Detroit Piston: Blake Griffin is an early NBA MVP candidate

Through the first few games of the 2018-19 NBA season, Detroit Pistons forward Blake Griffin I making a strong case for NBA MVP

Detroit Pistons star Blake Griffin is off to an MVP start after scoring 50 points and grabbing 14 rebounds in the Detroit Pistons‘ latest overtime win over the 76ers.

The win marks the Pistons first 3-0 start since the 2015-16 season. Griffin’s huge game increased his league leading scoring average to 36.3 points and 11.3 rebounds. Obviously, no one expects Griffin to average 36 points a game, but he could get MVP votes if he continues with a similar stat line along with the Pistons finishing in the top five of the Eastern Conference.

In Tuesday night’s game, Griffin showed the drive of a MVP candidate when he hustled to rebound and score after his missed free throw. He also displayed his improved 3-point shot, footwork, and post moves on several easy baskets. His spin move reverse layup in the first half displayed his improved overall game from the days when he was only considered a high-flying dunker.

Now with a fully developed game, Griffin might be adding a new trophy next to his NBA Rookie of the Year and Slam Dunk champion trophy.

Next up for the Pistons is a home game against the 0-4 Cleveland Cavaliers followed by two back-to-back showdowns against the loaded Boston Celtics. Two games later the Pistons will be in Philadelphia for another showdown against Joel Embiid and the 76ers.

Those upcoming games will tell us if the Pistons are for will or still the same losing Pistons. More importantly, those games could cement Blake Griffin as the early favorite for the MVP.

Coming into this season, no one really knew what to expect from the Pistons. They fired their head coach (Stan Van Gundy) during the summer and were in a weird situation where they had a talented roster, but continued to fall short of expectations.

Griffin was certainly the x-factor for this team this season. And so far, he’s lived up to his star status and has, at least early on, elevated this team’s ceiling. It appears that as long as he’s healthy this season, the Detroit Pistons are going to be a force in the Eastern Conference.