Blake Griffin, 6-Time NBA All-Star, Announces Retirement After 14-Year Career

Blake Griffin, a former No. 1 overall NBA draft pick and six-time All-Star, has announced his retirement from professional basketball after an illustrious 14-year career. Griffin, who was selected first overall by the LA Clippers in the 2009 draft, went on to have a successful tenure with the team, winning Rookie of the Year in 2010-11 and making five straight All-Star appearances.

Known for his high-flying dunks and alley-oop plays, Griffin helped transform the Clippers into the 'Lob City' era alongside Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan. Despite not achieving playoff success with the Clippers, Griffin had a productive career, averaging 19.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. He was named to the All-NBA Second Team three times and the Third Team twice.

Why this matters: Griffin's retirement marks the end of an era for one of the most exciting and dominant players of his generation in the NBA. His impact on the Clippers franchise and the league as a whole will be remembered for years to come.

After being traded to the Detroit Pistons in 2018, Griffin spent the final years of his career with the Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics before announcing his retirement on Tuesday. In his retirement announcement, Griffin expressed appreciation for both the good and challenging moments of his NBA journey.

"It's been a great ride and I've been very fortunate," Griffin said. "I've had a lot of great teammates, coaches, and staff members throughout my career. I'm proud of what I was able to accomplish on the court, but I'm even more proud of the relationships I built off of it."

Key Takeaways

• Blake Griffin, 6-time NBA All-Star, announces retirement after 14-year career.
• Griffin was the 2009 1st overall draft pick, won Rookie of the Year in 2010-11.
• Helped transform Clippers into 'Lob City' era with Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan.
• Spent final years with Pistons, Nets, and Celtics before retiring on Tuesday.
• Griffin expressed gratitude for his NBA journey and relationships built off the court.