Blake Griffin: What's Next to Expect in Clippers Star's Arsenal?

Despite being one of the most explosive players in league history, Blake Griffin has found himself as the target of quite a few detractors. Concerns about his versatility as a scorer and fundamentals as a defender highlight a surplus of criticisms that the Clippers star finds himself at the center of.

The question is, will he cure those woes?

Rather than ponder what his ceiling is entirely, it's much more fitting to take a look at what Griffin is most likely to add to his game. With each and every eye in America watching his every move, it will be easy to see what's improving and what isn't. For an idea as to what to take a closer look at, however, here are the five aspects of Blake Griffin's game that are most likely to improve.

5. Non-Dominant Hand Scoring

One of the most surprising aspects about Blake Griffin's game is that he's actually more capable of utilizing his non-dominant hand than most big men. With that being said, it's not nearly as strong as it needs to be for Griffin to truly dominate both sides of the floor.

Over the next few years, expect Griffin to continue to utilize his non-dominant hand and develop an ability to score from either side. While the key to this is a succeeding slide, a big man's ability to score with both hands is almost unstoppable. Just ask Shaq and Andrew Bynum.

4. Mid-Range Shooting

Although big men of the past could knock down a few jumpers from mid-range, it never seemed to be a requirement like it is today. Players such as Kevin Love and LaMarcus Aldridge have expanded the floor in ways that every 4 either makes it from the top of the key or has a one-dimensional game.

For Griffin, that criticism is warranted.

He's hit a few jump shots here and there, but overall, he's inconsistent from mid-range. This is the type of shot that Griffin could become unstoppable by developing, as teams could no longer expect his drive-and-dunk.

3. Consistent Shot-Blocking Skills

For a 6'10" player who can jump out of the gym, it's rather concerning that Blake Griffin has failed to average greater than 0.7 blocks per game in his two years in the league. By concerning, of course, I mean it's holding him down like an anchor.

While Kevin Love suffers from the same issue, Griffin's longevity and dominance in the NBA is thoroughly dependent on his development as a shot blocker. This isn't to suggest that he needs to post averages of two or three blocks per game, but at least one per night is necessary.

For those ready to compare him to Dirk Nowitzki's shot-blocking numbers, don't. Dirk is an NBA champion who has long been dependent on his offensive game while utilizing a massive seven-foot frame to contribute on defense.

2. Legitimate Back-to-Basket Attack

There's virtually no way to stop Blake Griffin when he decides he's going to drive the lane; that's firmly established. When Griffin puts his back to the basket and attempts to score on a solid low-post defender, however, the success-to-failure ratio is a wee bit lower.

Upon developing this aspect of his game, Griffin will take the leap to consistently elite. While he's a highlight-reel machine, a big point scorer and an excellent rebounder, he's rather one-dimensional. This is the perfect way to make sure his career lasts longer than his leaping ability.

1. Toughness

This is not to dispute Blake Griffin's toughness itself, but instead to acknowledge what the game is and always has been. Whether we're talking Kevin McHale, Andrew Bynum or Jason Smith, specific acts have been over-glorified as horrendous phenomenon's. The fact of the matter is, the NBA has and always will be about defending the paint.

By any means necessary.

When you come in and throw down four consecutive dunks on an opponent, they're going to react that way. Almost always.

If Blake Griffin wants to continue playing the style he plays, he must accept that he will be fouled. It's a result of his aggressive style that teams and players target him, which has happened for decades. If Griffin wants to continue dominating in the way he does, it's time for him to suck it up and acknowledge the expected.

This has been happening to you since college, Griffin.