Blake Griffin received a private jersey retirement ceremony toward the end of his time with the Clippers, honoring him as a lifelong Clippers at the time. That gesture of goodwill was undone pretty soon, as the franchise traded him to the Detroit Pistons a few months later. He reflected on that moment while speaking to Chandler Parson on Run It Back.
“We walked into the Staples Center and they did a whole ceremony. I watched the jersey go up in the rafters and then four months later, I was buying winter clothes.”
Did the #Clippers really have a fake retirement ceremony for @blakegriffin23? 🤣
Yes. Yes they did. pic.twitter.com/OkeU1RXhxj
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) May 16, 2024
Griffin is one of the biggest legends of the Clippers, being drafted by them in 2009 and enjoying a 9-year stint with them where he averaged 21.6 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 4.2 assists. He made five All-Star and four All-NBA teams in this stretch, forming an incredible partnership with Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan to form ‘Lob City.’
This era of the Clippers was must-watch TV but never made it past the second round of the Playoffs. They were split up when Paul was traded to the Rockets in 2017 before Griffin made his way to Detroit in 2018. Jordan also left the franchise in 2018.
This era of Clippers’ hoops might not have brought championship glory, but it set the seeds for their modern era where they are perennial playoff threats. Griffin built the franchise’s modern reputation and will always be considered a franchise icon.
Blake Griffin Would Love To Get His Jersey Retired By The Clippers
Blake Griffin is the first true franchise star the Clippers could depend on to bring the franchise success, especially in the modern era. While he didn’t bring the Clippers a title or even a Conference Finals appearance, he would love to see the franchise retire his jersey.
“It would be a huge honor. I wouldn’t turn that down. But in my mind, I don’t know that I do necessarily deserve it, I haven’t had any conversations about it. We ultimately didn’t accomplish what we wanted.”
Griffin understands his accomplishments fall short, but given the importance of his time to the franchise, he would be elated to accept them.
“You do see it nowadays, jerseys getting retired if you spend a long time, Vince is getting his number retired with the Nets, you do see it. It’s not something I’d say I’m expecting If it happens, it’s awesome. It’s a huge honor and I greatly appreciate it.”
Blake Griffin on potentially getting his jersey retired by the Clippers:
“It’s obviously a huge honor. I wouldn’t turn that down… If it happens, that’s awesome. It’s a huge honor and I’d greatly appreciate it.”
🎥: @RunItBackFDTV
pic.twitter.com/xrMBikbte6
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) May 16, 2024
The Clippers are one of two NBA franchises that have no retired jerseys. The Raptors are expected to make Kyle Lowry the first retired number in franchise history, but he was the starting point guard for their 2019 title. The Clippers are still looking to make their first NBA Finals.
Kawhi Leonard hasn’t achieved anything in LA, with Paul George being the one who led them to their maiden Conference Finals appearance in 2021. Even with that, Griffin still would qualify as a more relevant franchise legend than either. Unless they’re waiting for their first title, Griffin seems like the most obvious choice for a jersey retirement.
Blake Griffin Dismiss Rumors About Him And Chris Paul
Griffin’s dominance in LA was facilitated by point guard Chris Paul, as Paul had some of the best seasons of his career alongside Griffin on the Clippers. By the time the pair split up, it was widely reported that they had personally fallen out as well. Griffin dismissed those rumors and referred to them as narratives.
“Once we went our separate ways, first time I played against JJ, we got into it. The first time I played against CP, we got into it. It just happens… It’s a narrative, and what’s the better story? ‘Oh these guys hate each other’ or ‘Yeah, they’re great guys and they all get along, they just didn’t win.’ That’s not a story.”
Blake Griffin puts the rumors to rest that him and CP3 don't get along ⬇️@blakegriffin23: "It's a narrative, and what's the better story—'Oh these guys hate each other' or 'yeah they're great guys and they all get along, they just didn't win.'. That's not a story." pic.twitter.com/cHCukTdyuY
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) May 16, 2024
There was definitely bad blood between Griffin and Paul after their time with the Clippers ended, as indicated by the infamous incident when police had to be called to be around the locker room because Chris Paul and Griffin got into it when Paul was playing for the Rockets. Locker room issues are often cited as the main reason why the Clippers with Griffin and Paul couldn’t succeed.
Paul averaged 18.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 9.8 assists in six seasons for the Clippers. This franchise’s history and Griffin’s history cannot be told without Paul, so he could also be a candidate for a jersey retirement, though not as strongly as Griffin.
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