Former NBA star forward Blake Griffin, who made his name as a high-flying and powerful forward with the Los Angeles Clippers, has announced his retirement.
“I never really envisioned myself as the guy who would have a ‘letter to basketball’ retirement announcement,” Griffin wrote on Instagram. “And I’m still not going to be that guy. But as I reflected on my career, the one feeling I kept coming back to and the one thing I wanted to express was thankfulness.
“I’m thankful for every single moment — not just the good ones: the wins, the awards, the dunks, and the memorable times spent with family, friends, fans, teammates, and coaches.. I could continue on about the people in my life who have contributed immensely to my career, but in this short non-letter, I have to acknowledge my parents, Tommy and Gail, and my brother, Taylor, for their unconditional support and guidance. Lastly, my agent Sam Goldfeder, who has been a steadfast voice of reason and my wartime consigliere — thank you.
“I am equally thankful for the not-so-good-moments: the losses, the injuries, the wayyyy too many surgeries, the lessons, the heartbreaks, and it wouldn’t be (a) sports retirement letter without acknowledging the ‘haters.’ All of these experiences made my 14 years in the league truly unforgettable, and I can’t help but to just feel thankful.
“The game of basketball has given me so much in this life, and I wouldn’t change a thing. Last but certainly not least, here comes the obligatory ‘I’m excited for my next chapter’ part: just kidding, I’m done.”
Griffin spent 14 years in the NBA after the Clippers selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. He sat out the first season with a knee injury but then bounced back to win Rookie of the Year. He won the dunk contest that season after slamming over a parked car.
Per ESPN:
“Playoff success eluded the Clippers, however, and Griffin was surprisingly traded to the Detroit Pistons during the 2018 season, just months after signing a five-year, $171 million extension with the Clippers.
“Griffin, 35, spent parts of the next four seasons in Detroit before being bought out during the 2020-21 season and signing with the Brooklyn Nets. He played last season for the Boston Celtics but averaged a career-low 4.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists while appearing in 41 games in a mostly reserve role.”
Griffin concluded his career with averages of Griffin averaged 19.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in 765 total regular season games.
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