Blake Griffin isn’t interested in campaigning for his own jersey to hang in the rafters.
The former Clippers star made it clear in an interview with The Athletic that while he appreciates the respect that still follows him from Los Angeles, he’s not about to turn his jersey retirement case into a public push. Griffin said he still feels a strong connection to the organization and the people around it.
“I still have great relationships with the Clippers. So many fans, still to this day, that I used to see at games. I see them around town, whatever it is.”
Even so, he drew a hard line on how far he’ll go to make the case for No. 32.
“The jersey retirement thing, that’s a fan and an organization decision. I mean, more so an organization decision.
I’m not going to go picket outside of Intuit Dome like, ‘Retire 32!’ So, it’s a true honor when people do say that to me.
But like I said, that’s not my decision.”
Griffin’s place in Clippers history is secure. After missing the entire 2009-2010 season, he burst onto the scene in 2010-2011 and immediately became one of the franchise’s defining players. He won Rookie of the Year, then piled up the accolades from there: five All-Star selections, three All-NBA Second Team honors, and two All-NBA Third Team nods, plus one more All-NBA Third Team selection.
Across eight seasons with the Clippers, Griffin averaged 21.6 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 4.2 assists. He, Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan helped make the team one of the league’s biggest draws and a regular Western Conference contender, even if that group never got to the Western Conference Finals or the NBA Finals.
His Clippers run ended suddenly in 2018, when the team traded him to the Detroit Pistons.
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That leaves some uncertainty on both sides before the 7:30 p.m. PT tip, but Sacramentos backcourt situation is the one worth monitoring closest. Malik Monk is the questionable name after missing preseason and getting back to practice this week, and his status could shape how the Kings handle an opener that already comes with some rotation pressure. [Read more 🡒]
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The bigger issue for Detroit was how hard it was to keep him on the floor when the game tightened up. Collins had trouble with defensive switches and positioning, and J.B. Bickerstaff eventually turned to Javonte Green as the Pistons mounted their comeback. For Clippers fans, it was the kind of debut that made the separation look a lot easier to understand. [Read more 🡒]