Why Hasn't Chris Paul Made Blake Griffin Better?

The Los Angeles Clippers are falling apart and awful defense is the reason why. As they stand, title contention is out of the question.

Defensive issues aside, I view this top-six offense as a disappointment for aesthetic reasons. The presumption going into this season was that Lob City would reign over any opposing defense. Chris Paul would unleash Blake Griffin to his fullest potential.

That hasn't happened.

It isn't that Griffin is having a bad year. He's at a 22.81 PER, a small slice above his 21.93 rookie mark. The concern though, is that Blake is not improving his overall offensive game, namely his shooting. 

As Griffin gets older, this simply will not do. NBA offense is so reliant on the pick and roll, and on power forwards who can space the floor (Nowitzki, Aldridge, Bosh, Love, to name a few). If Blake Griffin cannot provide a top defensive impact — and he won't — it is paramount that he at least becomes a threat to hit a wide open shot. 

In 2011-2012, Blake Griffin is shooting 32% from between 16-23 feet. Last year, he shot 33% with one less attempt per game. A whopping 85.7% of these field goals come from pick-and-pop situations. 

Chris Paul runs the pick and roll and the pick and pop as well as any point guard in the league. As much as he is remembered for throwing lobs to Tyson Chandler, CP3 did more work with David West working the pick and pop.

Paul attempts the same dance with Griffin, only to see open jumpers go awry.

There is a limit to how much offense can result from lobs and slipped-screens. To be fully aided by Paul, Griffin must become a threat from outside.