Newly minted Detroit Pistons forward Blake Griffin is doing his part to quell concerns about how he will adjust to life out east now that the ex-Clipper and longtime Los Angeles resident has officially arrived in the Motor City.
"I've just always been about going out and playing," Griffin said at Wednesday's introductory press conference. "(Being a star) is never really in my mind, not even in the back of my mind. Basketball is basketball at the end of the day. It's a game I've played my whole life, it's a game I love. I'm happiest when I'm playing basketball. Once I'm on the court, none of that stuff really bothers me, effects me."
In fact, Griffin sees some positives to moving to the Michigan outpost with a population below 700,000.
"I love the fact that this town embraces their athletes and they embrace their sports teams and they do have a great fan base for all sports," Griffin added. "That's very, very exciting to me, coming from a place like L.A. where there's a lot going on and sports aren't necessarily the biggest thing."
Apart from being far removed from the glitz and glam of Tinseltown, very little has changed in Griffin's approach. He still has his sights set on establishing his team among the very best in the league.
"(It's) a little colder," Griffin joked, referring to life in the Eastern Conference. "It's such a different look, but (there are) still very, very talented teams obviously with Boston (Celtics), Cleveland (Cavaliers), Toronto (Raptors), Washington (Wizards), and (what) all these teams are doing is impressive, but I look at it as a big opportunity for us to make a real push these next two-and-a-half months and really solidify ourselves in the Eastern Conference."
Related: Andre Drummond 'looking forward to building new empire' with Griffin
Griffin will make his debut with the Pistons on Thursday evening against the visiting Memphis Grizzlies.