NBA players pleaded with Blake Griffin to return to the team during the season.
Even though Blake Griffin hasn’t played a single minute of NBA basketball this year, a number of Celtics players are still pushing for him to come back to Boston in order to strengthen the frontcourt.
During an appearance on Pardon My Take Monday, Celtics guards Derrick White and Payton Pritchard mentioned the veteran big man with affection. According to league sources, Griffin, who started 41 games as a depth bench player for Boston last season, has chosen to sit out the current campaign in order to spend more time with his family.
Pritchard and White said that the team’s roster has attempted to get Griffin back to Boston when asked why he isn’t playing for the team this season.
“I’m not sure. We implore him to do so, Pritchard said to PMT.
“I believe the entire group has been pleading with him to,” White continued.
Griffin was contacted by a number of team members during the team’s December West Coast trip, and I’ve heard there may be a return. But the Celtics haven’t stopped reaching out in recent weeks.
“Actually, I sent him a playful text a week or two ago asking if he was coming back for one last ride. Pritchard stated, “He says he’s enjoying his life.
Dan Katz, the host of the show, then called up Griffin during the appearance.
with Pritchard and White, evading questions regarding a possible comeback later in the season.
We talk a lot, according to Griffin. “Guys, I’m just having fun with my life right now.”
Although Griffin only lived in Boston for a single year, he had a positive impression of the city when he appeared on a Barstool Sports podcast last summer.
“Boston is amazing,” Griffin exclaimed. Living and performing in Boston was truly one of the greatest experiences I have ever had. The fans are amazing, dude. having a team that is so intent on winning championships. The fact that the players on that team are such a great bunch of guys is one of the best things.
During his brief Monday show appearance, Griffin continued to give his former teammates high marks.
Griffin referred to Boston’s chances of winning the championship as “my favorites.” They are the clear favorites in my opinion, but I can’t promise anything and I don’t want to cast negative energy on them.
By acquiring Xavier Tillman from the Grizzlies at the trade deadline, Boston increased the depth at the big man position. Alongside Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet, he joins a frontcourt that has been the cornerstone of Boston’s top-3 defense this year. The door is theoretically still open for Griffin to join the Celtics if he has a change of heart because they still have a spot on their roster. Tillman’s signing, though, suggests that the team does not expect Griffin to return this season for one more run.
Celtics Six-Time Stars Derrick White and Payton Pritchard Wanted to Return
Despite spending just one season as a member of the Boston Celtics, Blake Griffin made a lasting impression on his teammates. In fact, a number of the Celtics players urged him to come back for round two.
In response to a question from “Pardon My Take,” Payton Pritchard and Derrick White acknowledged that they attempted to convince Griffin to stay off the roster. Furthermore, they are not alone.
“I’m not sure. Pritchard remarked, “We pleaded with him to.” “The whole team has been begging him to,” White continued.
Pritchard said that they have been pleading for Blake’s comeback the entire season.
“Actually, I sent him a playful text a week or two ago asking if he was coming back for one last ride. Pritchard stated, “He says he’s enjoying his life.
In 2022–2023 Griffin was a member of the Boston Celtics for a single season. In addition to playing 41 games, he started 16 of them, mostly in Al Horford’s or Robert Williams III’s absence. When Griffin played for the Clippers, he was a much different player. He did, however, display hustle and a strong three-point shooting percentage of 34.8%.
Griffin has not yet declared his official retirement. At this point, he might just decide to skip the current season and return in 2024–25.
“Pardon My Take” was interested in hearing directly from Blake Griffin after White and Pritchard shared their honest opinions about the actor. Griffin told them about his life since his one and only season in Boston when they were able to reach him.
We talk a lot, according to Griffin. “Guys, I’m just having fun with life right now.”
Griffin gave an explanation of why he enjoyed playing for the Celtics, despite his decision to stay away for the time being.
“Boston is amazing,” Griffin exclaimed. Living and performing in Boston was truly one of the greatest experiences I have ever had. The fans are amazing, dude. having a team that is so intent on winning championships. The fact that the players on that team are such a great bunch of guys is one of the best things.
He also discussed his thoughts on the Celtics’ chances of winning the championship.
“Those are my top picks,” Griffin declared. “I cannot promise. They are my clear favorites, but I don’t want to cast evil karma on them.
Griffin would have to fight with Xavier Tillman and Luke Kornet for minutes off the bench if he made a comeback.
Joe Mazzulla’s Views on the Comeback of Blake Griffin
When talking about Blake Griffin’s possible return to the Celtics in the 2023 offseason, Joe Mazzulla disclosed to reporters.
I had a brief conversation with him during the off-season. During our time in Los Angeles, I spoke with him maybe once or twice. I stopped talking to him about it when he told me at the end of the previous season that his family was the most important thing because I understand what it’s like to be apart from your family and your children. According to Bobby Manning’s X account, Mazzulla told reporters on February 26 that “he’s always going to make a decision that’s best for him.”
Mazzulla also mentioned that Blake expressed to him his greatest priority, which is his children.
It is obvious that Griffin’s decision to leave Boston had nothing to do with the city. He wanted a break, at the very least.
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