After putting up a career-low average 5.5 points per contest in his first 17 games of the 2021-22 season, Blake Griffin has logged zero minutes in the Nets' past two matchups.
He is shooting a career-worst 31.8% from the field and 16.1% behind the arc.
It has been a rough go for Griffin, but head coach Steve Nash knew he had to make a move.
"Well, I feel for him," Nash said Monday, via ESPN. "That's not easy. You know it's tough when you go through a rough stretch of play and the world kind of caves in on you a little bit. I've been there and understand it. We have to give other guys an opportunity at this point."
Griffin admitted that he didn't expect to be completely out of the Nets' rotation, but understands the decision.
"As players it's our job to do whatever coaches see best," Griffin said. "So, at this point, that's what it is."
Adding to Griffin's benching is the play of LaMarcus Aldridge. After a brief retirement, Aldridge has seen a significant uptick in minutes in his last five games -- and rightfully so.
Aldridge has dropped double-digit points in 13 of 19 games played this year. He has five performances of at least 20 points. Aldridge is knocking down a career-high 58% of shots from the field.
Griffin said he has talked to former Nets teammate DeAndre Jordan about the situation, since he was in a similar one with Brooklyn last season.
"He did a really great job with it. I told him that," Griffin said. "That is how I am going to try to do it as well."
It cannot be easy for a six-time All-Star to not get time on the court, but Nash said Griffin has put forth a "great attitude."
"I really admire him for being positive through this and keeping himself ready so if his opportunity comes back, he can have an impact," Nash said.
"Just be a professional and do exactly what you are supposed to do," Griffin added. "It may sound like not good advice, but in this situation, everybody always needs to hear the right thing."
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