The Detroit Pistons aren’t going to make the playoffs this season, despite their best efforts in adding a superstar to the roster at the trade deadline in Blake Griffin.
Since a hot start to the Griffin era in Detroit, things have come unglued to the tune of a 4-13 record that has effectively ended their playoff chances. Many have speculated that failure to reach the playoffs will result in some major changes coming in Detroit, namely an ouster of Stan Van Gundy as team president and coach.
The good news for Van Gundy is he at least appears to have the support of his new star, although that still might not be enough to save him. Griffin spoke candidly with The Undefeated’s Marc J. Spears recently about the trade and the emotions for him after signing in L.A. under the promise of being a “Clipper for life,” only to be dealt away six months later.
Griffin lamented the Pistons not being at full strength, as Reggie Jackson has yet to play with Griffin, and noted he felt they had a ton of potential for next season. He wasn’t only positive about the possibilities on the court, but he had glowing things to say about Van Gundy and the organization as a whole, while also taking a bit of a jab at the Clippers when asked if he still thinks about the trade.
“If I wasn’t happy with where I was at or excited to be here, it would take a little bit longer,” Griffin said. “But as soon as I got here to Detroit, the franchise, the way they go about taking care of the players, the way they do everything, is first-class. So, that makes the transition much easier. [Coach] Stan [Van Gundy] and the whole staff has been awesome. I’m not looking back.
“I haven’t put much thought into it, to be honest. I’ve been so focused on making this transition and [adjusting] to this change that I haven’t put that much thought into it. I never want to be in a place where I’m not wanted. Coming here made me realize what a franchise looks like.”
It’s clear Griffin is all in on trying to make things work in Detroit, which is the smart thing to do when you’re a superstar with four more years on a contract. You also can tell from the piece that while he’s doing his best to happily move on, he’s still irked and hurt by the way things went down in L.A. after the over the top pitch they made for him this summer.
Griffin references the “business of basketball,” which is the diplomatic answer to all questions about being traded, but also notes that he felt he had a different kind of relationship with those in the Clippers organization and that the trade showed their “true colors” after promises were made this summer. In any case, Griffin insists the Pistons future is bright and seems hopeful that they can keep everyone together, including Van Gundy, for at least one more season to see what they can do as a group when healthy and with a full offseason to come together.
