Blake Griffin Surprises Fans with High Praise for Clippers Icon Chris Paul

Blake Griffin recently surprised fans by expressing admiration for Chris Paul, a former teammate and Clippers icon. This news comes after years of speculation regarding their relationship following their team breakup.

Reflections on the “Lob City” Era

Nearly a decade has passed since the Los Angeles Clippers dismantled the famed “Lob City” trio, which included Griffin, DeAndre Jordan, and Chris Paul. Despite their entertaining style of play, the team consistently struggled, failing to advance beyond the second round of the playoffs. The era concluded when Paul was traded to the Houston Rockets, with all three players leaving the team by the start of the 2018-19 season.

Chris Paul’s Return and Griffin’s Praise

Chris Paul, now back with the Clippers, remains the only active player from that era still in the NBA. Recently, Blake Griffin, now an Amazon analyst, offered high praise for Paul. Griffin stated, “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.” He later clarified that he hadn’t deeply considered the ranking.

Achievements and Impact of Chris Paul

• Chris Paul and LeBron James are notable for being the only active players likely to enter the Hall of Fame.
• Paul has a history of enhancing the performance of players like DeAndre Jordan and Devin Booker.
• Despite lacking a championship, he has instilled a winning culture in every team he has joined.

In a standout 2013-14 season, Blake Griffin averaged 24.1 points per game and finished third in MVP voting. Interestingly, Griffin posted even better individual statistics when playing without Paul that same season, averaging 27.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists over 19 games.

The Competitive Landscape of Point Guards

While Blake Griffin acknowledges Paul’s greatness, he also recognizes the competition. Other legendary point guards like John Stockton, Jason Kidd, and Oscar Robertson vie for the top spots alongside Steph Curry and Magic Johnson. Paul, however, has continued to build an impressive legacy, making a strong case for inclusion among the best.

As discussions around the greatest point guards evolve, Blake Griffin’s endorsement of Chris Paul underscores the latter’s significant impact on the game and his lasting mark on the Clippers franchise.