The Griffin Brothers Are All Grown Up

The image is imprinted in my mind. Our Lord's Community Church in Oklahoma City, 10 or so years ago. When families would come forward for communion, Tommy Griffin would always walk behind his two young boys, Taylor and Blake, with a hand on each boy's shoulder. I remember having the distinct impression that the father in this family had struck just the right balance: firm (without being dictatorial) yet loving (without being permissive). In any case, I knew for certain that this was one dad who, shall we say, had the situation under control.

I was reminded of this again today when reading a great article by Dana O'Neil on ESPN.com ('Griffin's return to Oklahoma has Sooners looking for title').

For most of his life, [Blake] Griffin was Taylor's little brother, Little Griffin.

"I followed him everywhere," Blake said. "I was always trying to catch up after him or go with him."

The two spent an unusual amount of time together. Miserable at her job and tired of dropping her boys off at day care, Gail Griffin decided to homeschool her children, teaching them from first grade until Taylor was in the tenth grade and Blake was in eighth. From there, both attended Oklahoma Christian School in Edmond, where more familial love awaited. Their dad, Tommy, was the basketball coach.

Most days, all the togetherness was good.

But sometimes, not so much. Driveway hoop games and just about anything that involved a scorecard often ended in a scrum after Blake grew frustrated that his bigger, older brother could beat him. Taylor remembered the time that Blake, angry that Taylor wanted to watch TV instead of play, broke his glasses -- while they were still on Taylor's face.

"I'm not saying it was an absolute joyride every day, but I absolutely treasured being with them," Gail said of the homeschooling. "Taylor, being the older one, was a self-starter and very diligent, and Blake just naturally followed suit. Blake was more the one who wanted to hurry, hurry so he could go outside and climb a tree, but they were both pretty good about it."

As it happens, Lincoln and I got to attend OU's practice today (Lincoln's 16th birthday), and I snapped this photo of Lincoln with the future NBA first-round pick. I also chatted briefly with Gail, and she was glad to hear that Susie is still homeschooling.