Pistons mailbag: Are Griffin, Jackson past injuries being addressed?

Vince Ellis | Detroit Free Press

Show Caption Hide Caption Pistons' Blake Griffin eager to enter offseason healthy Detroit Pistons forward Blake Griffin fields questions from the media after shootaround on Friday, April 6, 2018, in Auburn Hills. Video by Vince Ellis/DFP

The health of Blake Griffin and Reggie Jackson is paramount to a successful season.

Not the first time you’ve read those words.

It won’t be the last.

This week’s mailbag — the final one of the offseason — will explore what the Detroit Pistons are doing to address injury prevention.

A new TV show and a rotation question rounds out the mailbag.

How's the health of Reggie and Blake? Any word on their summer regimens and what they are doing to avoid injury this season? — Jamie Butters (@MittenHawk) July 17, 2018

I’ve never heard of an unsuccessful surgery.

I’ve never heard a player having a bad offseason.

That means I will refrain from a health update on power forward Blake Griffin and point guard Reggie Jackson until I lay eyes on them in late September.

More: Pistons may lose frontcourt depth after Jon Leuer knee surgery

It would be pointless.

Just because they feel great now doesn’t mean they won’t get hurt this season or aches and pains won’t linger during the dog days of January.

So there isn’t a definitive answer to the question.

What the follower (former Free Press automotive editor Jamie Butters) really wants to know is should he feel optimistic over the health of Griffin and Jackson for the upcoming season.

I would say yes — but with some reservation.

Let’s review the concern.

Griffin, 29, was building a Hall of Fame resume’ until the injuries hit.

Almost every area of his body has suffered an injury and he hasn’t played 80 games since the 2013-14 season.

Last season, when he was acquired from the L.A. Clippers, he missed time with a knee injury, a concussion and was shut down for the last eight games with an ankle injury.

Jackson, 28, underwent a platelet-rich plasma treatment before the 2016-17 season and struggled physically and mentally.

And he missed 37 games last season with a severe right ankle sprain.

But there’s reason for optimism.

Both went into the offseason healthy and able to fully participate in regimens.

Griffin mentioned that a normal training summer was a determining factor when he weighed a return late last season.

“I’ve had to sit out a fair share of games,” Griffin said. “I hate sitting out. It’s not fun by any means, but I do understand, at this time of the year, being smart, making sure. I’m also looking forward to going into the offseason healthy for the first time in two years. That’s huge for me because the offseason is a big time for me to get work in, get better.”

Griffin participated at the Team USA minicamp last month in Las Vegas in trying to stake a spot on the national team for the 2020 Olympics.

That’s a sign of good health.

There were many images from the camp of Griffin, but this reminder of his age might have been the funniest.

Blake Griffin reflects on the @usabasketball dunk show that had young starts going wild 😂



(🎥 via @nba) pic.twitter.com/1yjCJa0mQf — Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) August 1, 2018

There hasn’t been much social media evidence of Jackson’s offseason regimen,

But we have seen references to his gaming escapades.

Had a blast testing out the game early. Appreciate the love #BlackOps4 “Good artist borrow, great artists steal. Missy Elliott” - @affioncrockett #BeanBagBoys #copycat @ Los Angeles,… https://t.co/P9ZmiKEbZP — Reggie Jackson (@Reggie_Jackson) August 10, 2018

And in an ode to his European origins, his love of soccer.

Though the World Cup may be over, I still need me some fútbol in my life. Thank you @intchampionscup for this @ManUtd v @LFC match in Ann Arbor #vivalafifa — Reggie Jackson (@Reggie_Jackson) July 20, 2018

But last year he was resting his knee to limit soreness during the season.

He’s been a full participant in the offseason workout program with new coach Dwane Casey giving rave reviews.

The summer participation helps with injury prevention with physical fitness being the top way to ward off catastrophe.

But the Pistons are doing more.

With an eye toward keeping Griffin and Jackson upright, senior adviser Ed Stefanski enlisted former Pistons strength and conditioning coach Arnie Kander to take a comprehensive look at the organization’s training and physical therapy methods.

The Free Press reported Kander was under consideration for a more formal role, but he will remain a consultant.

Kander, a former ballet dancer, is known for training regimens with an emphasis on stretching.

