Is Blake Griffin the Best Rookie Power Forward of All-time?

Even though the Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin is in his second year with the team, he is technically considered a rookie.

Griffin’s tremendous rookie season got me wondering where he ranks among the best rookie power forwards (PF) of all-time in the NBA.

Beyond the eye-popping, oxygen-sucking, fan-amazing dunks that Griffin pulls off (at least once a game), he has already proved himself to be one of the best rookies of all-time at his position.

The scary thing is we have only seen SOME of Blake Griffin’s super-human dunks thus far.

And those were just from one game against the New York Knicks. Imagine what his career dunk highlight reel is going to look like.

In contemplating his rank among the best of all-time, one thing is clear: Blake Griffin should be an all-star this season.

Although due to the Clippers’ record, I doubt that will happen. I also feel sorry for Minnesota’s Kevin Love for the same reason.

10. Bob Pettit PF

9. Terry Cummings PF

8. Larry Kenon PF

7. George McGinnis PF

6. Blake Griffin PF

In 45 games, Griffin has already given the NBA enough highlights to last a career. Not only has he reinvigorated the Clippers’ organization, he may even be good enough to lead them to the playoffs—next year. ESPN’s John Hollinger gives the Clippers a 1.8% chance of making the playoffs.  For Griffin’s sake, I’m pulling for them (for once).

5. Ralph Sampson C/F

Although 7’4, Sampson played power forward when he was teamed up with the legendary Hakeem Olajuwon.

4. Jerry Lucas PF

Not only did Lucas’ team improve from not making the playoffs (the year before) to losing in the Eastern Conference Finals, his Royals lost to the mighty Boston Celtics.

3. Tim Duncan C/PF

A funny side note: Duncan was technically an All-star in 1999, but due to the NBA lockout, there actually was no All-star game.

2. Connie Hawkins

Although his rookie year was spectacular, Hawkins’ rookie year in the ABA was even better as he posted 26.8 ppg, 13.5 rpg, 4.6 apg, and shot 51.9% for the Pittsburg Pipers in 1967. Also impressive is that his Phoenix Suns lost in the Western Conference Finals to the Los Angeles Lakers.

1. Elvin Hayes

Hayes was not only the top scoring PF rookie of all-time, as a rookie Hayes started in the ’69 All-star game (as a center) over the legendary Wilt Chamberlain. Can you remember which players are ahead of Hayes on the all-time rookie PPG list?

As one can see, Griffin’s peers in this category—almost all/all were selected to the all-star game.

So, maybe we should hold up putting Blake Griffin him among the all-time greats (until his career is nearing completion).

But it is a fair question: is Blake Griffin the best rookie power forward of all-time?

I think Griffin is in the discussion, but he has yet to match some of the other great rookie years in NBA history.

But this shows even more proof that, at least historically, Blake Griffin should be an All-star. See the appendix below for more.

As a side note, arguably the best rookie PF of all-time in the ABA was Spencer Haywood who averaged 30 ppg and 19.5 rpg in his first season.

Top Scoring Rookies

1. Wilt Chamberlain 37.6 ppg
2. Walt Bellamy 31.6 ppg
3. Oscar Robertson 30.5 ppg
4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 28.8 ppg
5. Elvin Hayes 28.4 ppg
6. Michael Jordan 28.2 ppg

The only current player in the top 20 is Shaquille O’Neal (19^th).

R.S. De France is a College and University instructor of English Composition living in Los Angeles. He has a B.A. in English and an M.A. in Rhetoric, Composition, and Writing. De France has played, coached, and officiated competitive high school basketball in California for many years. Recently, De France, his wife, and another colleague started an internationally read magazine at Shwibly.com.