Taylor Griffin has been all over the globe playing the game that he loves, but this year is the first time in his career that he's played back-to-back seasons with the same squad.
"It's actually nice, since college this is my first team to be on back-to-back seasons with the same coach and same system," said Griffin. "So it's actually nice coming in like that."
After starting off his career with the Phoenix Suns in the NBA he has traveled as far as Belgium to play for Belgacom Liège Basket, but his shot to make it back to the NBA is getting closer with his stellar play so far in the season.
Griffin is almost averaging a double-double with 13.6 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. He's also started all but one of the Warriors first seven games. So after bouncing around to different teams throughout the years why is he excelling in head coach Nate Bjorkgren's system this year? Bjorkgren said it's simple.
"He's been playing his role in a nice way. He's been playing with confidence. He's been rebounding the ball really well and he cares about the game and he wants to get better."
Another reason that Taylor is making a much bigger impact this season is his position change from the small forward, or three, to the power forward, or the four.
"I like the way Nate uses the four man on his team and I think it will be good for me," said Griffin.
Because of the change he has been able to use his athletic ability and quickness against bigger but slower defenders. The offense has also allowed Griffin to show his mid-range game off of pick and rolls.
His best streak of games were against the Los Angeles D-Fenders where he recorded 22 points and 13 rebounds in one game and 18 points and 15 rebounds the next. Although he did record a stinker just two games ago against the Idaho Stampede where he shot a dismal 0-9 and grabbed only five rebounds, the very next game he was back in form putting up 16 points and eight rebounds.
His defense has also improved and his energy is "non-stop" said Bjorkgren. At times Griffin has been dominant on both defense and offense. If Griffin can continuously repeat the effort he had against the D-Fenders when he scored 22 points, hauled in 13 rebounds and blocked three shots.
"I just want to keep duplicating that, I think we've played well as a team," said Griffin. "I feel like we're at a good place as a team right now."
Next up for Griffin and the rest of the Warriors is the Bakersfield Jam who they faced earlier this year. He just missed reaching his average numbers with 12 points and 8 rebounds in the Warriors loss.
