Detroit Pistons fans lament the Blake Griffin era: 'Good job SVG'
The end of the Blake Griffin era with the Detroit Pistons.
It wasn't a particularly long (about two years) or fruitful (zero playoff wins) era, but... it existed. Until Friday.
Griffin, a six-time All-Star, agreed to a buyout with the Pistons, making him a free agent. The blockbuster trade former Pistons coach and president of basketball operations Stan Van Gundy pulled off in January 2019 — acquiring Griffin from the Los Angeles Clippers for three players and two draft picks — ends with the franchise paying Griffin not to play.
One of the players the Pistons traded, Tobias Harris, has been a borderline All-Star averaging better than 19 points a game over the past four seasons, and one of the draft picks the Pistons traded ended up being Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is averaging 23 points and six assists in his third season.
As sour a taste that may leave, it seems like a smart decision for all involved (even if Griffin likely had to leave some money on the table). Griffin's best play, and biggest contracts, are behind him. At 31, he's probably better served in a supporting role on a contender than a starring role on anything less. And the Pistons, under new general manager Troy Weaver and 10-25 on the year, are just beginning a roster revamp.
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Griffin wasn't playing well (career-low 12.3 points per game on 35.6% shooting from the field) and if he was, he'd only help the rebuilding Pistons win more games in a season where that's really not the goal.
Thus, a buyout. And a lot of annoyance from Pistons fans:
the Blake griffin piston experiment is over. cost the pistons a lottery pick, tobias harris and set the franchise back 10 years. good job SVG
— Mitch Jones (@mwj5596) March 5, 2021
Thank you for the memories and always embracing Detroit @blakegriffin23 💙 https://t.co/EwRm7L2wnl
— Cam (@CameronBurgess5) March 5, 2021
Not sure how Griffin's 3-point shooting (31.5%) and rebounding (5.2 per game) play with the Nets stars, but if he wants a ring, Brooklyn might be the quickest place to get one.
Blake Griffin to the Nets👀👀👀
— BTL🩸💉 (@Tikki__Dope) March 5, 2021
The Blake Griffin trade somehow keeps getting worse.
— SM (@JonasJerebGOAT) March 5, 2021
That's rude (to Griffin and kinda to Jeff Teague).
Blake griffin is so washed I wouldn’t trade Jeff Teague for him straight up
— Celtic Hater (@JaylenandJayson) March 5, 2021
Thank you for your service @blakegriffin23 ! As a longtime hater, you turned me into a fan when you came to Detroit pic.twitter.com/LkCzK0dT4G
— Eric Vincent (@IAmEricVincent) March 5, 2021
It was one of the most lopsided trades in #NBA history:
Clippers received:
1st round pick (Shai)
2nd round pick
Tobias Harris
Avery Bradley
Boban
Pistons received:
Blake Griffin on a 5 year, $171m deal.— Hittingpaydirt (@hittingpaydirt) March 5, 2021
NBA regular-season action doesn't start back up until Wednesday, so Griffin has some time to choose his next spot.
Regardless of where Blake Griffin ends up, I’m just happy he gets to choose his next destination.
That man gave everything he had to both the Clippers and the Pistons, and he deserves the opportunity to pick his next team.— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) March 5, 2021
@blakegriffin23 thank you for being a part of Detroit I was there when first put on the Piston jersey. Good journey with finding a team. @DetroitPistons #badboys
— A little bit of sharp (@alittlebitsharp) March 5, 2021
Follow the Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for more news. Tyler Davis can be contacted at tjdavis@freepress.com or on Twitter @TDavisFreep.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Pistons fans still annoyed by Blake Griffin trade
