It is arduous for the Detroit Pistons to overlook what Blake Griffin delivered to the desk in the course of the 2018-2019 NBA season. Throughout his first full season in Detroit, Griffin produced a career-high 25 factors per sport in 75 video games. That 12 months, the Pistons reached the playoffs, a tough state of affairs to acquire in latest seasons.
When Detroit optioned Griffin’s providers in 2018, they parted methods with Avery Bradley, Tobias Harris, Boban Marjanovic and draft picks. On the time, Griffin was a multi-time All-Star coming from the Los Angeles Clippers, the place he was known as up because the No. 1 choose in 2009.
Not too long ago, Griffin formally introduced his retirement from the NBA at age 35. After concluding a profession with the Boston Celtics in 2023 and going unsigned final 12 months, the previous Pistons ahead determined it was time after seeing the court docket for 41 video games two years in the past.
Wanting again on Griffin’s tenure as a participant, former NBA champion and former All-Star, DeAndre Jordan talked about that he thought Griffin left the sport as an underrated former participant. He defined why on Paul George’sPodcast P.’
“He doesn’t get the credit score he deserves,” Jordan stated. “I discovered it unbelievable how his sport was in a position to adapt all through his profession. When he first got here in, he was a dunker and a playmaker, however then when accidents began affecting him, he thought, “I may nonetheless dunk on [you]however I will work on my 15-footer, my 18-footer, my three, I will work on my ball dealing with so I can grow to be a dominant striker. If Blake had been in his prime proper now, he would earn $500 million.”
Throughout his time as a Clipper, Griffin was some of the explosive gamers within the NBA. Missing a three-point shot popping out of school, the high-flying ahead relied closely on his potential to attain on the rim. Through the fifth 12 months, he expanded his vary. From that time on, Griffin turned extra versatile and extra harmful to defenses.
Though Griffin’s transfer to Detroit did not give the Pistons the long-term enhance they had been hoping for because the veteran ahead started coping with important damage points, Jordan famous that the six-time All-Star with the Pistons tends to be forgotten.
“You concentrate on Blake, they usually had been like, ‘Is he going to Detroit?’ Positive, they’re going to overlook about Blake Griffin there. He went there and led them to the playoffs, he was an All-Star there, he shot the [expletive] off the ball on three. He was the chief of this crew,” completed the veteran. “I believe it’s undoubtedly ignored.”
“If Blake was in his prime proper now, he can be making $500 million.”
DeAndre Jordan explains why Blake Griffin’s sport would translate completely into immediately’s NBA pic.twitter.com/i6XiZQlgBo
– Podcast P with Paul George (@PodcastPShow) September 24, 2024
Griffin noticed the court docket for 138 video games in 4 seasons with the Pistons. His scoring common resembled his memorable time with the Clippers, as he produced 21 factors per sport. The veteran additionally had seven rebounds and 5 assists throughout his tenure with the Pistons. Despite the fact that the one playoff collection was lower brief as a consequence of damage, Griffin’s run in Detroit stays spectacular.
