Blake Griffin Goes First In The 2009 NBA Draft

June 25, 2009 - Written by Jimmy

Thursday night, the Los Angeles Clippers did what every one knew they would do, when they took Blake Griffin with the number one overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. Griffin, a sophomore, out of the University of Oklahoma, became the first number one draft pick the school has ever had in Men's Basketball, when the Clippers selected him with the first pick. Expected to play the power forward position, Blake Griffin looks to come into the league and make an immediate impact, when the 2009-2010 NBA Season begins sometime in November.

Griffin was the national collegiate Men's basketball most outstanding player, for 2008 - 2009 season, and he followed up on that award, by leading his Oklahoma Sooners to the Elite 8, in the 2009 NCAA Tournament, before losing to the eventual national champion North Carolina Tarheels. Blake Griffin had a dominant Sophomore season performance while averaging 22.7 ppg, 14.4 rpg, along with 2.3 assists per game. In his sophomore campaign, Griffin shot 65.4% from the field, making him valuable asset down low. With the numbers and accolades, Griffin has received, it only made sense for him to end his collegiate career. Other reasons would include the departure of his older brother, Tyler Griffin, who was leaving due to graduation.

For the Los Angeles Clippers, this marks yet another high draft pick with big expectations. Normally, the Clippers are a perennial team, in the NBA Lottery, vying for the top pick. This year, they received the top pick after beating the odds, and taking the #1 spot over the Memphis Grizzles, and the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Clippers have experienced limited success with their high draft picks, and are usually unable to retain the ones, that do work out. Griffin will be joining a line up consisting of F Al Thornton, C Marcus Camby, G Baron Davis, G Ricky Davis, and F Zach Randolph. The 2008-2009 Los Angeles Clippers finished the regular season with a record of 19-63, which was able to earn them a number one pick. The last number one pick, for the Clippers was in 1998, at which time they selected Michael Olowokandi.