Los Angeles Clippers Conundrum: What To Do With Blake Griffin

I know that die hard Clipper fans will never forgive me for spending any amount of time talking about that other team in Los Angeles, but it's necessary.

I know that die hard Laker fans will hate me for bringing this up, but back in 2004-2005, your team was pretty bad.

Under Rudy Tomjanovich/Frank Hamblen and without Shaquille O'Neal, the Lakers went a pathetic 34-48 that year. Kobe Bryant is an amazing player, but even at his peak he couldn't do much with the likes of Chucky Atkins, Stanislav Medvedenko, Tierre Brown, etc.

The Lakers had one of the best players in the game at his peak and were blowing it. The pressure was on like never before. Of course, as the Clippers can attest to, losing has its benefits. The Lakers had the 10th pick in the first round in 2005.

This pick would help define the team and insure they didn't waste away one of the Associations best players during his prime.

The Lakers hired Phil Jackson and all eyes were on that pick. Would they trade it knowing that Jackson wasn't generally a big fan of giving rookies playing time? Would they draft a college senior or junior like Danny Granger or David Lee who would likely be more ready to contribute?

The blogs were buzzing with possibilities. The mandate was clear however, the Lakers were at a crossroads that meant either taking full advantage of having an All-World player, or they were going to blow it.

They picked Andrew Bynum.

The High School senior was a head scratcher. Maybe they picked him for someone else, but a trade never materialized. There was no way Jackson was going to play the kid—what were the Lakers thinking? If the Clippers would have made this pick the wolves would have started howling the second after David Stern left the podium.

This however was the Lakers pick, and the Lakers have a lot of goodwill built up in L.A. The trade didn't make sense, but L.A. was willing to wait and see. This was after all the franchise that wins, the franchise that blew up the team to bring in Shaquille O'Neal, that drafted an unknown Kobe Bryant—could lightning actually strike twice?

Somehow, with basically the same team in 2005-2006 and with the rookie center hardly contributing, the team improved to 45-37 and shocked the Suns in the playoffs before going down in seven games. They stalled in 2006-2007 but 2007-2008 saw the team take off and land in the Finals the next three years. 

Bynum has been injured, sure, but few would deny that he was a big reason for last year's championship. The then four-year player played despite an obvious injury and gave the Lakers a big edge inside that was clearly needed. Somehow, the Lakers, despite making an odd choice and not getting any real contribution from Bynum the first few years, saw a return on their draft pick.

Clearly, they haven't wasted Kobe's prime. In fact, they extended it.

Now, it's the Clippers turn.

In Blake Griffin, this team has an All-World player. Forget the numbers, look at the kid's attitude. The way he leads, the way he conducts himself during interviews. He is the complete package. Once he develops a consistent Karl Malone-ish jump shot, he will officially catapult to another level.

Yeah, he is that good.

Fans of the Association hate the fact that he landed in the Clippers' laps. Given the team's past, I can understand the hatred. The Clippers however have never had a player like this in his prime, ever.

Bill Walton wore a Clipper jersey, so did Dominique Wilkins but neither were in their prime. Elton Brand is about as close as they came to enjoying a great player at his prime, but Brand has nothing on Griffin. While Brand was a reliable pickup truck for the Clippers, Griffin is Lear jet.

Yeah, he is that good.

So, now it's time for the Clippers to build a team around this guy. They have a year and a half left to do it or at least start the process. The clock is ticking.

For all the Clippers woes, and there are several, they still call Los Angeles home. They still play in a state of the art arena and they still enjoy a committed core of fans that will come out in droves to support a winner. Things could be worse for Griffin.

The Clippers have to take advantage of this moment just like the Lakers did in 2004-2005. If not, there is little doubt Griffin will go somewhere else to showcase his prime.

The Clippers have to look beyond this year, again, just like the Lakers did. They didn't draft Bynum with the thought he would help them immediately, they looked ahead. That's what good teams do. 

If the Clippers can chalk this season up to a learning period and start to build a team around Griffin, there is hope. They need to start by entertaining all offers for Chris Kaman. The All-Star center is a proven commodity that will attract other teams. Ship him for picks or another All-Star in his prime, or close.

Baron Davis has to either lead this team, or take a back seat to Eric Bledsoe. Trading him and his contract is next to impossible this year so instead, talk him into contributing and enjoying the ride on Griffin's shoulders.

Build with an eye towards next year. Anything the team can do this year is gravy.

The Clippers, however, have to do something. They can't end this season with the same players they started with. They just can't. Then, after the season is over, they will have their Andrew Bynum moment.

The team will likely land in the lottery with a top 10 pick. What they do with it will define the Clippers' next 10 years. If they pick wisely, they will add a piece that compliments the team they started to build through trade this season. If they pick wrong, they will watch helplessly as Griffin walks away when his contract ends.

No pressure, but thems the facts.

For the Clippers, it all comes down to this. A trade with a purpose this season, a quality pick in this year's draft and a the best player to ever wear a Clipper jersey flourishes in Los Angeles. 

Otherwise, well, it's business as usual in Clipper-ville.