Blake Griffin Will Miss Olympics With Knee Injury
Written By: Shaun Russell
It was reported earlier in the
week that Los Angeles Clippers power forward and 2012 Team USA
Basketball member Blake Griffin suffered a left knee injury during one
of the team's scrimmages. The Clippers organization later confirmed that
Griffin was diagnosed with a torn medial meniscus and will have to
undergo arthroscopic surgery, most likely in the coming week. The injury
will prevent Blake from participating in London's Summer Games, but
reports say he should be healthy enough for Clippers training camp later
in the year.
L.A. Clippers head coach Vinny Del Negro knows how disappointed Blake is about not being able to represent his country in this year's games. But he says he's relieved that his fierce power forward will be ready when the 2012-2013 NBA season starts.
"We're relieved that this does not affect Blake's ability to be ready in time for training camp. Missing out on the Olympic experience will be tough for him to take. I know how dedicated he was to doing that. We're glad we can get this fixed now and take advantage of the available time for him to fully recover."
This isn't the first time Blake has had to miss significant playing time because of his left knee. He had to miss his entire rookie NBA season in 2009 because of an injury to the same knee. But doctors says this new, unfortunate mishap is not related.
USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo believes this injury stems from this past season's NBA playoffs when Blake took a blow to the same knee. "The reality is, that injury took place at the end of the season. And he had an option to get it scoped and he opted not to get scoped. And so, I guess he aggravated it."
This adds to the extensive list of players who have been sidelined because of injury for Team USA. Number one overall pick Anthony Davis will replace Griffin on the roster.
L.A. Clippers head coach Vinny Del Negro knows how disappointed Blake is about not being able to represent his country in this year's games. But he says he's relieved that his fierce power forward will be ready when the 2012-2013 NBA season starts.
"We're relieved that this does not affect Blake's ability to be ready in time for training camp. Missing out on the Olympic experience will be tough for him to take. I know how dedicated he was to doing that. We're glad we can get this fixed now and take advantage of the available time for him to fully recover."
This isn't the first time Blake has had to miss significant playing time because of his left knee. He had to miss his entire rookie NBA season in 2009 because of an injury to the same knee. But doctors says this new, unfortunate mishap is not related.
USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo believes this injury stems from this past season's NBA playoffs when Blake took a blow to the same knee. "The reality is, that injury took place at the end of the season. And he had an option to get it scoped and he opted not to get scoped. And so, I guess he aggravated it."
This adds to the extensive list of players who have been sidelined because of injury for Team USA. Number one overall pick Anthony Davis will replace Griffin on the roster.
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