Blake Griffin announces retirement from NBA after 14 years

Six-time All-Star ahead Blake Griffin introduced his retirement from the NBA on Tuesday.

Griffin was chosen first general by the LA Clippers out of Oklahoma within the 2009 draft. His time in Los Angeles obtained off to a tough begin, as he broke the patella in his left knee throughout the preseason.

Griffin got here again the next season and gained the 2010-11 Rookie of the 12 months Award and made the primary of 5 straight All-Star appearances. He additionally gained the Slam Dunk Contest that season after slamming over a parked automotive.

His high-flying highlights grew to become the calling card of the Clippers, who actually took off within the 2011-12 season with the addition of level guard Chris Paul.

The acquisition of Paul and his penchant for alley-oop passes to Griffin and middle DeAndre Jordan reworked the Clippers into Lob Metropolis, and ushered in probably the most profitable period in franchise historical past.

“Blake was a giant a part of the turnaround right here,” mentioned Tyronn Lue, the present Clippers coach who was an assistant on the workers early in Griffin’s L.A. profession. “Blake was one of the vital 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 means. He had an excellent profession.”

Playoff success eluded the Clippers, nonetheless, and Griffin was surprisingly traded to the Detroit Pistons throughout the 2018 season, simply months after signing a five-year, $171 million extension with the Clippers.

Griffin, 35, spent elements of the following 4 seasons in Detroit earlier than being purchased out throughout the 2020-21 season and signing with the Brooklyn Nets. He performed final season for the Boston Celtics however averaged a career-low 4.1 factors, 3.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists whereas showing in 41 video games in a largely reserve function.

Regardless of the ups and downs of his profession, Griffin repeatedly mentioned in his Instagram publish that he was grateful for his NBA life.

“All of those experiences made my 14 years within the league actually unforgettable and I am unable to assist however to simply really feel grateful,” Griffin mentioned.

Griffin’s finest season was the 2013-14 marketing campaign, when he averaged 24.1 factors, 9.5 rebounds and three.9 assists, and completed third in MVP voting behind Kevin Durant and LeBron James.

For his profession, Griffin averaged 19.0 factors, 8.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists. He was named second-team All-NBA 3 times and third-team All-NBA twice.