Although his time there was simply short lived, Blake Griffin couldn’t be happier enough that the Boston Celtics made it over the hump and finally won it all last season.
In his recent appearance on 7PM in Brooklyn podcast, the ex-NBA superstar expressed his gladness that the Celtics clinched the 2024 championship, acknowledging the special experience he had within the franchise even for just a single season.
“I loved Boston. I love those guys. I was so happy for them when they won,” he said.
“That is a different experience when you’re playing as an opponent, there is one thing you go play there, all those people are rocking with you who used to just be yelling crazy (expletive). It’s wild. All these people are rocking with you.
“You got to understand that dude, I played in LA for the Clippers. I played in New York for the Nets. It’s a Lakers town. It’s a Knicks town.
“That was the first time I really played for a team where it was like, everybody in that city is rocking with you.”
An admired Celtics veteran
Approaching the twilight stage of his illustrious career, Griffin entered the Celtics for a one-year deal in 2022-23 as a free agent and was embraced dearly by the entire organization and its fanbase.
Although he played scarcely for Boston — averaging career lows from points (4.1), rebounds (3.8), minutes (13.9), and games played (41) — Griffin was highly respected around the Celtics during that season. He was pegged as the team’s standout locker room leader, gaining the admiration of everyone.
As the Celtics’ resonating presence and voice on and off the court, Griffin played an impactful role in the team’s 57-win campaign until they ultimately came up short in the Conference Finals stage against the eighth-seeded Miami Heat.
No regrets
After the season ended, the Celtics have aggressively campaigned in retaining Griffin to run things back for 2023-24. But the former All-Star opted not to rejoin them despite the team allocating a roster spot for his playing service throughout the year.
As such, Griffin announced his retirement from the game last April, just a few months before Boston ultimately outlasted the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals to hoist their 18th Larry O’Brien Trophy.
There were further questions if Griffin regretted not returning to become a member of the Celtics’ eventual successful title hunt, he is fully convinced he chose the right time to ride off the sunset after all of the wear and tear he experienced throughout his career.
“I thought about it, man. I had nine surgeries in my career. Every surgery it takes a little bit longer to get back from. My last one was, it was a noticeable– I step on the court, I can’t do the things that I want to do. I can see it happening. I can’t do the things that I want to do,” he candidly confessed.
“It takes a toll and basketball is the thing that I love the most in this world, love doing the most and when you can’t do it at the same level or even to a fraction of the level that you want to do it at, it becomes harder.
“It was a thing that I had to get over and I wouldn’t say I struggled with it, but it was always top of mind for me.
“I just can’t play the game the same way I wanted to and I always kind of thought in the back of my mind, once I get to that point, it’s time.”
Despite his short stay in Beantown, Griffin will still remain as a beloved figure amongst Boston fans for how he led by example and acted professionally while wearing their proud Celtics green color.
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