Blake Griffin announces retirement after return push from Celtics
Mere months after Celtics players begged him to return to the team, Blake Griffin officially called it a career on Tuesday. The veteran forward announced his retirement in a post on Instagram. The six-time All-Star was the 2011 Rookie of the Year and made an All-NBA team five teams before finishing his pro career in Boston last year.
Griffin ended up playing a valuable role in Boston last season as a depth bench big, playing 41 games. However, the big man elected to sit out this season to spend more time with his family despite multiple overtures from Celtics players per league sources.
“I never really envisioned myself as the guy who would have a ‘letter to basketball’ retirement announcement,” Griffin wrote in a statement. “And I’m still not going to be that guy. But as I reflected on my career, the one feeling I kept coming back to and the one thing I wanted to express was thankfulness.”
Griffin spent 14 seasons in the NBA including stints with the Clippers, Pistons and Nets before wrapping up his career in Boston during the 2022-23 season. Griffin averaged 19.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG, and 4.0 APG in 765 total regular season contests.
“I’m thankful for every single moment,” Griffin wrote. “Not just the good ones: the wins, the awards, the dunks, and the memorable times spent with family, friends, fans, teammates, and coaches.. I could continue on about the people in my life who have contributed immensely to my career, but in this short non-letter, I have to acknowledge my parents, Tommy and Gail, and my brother, Taylor, for their unconditional support and guidance. Lastly, my agent Sam Goldfeder, who has been a steadfast voice of reason and my wartime consigliere — thank you.
“I am equally thankful for the not-so-good-moments: the losses, the injuries, the wayyyy too many surgeries, the lessons, the heartbreaks, and it wouldn’t be (a) sports retirement letter without acknowledging the ‘haters.’ All of these experiences made my 14 years in the league truly unforgettable, and I can’t help but to just feel thankful.”
Celtics guards Derrick White and Payton Pritchard spoke fondly about the veteran big man during an appearance on Pardon My Take last month and detailed the team’s attempts to make him play for one more season.
“I texted him actually a week ago or two jokingly being like, ‘Coming back for one last ride?’ He says he’s enjoying his life,” Pritchard said.
The Celtics signed Neemias Queta to fill their 15th and final roster spot last week.
“The game of basketball has given me so much in this life, and I wouldn’t change a thing,” Griffin said of his career. “Last but certainly not least, here comes the obligatory ‘I’m excited for my next chapter’ part: just kidding, I’m done.”
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