Russell Westbrook and Blake Griffin (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Oklahoma City Thunder has turned from predator to prey with their Russell Westbrook signing and now they are targeting the free agents of 2017 to build a new contender.
They have a very obvious target and it seems so obvious that he should join the Oklahoma City Thunder. For one thing, Oklahoma is his hometown and he first gained national attention as a star for the Oklahoma Sooners in college.
This is Blake Griffin, of course. However, the hometown card is one that seems to be overplayed lately. While LeBron James brought it back when he left South Beach to return home, other stars were expected to follow suit, most notably Kevin Durant of the OKC Thunder.
Durant didn't stay but he never even gave a meeting to the hometown Washington Wizards who virtually revolved the better of two seasons for him, even hiring his former OKC coach Scott Brooks.
There were also rumors about DeMar DeRozan going back to Los Angeles even after a Conference Finals stint. First Take host Stephen A. Smith confirmed it at least twice in his show, as chronicled by Lakers Nation. DeMar DeRozan also didn't bother to meet with the NBA's glamor team and any other US team for that matter.
So if it's not the hometown factor, why would Blake Griffin choose the Oklahoma City Thunder? Hoops Habit had three good reasons.
Russell Westbrook is Better than Chris Paul
It might be close last season but Westbrook is bound to get better and Paul is already close to a decline, not to mention Paul is also a free agent. The Clippers may collapse as they have a weak bench and relies heavily on the Big Three, two of which could be leaving. Another key player, JJ Redick, can also walk as well.
The Thunder has Westbrook under wraps and they can also keep Victor Oladipo and Steven Adams under wraps as they're restricted free agents.
Deeper Bench
We've discussed the starting five, but the bench has always been the issue for the LA Clippers. Beyond the big three, they have Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford. Not to take anything away from his award, but he is simply the best player on the bench by default.
Blake Griffin has Kosta Koufos as their first frontline reserve not to mention 11th overall pick Domantas Sabonis in the frontline. That ensures Griffin will likely stick to his natural power forward position. They also have young players coming in other positions like Spanish standout Alex Abrines.
Blurry Future for Clippers
The Thunder will be Russell Westbrook's team, no doubt about it. But the team and the city would be ready to embrace another superstar in exchange for the one they lost.
In contrast, Griffin's stature with the Clippers may have been ruptured with his infamous incident. While the team has reportedly fired the trainer that Griffin beat up (which triggered a lot of questions on the team's overall character), his stature with the team is tainted, especially with the numerous trade rumors that followed, not all of which can be denied.
Since the Clippers' window of success is closing, it's better for Blake to get a fresh start somewhere else and there could be no better place than home-or a young team with a top five player at the helm.
