Blake Griffin supports Chris Paul following messy breakup with Clippers, expresses disappointment in former team

Blake Griffin, one of the standout figures in Los Angeles Clippers history, voiced his support for former teammate Chris Paul following the point guard's abrupt departure from the team. Paul's exit occurred mid-road trip, just days before Griffin shared his thoughts during a segment on Prime Video's NBA pregame show.

Griffin highlighted Paul's leadership and influence during their time in L.A., while expressing frustration at the franchise's handling of the situation. "I'm disappointed for Chris Paul," Griffin said, emphasizing both his surprise and dismay at the lack of communication from the organization.

Griffin elaborated on Paul's impact: "Chris came to the Clippers when DeAndre [Jordan] and I were just starting our careers. He instilled a winning mentality, taught us the importance of preparation, and showed us how every detail in the game matters. For 20 years, Chris has been consistent, focused on winning."

He continued, noting that Paul's return to the Clippers was meant to be a culminating chapter of his career: "This was supposed to be his moment in L.A., his last effort. Not being able to finish on his own terms, especially with the team he chose to join for this stage of his career, is extremely disappointing."

Griffin criticized the Clippers lack of communication, particularly with head coach Ty Lue and owner Steve Ballmer, highlighting that Paul had no meaningful discussions with them regarding his departure. "An organization is built on respect and how people are treated," Griffin said. "In this case, Chris wasn't treated right."

Reports following Paul's release indicated friction between him and the Clippers leadership. Allegedly, Paul had been critical of coaches and executives, prompting a meeting with team president Lawrence Frank. Paul denied the claims but later offered an apology to teammates for any misunderstanding. Attempts to meet with Lue were reportedly declined.

At the time of Paul's exit, the Clippers struggled with a 5-16 record, and Paul was experiencing career-low stats, coming off the bench and averaging 2.9 points per game. Despite this, Paul remains determined to continue playing and is evaluating his next steps carefully. "I'm just staying ready. I'm hooping right now. I dont know whats next. Still processing everything, but staying ready," he shared.

Although his performance has dipped, Paul's veteran leadership and experience are expected to attract interest from teams around the league. Meanwhile, the Clippers have recently rebounded with a decisive win over the Atlanta Hawks, snapping a five-game losing streak.

Author: Grace Ellison