OU basketball: Blake defends Capel
Blake Griffin, as expected, came to Jeff Capel’s defense. But what’s most interesting about Blake’s support of Capel is that in terms of media, it was Blake generated.
Now with the Los Angeles Clippers, Griffin reached to espn.com to voice his displeasure with the Sooners’ decision to release Capel from his contract. Here’s the story.
Griffin dispells the notion that he would have gone to OU no matter what.
“As soon as he got the job he started recruiting me, and we were in it together,” Griffin said. “When I committed to Oklahoma, it wasn’t a popular thing to do at the time, but I went because of Coach Capel. We all take pride in what we did there and what we built, and for them to turn their backs on him so quickly, it really disappoints me.”
That speaks very highly of Capel, not so much Griffin’s words, which are pretty typical for a guy defending his coach, but that Griffin would go out of his way to instigate the interview.
Of course, Griffin is misguided in his belief that Capel was treated unfairly. The OU hoops fall was historic in depth. Back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since 1967. An alarming lack of talent. An NCAA investigation. Well, that’s been well covered.
That’s why a basketball player plays and an athletic director decides. Different jobs to do.
But Griffin’s loyalty to Capel is admirable and telling. Griffin tells espn.com he doesn’t plan to let this decision affect his feelings or relationship with OU. I hope that’s the case.
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