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Wednesday 31 January 2018

Pistons land Blake Griffin from Clippers in blockbuster deal

By NOAH TRISTER ond round of the playoffs.
AP Sports Writer The Clippers traded All-Star
The Detroit Pistons dramati- point guard Chris Paul to
cally shook their struggling Houston last summer. He
roster by acquiring one of had been credited with
the NBA’s top players in bringing respectability to
Blake Griffin in a trade with the team that was once
the Los Angeles Clippers. the laughingstock of the
The deal for the five-time league.
All-Star forward was an- Without Paul, Los Angeles
nounced early Tuesday, won its first four games to
giving Detroit a player who open the season, and then
has been the face of the lost nine of its next 11. The
Clippers but whose career team is one game above
has been undercut by inju- .500 going into Tuesday
ries. night’s game against Port-
Detroit sent forward Tobias land.
Harris, guard Avery Bradley “Blake is one of the best
and center Boban Marja- players ever to wear a Clip-
novic to Los Angeles, with pers jersey. We want to
the Clippers also receiving express our gratitude and
draft picks. Detroit also ac- respect for everything he
quired forward Brice John- has done for this team and
son and center Willie Reed. the city of Los Angeles,”
“We are serious about said Lawrence Frank, Clip-
winning, and this is a ma- pers president of basketball
jor move to improve our operations. “This was a very
team,” Pistons owner Tom difficult decision, but we
Gores said in a statement. ultimately felt it was appro-
“Blake Griffin is one of the priate for the franchise.”
NBA’s elite players, and Paul’s replacement, Pat-
when you get an opportu- rick Beverley, has missed
nity to add that kind of tal- the entire season after right
ent, you take it.” knee surgery. Also missing
The Pistons did not yet say time have been DeAndre
if Griffin would be available Jordan, Danilo Gallinari,
for Tuesday night’s home Austin Rivers and Milos Teo-
game against Cleveland. dosic.
The 28-year-old Griffin is Yet owner Steve Ballmer re-
averaging 22.6 points, 7.9 mains optimistic.
rebounds and 5.4 assists in “While change is hard, my
33 games this season, but confidence in our front of-
the Clippers have been Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) goes to the basket over New Orleans Pelicans fice, led by Lawrence Frank
plagued by injuries and are forward Anthony Davis (23) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Sunday, and Michael Winger, along
ninth in the Western Con- Jan. 28, 2018. with the sage counsel of
ference standings. Associated Press Jerry West, has never been
Detroit is scuffling as well. tons make a run in the East- Harris has been impressive sprained right ankle, and higher,” he said in a state-
The Pistons have lost eight ern Conference.” for the Pistons this season, the team is facing the pros- ment. “I believe today,
straight heading into Tues- Last July, Griffin agreed to a shooting a career-best 41 pect of missing the playoffs more than ever, in our ul-
day night’s game against $171 million, five-year deal, percent from 3-point range. in its first season at its new timate goal of winning an
Cleveland. ending a brief flirtation with “The move is not without downtown arena. NBA championship.”
“Needed a night to digest free agency. He told his risk. We gave up a lot to Detroit’s next six games are Los Angeles receives a
and reflect on what hap- teammates, coach Doc get him, including Tobias at home, so the Pistons will protected first-round draft
pened....” Griffin tweeted. Rivers and owner Steve Harris — one of the hardest- have a chance to turn this choice and a second-
“From being a (hashtag)1 Ballmer, “I want my legacy working, highest-character season around — and an round pick from the Pistons.
pick, to Lob City, to six to be a Clipper.” players I know — and two opportunity to build for a The Clippers drafted Griffin
straight Playoff appear- The deal didn’t include high-quality young men in future with both Griffin and first overall out of Oklaho-
ances, I am so proud to a no-trade clause for the Avery Bradley and Boban Drummond. ma in 2009.
have been part of the suc- second-leading scorer in Marjanovic,” Gores said. “His presence will help However, he missed the
cess of the Clippers orga- franchise history with 10,863 “But we are very excited to us offensively and his size 2009-10 season after sur-
nization. LA has been my points. bring Blake Griffin to Detroit. gives us another rebounder gery on his broken left
home since I started in the Griffin gives Detroit’s front- He is a great fit for our team and weapon in the paint,” kneecap. Griffin missed 21
league and I will be forever court another standout and will bring a combina- said Stan Van Gundy, De- games last season and 47
grateful to the city for em- alongside Andre Drum- tion of toughness and ath- troit’s coach and team in 2015-16 because of inju-
bracing me and supporting mond, but it also represents leticism that will elevate our president. “Willie Reed ries.
me. To the fans, you have a clear change in course team and excite our fans.” and Brice Johnson are two As a rookie, he was an All-
been awesome every step from the roster the Pistons Detroit’s season was look- young players that give us Star, won the slam dunk
of the way. Thank you for had assembled. ing promising until a late- size and depth.” contest and was named
years of support. Detroit acquired Bradley December injury to point For the Clippers, moving NBA Rookie of the Year.
“Now I’m ready for the next in a trade with Boston last guard Reggie Jackson. Griffin continues a make- He has averaged 21.6
chapter, getting to work offseason, but he’s in the The Pistons have stumbled over of a franchise that has points, 9.3 rebounds and
and helping the Detroit Pis- final season of his contract. while he’s been out with a never made it past the sec- 4.2 assists in his career.q