9. Blake Griffin, Detroit Pistons
Blake Griffin turned 30-years-old in March of this past season and after having an arthroscopic knee procedure he returned to the Pistons in the playoff series off a career-high 24.5 points per game. Griffin has always been a competitor and took his game to the next level, but the Pistons still lost the series getting swept as a No. 8 seed to the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks and MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The 2011 NBA Slam Dunk Champion’s shooting improved and his high-flying putbacks and facials remained the same. He shot a career-high seven three-pointers a game this past season but still cleared the lane when taking flight. The Pistons next season will rely heavily on Griffin’s legs and if healthy we can expect him to be one of the most exciting inside and out players in the league.
Griffin’s top dunks featured posters on Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, Clint Capela, and Nikola Vucevic.