The Nightman Cometh

I like dunks. You should, too. Dunks involve cool things like jumping really high and cupcakes. Blake Griffin has yet to incorporate any baked goods into his around-the-rim repertoire but he already has 90 dunks in his first 39 games. It would have been an upset for anyone to dislodge Dwight Howard from the top spot of the dunk leaderboard but it's shocking that the new leader looks like the marginally cooler stepbrother of Brian Scalabrine. Griffin's very un-Scalabrinesque play has been the driving force behind the Clippers 10-4 record over their last 14 games. He extended his streak of consecutive double-doubles to 26 games last night in a victory over the (two-time defending champion) Lakers. However, the Clippers victory was more about a massive outside shooting advantage than a standout performance from Griffin and, indeed, his string of 20 point-10 rebound games was snapped at 14. Despite poor games from each player, the matchup between Griffin and Pau Gasol was the most interesting subplot to a surprisingly dull game. They are the two best non-German power forwards in the Western Conference but produce in very different ways. In an increasingly homogeneous NBA world, this matchup presented a contrast of styles rarely seen among elite players.

 Pau Gasol is either bemused or incredulous at this entire comparison. Both?

Blake Griffin is the raw 21 year-old rookie, half a season into what should be a long, prolific NBA career. Pau Gasol is the polished 30 year-old veteran, a two-time NBA champion and likely Hall of Famer. Griffin uses his strength to go through defenders where Gasol uses his length to shoot over them. Blake would be well-served to cut his hair and Pau's beard is so scraggly it makes even my face itch. Griffin's greatest asset is his groin-to-face athleticism but Gasol relies on drop steps and left-handed jump hooks. Blake barrels around the court like Kevin Garnett on Red Bull while Pau always seems to be yearning for a siesta. The offensive production is similar but the differences are easy to spot.

It is easy to pigeonhole Griffin as the powerful dunker and Gasol as the savvy finesse player but both are so good that this is a disservice. Griffin is an able passer with a developing mid-range game and Gasol repeatedly proved his toughness in last year's playoffs, specifically in Game Seven of the NBA Finals. But they have their reputation's for a reason. Griffin may generate more highlights and post the eye-popping numbers but Gasol is a far more balanced player. He is more experienced, a better passer and a far better defender. As of yet, Griffin has not turned his athleticism into defensive ability (less than a steal and block per game) and lacks the game experience (and head coaching expertise?) to be more than an average team defender. The Lakers have done nothing but win since Gasol came to Los Angeles and he is still the best big man in Los Angeles. Right? Right?

Do you like It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia? You should. The combination of Nightman, teen drinking and underage Korean waitresses is fairly irresistible. Sunny burst onto the scene in 2005 and produced an unbelievable string of episodes that lasted most of its' first three seasons. The show was something new and exciting and always managed to push the envelope in unpredictable ways. Blake Griffin is It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. His game is no doubt rated M for mature audiences. Violence and sexual situations may occur.

Do you like 30 Rock? You should. It's a smart show with talented actors and has won three Emmy awards for "Outstanding Comedy Series." 30 Rock blends the laugh out loud hilarity of Tracy Morgan with more nuanced humor and smart pop culture references. Pau Gasol is 30 Rock. He inspires no awe but demands appreciation and respect.

 Do you prefer 30 Rock or Sunny? In the end, it's a matter of individual taste. Sunny rarely even pretends at plot but produces more outright hilarious moments. It's blunt, raw and unfiltered. Even the subpar episodes have moments of brilliance (thanks Charlie) and give off a relatively satisfactory feeling. Blake Griffin played terribly for most of yesterday's game but still finished with 18/15/3 and came up with a couple crucial buckets in the fourth quarter. The same cannot be said of Pau Gasol (14/8/-14 plus minus). He is a great player but does not (and perhaps cannot) consistently impact games as a team's primary option. Gasol may currently have the edge but I wouldn't trade the excitement of Griffin's rookie season for anything. Just like the first three seasons of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. But unlike his television brother from another mother, Griffin has room for improvement. It's Always Sunny was never going to produce character development or a plot but Griffin can work on a jumper and his defense. Watch out world. The Nightman Cometh.

“I’m gonna rise up, I’m gonna to kick a little ass, I’m gonna to kick some ass in the U.S.A., gonna climb a mountain, gonna sew a flag, gonna fly on an eagle. I’m gonna kick some butt, I’m gonna drive a big truck, I’m gonna rule this world, I’m gonna kick some ass, I’m gonna rise up, I’m gonna kick a little ass. ROCK, FLAG and EAGLE!!”-Charlie Kelly in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia