Blake Griffin Weighs in on Kings Relocation Chatter

by Jonathan Santiago / @itsJONsantiago

Los Angeles Clippers star Blake Griffin is well aware of speculation surrounding the Sacramento Kings and a potential move to Anaheim.  So does the possibility of another team invading Southern California concern him?

“It’s all good,” the Clippers forward calmly said to SLAM following this morning’s shootaround in Sacramento.  “It’s one of those things that would probably be good for Anaheim.  I mean, it definitely would be good for Anaheim.  But I don’t know how far along everything is and how serious everything is.”

He expects the ARCO Arena crowd to be raucous this evening.  Local Sacramento grassroots campaigns worked tirelessly in the past week to try and sell-out the game to send a message to the Maloofs, the Kings owners who are considering a move to Anaheim.

“It’s gonna be a hostile environment,” Griffin said.  “As long as we stick to our game plan and all that, we should be alright.”

The Kings and Clippers tip off at ARCO this evening at 7 PM.  Tonight will also be the last time the Kings officially play under the sponsorship of ARCO, the gas and oil company that partnered with the Kings for the last 25 seasons.  The team inked a new deal multi-year namings rights deal with bracelet manufacturer Power Balance that goes into full effect tomorrow.

Eric Gordon Update

Clippers guard Eric Gordon is still nursing a sprained right wrist, an injury he sustained over a month ago.  He participated in today’s shootaround and is expected to suit up tonight.  However, Head Coach Vinny Del Negro said the Clippers starting two guard may only play a few minutes tonight.  Del Negro hopes to have Gordon at fully available for Wednesday’s home game versus the Houston Rockets.

Integrating Deadline Acquisitions

With the deal to send Baron Davis to the Cleveland Cavaliers finalized yesterday, shootaround was a little longer than usual today to integrate new Clippers Mo Williams and Jamario Moon.  So far, Blake Griffin likes what he sees from his new teammates.

“They’re doing real well,” he said of Moon and Williams.  They’re picking up the plays…They’re going to be good.  They’re talented, very talented.  So we’re excited about getting them out on the court for us.”