Rowan Kavner

PLAYA VISTA, Calif. – As the Team USA athletes wrapped up a day of minicamp practice last week, proceeding to shuffle over for interviews or to get iced up, Blake Griffin still stood above the key putting up jumpers.

Most of those jumpers came from the perimeter, routinely shooting from the top of the key and behind the 3-point line. With Griffin expanding his range last season, the power forward went 40 percent on his 25 3-point attempts last season. He also shot a career-high 72.8 percent from the free-throw line and a career-high 38.8 percent on jumpers.

Griffin talked to a group of reporters about what he’s been working on as the season draws closer, how his summer’s gone and his Team USA experience while in Las Vegas.

So should we expect more 3-point attempts this year?

BG: “I said this last year, and it wasn’t like a focal point for me, but I shoot some just to practice some. That kind of blew up. So no, not really. I mean, yeah, I shoot threes, but that’s not my game. But I’m always going to work on trying to expand.”

What’s your summer been like?

BG: “Just working out, that’s really been about it. Taking care of stuff here and there, but that’s about it.”

What have you been focused on adding to your game?

BG: “Still continuing a lot of work with my shot. A lot of face-up stuff, a lot of stuff off the dribble, one-dribble, getting away, creating space for myself. Still working a lot at the free-throw line, in the post, catch-and-shoots, space-up, post, elbow, top of the key. Just in my areas, getting into the middle, making plays, making floaters, hooks, all that stuff.”

What would a gold medal mean compared to an NBA title?

BG: “You play basketball, the ultimate goal is to win the ultimate honor. When you’re playing the Olympics, the ultimate honor’s a gold medal. When you’re playing in the league, the ultimate goal is to win a championship. It’s not something I would compare…You want both. Why not be greedy?

“I think each situation is different. You’re playing on your NBA team with guys for 82 games. The regular season, you’re going through that grind. Everything has to come together. Every experience is different.”

What would it mean to be selected to Team USA for the 2016 Olympics?

BG: “It would mean a lot. It’s an honor. Missed out a couple times…Definitely the 2012 Olympics, I definitely missed that.”