Blake Griffin takes new road with media, shakes hands and wishes them well
As the relationship between media personnel and NBA stars continues to be explored, Blake Griffin took a different approach with the media at his end-of-the-season news conference.
The Detroit Pistons star chose kindness and shook hands with every member of the media and wished them a great summer on Tuesday.
After his end of the year press conference, @blakegriffin23 shook hands with every media member and wished them a great summer. @DetroitPistons pic.twitter.com/7itEDSLg00
— Local 4 WDIV Detroit (@Local4News) April 23, 2019
Griffin’s well wishes come nearly a week after Russell Westbrook and Paul George responded “Next question” to reporters following the Oklahoma City Thunder’s win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
It’s spreading pic.twitter.com/N0Mp6Zz4Kh
— Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) April 20, 2019
The pair’s comments were later called “dangerous” by Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr.
In his news conference following the Warriors 113-105 win over the Los Angeles Clippers, Kerr said, “I just feel that we have to be very careful as a league. I think it’s important for the players to understand that it’s a key dynamic to this league. I don’t think this is a healthy dynamic, for this league, for any player, any team, any local media, any national media.”
In the game following his response, Westbrook was a bit more friendly with Berry Tramel, the reporter who Westbrook ignored originally.
When asked about the team’s defensive effort Westbrook responded by complimenting the question.
After Game 4 loss to Blazers, Thunder's Russell Westbrook (14 points, 5-21 shooting, minus-17) alters his "next question" strategy in stand-off with OKC reporter: "Uh, that's a good question. Um. Not sure." pic.twitter.com/c0PSt3y5RP
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) April 22, 2019
Griffin’s approach to the media was different and lauded by fans. He took his kindness a step further by posting a thank you message to fans on Instagram.
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