Blake Griffin returned to the NBA at age 37 as an analyst for Amazon after announcing his retirement in 2024.
The former forward spent 14 seasons in the league across stints with the Los Angeles Clippers, Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn Nets, and Boston Celtics. After playing through nine surgeries and physical wear, Griffin initially stated he would step away from basketball entirely. Now, he hosts the program The Stepback with Blake Griffin and appears on the study program NBA on Prime.
“Bueno, mirá quién resultó ser un mentiroso,” Griffin said with a laugh during an interview with GQ, recalling his earlier stance on retirement. He explained that Amazon’s new broadcast partnership changed his mind by offering a different approach to the sport.
Shifting Away From Personal Criticism
“Pensé que había demasiado negativismo a la hora de examinar a los jugadores,” Griffin told GQ. “No necesito ir a la televisión y decirle a todo el mundo que el tipo que tiró 3 de 17 es malo en básquet. No lo es. Tuvo una mala noche.”
Instead of tearing down players who struggle through cold shooting nights, Griffin intends to focus on tactical breakdowns. He wants to highlight what a player did correctly or examine adjustments that could yield better results.
“Quizás puedo mostrar algunas de las cosas que pudo hacer de otra forma o algunas que hizo bien, aunque no haya sido su noche,” Griffin said.
Tracking Tactical Evolution
To keep his analysis sharp, Griffin plans to hold annual conversations with team general managers and head coaches.
“El básquet evoluciona y uno tiene que evolucionar su forma de pensarlo,” Griffin said.
During his playing days, Griffin watched opponents to prepare for upcoming matchups. In the analyst chair, he follows matchups, tactical adjustments, and moments that help explain the development of each game.
Griffin Se Retira Por Exigencia Física Y Vida Familiar
Griffin retired at 34, following through on a timeline he set early in his career. The decision stemmed from the physical effort required just to practice and recover.
“Sentía que tenía que poner el mismo esfuerzo solo para practicar, recuperarme de esa práctica y prepararme para el partido del día siguiente,” Griffin explained.
The travel schedule also drove him away from the game, making it difficult to maintain a presence in the lives of his children living in Los Angeles. Before making his final choice, Griffin spoke with JJ Redick, who told him that he would not be “verdaderamente feliz” until retiring.
“Estar presente es un regalo enorme,” Griffin said, noting how much he values watching his children play youth sports now.
Reflecting on Lob City
Griffin also looked back at his eight years with the Los Angeles Clippers, where he formed the core of the Lob City era alongside Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan, and JJ Redick. Although that group did not win a title, Griffin takes pride in the change that group produced in an organization that, until then, had a negative image within the league.
“Lo miro con orgullo,” Griffin said. “Tratamos de dejar el lugar mejor de lo que lo encontramos.”
He remains closely tied to the fanbase, though he harbors no desire for official organizational recognition. He also criticized modern sports media reporting, recalling how he found out about his 2018 trade to Detroit via Twitter rather than through direct communication.
“Siempre deberías saber primero lo que ocurre en tu vida antes que el resto,” Griffin said.
With 14 episodes recorded for the first season of his show, Griffin aims to build a platform that respects athletes while tackling broader sports topics, including youth sports costs and stadium financing.
Worth a look
