Newsletter: Clippers! Blake Griffin is constantly working on his game

Hi, my name is Broderick Turner, and welcome back to the Los Angeles Times’ Clippers newsletter.

The best to have ever laced up their sneakers in the NBA are never content with their standing in the game.

They are always toiling, always working at their craft, always looking to improve on something, always wanting more, always wanting to give the game something extra.

Blake Griffin is the embodiment of that way of thinking.

He always wants more and is more than willing to put in the sweat to reach the next level.

So on a night like last Monday, when Griffin produced his seventh career triple-double, he was not satisfied.

In the process of scoring 32 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, Griffin also handed out a career-high 12 assists against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Of course the Clippers lost and that didn’t sit too well with Griffin despite his standout performance.

But he always believes that he can do more to help out the Clippers.

“I think I’ll always be ironing out things in my game,” Griffin said. “It’ll be great to get to a point where you don’t have to ever worry about anything. But, yeah, there’re always things that I have to iron out.”

Griffin missed 14 games this season with a sprained medical collateral ligament injury to his left knee.

He missed two games with a concussion.

But Griffin is averaging 22.7 points, 7.9 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game.

He’s shooting 44.3% from the field, 33.1% from three-point range and 78.3% from the free-throw line.

Griffin is one of four players in the NBA to average at least 22 points, seven rebounds and five assists this season, joining DeMarcus Cousins, LeBron James and Russell Westbrook.

But Griffin expects more from himself.

“I think there’re definitely a couple of more steps that I need to make,” Griffin said. “Besides making and missing shots, just awareness, just things here and there, there are definitely some things I’m still working on.”

The Clippers are now running more of their offense through Griffin, who is a gifted passer even though he’s a 6-10 power forward.

“Obviously, when you lose a Chris Paul, you put the ball in his hands more,” Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. “You really put the ball in everybody’s hands more. Our ball movement has been better and Blake has been a better passer.

“Like, when I first took this job, the first thing someone told me is, ‘You’re going to be shocked by Blake’s passing.’ The statement shocked me because you didn’t see him as much. And they were right. He has the ability to see the floor.”

In case you missed it

Lou Williams says he deserves a spot on the NBA All-Star team

Wesley Johnson’s defensive versatility makes him a key component to Clippers rotation

Up next

(All times Pacific)

Friday at Minnesota, 5 p.m.

Sunday at New Orleans, 1 p.m.

Tuesday vs. Portland, 7:30 p.m., TNT

And finally

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