There’s a split-second decision players have to make when they’re about to score on the break: dunk or layup? Most players, like Blake Griffin, will choose dunk. It has the benefit of being the safer choice – there’s almost zero chance of someone blocking a dunk from behind, whereas chase-down blocks on layups are common – and the cooler one, because no one ever gets excited about a layup.
Something like 99 percent of the time, Griffin’s going to score when he makes that decision. Then there’s that one percent when, as humans are wont to do, he experiences a brain fart, leading to unfortunate moments like this missed dunk/layup. It’s not quite clear if Griffin meant to dunk it, then changed his mind mid-air, or if he meant to dunk it, mistimed his jump, and tried to lay it in, only to fail. Either way, it’s pretty funny, and something you’ll rarely see from Griffin.
The rest of Griffin’s night against the Warriors was the exact opposite of this ill-fated jam.
What was most impressive about this performance was the improved form on Griffin’s jumper. In seasons past, Griffin struggled to find a consistent release point on his shot, often shooting on his way down from the jump. Now, he’s releasing at the peak. If he maintains that form, Griffin’s jumper is going to be a huge weapon for the Clippers this year.
