An All-American at the University of Oklahoma, Griffin was named the 2009 National College Player of the Year. His success with the Sooners landed him the First Overall Pick in the 2009 Draft, joining the Los Angeles Clippers. However, in what was then typical Clipper fashion, he missed the entirety of the 2009-10 season due to an injured kneecap. This setback was overcome, leading to one of the best rookie seasons of all time, as Griffin averaged 22.5 Points and 12.1 Rebounds per Game, ultimately winning the Rookie of the Year award unanimously. Griffin was also an All-Star for the first of five straight years.
Named to the All-NBA Second Team in both 2011-12 and 2012-13, Griffin now had Chris Paul as his Point Guard, and LOB City was formed. The Clippers were now contenders and made the playoffs every year (except his first) that Griffin was there. The Power Forward had his best year in Basketball in 2012-14, when he averaged 24.1 Points per Game and was third in MVP voting. Griffin was a Third Team All-NBA Selection the following season and was eighth in MVP voting.
As electric as the Griffin and Paul combination was, they never got past the second round. Paul was traded to the Houston Rockets in the 2017 off-season, and Griffin was traded during the year to Detroit. In that hybrid Clippers/Pistons year, Griffin had his last good season, earning Third-Team All-NBA honors and his sixth and final All-Star selection. Injuries mounted on Griffin, and gone were the jaw-dropping dunks and overpowering athleticism. He finished his career with Brooklyn and Boston, his last season being the 2022-23.
Griffin’s injuries may have derailed his career, but his early impact could be enough to gain a Hall of Fame induction.
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