A medical director is expected to be hired.

Casey could also help.

It’s fair to say Avery Bradley, who was acquired last offseason, and Griffin were surprised at the length of former coach Stan Van Gundy’s practices.

Bradley, who was traded in the Griffin acquisition, cut his NBA teeth under Doc Rivers with the Boston Celtics. Griffin spent four full seasons with Rivers with the Clippers.

Rivers was one of the first to emphasize shorter, lighter practices to ensure full energy levels for games.

Players indicated they had dead legs — at times — under Van Gundy.

Sports scientists say fatigue can lead to injury.

With the Toronto Raptors, Casey has joined the trend of lighter, shorter practices.

But a word of caution.

Despite his reputation as a miracle worker, Kander has told many reporters that there is a luck factor when it comes to injuries.

The best bet for injury avoidance might be a little bit of this.

Did anyone catch Freeform's @CloakAndDagger among my fellow nerds on Twitter? I really liked the 10-episode arc. Two leads Aubrey Joseph and Olivia Holt have electric chemistry. Easy to watch. — Vince_Ells56 (@Vincent_Ellis56) August 6, 2018

I had low expectations for Freeform’s “Cloak & Dagger.”

Bit players in Marvel Comics’ Spider-Man title in the 80s, it’s not like the duo brought much recognition for comic book novices.

And a 50-year-old black man isn't exactly Freeform's target demographic.

But I’m a sucker for all products of Marvel’s entertainment wing and I'm familiar with the heroes' backstories.

I was intrigued enough to tune in for the early June debut.

I was hooked.

And I wasn’t only one.

Rotten Tomatoes gives the series a 90 percent score.

It’s the strongest Freeform debut in two years.

You can't keep your eyes off the two charismatic leads – Olivia Holt and Aubrey Joseph.

It also touches upon themes of race, class and mental health as no character in the series has anything close to an ideal life.

Recent Free Press apprentice Aja Gaines, who dropped this while working here, gushed over the series via text.

“It points out issues that we deal with in the world today such as race and police brutality,” Gaines wrote. “It gives us a unique view point of how to live in someone else’s shoes.”

Don’t trust the recommendation from a Detroit Cass Tech senior?

Nice show, loved Nawlins styling mysticism feel 2 — IdriysP... (@IdriysPierson) August 6, 2018

Very good show, wasn't quite as Free Formy/teenage angsty as I thought it would be which was good. — Rob Van Til (@rob_til) August 6, 2018

No surprise, the series has been picked up for a second season.

I recommend bingeing the first 10 episodes.

Can’t wait until Season 2.

Given Ellenson’s struggles, do you expect to see more of Johnson/GRIII at the 4 in small ball line-ups? Seems like Leuer might be our only legit backup big. — Matthew Crowe (@MatthewCrowe313) July 17, 2018

The most interesting training camp battle promises to be at small forward between Stanley Johnson and free agent acquisition Glenn Robinson III.

The players project to receive major minutes and an avenue to playing both simultaneously has come into focus.

The Pistons announced Thursday power forward Jon Leuer underwent knee surgery this week, making the follower’s question more relevant.

Disconcerting news since Leuer missed 73 games last season with an ankle injury that required surgery.

The team said it would have an update on Leuer shortly before the start of camp, which would appear to keep the possibility of a camp return in play.

Leuer is in line to be the first big man off the bench behind Griffin and center Andre Drummond.

But what if he is forced to miss significant time?

Third-year big man Henry Ellenson (who struggled during summer league) and free-agent signee Zaza Pachulia are the only other big men on the roster — although Griffin will see action at center.

Pistons summer league center Johnny Hamilton, a rookie from Texas-Arlington, reportedly will be on the training camp roster.

The league’s emphasis on smaller lineups with 3-point shooting would have created chances for Johnson and Robinson to play together without Leuer’s surgery.

Late-game situations where guarding the 3-point line is a priority is an easy call for a Johnson-Robinson lineup.

If Leuer is out for an extended period time, Casey could lean on the combination in heavier doses.

Some – thinking of Golden State’s Draymond Green – suggest Johnson’s best position could be at power forward.

That’s all for this week. See you next month.

Follow Vince Ellis on Twitter @vincent_ellis56. Download our Pistons Xtra app on iTunes or Android!