On Tuesday, six-time All-Star forward Blake Griffin bid farewell to his NBA career, marking the end of a remarkable journey that began when he was drafted first overall by the LA Clippers from Oklahoma in 2009. His early years with the Clippers faced adversity when he suffered a left knee patella injury during preseason, but Griffin bounced back to claim the 2010-11 Rookie of the Year Award and embark on a streak of five consecutive All-Star appearances.
His electrifying dunks, notably over a parked car during the Slam Dunk Contest that season, became iconic symbols of the Clippers’ rise to prominence, especially with the addition of Chris Paul in the 2011-12 season, ushering in the Lob City era.
Despite their regular-season success, playoff triumphs remained elusive for Griffin and the Clippers. In a surprising move, he was traded to the Detroit Pistons in 2018, shortly after signing a lucrative contract extension. Griffin spent parts of the next four seasons in Detroit before a buyout in the 2020-21 season led him to join the Brooklyn Nets. A subsequent stint with the Boston Celtics saw diminished playing time and production, yet Griffin expressed gratitude for his NBA journey in a reflective Instagram post.
Griffin’s career zenith came in the 2013-14 season, where he notched career-best averages of 24.1 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists, earning him a third-place finish in MVP voting behind Kevin Durant and LeBron James. Throughout his 14-year career, Griffin maintained averages of 19.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists, garnering multiple All-NBA team selections.
As he bids farewell to the hardwood, Griffin leaves behind a legacy of athleticism, resilience, and gratitude for the experiences garnered throughout his NBA tenure.
