Blake Griffin recently returned to the court after missing 18 games with knee surgery, just as the Clippers lost Chris Paul for six-to-eight weeks after he tore a ligament in his left thumb. And yet, despite the litany of setbacks, he is still one of the league’s premiere dunkers, having once jumped over the hood of a Kia Optima to win the 2011 NBA Dunk Contest. So with All-Star weekend coming up, we asked him to talk strategy. (And other stuff.)
GQ: What advice would you give to guys participating in the dunk contest for the first time?
Blake Griffin: My biggest piece of advice would be to have more dunks than you need. If you need four dunks, then have more than four. When I was in the dunk contest, DeMar DeRozan actually did the dunk I was about to do before me. That was going to be my next dunk, so I was panicking when I went up for my turn. I was trying really hard to think what I was going to do. That weekend was such a whirlwind. It was my first All-Star appearance. I was in the rookie-sophomore game. I had a million things going on.
The NBA just released a gorgeous, high-quality reel of Toronto Raptors-era Vince destroying rims around North America
Is it almost bad to have too many options when you go up there to dunk?
You think it is, and you think you have more than enough, but when it gets down to it, it’s the dunk contest, and you’re always trying to do something new and different. Once you get out there, it’s a little different—you’re dunking in front of an arena with a bunch of people watching you. It’s kind of weird.
You won the dunk contest in your rookie season and never participated again. Why'd you decide to stop?
The next year, I was still playing in the rookie-sophomore game again. I was in the All-Star game too. The thing I learned from the year before was that I scheduled too many things. You have to do all these appearances on Thursday and Friday, play in the game on Sunday, so Saturday ends up being the one night I was free and could be with my family.
Did you see JaVale McGee said he should have won the dunk contest in 2011?
Should’ve, could’ve, would’ve...
What was the behind the scenes process like of putting together your stand-up set at the Just For Laughs festival in Montreal last year.
I thought I had a set that I really liked, then I got nervous and scratched it about a week before, so I rewrote some stuff. I sent it to some buddies who are stand-up comedians and they really helped punch it up. I finished up the set on Sunday and did it on Montreal on Tuesday.
You were pretty natural. Did you get any feedback afterward?
Yeah. It was awesome. All the comedians at the show that came and watched were supportive, they gave me tips, just really small stuff I would never think of. It made me feel more comfortable and hopefully made me look like I knew what I was doing even though I didn’t [laughs].
Have you thought about hosting Saturday Night Live?
I would love for it to happen. Their season starts around the same time as ours, and it’s a week long process. I don’t know how it would work out, but it’s been a dream since I was a kid.
Do you have other goals as a stand-up comedian?
I’m not really trying to be a stand-up comedian. I have a huge amount of respect for the guys who do it. That’s their livelihood. That’s their job. It’s just something that I enjoy. I was just appreciative of the opportunity go to Montreal and have fun.
You talked on J.J. Redick’s podcast and in your set about how ridiculous the premise is of doing post-game interviews. Do jot down some of the more hilarious day-to-day stuff about NBA life?
Sometimes I just reflect and think about that stuff. Sometimes in the moment when I’m doing a press conference, one of my favorite things is to watch reporters—
—You’ve definitely had moments when weren't able to hold back your laughter because the situation was ridiculous.
I wish I didn’t, but I definitely have. To me, the best comedians are the ones that take everyday normal boring stuff that no one thinks is funny and they make it funny. That’s the same style I go for.
Speaking of Instagram, I’m curious if you ever check your comments.
Just from the people I follow, but nah, not really. I don’t go through my comments, that’s asking for trouble [laughs].
You were recently in a Space Jam commercial for Jordan and have talked fondly about the movie. Who was your favorite Looney Tunes character growing up?
You have to go with Bugs Bunny. He was classic. He had it going on. But you know who I really liked when I was younger? The Tasmanian Devil. He was a whirlwind and always wrecked shop.
What would you get Paul Pierce as a farewell gift?
A cane and some orthopedic shoes. But as a gag gift. He’s already got everything he needs. He’s got a ring. He’s going to be in the Hall of Fame. He’s got it all.
There’s plenty of roasting when it comes to Austin Rivers, like you posted a photo of Ali G congratulating him for re-signing with the Clippers. Has he ever gotten offended at one of your jokes?
For sure. I don’t want to say I’ve crossed the line, but—
—You’ve definitely crossed the line.
We all do [laughs].