Blake Griffin unsure if Los Angeles Clippers should retire his number

Blake Griffin spent the first eight and a half seasons of his career as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers. His departure from the organization came just 33 games into his five-year, $173 million contract extension. The six-time All-Star shared that, while he would be honored, he is unsure if the franchise should retire his number.

Speaking on the Run It Back podcast, Griffin stated:

It’s obviously a huge honor. I wouldn’t turn that down, but in my mind, I don’t know that I do necessarily deserve it. I haven’t had any conversations about it. Unfortunately, we ultimately didn’t truly accomplish what we wanted.

It’s not something that I would say that I’m expecting. If it happens, that’s awesome. It’s a huge honor and I’d greatly appreciate it, but yeah, we’ll see.

Griffin averaged 21.6 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.5 blocks per game while shooting 51.2% from the field during his tenure with the Clippers. He made five All-Star Teams and four All-NBA Teams, while being named 2011 NBA Rookie of the Year. The former first overall pick is second in franchise history in points, third in rebounds, fifth in assists and sixth in steals. The organization has never retired a player’s jersey in their history.

"I don't know that I do necessarily deserve it, I haven't had any conversations about it."@blakegriffin23 on the possibility of the #Clippers retiring his jersey 👀 pic.twitter.com/BogXPA4vXS

— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) May 16, 2024

Blake Griffin confirms Los Angeles Clippers held a fake jersey retirement in free agency pitch

The Los Angeles Clippers pulled out all the stops to re-sign Blake Griffin in the 2017 offseason. It had been rumored that their pitch included a fake retirement ceremony. During his appearance on the Run It Back podcast, he confirmed the reports, stating:

I kind of already got it so I don’t know if I’ll need to show up. Yeah, it was hilarious. We walked into Staples Center and they did a whole song, a ceremony. I watched the jersey go up in the rafters and four months later, I was buying winter clothes.

Griffin was traded to the Detroit Pistons just over six months after the fake jersey retirement ceremony. Despite his tumultuous exit from the organization, he could still become the first player in franchise history to have his jersey in the rafters.

Did the #Clippers really have a fake retirement ceremony for @blakegriffin23? 🤣

Yes. Yes they did. pic.twitter.com/OkeU1RXhxj

— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) May 16, 2024

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