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LA Clippers host Blake Griffin for first time since trade

By Leonard Saldana

DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 9: Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons looks on during the game against the LA Clippers on February 9, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 9: Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons looks on during the game against the LA Clippers on February 9, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Tomorrow, the LA Clippers will welcome Blake Griffin back to STAPLES Center for the first time since he was traded to the Detroit Pistons last January.

Drafted 1st in the 2009 NBA Draft and a home-grown talent, Blake Griffin makes his return to LA after his abrupt departure before the trade deadline last year. A shocker of a trade when it was first reported, this will be Griffin’s first time returning after calling LA home for his first nine seasons as a member of the LA Clippers.

The Clippers and the Detroit Pistons have yet to meet this season and the only game post trade was a week after with the Clippers coming out of Detroit victorious after a testy battle. It’s tough to imagine what the feeling will be in the arena tomorrow, but of course the tribute video is going to be great and the roars from the crowd will be amazing.

The fans ready to see their former superstar will get a chance to see him play again, this time for a new team far from the bright lights of LA. Griffin comes in averaging career high in points 25.3 points per game while grabbing 8.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists.

The LA Clippers are currently 4th in a crowded west. While the Piston are 9th on the outside looking in will make for an exciting game. Clippers are playing some great ball and handing Griffin and his team a loss is likely. With the added time since the trade there should be more love between Griffin and his former club.

Arrival of Point Blake

The Clippers will have a chance to welcome their former son home and get a win by doing what few teams have done. Slow down Point Blake. Griffin has been given the keys to Dwayne Casey’s Piston team, a team in flex that is trying to find the right combination to unlock winning but are off to a rough start. LA is sitting in fourth place in a brutal West where just about every team has a chance to make the playoffs except one. They are also just a 1.5 games out of third and 2.5 games from second.

The point forward is displaying what Clipper fans would get in flashes, a full display of Griffin’s skill set, one that will test the Clippers defense and with Andre Drummond, the Clipper front court will have their hands full. While the Pistons are not doing well this season, they will be trying as hard as ever to help Blake get a win.

Welcome Blake

Blake Griffin is the one who helped start changing the perception of the LA Clippers. Griffin will be welcomed back like he never left and while it is hard to see Griffin in another jersey, it will be good to give him a hero’s welcome. Clippers fans were in shock when the trade happened and while the organization did it for the future of the franchise, it doesn’t take away the sting.

The team will have a video tribute for Griffin and while that might not seem like enough for someone who helped make the Clippers relevant, he will likely see his jersey in the rafters when he retires in the Clippers new arena.

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While we sit here waiting for the matinée game, we can look fondly on the times we were able to see Griffin and while he is showing his full attributes on a different team, he will forever be a Clipper.