 7. It was a very entertaining game to say the least, even if I was reminded of my blah high school b-ball days of actually driving past a defender (rare) to only then absolutely brick an 10 foot floater. I’m talking about you Bryant Barr.

–Blake Griffin scored 25 and pulled down 21 boards. Brother Taylor contributed quite a bit too, scoring 16. Willie Warren looked like a stud, some kind of Baron Davis, Anthony Morrow hybrid.

–Indiana squeaked by IUPUI 60-57. Indiana led by 11 at halftime against the cupcake half-brother.

– The Friars of Providence out gunned the Dartmouth… hold on… Big Green. And Friar Blog just wants to be able to watch his friggin team play some basketball.

STAT of the DAY

Seth Curry, Liberty guard and younger brother of Stephen Curry, led the team in scoring with 18, but did so on 17 shots from the field. Liberty got bit by UNC-Asheville 84-56.

Post from: EveryJoe

North Dakota State doubles up opponent

In front of him stand two very accomplished upper classmen guards who, while not gaudy or brass, do their jobs well within the system. And it’s a rather lengthy backcourt as well. Junior Austin Johnson, 6’3, and senior Tony Crocker, 6’6, both play within themselves and are fundamentally sound. Both are expected to play 30 plus minutes a game, but don’t necessarily need to put up scoring numbers excessively better than last year. Quality, not quantity, should be Tony and Austin’s aim. Though 4.6 assists/gm between the two could afford to improve.

Besides the anticipation of Warren, there are four other newcomers to the program, three of which are JC transfers. Head Coach Jeff Capel likes each one, but is really impressed with 6′6 forward/athlete Juan Pattillo

“Juan is a great athlete,” stressed Capel. “He plays hard, has a tremendous body, can play above the rim. He’s guy who you don’t give a position. He’s just a basketball player. He can affect the game in different ways with his ability to slash and his mid-range shot. He should be a really good offensive rebounder and he has a chance to be a really good defender who can match up at multiple positions.”

Another prime time Juco athlete, 6’8 Kyle Cannon, can really shoot the ball, but Capel is still cautious as to which position Kyle is best suited for.

“Kyle is a 6-8 skilled player. I wouldn’t label him as a post guy, necessarily. Like Juan, he’s just a basketball player. When healthy, he’s a good athlete. He just has a good feel for the game. He’s another guy who will give us flexibility. We could play him, Taylor and Blake together; him, Taylor and Ryan together. We’ll be able to do different things because of Kyle’s ability to step away from the basket and shoot, and because of his ability to pass.”

source

I’m not so sure OU fans are keen on Capel’s avoidance of issuing positions to these great athletes. It could be a ploy, one in which gives the opposition some hope that said newcomers aren’t bona fide skilled players, just hyper athletes who could eventually develop. I’ve heard plenty of times how a player has the ability to shoot the ball, yet can’t be fitted for a position. Usually there’s an underlying falsity about the player’s “strengths”, and while the potential is there, no concrete authentication should probably come about from a position less athlete. But on paper the Sooners garner much enthusiasm because of the depth, height and overall seasoning they seemingly exude.

I find the Sooners to be in a position very similar to the Tar Heels. A one year window of opportunity (of course UNC’s window has been agape a lot recently) to win the big one is certainly attainable, just based on the top five players alone.

It was close. If normalcy had persisted, neither team would even be in the discussion this year.

Post from: EveryJoe

Sooners at #4