Blake Griffin left the Boston Celtics following a short one-year run, with an invitation to return final season earlier than the workforce’s championship victory.
Griffin, regardless of consideration and teammates pleading for a reunion, declined Boston’s supply. The 35-year-old father of two flirted with the thought, nevertheless it by no means gained any traction as Griffin settled with retiring after 13 seasons, six All-Star appearances and an iconic Slam Dunk Contest win in 2011 after leaping over a Kia Optima.
“I considered it,” Griffin stated throughout an look on the “7PM in Brooklyn With Carmelo Anthony” podcast. “I had 9 surgical procedures in my profession. Like, each surgical procedure it takes slightly bit longer to get again from. My final one was a noticeable like, I step on the courtroom (and) I can’t do the issues that I wish to do. I can see it occurring. I can’t do the issues that I wanna do. It takes a toll.”
The Celtics signed Griffin to a one-year, absolutely assured contract forward of the 2022-23 season. Griffin was removed from his prime, recent off a failed championship pursuit with Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets, and didn’t have a lot left within the tank. However Boston’s locker room rapidly embraced Griffin, as did the town.
Griffin stuffed a veteran management chief with the Celtics, enjoying 41 video games and averaging 4.1 factors, 3.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists off the bench.
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It wasn’t in regards to the numbers, nevertheless. Griffin’s presence alone was sufficient for guards Derrick White and Payton Pritchard to flood their ex-teammate with cellphone calls and textual content messages asking him to return again.
Griffin, regardless of having a red-carpet path to his first championship, didn’t budge. Nevertheless it wasn’t indicative of Boston or the Celtics expertise.
“I like Boston,” Griffin stated, per the “7PM in Brooklyn With Carmelo Anthony” podcast. “Like I like these guys. I used to be so joyful for them after they gained. That is sort of a totally different expertise. While you enjoying as an opponent there may be one factor. You go play there, all these are folks rocking with you who used to only be yelling loopy (expletive) at you. You gotta perceive, I performed in LA for the Clippers, I performed in New York for the Nets. It’s a Lakers city. It’s a Knicks city. That was the primary time I actually performed for a workforce the place all people in that metropolis is rocking with you. I went out to dinner 10 instances. No examine.”
The Celtics had been hungry for a championship for over a decade and practically reached the promised land with Griffin on board. Boston suffered an Japanese Convention finals elimination by the hands of Jimmy Butler and the Miami Warmth after an intense seven-game collection. Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens supplied Griffin a contract to return the next offseason, however Griffin was in no rush.
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Griffin remained in contact with Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla, however these conversations ended as Mazzulla revered Griffin’s want to commit time to his household as a substitute.
Contemplating how a lot Mazzulla prioritizes bringing former Celtics round, whether or not for follow at Auerbach Middle or with a spot within the teaching employees, Griffin — and his championship ring — may not be gone for good.
