Blake Griffin introduced his retirement Tuesday after a 14-year profession that included six All-Star picks, Rookie of the Yr honors and a dunk contest victory.
Griffin mentioned in a social media submit that he is “grateful for each single second” of his profession. He was the No. 1 general choose by the Los Angeles Clippers out of Oklahoma in 2009. He missed his first season with a knee harm, however rebounded to earn the Rookie of the Yr award in 2011, when he additionally gained the All-Star Recreation dunk contest.
Alongside Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan, Griffin’s high-flying performs rejuvenated the Clippers franchise and earned it the nickname “Lob Metropolis.” He was traded to the Detroit Pistons in the course of the 2018 season as his capacity to soar dwindled and accidents piled up.
“Blake was an enormous a part of the turnaround right here,” mentioned Tyronn Lue, the present Clippers coach who was an assistant on the employees early in Griffin’s LA profession. “Blake was some of the dynamic gamers we have seen on this league for a very long time so far as athletic-wise. One factor he would not get credit score for is his passing capacity. He had a fantastic profession.”
Griffin was in a position to reinvent his recreation in Detroit with a dependable 3-point shot and was chosen for his sixth All-Star Recreation within the 2018-19 season. He averaged 24.5 factors and seven.5 rebounds that season.
Griffin, 35, additionally had stints in Brooklyn and Boston. He didn’t play within the 2023-24 season.
He averaged 19.0 factors and eight.0 rebounds in his profession. He completed third in MVP voting behind Kevin Durant and LeBron James within the 2013-14 season.
“I am grateful for each single second – not simply the great ones: the wins, the awards, the dunks, and the memorable instances spent with household, pals, followers, teammates and coaches,” Griffin mentioned in his Instagram submit, thanking his household and agent, Sam Goldfeder. “I’m equally grateful for the not-so-good moments: the losses, the accidents, the wayyyy too many surgical procedures, the teachings, the heartbreaks, and it would not be sports activities retirement letter with out acknowledging the ‘haters.’
“All of those experiences made my 14 years within the league actually unforgettable, and I am unable to assist however simply really feel grateful.”
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