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The end of the Blake Griffin era
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Jan 31, 2018
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The end of the Blake Griffin era
The Los Angeles Clippers announced a trade of the All-Star forward Blake Griffin to the Detroit Pistons.
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 04:  Blake Griffin #32 of the Los Angeles Clippers dunks during a 107-102 win over the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on January 4, 2013 in Los Angeles, California.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.  (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Blake Griffin
Former Clipper Blake Griffin dunking during a 107-102 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in 2013 (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Blake Griffin
(
Harry How/Getty Images
)

The Los Angeles Clippers announced a trade of the All-Star forward Blake Griffin to the Detroit Pistons.

This week the Los Angeles Clippers announced a trade of the All-Star forward Blake Griffin to the Detroit Pistons. The move sent shockwaves around the NBA, but also to the legions of Clippers fans that have witnessed moments like this

Or these 

And of course, this

Griffin won four high school state titles at Oklahoma Christian School and then played two seasons at the University of Oklahoma before entering the 2009 NBA draft. But the "Clipper curse" seemed to take effect when, during the final pre-season game of 2009, he broke his left kneecap, had surgery, and missed the entire 2009–10 season, forcing him to make his NBA debut the following season.

Take Two contributors  

 talked about Griffin's contributions to Los Angeles and the Clippers, and Brian started by looking back at that first official season. 



Griffin began to generate an enormous amount of buzz, he averaged 22 points a game ... he made the All Star team that year, and that year it was played in Los Angeles ... And then the next year the Clippers were able to acquire Chris Paul ... and that gave the Clippers two legitimate superstars. They had this high-flying style of play with Griffin and DeAndre Jordan catching all these alley-oop passes from Chris Paul, and it was nicknamed Lob City. 


Andy ended the conversation by talking about what Clippers fans may expect in the coming years. 



It's difficult to rebuild by any measure ... but there is some speculation that the Clippers are trying to thread the needle by staying as competitive as possible while looking to rebuild, one foot in one foot out ... and that's very, very difficult to do.