Blake Griffin was a paradoxical figure during his peak years in the NBA. In the 2013-14 season, he was ranked third in the MVP voting, considered the third-best player in the league behind Kevin Durant and LeBron James.
During his time with the Clippers, he was consistently viewed as among the top 10 to 15 players, being named to the All-NBA Second Team three times and the Third Team once.
Despite these accolades, the Clippers never reached the Western Conference Finals with Griffin, Chris Paul, and DeAndre Jordan leading the team. Griffin bore significant expectations but often fell short in crucial moments, failing to deliver game-changing plays. He did not excel in isolation plays in the low post; instead, he worked on expanding his shooting, dribbling, and passing skills. Even though he improved these areas, it wasn’t enough to significantly alter the Clippers’ fortunes.
Griffin announced his retirement via Instagram, expressing gratitude rather than nostalgia. Drafted first overall by the Clippers in 2009, he missed his first season due to a knee surgery but played until 2023, ending his career with the Boston Celtics. Over 13 seasons, Griffin became a six-time All-Star and was selected five times to the All-NBA Teams, averaging 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists per game.
Known for his explosive dunks, Griffin was a highlight reel staple, famously dunking over several prominent centers. Yet, he wasn’t a dominant rebounder, averaging double-digit rebounds only in his first two seasons, and he shot 49.3 percent from the field overall. More than just a scorer, Griffin was often the playmaker, evidenced by his average of four assists per game.
The Clippers traded him to the Detroit Pistons in 2018 shortly after signing him to a significant contract extension. He made the All-Star Game and the All-NBA Third Team in the 2018-19 season, his final appearances in these honors. A knee injury before the playoffs that year marked a decline in his performance, eventually transitioning him to a role player with the Nets and Celtics.
Tyronn Lue, current Clippers head coach, praised Griffin for his dynamic athleticism and underrated passing skills, acknowledging his significant impact on the team and the league.
