Thank you, Blake Griffin
He put your childhood favorite on a poster. He put mine on one too.
If I was a GM in that draft I would have taken Blake over Steph, and so would you. No one could have known that the babyface assassin would change the game the way he has, but we did know Griffin was going to disrupt the league. That he would send shockwaves and give us poster dunk after poster dunk that looked anywhere from impossible to inexplicable, and he was everything we hoped for.
When debating his place among the best players to ever play the game some people will attempt to use Blake Griffin’s lack of an NBA championship against him. I would argue against that and believe he is indeed one of the best to play. To support that argument I will refer to something Carmelo Anthony once said about his own career: “he was a champion at life from the moment his name got called and he walked out on that draft stage, regardless of if he won an NBA championship.” NBA champion or not Griffin was an incredible success.
When talking about championships you have to realize that Blake Griffin was a part of 4 straight state championships in high school. Regardless of level, that is a spectacular achievement, as well as the beginning of a monumental career. From there he won Oklahoma Gatorade player of the year and would join his older brother Taylor at Oklahoma to play college hoops where he asserted his will on the entire NCAA.
As a freshman he earned the accolades of both all Big-12 rookie 1st team, and all Big-12 1st team voted by coaches and AP. Cue the golf clap because no one was shocked, but what is overlooked is the fact that Griffin fought through multiple injuries during the season including one that led to surgery. Blake was back on the court in weeks, quite simply they don’t make ‘em like Blake anymore. As for his second season how about 30 double doubles, a mark which was one short of David Robinson’ record of 31. He had 15 games of at least 20 Points and 15 rebounds. That kids, is what greatness is. He unanimously swept all 6 major collegiate awards that year and was selected as the 1st pick of the 2009 Draft.
Griffin missed his 1st season due to an injury, but bounced back the following year to win rookie of the year and by doing so he let the league know he meant business. People love to go crazy for a guy who puts up 20 PPG as a rookie which is truly phenomenal indeed, which makes it even more impressive that Blake Griffin averaged 22.5 PPG as a rookie, while also leading his team in scoring. Even today years later we are still arguing over if anyone has beat Blake’s rookie season since (maybe Wembanyama).
What Blake did after this was simply generational; Lob City changed the culture in the NBA when it took the league by storm. There was no dunker on this planet who was throwing down with the force and in the inexplicable fashion that this man was, no one. He DUNKED OVER A CAR. An actual Car. Griffin would go on to earn 5x All NBA selections over the course of his career, as well as 6 all-star selections. No one (eligible) has received five all-NBA selections without being elected to the hall of fame . I do not care about the years where he played 33 games in a season, or 25, or even 18.
He had injuries happen, bad luck happens, that doesn’t tarnish what he did during his time in the game and what he did for it. Blake Griffin is a first ballot hall of famer no doubt. From Blake Griffin and Chris Paul dueling Golden State, all the way to Blake carrying a dumpster fire Detroit team to the playoffs after being traded there. From accepting new roles in Brooklyn and Boston to being loved everywhere and respected and respected to the highest regard.
Blake Griffin never backed down from challenges and adversity, that adversity often being the ferocious fire he needed. Griffin’s game will long outlive his playing career, fans will remember his legacy long from now (as they should). You won Blake Griffin, you achieved a hall of fame career I think I speak with all fans of the game in saying congratulations Mr. Griffin and thanks for the jams.
-Samuel McCall
You can see my page on Instagram @cheers_and_boos
Photo Credits: CBS Sports
