Roller Coaster Ride of Blake Griffin's Career!

Blake Griffin Retirement!

What a roller coaster of a career Blake Griffin had! He is one of the most charismatic players in the league. He has one of the greatest dunk packages in basketball history. From his legendary poster on the likes of Pau Gasol and Kendrick Perkins. To dunking over the Kia, which won him the 2011 dunk contest. Making him the face of Kia at that time. Since his time at Oklahoma University, people knew that Blake would be the face of the league. His explosive skills and charm let him take over the league. He was on the cover of NBA 2K13. He was in Kia commercials. He hosted the ESPYs with Drake. He was in Jordan commercials and more. Brands could not keep their hands off of him. Not only was he a big deal off the court, but he was able to do the unthinkable on the court.

Blake Griffin turned the Clippers around. Before he came to the Los Angeles Clippers, they were an absolute joke and one of the worst teams to watch daily. They were getting overshadowed by the LA Lakers, who were winning champions and had one of the best players in the league in Kobe. No free agent wanted to come to the Clippers despite being in LA. Then, in 2009, the Clippers struck gold. They drafted one of the most charismatic players in NBA history. In a star-studded draft, this pick was a given. A generational player who was destined to be a multiple-time All-Star. In his rookie season, Blake Griffin missed the whole year, but once the 2010–11 season started, the league was headed for a treat!

Blake's rookie year was incredible. He averaged an impressive 22.5 points per game on 50 percent shooting. He got 12 rebounds and won Rookie of the Year. Griffin became one of the biggest names in the league as he became the face of Kia when he won the dunk contest. The future of LA seemed like it was no longer with the Lakers. Blake was becoming the hottest thing in the world. Also being one of 45 rookies to be an NBA All-Star. Despite having a shit record, the future was bright in LA. He had teammates like a young DeAndre Jordan and Eric Bledsoe. He also had veterans like Baron Davis and Mo Williams. Now the Clippers finally have a star, which led them to make a franchise-changing trade!

In 2011, the NBA had a lockout season. Fans had no clue if we were ever going to have an NBA season this year. But the news was still ringing of Chris Paul finding a new team. The rumor was that he was going to the Los Angeles Lakers to play with the late Kobe Bryant. But faith took a different turn. Becoming a teammate of Rookie of the Year winner Blake Griffin. The Clippers finally became Hollywood. They were able to get a star to join their franchise. Lob City was born. The Clippers became talk around town. They went to the playoffs as LA secured the fifth seed. Defeating Memphis in seven games and then losing in a gentlemanly sweep to San Antonio. Blake was able to secure another All-Star team. Earning himself his first All-NBA second team. Averaging 21 points, 11 rebounds, and 3.2 assists. The future was bright in LA.

It is the first year of the duo together. The future is exciting. At that time, Blake Griffin teamed up with one of the best point guards in the league. With some quality veterans who had experience winning in the past. LA seemed like a team that could compete with the likes of the Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs. But they underachieved. They earned a fourth seed. Then, the Memphis Grizzlies eliminated them in the first round. Despite a disappointing end to the season, Blake averaged 18 points per game on 48% shooting.

In the 2013 off-season, big moves were underway. Los Angeles made a franchise-changing move. Bringing in a championship coach in Doc Rivers. Everyone had the Clippers jump up in the rankings. Pairing a coach with his experience along with Blake Griffin and Chris Paul was a recipe for success. LA went on to make another big move by signing one of the best shooters in the world, JJ Redick. The Clippers looked stacked. They looked like they could compete for a title. With key contributions from role players Jamal Crawford, DeAndre Jordan, and Matt Barnes. But something ruined it all.

The tapes got leaked. Donald Sterling, the longtime owner of the LA Clippers, was exposed for being a racist. By his girlfriend at the time, V. Stiviano. It was the worst time of the year as they were facing the Stephen Curry-led Golden State Warriors. Nobody in the organization knew how to react. Players did not want to play in the series. An old racist ruined a great seven-game series between two upcoming teams. LA beat GSW but lost to the Thunder in the second round in 6.

The Clippers finally got new ownership. No more days of an incompetent owner who was looking to save money. LA now has Microsoft money. Steve Ballmer makes a big buy that will change the organization for the better. It seemed like the Lakers next door had some serious competition. The Clippers made the 3rd seed. Blake Griffin had one of his best seasons ever. Being third in the MVP race. Falling behind Kevin Durant and LeBron James. He was a top-five player in the league. Averaging 21.9 points per game, 7.6 rebounds per game, and 5 assists per game. Blake showed to be an all-around talent.

Blake Griffin was incredible in the 2015 NBA playoffs. The Clippers were able to pull off a huge victory. Defeating the reigning NBA Champions, the San Antonio Spurs. It seemed like there was nothing that could stop the LA from winning the championship. The franchise has struggled to do this for a long time. Then, in the second round, it all came down. The Clippers faced rising star James Harden and future Hall of Famer Dwight Howard. The Rockets, along with the Warriors and Clippers, were up-and-coming teams. The Clippers were up 3-1. Blake and CP seemed like they were going to cross the finish line. And then Josh Smith and Corey Brewer were able to carry their teams back in the series. LA's window closed after this series as the window started to close.

