The Los Angeles Clippers woke up the night Blake Griffin was drafted

By foxsports
Published

As it currently sits, the Los Angeles Clippers do not possess a selection in Thursday's NBA Draft.

So while most of the NBA is focused on new faces in new places, we, here in Clippersland, can remember that fateful night, June 25, 2009, when a young star out of Oklahoma, Blake Griffin, took the stage as the No. 1 overall selection.

Six NBA seasons have passed since Griffin joined the Clippers, and the organization hasn't been the same since.

You never know what kind of player you're drafting, even as high as No. 1. The Clippers could have found themselves with another Michael Olowokandi, whom they selected at No. 1, way back in 1998.

But that didn't happen.

Griffin has exceeded expectations in every sense. Despite missing his first year in the pros due to a broken kneecap, it has been smooth sailing for Griffin ever since.

The charismatic power forward won Rookie of the Year in 2011, is a 5-time All Star, has been named All-NBA Second Team three times and All-NBA Third Team on one occasion -- oh yeah, and he's got a Slam Dunk title under his belt, too. 

Griffin carries career averages of 21.5 points per game, 9.7 rebounds and 4 assists per game. He's undoubtedly been the key to the Clippers' awakening.

Griffin arrived and the Clippers suddenly woke up from what started to feel like an eternal hibernation.

Look, no Blake Griffin means no Chris Paul ... which means no Steve Ballmer. And you all know what that means.

The Clippers have been a franchise for 45 seasons, dating back to 1970, when the team played in Buffalo. In those 45 seasons, the Clippers finished with a winning record only 10 times, four of which have come in the six seasons since Griffin joined the team.

It would be silly to call a basketball player a savior, but that's certainly the role Griffin has served for the team that selected him.

Griffin has added a new dimension to his game each season since joining the league. And let's not forget the seemingly endless number of commercial, TV and web credits he has to his name, for KIA, FunnyorDie, Nike and GameFly -- just to name a few.

The freckle-faced power forward even took the stage at the Laugh Factory to read some poetry. Who even does that?

The Clippers really lucked out with this kid.