Eastern Conference scout on Blake Griffin's biggest first-half feat

"Blake has energized Baron Davis. He's gotten Baron to want to play again. And when Baron wants to play, he's a really good player. He's engaged now and that's made all the difference [for the Clippers]. They have great finishers and Baron puts them in position to make plays. I wondered how [Eric] Gordon and Baron were going to be able to share the ball, because they both need the ball in their hands, but it seems like they've figured out a way to co-exist. Baron seems to be OK with being more of a set-up guy [than he's been].

"I'll be the first guy to say that I didn't give Kevin Love enough respect. He's a much better all-around player than I thought. But if I can only pick one for the All-Star Game, it's got to be Blake. The game's in L.A. He's the rookie of the year. And he has the best kind of game for an All-Star Game to make TV viewers and fans in the crowd and Mr. Stern happy.

"Vinny Del Negro went from Derrick Rose to Blake Griffin ... not a bad deal."