Blake Griffin Rips Clippers: Pistons Made Me Realize What a Franchise Looks Like

Blake Griffin said his January trade from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Detroit Pistons has allowed him to "realize what a franchise looks like."

Griffin told Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated he hasn't spent much time thinking back to his Clippers days because the Pistons organization, including head coach Stan Van Gundy, has provided a "first-class" experience.

"I haven't put much thought into it, to be honest," he said. "I've been so focused on making this transition and [adjusting] to this change that I haven't put that much thought into it. I never want to be in a place where I'm not wanted. Coming here made me realize what a franchise looks like."

The Clippers signed Griffin to a five-year, $171 million contract in July after the five-time All-Star power forward made a brief foray into free agency.

He explained to Lee Jenkins of Sports Illustrated in November the pitch of getting to stay with the same franchise was a huge part of his decision to re-sign in L.A.

"That was the sell," Griffin said. "'This is where you've been. This is your home. You've been here for 17 wins and you've been here for 50.' It made me feel like I was part of something bigger than myself. I couldn't be the guy who was like, 'Well, everything that went wrong here is the team's fault, so I'll just leave.' I wanted to take ownership."

Blake Griffin Highlights

Now, after being traded just six months into his new contract, Griffin discussed the business side of the sport taking precedent over what people may tell him, per Spears.

"You always hear guys say that, 'Basketball is a business,' and all that," Griffin said. "It's so much different when you have had a relationship with a certain amount of people for so long and been at a place for so long. Someone always promises you this is what we are doing and six months later..."

He added: "It shows people's true colors. Other than that, at the end of the day, you have to realize it's a business."

Griffin, who's averaged 20.2 points in 21 games since the trade, tallied 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists in his first game against the Clippers last month.

That was a home game for the Pistons, though. He won't get his first chance to face the Clips as a road player at Staples Center until next season.