Blake Griffin recently made headlines by openly expressing his admiration for Chris Paul, a former teammate and a standout player for the Los Angeles Clippers. This revelation comes amid years of speculation about the nature of their relationship following the disbandment of their team.
Reflecting on the “Lob City” era, nearly ten years have passed since the Clippers dismantled their celebrated trio of Griffin, DeAndre Jordan, and Chris Paul. This period was marked by thrilling performances but ultimately disappointing playoff results, as the team never advanced past the second round. The era came to an end when Paul was traded to the Houston Rockets, and by the start of the 2018-19 season, all three players had moved on from the franchise.
Chris Paul has since returned to the Clippers and stands as the sole remaining active player from the “Lob City” era still competing in the NBA. Recently, Blake Griffin, who has transitioned into an analyst role with Amazon, heaped praise on Paul, saying, “I think all-time Clippers, Chris Paul has to be up there, he has to be one. All-time point guards, he’s got to be Top 5 of all-time.” While Griffin noted that he hadn’t deeply considered rankings, his admiration for Paul was clear.
Chris Paul’s legacy is underscored by his potential Hall of Fame induction alongside contemporaries like LeBron James. He has a remarkable ability to elevate the performance of his teammates, including DeAndre Jordan and Devin Booker, helping instill a winning culture in every organization he has represented, despite not securing an NBA championship.
The 2013-14 season was particularly notable for Blake Griffin, who averaged 24.1 points per game and earned a third-place MVP finish. Interestingly, Griffin thrived statistically without Paul during that season, averaging 27.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists over 19 games.
As the debate over the greatest point guards continues, Griffin’s endorsement reinforces Chris Paul’s substantial impact on the sport and his enduring influence on the Clippers franchise. This warm acknowledgment could signify a healing in their relationship, shedding a positive light on the past and offering hope for their shared legacy in basketball.