Is there a single one of us that doesn’t still love Blake Griffin? When the LA Clippers traded him to the Detroit Pistons, we all knew something special was ending. Blake was a huge part of the Clippers becoming a relevant team in the NBA and it pained us to see him go even though most of us understood it was for the best.
When he recently became available, a glimmer of hope of his return to the Clippers surfaced. While we couldn’t offer him the best role, many fans hoped that he might come back and try to win a ring with the team that he started his career with.
Alas, Blake ultimately chose the Brooklyn Nets and the chance to be part of that contender. Even as he answered questions on the Bleacher Report App about that team, he made sure to address Clipper Nation.
Blake Griffin shouted out LA Clippers fans for their loyalty and said he truly enjoyed his time here.
While it did suck a little for him not to choose the Clippers again, it’s an understandable move. The Nets needed depth, especially big men and for everything that Blake has lost in his game, he still fits next to the Nets stars.
No, they did not improve defensively and Blake likely won’t be any higher than a third option at best but he still does help the team. Given the choices of the Nets, Lakers, and Clippers among the contenders interested in him, it makes sense why he leaned towards Brooklyn.
It is nice to see that Blake doesn’t hate the Clippers after he was seemingly traded out of nowhere after signing a max contract deal with the team the prior summer. This isn’t the first time he has shouted out the fans here but it’s nice to get that reassurance that he’s not done with the franchise entirely.
Depending on what happens over the next few years, it’s entirely possible that Blake’s jersey is the first one that gets retired by the Clippers. If he didn’t still have that love for the fan base, that jersey retirement could have been a lot more awkward.
Best of luck Blake. If we aren’t able to win one this year, we hope you are.