By: Tom Ward (Hoops Head/KTR Contributor)Blake Griffin is bringing his ferocious dunks to the slam dunk contest. Griffin will be the marquee player in this year's Slam Dunk Contest, as he'll try to put the life back into a contest that was once one of the highlights of the season. Blake Griffin's been a sensation in the NBA so far. His team might be in the midst of another lottery season, but he's become the league's latest star with his highlight dunks. Griffin's powerful slams have made him a YouTube sensation and the leading candidate for Rookie of the Year honors, and his presence brings a needed boost to what was a lackluster event last year. Joining Griffin will be Washington Wizards 7-foot center JaVale McGee, Oklahoma City Thunder 6-10 forward Serge Ibaka, and Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan is replacing Milwaukee's injured Brandon Jennings.So in the last 10 games the Clippers are 7-3, Griffin had 23 points and 12 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Golden State Warriors 105-91 Sunday for their seventh win in 10 games.Griffin had a career-high 47 points and 14 rebounds for his 27Th consecutive double-double, last Monday. In the last 9 games Griffin in averaging 26.7 points a game and tossed in a 47 point effort against the pacers. For the season Blake is averaging 22.8 a game.
But will the stand out star really lead the Clippers to the playoffs? Blake Griffin is leading his team to the playoffs because every team in front of them, with the exception of Memphis, is getting worse in some way. The Clippers started the year 1-13 and dug themselves into a hole. But now they are digging themselves out, and in a hurry.The Grizzlies are the one team in front of LA that could pose real problems for them getting the eighth seed. They have a very good group of players and are well-coached. But there have been trade talks in Memphis, and things could get shaken up. The Clippers better hope so, because unless Carmelo Anthony gets traded, causing Denver to drop out of the playoff race, it looks like it'll be Memphis and the Clippers battling it out for the last spot.The Clippers are 13th right now. Here is a reason they can jump each team in front of them to get to eighth. Portland: With Marcus Camby now hurting his knee, that makes essentially the entire starting five injured. May the losing begin.Phoenix: They are looking to trade Steve Nash for picks and call this season quits. The fact that they are considering this means they have quit on this team.Ron Artest believes the Clippers can get to the playoffs as a fifth seed. And who am I to fight him on this? Griffin and Gordon just flat-out get it done on the floor and don't do much talking off of it, and that is a good model to go by. It is a fool proof system. You don't see them acting like idiots; in fact, they lay pretty low. So, can Blake ring them to the playoffs. Well I really think so.
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