Nets aren't worried about Blake Griffin's slow start to season

In many ways, Blake Griffin was the heart and soul of the Nets last season.

Griffin’s willingness to do anything the team needed — defend Giannis Antetokounmpo, dive for loose balls and even throw down a few dunks so ferocious that it looked like he had stepped into a time machine — made him an incredibly valuable role player alongside the Nets Big 3 of Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving.

This year, however, has been a bit of a struggle for the 32-year-old.

Through six games this season, all starts, Griffin has averaged just 4.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and shot 28.6% in 20 minutes of play. He has yet to score in double figures. His best game of the season was an eight-point, five-rebound performance Sunday against the Detroit Pistons team he used to play for.

Yet, those around Griffin are not worried about his slow start.

"We all struggle at some point during the season," Nets teammate Paul Millsap said after practice on Tuesday. "You know, good for him that it’s early. You can always bounce back from bad shooting, you know.

"What I love about Blake is his defense and discipline. Always in the right spot. The shots are going to come, you know. His skill level and his IQ are what really matter."

Nets coach Steve Nash said before that Pistons game that there is no plan to start anyone else in place of Griffin, even though LaMarcus Aldridge is shooting a team high 68% from the field while averaging 12.7 points off the bench.

"We’re really not thinking about changing roles," Nash said. "BG’s been successful there for us in the past, and LaMarcus is successful coming off the bench right now. So there’s no reason to make any big changes."

Notes & quotes: Gov. Kathy Hochul held a COVID-19 briefing at the Barclays Center Tuesday with some of the members of the Liberty and Nets organizations in attendance. Hochul said those who get vaccinated at the Barclays Center/Modell’s site will get two free tickets to a home game . . . Nash, who knows a little something about being a little man playing a big man’s game, has some pretty strong praise for Atlanta guard Trae Young, whom the Nets play Wednesday. "Incredible player. He can score at all three levels, he’s a creative scorer, has incredible vision as well. He is kind of able to solve as many problems as you could ask for from a player of his size." . . . Nic Claxton, who has an unspecified illness that is not COVID-19 related, will not play against the Hawks. Steve Nash said he'd be out seven to 10 days with an illness more severe than the Nets originally thought.

By Barbara Barker

barbara.barker@newsday.commeanbarb

Barbara Barker is an award-winning columnist and features writer in the sports department at Newsday. She has covered sports in New York for more than 20 years.