Things started to get tough for Blake Griffin. As he came into the league as a superstar. By this point, he was a five-time All-Star. A young star who was ready to take over the world. But injuries started to kick in. On Christmas Day, Blake Griffin tore his quad, which sidelined him. Along with getting into a fight in which he broke his hand. That year, Blake only played 35 games. The quad injury led him to be out in the playoffs against young Damian Lillard and the Trailblazers.

In the 2016-17 season, it seemed like the Clippers were no longer the juggernaut team out in the West. With Golden State Warriors that won a championship, now with the addition of Kevin Durant. Along with the rise of James Harden, who was on his way to be a future MVP. It left the Clippers behind. Then Blake got injured in the playoffs due to a toe injury. It was a great win for the young Jazz team led by Gordon Hayward and Rudy Gobert. It was the end of the chapter for the Clippers.

Chris Paul went on to join the Houston Rockets, teaming up with Blake's draft mate James Harden. In a sign-and-trade deal, the Clippers got Lou Williams and Patrick Beverley. Steve Ballmer and the Clippers had to keep their superstar. And they did one hell of a presentation. They gave him a presentation and a mock jersey retirement. It was to show that he is a lifelong Clipper. It worked. Danilo Gallinari and Montrezl Harrell were some of his new teammates. Blake was hooping early on in the season until he was out for eight weeks due to an MCL injury. The Clippers were not looking like a high seed, which then led to a big trade in the midseason.

At the start of 2018, a huge trade took place. Blake Griffin found himself in a blue-collar city, not the glitz and glamour he was used to. The Pistons secured a coveted franchise player they had sought. In exchange for Tobias Harris and Avery Bradley. Accompanying the likes of Andre Drummond, Reggie Jackson, and Ish Smith. It was a new era of the Blake Griffin story.

The 2018-19 season of Blake Griffin was incredible. He adopted Detroit as his new home. Dropping 50 points against the Sixers led by Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons was impressive. Then he went on to drop 44 points against his former team, the Clippers, and snubbed Ballmer in the process. It was a fun season, to say the least. Blake made his sixth All-Star selection. He made the All-NBA Third Team. It felt like Blake had finally grown and was able to take his game to another level. Before the playoffs, Blake dealt with an unfortunate injury. He got a knee injury at the end of the season. He carried the Pistons to the playoffs. But he only played one game against the Bucks, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo. As the Pistons were swept in four games, the crowd gave Blake a standing ovation.

The Pistons did not shake up their core in the 2019-20 season. Surrounding Blake with Andre Drummond, Reggie Jackson, and second-year player Bruce Brown. The biggest addition to the Pistons roster was former MVP Derrick Rose. Recovering from his knee injury, Blake only played 18 games. Having to do another surgery, Blake missed the whole season. The following season, Blake looked washed. No longer was he the sixth-time All-Star. He was averaging career lows of 12 points per game. It was heartbreaking to see him struggle to dunk, especially because he was known for his dunks. It was time for the Pistons and Blake to go their separate ways, which led to a buyout agreement.

Blake Griffin took his talent to Brooklyn. To join the big 3 of James Harden, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving. No longer was Griffin the All-Star player that he once was. LaMarcus Aldridge was another former All-Star on the team who became a role player. Blake was able to transform his game. He became a hustle player who would go out there and draw charges and play defense. He was able to thrive in this new role. His defense in the second round against Giannis was incredible. It seemed like Brooklyn would make a run at the finals. But James Harden and Kyrie got hurt and lost the series. The Bucks went on to win the finals, and the Nets had to collect themselves.

The following season, James Harden wanted out. He no longer wanted to play for the Brooklyn Nets, which led to the trade for Ben Simmons. There were also rumors at the time going around of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving wanting out. Blake Griffin also wasn't playing toward the end of the season. This indicated that he no longer had a future in Brooklyn.

The Boston Celtics added Blake Griffin for the locker room and a veteran role. He knew he was no longer the star of the team, but he was a good locker-room guy with experience. Playing next to Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who were both looking to win their first title. Sadly, the season ended with the Miami Heat beating the Celtics in the East finals. It went to seven games.

Blake Griffin did not sign with a team in the 2023 off-season. Yet he kept his options open, as he said he would only sign with the Celtics. Derrick White and Payton Pritchard did all they could to recruit the former All-Star. He was mentally retired and did not see a future in the league. Blake Griffin, in April of this year, announced his retirement after 14 years of playing in the NBA.

What a roller-coaster career Blake Griffin had! From his exciting dunks and posters, which put asses in the seats. Watching Blake play was an absolute pleasure. He was one of the most exciting players to watch night in and night out. His legendary posters are on Pau Gasol and Kendrick Perkins. They are from his time with the Clippers and his all-around game in Detroit. Blake was one of the most charismatic players of the 2010s. I see Blake having an incredible retirement. A player who deserves his jersey retired in LA may be a second-ballot Hall of Famer. One of the greatest dunkers the league has ever seen!

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