In a move that will send shockwaves through the NBA community, six-time All-Star forward Blake Griffin has announced his retirement from professional basketball. The announcement, made on Tuesday, brings the curtain down on a 14-year career that saw Griffin establish himself as one of the most dynamic and electrifying players of his generation.
Selected with the first overall pick by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2009 NBA Draft, Griffin’s path to the top was not without its challenges. His rookie season was derailed by a devastating knee injury suffered during the preseason, but the young forward refused to be deterred, bouncing back the following year to claim the Rookie of the Year award and secure the first of his five consecutive All-Star selections.
“Griffin was selected first overall by the LA Clippers out of Oklahoma in the 2009 draft,” the report states. “His time in Los Angeles got off to a rough start, as he broke the patella in his left knee during the preseason.”
It was during those early years with the Clippers that Griffin truly made his mark on the league, becoming the face of a franchise on the rise and captivating fans with his jaw-dropping athleticism and rim-rattling dunks. His partnership with point guard Chris Paul and center DeAndre Jordan transformed the Clippers into the famed ‘Lob City’ era, ushering in the most successful period in the team’s history.
“His high-flying highlights became the calling card of the Clippers, who really took off in the 2011-12 season with the addition of point guard Chris Paul,” the report explains. “The acquisition of Paul and his penchant for alley-oop passes to Griffin and center DeAndre Jordan transformed the Clippers into Lob City, and ushered in the most successful era in franchise history.”
Despite the individual accolades and the team’s regular-season success, however, the elusive quest for an NBA championship remained unfulfilled. The Clippers repeatedly fell short in the playoffs, leaving Griffin and his teammates frustrated and searching for answers.
“Playoff success eluded the Clippers, however, and Griffin was surprisingly traded to the Detroit Pistons during the 2018 season, just months after signing a five-year, $171 million extension with the Clippers,” the report notes.
The trade to Detroit marked a significant turning point in Griffin’s career, as he sought to reestablish himself as a dominant force while leading a rebuilding franchise. He would spend the next four seasons with the Pistons, showcasing his versatility and playmaking skills, before securing a buyout and signing with the Brooklyn Nets in 2020.
“Griffin, 35, spent parts of the next four seasons in Detroit before being bought out during the 2020-21 season and signing with the Brooklyn Nets,” the report states. “He played last season for the Boston Celtics but averaged a career-low 4.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists while appearing in 41 games in a mostly reserve role.”
Despite the ups and downs of his later career, Griffin remained focused on his gratitude for the opportunity to play in the NBA. In his retirement announcement, he reflected on the memories and experiences that made his 14-year journey truly unforgettable.
“All of these experiences made my 14 years in the league truly unforgettable and I can’t help but to just feel thankful,” Griffin said in his Instagram post.
Griffin’s best individual season came in 2013-14, when he averaged a career-high 24.1 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists, and finished third in the MVP voting behind Kevin Durant and LeBron James. Over the course of his career, he averaged an impressive 19.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game, earning three second-team and two third-team All-NBA selections.
“Griffin’s best season was the 2013-14 campaign, when he averaged 24.1 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists, and finished third in MVP voting behind Kevin Durant and LeBron James,” the report highlights. “For his career, Griffin averaged 19.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists. He was named second-team All-NBA three times and third-team All-NBA twice.”
While his individual accomplishments speak for themselves, Griffin’s lasting legacy will be the indelible mark he left on the game of basketball. His electrifying style of play, combined with his passing prowess and court vision, made him a true unicorn in the modern NBA landscape.
“One thing he doesn’t get credit for is his passing ability,” said current Clippers coach Tyronn Lue, who was an assistant during Griffin’s time in Los Angeles. “He had a great career.”
As the basketball world mourns the end of an era, Griffin’s retirement will undoubtedly spark conversations about his place among the all-time greats. While he may not have achieved the ultimate team success, his impact on the game and the memories he provided for fans will ensure that his name is etched in the annals of NBA history.
The news of Griffin’s retirement comes at a time when the league is in a state of flux, with several iconic players either nearing the end of their careers or already having hung up their sneakers. The departure of such a transformative talent as Griffin only serves to highlight the constantly evolving landscape of the NBA, and the need for the next generation of superstars to step up and carry the torch.
As the basketball community bids farewell to one of the game’s most electrifying players, the focus now turns to the future, where a new crop of young stars will undoubtedly emerge to capture the hearts and minds of fans around the world. But for those who witnessed the explosive brilliance of Blake Griffin in his prime, the memories will remain indelible, a testament to the enduring power of the sport and the impact of its greatest practitioners.
