Griffin retires after high-flying career

Blake Griffin announced his retirement on Tuesday after a 14-year career that included six All-Star selections, a Rookie of the Year award and a dunk contest victory.

Griffin said in a social media post that he's "thankful for every single moment" of his career. He was the No 1 overall pick by the Los Angeles Clippers out of Oklahoma in 2009. He missed his first season with a knee injury, but rebounded to earn the Rookie of the Year award in 2011, when he also won the All-Star Game dunk contest.

Alongside Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan, Griffin's high-flying plays rejuvenated the Clippers franchise and earned it the nickname "Lob City." He was traded to the Detroit Pistons during the 2018 season, as his ability to soar dwindled and injuries piled up.

"Blake was a big part of the turnaround here," said Tyronn Lue, the current Clippers coach, who was an assistant on the staff early in Griffin's LA career. "Blake was one of the most dynamic players we've seen in this league for a long time athletic-wise. One thing he doesn't get credit for is his passing ability. He had a great career."

Griffin was able to reinvent his game in Detroit with a reliable 3-point shot, and was selected for his sixth All-Star Game in the 2018-19 season. He averaged 24.5 points and 7.5 rebounds that season.

Griffin, 35, also had stints in Brooklyn and Boston. He did not play in the 2023-24 season.

He averaged 19.0 points and 8.0 rebounds in his career. He finished third in MVP voting behind Kevin Durant and LeBron James in the 2013-14 season.

"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," Griffin said in his Instagram post, thanking his family and agent, Sam Goldfeder.

"I am equally thankful for the not-so-good moments: the losses, the injuries, the way 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 just feel thankful."

Agencies via Xinhua