Still only hours removed from the Woj Bomb known as the Los Angeles Clippers trading Blake Griffin to the Detroit Pistons seemingly out of nowhere, it's still pretty unbelievable that the Clippers shipped away their star player not even midway through the first season of a five-year, $173 million contract extension. Despite a rather comical initial reaction on social media, the former number one pick has now legitimately addressed the trade as well.
This was Griffin's initial reaction:
It was perfect in the moment. No words. Just a Fresh Prince of Bel Air GIF that described almost everyone's initial reaction to hearing about the blockbuster trade early Monday night. Griffin has always been a jokester on social media, so this came as no real surprise. But it was obvious it would not be his last response to the news. Griffin's real reaction to the trade would eventually come early Tuesday morning on Twitter in the form of a more thoughtful statement.
"Needed a night to digest and reflect on what happened....From being a #1 pick, to Lob City, to six straight playoff appearances, I am so proud to have been part of the success of the Clippers organization," Griffin wrote. "Now, I'm ready for the next chapter, getting to work and helping the Detroit Pistons make a run in the Eastern Conference."
The Clippers trading the five-time All Star is still almost unheard of. Despite him battling injuries with slight regularity and other minor on-court issues this season, the team did just sign him to an extension with the expectation he would be the franchise player in Los Angeles pretty much until retirement. Hell, this offseason the organization staged a fake jersey retirement in the Staple Centers rafters to woo Griffin to stay put in L.A. when it seemed like he was destined to sign to another contender.
The Clips even made absolutely ridiculous T-shirts that featured arguably the most absurd graphic ever screen printed in an effort to keep Griffin there this summer.
Minus the loyalty issues in question here, the trade could be good for Griffin. The Pistons currently sit in the ninth spot in the Eastern Conference standings and a frontcourt of Griffin and Andre Drummond could prove to be a worthy formula for a playoff push in the second half of the season. Only time will tell. RIP Lob City.
