Blake Griffin 'Never Wanted to Be Famous'

There is a strong chance you have seen Los Angeles Clippers power forward Blake Griffin on TV in the past 24 hours.

Even if you didn't watch the Clippers' nationally televised 117-105 win over the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday evening, you likely caught a glimpse of one of Griffin's approximately 10,000 daily commercials. If he's not hawking video game services, he's pitching the new Kia Optima (you know...the one with the Nappa leather seats and the striking exterior).

But according to the man himself, that constant barrage of TV time says nothing about the real Blake Griffin: a shy kid from Oklahoma who never sought out the limelight. That is what he told Slam Magazine's Chris Palmer, as the famous basketball publication honored Griffin as their "Man of the Year." 

“I never wanted to be famous,” Griffin said. “I just wanted to be a basketball player.” 

Whether or not Griffin has ever actually sought out fame, there can be no doubt that he has become one heck of a basketball player.

The fourth-year man out of the University of Oklahoma has reached a whole different level in 2013-14, averaging 24.1 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. 

But Griffin has really taken off since star Clippers point guard Chris Paul injured his shoulder on Jan. 3. He became the Clippers' unquestioned leader, as Los Angeles maintained a strong 12-6 record with Paul out of the lineup.

The power forward averaged 30.0 points and 10.7 rebounds in February en route to being named Western Conference Player of the Month—the only player other than Kevin Durant to win the award in 2013-14.

Given the amazing strides Griffin has taken this season, Palmer sees a bright future on the horizon:

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Given his youth, untapped potential and pairing with the current generation’s best PG, Chris Paul, rarely has a power forward positioned himself this well at such an early stage to capture a ring and the place in the game that comes with it. 

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But Griffin is likely more concerned with his more immediate future, as the Clippers have earned the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. They will open the postseason at home against the No. 6 seed Golden State Warriors.

Griffin's Clippers are a legitimate championship contender right now, and they will need their power forward to perform at peak level if they are to achieve their ultimate goal.

All statistics courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com.