Why did Blake Griffin sign with the Nets? Brooklyn's latest addition provides simple answer

Joe Rivera

•
Why did Blake Griffin sign with the Nets? Brooklyn's latest addition provides simple answer image

Brooklyn Blake? The merchandise sells itself.

After being bought out by the Pistons earlier in February, Blake Griffin has signed with the Nets, a move many expected, giving the Nets yet another scoring option to add to their Big 3.

While the NBA veteran has a lot of playoff experience — 53 games total — he's never been on a team that's made it past the semi-finals in any of the seven playoff appearances in his career. Griffin and the Nets have a real opportunity to go all the way this season and hand-deliver Griffin that long-awaited championship ring. 

MORE: NBA All-Star Game winners and losers

So, it comes as no surprise that teaming up with Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and James Harden in Brooklyn was a particularly enticing opportunity for the veteran forward, especially considering that the Nets are rounding into form as the best team in the Eastern Conference.

In his own words, here's why Griffin inked a deal with Brooklyn:

Why did Blake Griffin sign with the Nets?

In a Bleacher Report AMA on Monday, Griffin provided a simple, expected answer: He wants to play for the chance to win the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

"They have a need for a four-man. I've always had a lot of respect for Steve Nash and all of the guys that they have," Griffin said. "Sean Marks has done great job there. It was a tough decision and I wanted to be on a team that was contending. …

"My only goal is to help win a championship. Some years it's more realistic than others. But that's why I came to Brooklyn."

In 12 seasons, Griffin has appeared in 53 playoff games, mostly with the Clippers. During his tenure with the Pistons, Griffin appeared in the playoffs once, a four-game sweep at the hands of the Bucks in 2019.

Griffin might not be the scoring machine he once was with the Clippers, but he can be a viable piece off the bench with the Nets and gives Brooklyn a very good small-ball starting five as well.

Joe Rivera

Joe Rivera Photo

Joe Rivera is in his seventh year with The Sporting News, handling NFL, MLB and some things pro wrestling. A proud-ish Rutgers University graduate, Rivera combines a new-school flair with an old-school soul. He loves dingers, wrestling, comic books, movies, music and really bad puns. He is also a card-carrying BBWAA member and teaches Multimedia Sports Reporting at his alma mater.

You can find him and tweet him @JoeRiveraSN, if you're into that sort of thing.