1. Blake Griffin
Draft class: 2009
Clipper stats: 21.6 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 4.2 apg
Undoubtedly the greatest number one overall pick in franchise history, Blake Griffin’s career got off to a pretty horrendous start.
After destroying the competition in college, Griffin was a no-brainer selection as the number one overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. Although Clipper Nation waited patiently for Griffin to take care of business on the floor, they were forced to wait as he missed the entire season due to a knee injury.
Considering the length of his time on the bench, fans of the Clippers began worrying that Griffin would never return to the court. That, nevertheless, was hyperbole.
Griffin played in every single game the following year and immediately had a ginormous impact. He easily took home Rookie of the Year with averages of 22.5 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists. For most of his career in LA, that was essentially what Griffin averaged. In eight seasons, Griffin had nightly averages of 21.6 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game.
At one point, Griffin had successfully placed every big man in the league on the wrong end of his violent posters. In total, Griffin wrapped up his career in a Clipper uniform with five All-Star selections and five All-NBAs. A Larry O’Brien Trophy eluded Griffin during his time in LA but he brought respectability and excitement to a franchise that was once viewed as the worst in the league. By the time Griffin officially calls it a career, he’ll have an excellent chance at making the Hall of Fame, there aren’t many former Clipper players that can say that.