Blake Griffin's Rookie Of The Year Press Conference Features Norm MacDonald

Blake Griffin’s Rookie of the Year press conference was held Thursday afternoon as Los Angeles Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro, Vice President of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey spoke about the 22-year-old before a T-Mobile executive awarded him his trophy.

The voice of the Clippers, Ralph Lawler, introduced those in attendance including Griffin’s parents, agents and the last Clippers Rookie of the Year, Terry Cummings, as well as a contingent of season ticket holders. Griffin’s brother, Taylor, wasn’t in attendance as his European team is still playing out its season.

Griffin led all rookies, and the Clippers, this season with 22.5 points, 12.1 rebounds and 63 double-doubles. Interestingly, he was the only player in the NBA to average at least 20 points, 12 rebounds and three assists. According to the NBA’s press release, Griffin became the first rookie to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds since Elton Brand in 1999-2000 and was only the fourth rookie to total at least 1,600 points, 900 rebounds and 250 assists, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1969-70), Elgin Baylor (1958-59) and Sidney Wicks (1971-72).

Del Negro opened his comments at the press conference by mentioning that he had Thursday’s date circled on his calendar ever since the first day he walked into practice and watched him play.

In his acceptance speech, Griffin thanked God for the ability to play basketball, his parents for everything they instilled in him and the values they taught him, his agents, his teammates that helped in a year “full of ups and downs” and also the entire coaching staff — including the video guys, trainers and strength coaches — as they all were incredible in getting him back into shape and at full strength.

Comedian Norm MacDonald was also in attendance, asking perhaps the most interesting question during the press conference when he told Griffin about a seeming curse on the past Rookie of the Years as no one has ever repeated earning the honor. Griffin responded to the comedian by saying he'd do his best in trying to repeat next year.

Blake Griffin Wins Rookie Of The Year Award In Unanimous Vote

Blake Griffin is the Rookie of the Year in the NBA this season after the media unanimously chose the Los Angeles Clippers power forward for the first place vote on every ballot.

This is quite the consolation prize as the second-year pro, but first year NBA player after sitting out all of last year due to injury, averaged 22.5 points, 12.1 rebounds and shot (dunked?) better than 50 percent from the field while starting all 82 games for the Clippers this season.

Surprisingly, Griffin also earned a third place Most Valuable Player vote yesterday when the MVP announcement was made.

Griffin, 22, earned 590 points in the balloting system while Washington Wizards point guard John Wall took second with 295 points. Rounding out the rest of the vote getters are DeMarcus Cousins of the Sacramento Kings (81 points), Landry Fields of the New York Knicks (62), San Antonio Spurs’ surprise Gary Neal (19) and Greg Monroe of th Detroit Pistons with just 15 votes according to NBA..com’s Scott Howard-Cooper.

The press conference announcing Griffin’s winning the Rookie of the Year award will be available on Fox Sports West and NBA.com at 3:30 p.m. Pacific Time.

Blake Griffin Is NBA Rookie of the Year - Surprise, Surprise

Blake Griffin is the NBA's Rookie of the Year this season - an honor that is wholly deserved, if more than a little obvious.

Blake Griffin Wins NBA Rookie Of The Year According To Reports

In news that should surprise nobody, Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers has won the 2010-2011 NBA Rookie of the Year Award. Citing an unnamed source, ESPN reported the news Tuesday evening, which the Clippers more or less confirm on the team website. Griffin led all rookies in scoring at 22.5 points per game. He was also the Clippers leading scorer and rebounder (12.1) while finishing with the third most assists per game amongst his teammates (3.8).

Even though Griffin had essentially locked up the award by the All Star break (he was the first rookie to start in the glorified scrimmage since Yao Ming back in 2003), the news is still exciting for Griffin, the Clippers organization and the team's fan base. The Clippers may have missed the playoffs for the fifth consecutive year, but the season was plenty memorable and highly entertaining for the fans thanks in large part to Griffin and the 212 dunks he threw down.

Congratulations to Griffin on being the first Clippers player to win the award since the team moved to LA in 1984!