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Griffin's the one: Top pick from OU set for challenge with Clippers

Oklahoma's Blake Griffin takes questions in the interview room after being selected by the Los Angeles Clippers as the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft on Thursday night in New York. Jason DeCrow/Associated Press

 
By GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer
Published: 6/26/2009  2:20 AM
Last Modified: 6/26/2009  3:42 AM

 Blake Griffin's dream came true Thursday. Not even the biggest fashion faux pas of his life — wearing Laker purple to an NBA draft in which he would become the Clippers' No. 1 overall pick — could spoil it.

"It was accidental," he said. "I didn't even think about it until right before the draft. Somebody brought it up to me and said, 'The next time you wear purple it's going to be a $5,000 dollar fine.' I'll be sure not to make that mistake again."

Otherwise, things went great after commissioner David Stern called his name not five minutes after the draft began.

Griffin, Oklahoma's first national player of the year, became OU's first No. 1 overall pick, smiled and leaned back in his seat inside Madison Square Garden.

He hugged his parents.

He hugged his brother, Taylor, who would be selected in the second round, No. 48 overall, by Phoenix later Thursday.

That, by the way, made it the first time since 1989 (Stacey King and Mookie Blaylock) that OU had two players taken in the same NBA draft.

Griffin hugged OU coach Jeff Capel. He donned a black Clippers cap, walked onstage and posed for pictures with Stern.

Asked moments later by ESPN's Mark Jones what went through his mind as his name was called, Griffin said: "Just relief, man. It's great to know exactly where I'm going, to have it set in stone."

Even the Clippers? With two winning seasons over 30 years?

"I'm not worried about it at all," Griffin said, repeating the mantra he has used in countless interviews since the Clippers won the top pick in the May 19 lottery. "I remember when I made it to OU, people were like, 'Why do you wanna go there?' They didn't really have the best year before."

Griffin arrived and Capel and the Sooners took off, reaching the Elite Eight last season. Thursday, it didn't sound like anyone in the Griffin camp was falling prey to the Clippers' curse.

"I don't have a problem with that," Tommy Griffin, Blake's father, told ESPN. "There's always the future, and you don't worry about the past because there's nothing you can do about it."

Clearly, this was a night to celebrate, not lament.

Informed that the Clippers were already selling his jersey, Griffin deadpanned: "I hope a few of them have been bought. It's exciting. I'm ready to show the fans of L.A. what I can do."

That market, though, is dominated, from a basketball standpoint, by the Lakers and UCLA.

"It's fine," Griffin said. "To be honest, I'm just look forward to playing in the NBA. It's a dream come true. Right now I'm not really concerned with being the biggest team in that market or anything."

No concerns, either, with being a lifelong Okie suddenly faced with life in L.A.'s fast lane.

"I don't think L.A. is much like Oklahoma," said Griffin, who took in some sights during a recent L.A. weekend, "but I can definitely get used to it."

The way he figures, basketball will occupy much of his attention beginning next week. Which is just what the Clippers expect, never mind the fact that you can purchase Blake Griffin t-shirts, autographed photos and draft day posters on the club's official Web site.

"We are getting an incredible player and an incredible person with an impeccable work ethic," said Clippers head coach and general manager Mike Dunleavy, who went on ESPN Radio earlier Thursday and compared Griffin to Charles Barkley and Tim Duncan. "Blake is a guy who we plan on having in L.A. for many years to come. We think he is going to be a great, exciting addition to our ball club

"We are pleased with the player Blake is right now, and we are also really pleased with his upside."

The immediate future of one of pro sports' most pitiful franchises seems to hinge on that upside. That's a lot to put on a 20-year-old, even one with the maturity that Griffin displayed the past two years with the Sooners.

Thursday, however, wasn't the time to worry.

"The past is exactly what you said. It's the past," Griffin said when another interviewer asked about the Clippers' history. "Nobody can do anything to change it. I certainly can't. I'm just looking forward to the future."

Top picks

1. Clippers B. Griffin (PF) OU

2. Grizzlies H. Thabeet (C) UConn

3. Thunder J. Harden (SG) Ariz. St.

Scouting report: The 6-foot-5 Harden was a first-team All-American last season at ASU, where he averaged 20.1 points a game. A lefty, Harden shot 49 percent last season, his sophomore campaign.

4. Kings T. Evans (SG) Memphis

5. T’Wolves* R. Rubio (PG) Spain
*from Wizards

6. T’Wolves J. Flynn (PG) Syracuse

7. Warriors S. Curry (PG) Davidson

8. Knicks J. Hill (PF) Arizona

9. Raptors D. DeRozan (SG) USC

10. Bucks B. Jennings (PG) Italy

Other picks of note

24. Thunder* B.J. Mullens (C) Ohio St.
*from Mavericks

54. Thunder* Robert Vaden (SG) UAB
*from Bobcats

48. Suns Taylor Griffin (SF) Oklahoma

Guerin Emig 581-8355
guerin.emig@tulsaworld.com
By GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer

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COMMENTS 
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14 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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Some reader comments for this story were copied from "Griffin taken overall No. 1," which was published on 6/25/2009.
Report Comment
junkman, Tulsa (6/25/2009 6:54:07 PM)
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Comment
Michael C., Tulsa (6/25/2009 7:10:15 PM)
Total shame he had to go to the Clippers. They ARE the biggest joke in pro sports. But since rookies can only sign three year contracts, maybe he'll wind up somewhere better.
Make us proud, Blake!!
Report Comment
cb78, Pueblo, CO (6/25/2009 8:33:35 PM)
I wish he would have gone to Denver or OKC, but he'll still be fun to watch.
Report Comment
Moses, Jenks (6/25/2009 8:38:17 PM)
No. 1, it doesn’t get any better than that!
Congratulations Blake, you’re going to be great!
You’re smart, talented and you have a nice family who supports you.
Report Comment
2ndjoyce, BA (6/25/2009 8:52:15 PM)
I love watching Blake play and I love how he conducts himself when others choose to attack him personally and physically. Congratulations and I can't wait to see what comes next!
Report Comment
ditto, (6/26/2009 7:24:14 AM)
He will be missed!
Report Comment
eddieo, Tulsa (6/26/2009 8:39:55 AM)
No more Ramen noodles... wonder what his pay for the first year will be?
Report Comment
57 Nomad, Tulsa (6/26/2009 9:00:32 AM)
Good luck Blake.
Report Comment
hawkdaddy, (6/26/2009 9:20:07 AM)
What a stud.
Report Comment
Arbythree, Tulsa (6/26/2009 9:59:02 AM)
NUMBER 1 !

BOOMER SOONER!!!!!!!
Report Comment
Tulsa Life, (6/26/2009 11:25:53 AM)
eddieo

It will be very nice. He won't be in the top highest paid players or anything because of the rookie salary cap. He will get a ridic endorsement check though...
Report Comment
Carrie, Tulsa (6/26/2009 1:12:36 PM)
I loved the Conan joke last night.
Report Comment
pat, Kiefer (6/26/2009 2:47:51 PM)
BOOMER SOONER!!!!!!!
Report Comment
purple rain, (6/26/2009 4:07:11 PM)
u r right tulsa life, the endorsement money will be outstanding. he's already signed to do subway commercials or something like that, isn't he??
 

 
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