LA Clippers: The best power forwards in franchise history
LA Clippers best power forwards in franchise history: 1) Blake Griffin
The Lob City stalwart tops our list of the greatest power forwards in LA Clippers franchise history.
Blake Griffin entered the league a much-hyped prospect as the number one overall pick in the 2009 draft after a decorated college career at Oklahoma. He was forced to sit out the entirety of the 2009-10 season after suffering a stress fracture to his left knee in the final preseason game before the start of the regular season.
He returned with a fury for his first official season of NBA action, winning 2010-11 Rookie of the Year and being named an All-Star in his debut year. At the conclusion of his rookie year, Sports Illustrated named his campaign one of the “NBA’s 15 Greatest Rookies of All Time”.
Griffin, along with Chris Paul would help lead the Clippers to the most successful stretch of play in franchise history. Their first season together in 2011-12 would see the Clippers make the playoffs for the first time since 2006. The team would go on to reach the playoffs six straight seasons, reaching a franchise-best record of 57-25 in the 2013-14 season. However, they were never able to advance past the Western Conference Semifinals during their run.
Griffin spent seven-plus seasons as a Clipper, putting up averages of 21.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game while consistently putting up highlight reel dunks and feats of athleticism that made him one of the most exciting players in the league.
He ranks sixth all-time in games played for the franchise, coming in third for minutes played. He’s second in career points, third in rebounds, fifth in PER, fourth in both Win Shares and Box Plus/Minus, and third in Value Over Replacement Player.
LA Clippers: The best small forwards in franchise history. dark. Next
Griffin was traded to the Detroit Pistons on January 29, 2018 as part of the rebuilding efforts that have lead the franchise to their current championship-contending roster. His memorable years with the team have him firmly in place as the greatest power forward in the history of the franchise.