Blake Griffin, the six-time NBA All-Star, is embracing a new chapter in his basketball journey. During a recent appearance on 7PM in Brooklyn, a Wave Sports + Entertainment Original, hosted by Carmelo Anthony, Griffin discussed his role as an NBA analyst with Amazon Prime Video and shared his vision for bringing fresh insight to the game.
Griffin highlighted the inspiration behind his approach, drawing comparisons to NFL analysts like Tony Romo and Peyton Manning. “That’s what I love about football… you’re really getting insight into how hard it is and what these guys are thinking,” Griffin said. He noted that basketball analysis often lacks a similar depth.
While praising TNT’s iconic Inside the NBA crew, Griffin explained how his approach will differ. “To me, they are just talking sh*t. There is not a lot of analysis,” he said. “It’s a great show…but what I’m excited to do is bring analysis that’s current.” Griffin plans to focus on the strategic evolution of the game, such as the shifting defensive schemes that coaches implement each year.
The former NBA star also emphasized the importance of being “pro-player” in his analysis. Griffin aims to provide a more nuanced perspective on player performance. “You have off days, you have off games,” he said. “To be able to just sort of bridge the gap between NBA fans and players and say, listen, did he have a bad game? Yeah. He’ll be the first one to tell you.”
Griffin is particularly interested in shedding light on the challenges athletes face. He pointed out that fans often overlook the toll of grueling schedules and back-to-back games. “They played four and five. That’s not easy, right? You’re tired,” he explained. By focusing on these realities, Griffin hopes to foster greater understanding between fans and players.
Griffin’s excitement about his new role stems from his recent experience as a player, giving him a unique perspective on the league’s current trends. “I’m pretty fresh out,” he said. “There’s always a new wrinkle that comes into the game every single year.” He believes his proximity to the game will allow him to offer relevant and timely insights.
