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Los Angeles Lakers: Blake Griffin vs. P.J. Tucker, who’s better?

By Jason Reed

HOUSTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 21: PJ Tucker #17 of the Houston Rockets plays defense on Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons during the first quarter at Toyota Center on November 21, 2018 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 21: PJ Tucker #17 of the Houston Rockets plays defense on Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons during the first quarter at Toyota Center on November 21, 2018 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

The case for the Los Angeles Lakers preferring Blake Griffin:

The ceiling is higher with Blake Griffin

Blake Griffin has been a shell of his former self over the last two seasons. He has played a combined 38 games, has dealt with multiple injuries and has been well below league-average. He has not just been worse than he was before, he has been bad. 

However, this is the same guy who was an NBA All-Star just three seasons ago during the 2018-19 season, which was arguably the best season of his entire career. He is still only turning 32 this month.

Yes, the injuries are the big x-factor here but we have seen how players transform when they actually play on a team that is playing for something. Look at Dwight Howard. The Lakers won’t get prime Blake, they won’t even get the 2018-19 Blake, but if they get 80% of that guy it would be a massive win.

Just think about the situation Griffin has been in. He signed a contract extension that essentially would make him a Clipper for life — showing loyalty to the franchise in an era where franchise loyalty is so rare. It is rare because he played only 33 games on that extension before being dealt.

And of all places, he gets traded to the Detroit Pistons, who are one of the smallest market teams in the league with nothing close to title aspirations. Griffin is the only reason they made the playoffs to get swept in 2019.

This is the only reason for Griffin and it does all of the talking. The Los Angeles Lakers would be betting on the potential that Griffin possesses, so should they? Or should they prefer P.J. Tucker?

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