Blake Griffin retires after a high-flying 14-year NBA career

Blake Griffin introduced his retirement Tuesday after a 14-year profession that included six All-Star picks, Rookie of the 12 months honors and a dunk contest victory.

Griffin mentioned in a social media publish that he’s “grateful for each single second” of his profession. He was the No. 1 total decide 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 12 months award in 2011, when he additionally received the All-Star Sport 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 throughout 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 workers early in Griffin’s LA profession. “Blake was one of the crucial dynamic gamers we’ve seen on this league for a very long time so far as athletic-wise. One factor he doesn’t get credit score for is his passing capacity. He had an excellent profession.”

Griffin was capable of reinvent his sport in Detroit with a dependable 3-point shot and was chosen for his sixth All-Star Sport 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’m grateful for each single second — not simply the great ones: the wins, the awards, the dunks, and the memorable instances spent with household, buddies, followers, teammates and coaches,” Griffin mentioned in his Instagram publish, 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 wouldn’t be sports activities retirement letter with out acknowledging the ‘haters.’

“All of those experiences made my 14 years within the league really unforgettable, and I can’t assist however simply really feel grateful.”

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AP Sports activities Author Beth Harris in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

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