INQUISITR.COM / Sports

Blake Griffin’s Party Is Just Getting Started

By Val Powell
Published on: 16:25 PST, Mar 16, 2014

Blake Griffin, the Los Angeles Clippers’ power forward, turned 25 on March 16, and it looks like he’s going to have a long professional career ahead. The birthday boy has shown how far he’d come in the game, from playing for the University of Oklahoma to emerging as one of the NBA’s best rookies.

Happy 25th Birthday to @blakegriffin32 and Happy 23rd Birthday to @ReggieBullock35 #HappyBirthdayToYou pic.twitter.com/XdaaNeRE4H

— Los Angeles Clippers (@LAClippers) March 16, 2014

Griffin was the Clippers‘ first overall pick during the 2009 drafts. He had to miss the season due to a knee injury acquired during the final preseason game. In the 2010-2011 season, he made his debut and went on to win the 2011 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, and was also selected as an All-Star and Rookie of the Year. He was named as one of the league’s Greatest Rookies of All Time by Sports Illustrated in 2011.

Blake Griffin Can Fly

Griffin’s very first basket with the Clippers—a dunk, which he has become known for—was made during a game against the Portland Trail Blazers, and it was made with such finesse that it made the league regard the rookie as a force to contend with. On his first game, he was able to score 20 points and register 14 rebounds.

In a game against the Indiana Pacers in January 2011, he scored a career-high 47 points, setting a Clippers record for most points by a rookie. Griffin is in the running for this season’s MVP award, next to Kevin Durant and LeBron James. However, the one thing that may stand in his way is his reputation. Griffin has been known to have a rude disposition, and opponents think his attitude gets out of line.

During Wednesday night’s game with Golden State, Griffin made some comments that clearly annoyed Warriors power forward and backup center Jermaine O’Neal. After the game, O’Neal waited outside the Clippers’ locker room to confront Griffin. According to O’Neal, it was a personal situation and a one-game issue, and they both had something to say. The two shook hands after their conversation—O’Neal says that “what makes you a man is your ability to shake hands” and agree that there are different perspectives on an issue. The two have moved on, and O’Neal is sure that he has no further issues with Griffin, and that Griffin feels the same.

Aside from Griffin’s dunking prowess, he has also become quite the defender, blocking attempts by opponents. In a 2012 game against the Nets, he effortlessly blocked Deron Williams’ attempt to dunk, taking the ball with him as he landed. For the past three years, he has elevated his game, adding post-up moves and mid-range jumpers, showing opponents what he’s truly capable of, and is becoming a bigger asset to the Clippers, which is fast emerging as the league’s hottest team.