(Photo : Cole Burston/Getty Images) TORONTO, ON – Blake Griffin (#91) of the Boston Celtics warms up forward of their NBA sport in opposition to the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on January 21, 2023 in Toronto, Canada.
Former NBA All-Star Blake Griffin has not performed within the 2023-24 season, following his stint with the Boston Celtics within the earlier marketing campaign.
Last season, the 34-year-old participated in 41 video games for the Celtics, enjoying below a one-year $2.91 million minimal contract. It was the largest single-season pay reduce in NBA historical past after he earned $32.3 million in 2021-22.
The energy ahead’s regular-season averages included 4.1 factors, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists whereas taking pictures 48.5 % from the sector and 34.8 % from three-point vary. However, Griffin noticed restricted motion within the playoffs, showing in just one sport for lower than six minutes and grabbing two rebounds.
Despite his restricted on-court manufacturing, Griffin is fondly remembered by a number of of his Boston Celtics teammates, particularly for his constructive influence within the locker room.
Celtics level guards Derrick White and Payton Pritchard spoke warmly concerning the veteran massive man throughout an look on Barstool Sports‘ Pardon My Take, uploaded on February 26.
When questioned about why the 2011 NBA Slam Dunk Contest winner is not enjoying with the crew this season, Pritchard and White acknowledged that the crew’s roster has actively tried to carry him again to Boston.
“I don’t know. We begged him to,” Pritchard informed the podcast.
“I think the whole team has been begging him to,” White added.
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Did Blake Griffin settle for Celtics gamers’ plea?
During the crew’s West Coast journey in December, a number of teammates approached Griffin about the opportunity of his return, and the Celtics’ outreach has continued within the subsequent weeks.
Pritchard mentioned he jokingly texted him every week or two in the past, asking, “Coming back for one last ride?”
However, the six-time NBA All-Star answered that he’s having fun with his life away from basketball.
Meanwhile, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla revealed that he spoke with Griffin through the 2023 offseason. He revered Griffin’s priorities after emphasizing that household is crucial factor to him.
“I talked to him one or two times, I think when we were in LA, but when he told me at the end of last season that his family is the most important thing, I stopped talking to him about it because I know what it’s like to be away from your kids and be away from your family. He’s always gonna make the decision that’s best for him,” the 35-year-old tactician mentioned.
Blake Griffin’s household impediment for Celtics reunion
In the summer season of 2023, Bobby Manning of CLNS Media reported that the 2009 No. 1 general choose was open to returning to the Celtics regardless of residing far-off from his household.
He talked about that there’s a risk for Griffin’s return regardless of the space from his household and his residence on the West Coast.
However, Griffin appears to have opted to get pleasure from time along with his household.
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