There was no drama surrounding this year’s Rookie of the Year selection.
After missing the entirety of what would have been his rookie season, Blake Griffin exploded out of the gates in 2011 and never looked back. He put up some of the best numbers for a rookie forward in the last few decades, provided incredible highlight dunks with stunning regularity, and single-handedly revived interest in the Clipper franchise.
Griffin averaged 22.5 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, and led all rookies with a PER of 21.93. There was no other choice for rookie of the year, and the voters acknowledged that, making Griffin the first unanimous choice for Rookie of the Year since David Robinson in the 1989-90 season. (Chris Paul missed being named the unanimous rookie of the year by a single vote after the 2005-06 season. He was robbed.)
Griffin still has to work on his jump shot, get more comfortable going over his right shoulder and using his left hand in the post, and improve on defense, but he’s already one of the best rebounders in the league, and he’s as effective without the ball as any other player in the league. The only thing more incredible than Griffin’s production this season was the way he produced, and I’m very pleased that every single voter recognized just how special Griffin’s rookie season was.
After years of struggle, things are looking up for the Clippers, and that’s all because of their incredible young power forward. As great as this season was, it’s only the beginning for him.
