Blake Griffin, a six-time NBA All-Star and one of the league’s most electrifying forwards of the 2010s, is making headlines again—this time off the court. Known for his explosive dunks and versatile offensive skillset during his prime years with the Los Angeles Clippers, Griffin has entered the ever-controversial GOAT debate. And in a surprising move, he revealed his choice for the greatest player in NBA history—passing over Michael Jordan.
Nearly a year after announcing his retirement, Griffin sat down for a candid conversation on The Adam Friedland Show on YouTube. The discussion turned toward the perks of his youth basketball days and naturally pivoted to some of the most influential names in the sport. When LeBron James was mentioned, Friedland asked Griffin directly if he considered James to be his GOAT.
“I loved LeBron—I mean, he got into the league in ’04, and I was still in high school,” Griffin said. “He’s still playing. I went to college, played 14 years, retired, and he’s still out there. That’s crazy.” The former Clippers star pointed to James’ longevity as a major factor. “What he’s doing at age 40 is insane,” Griffin added. “I think the problem is when you’re in the GOAT conversation, people expect you to win championships every year. The Lakers just weren’t good enough. That’s the burden of being in that debate.”
Blake Griffin’s NBA journey
Griffin began his NBA career as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, selected by the Los Angeles Clippers. Although a knee injury sidelined him for his rookie season, he made a dominant debut in 2010–11, earning Rookie of the Year honors with averages of over 22 points and 12 rebounds per game. His explosive athleticism, powerful dunks, and relentless motor made him one of the league’s most exciting players from the start.
During his prime years in Los Angeles, Griffin was a central figure in the Clippers’ “Lob City” era, teaming up with Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan. Under head coach Doc Rivers, the Clippers became a consistent playoff presence in the Western Conference, although they were never able to advance past the conference semifinals. Griffin was named an All-Star five times with the Clippers and established himself as one of the most dynamic offensive power forwards in the league.
In 2018, Griffin was traded to the Detroit Pistons in a blockbuster deal that marked the beginning of a new chapter. Despite ongoing injury concerns, he delivered an All-NBA-level season in 2018–19, carrying the Pistons to the playoffs while averaging over 24 points per game. However, injuries again limited his availability in subsequent seasons, eventually leading to his departure from Detroit.
Griffin later had short stints with the Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics, taking on a veteran leadership role in each locker room. While his on-court impact had diminished, his presence was valued on contending teams for his experience and professionalism. Over the course of his 13-year career, Griffin tallied more than 14,000 points and 5,000 rebounds, cementing his legacy as one of the most dominant players of his generation during his prime.