Blake Griffin announced his retirement on Tuesday after an impressive 14-year career in the NBA. During his time in the league, he achieved numerous accolades, including six All-Star selections, Rookie of the Year honors, and a dunk contest victory. Griffin expressed his appreciation for every moment of his career in a heartfelt social media post.
Selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Los Angeles Clippers in 2009, Griffin faced adversity early on with a knee injury that kept him out of his first season. However, he bounced back and was named the Rookie of the Year in 2011, showcasing his skills in the All-Star Game dunk contest. Alongside teammates Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan, Griffin’s electrifying dunks and plays helped revitalize the Clippers franchise, earning them the nickname “Lob City.”
As Griffin’s athleticism declined and injuries began to take a toll, he was traded to the Detroit Pistons during the 2018 season. Despite these challenges, he adapted his game to incorporate a reliable 3-point shot and earned his sixth All-Star Game selection in the 2018-19 season. He averaged 24.5 points and 7.5 rebounds that season. Griffin also had stints with the Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics before ultimately deciding to retire.
Throughout his career, Griffin averaged an impressive 19.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. He finished third in MVP voting in the 2013-14 season, behind Kevin Durant and LeBron James. In his retirement announcement, Griffin expressed gratitude for both the highs and lows of his career, including