The 75 greatest NBA players of the 2010s, ranked

18) Blake Griffin

Before injuries hampered his career, 2009 number one overall pick Blake Griffin looked as though he might be the next big thing. For a while, he lived up to the hype, including putting together one of the best rookie seasons in recent memory by averaging 22.5 points, 12.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists. He would win Rookie of the Year and make the first of five straight all-star teams. 

Once paired with Chris Paul, they formed Lob City and helped turn the Los Angeles Clippers into a title contender. That includes making six consecutive playoff appearances, the longest streak of success in team history. In 604 games during the decade, Griffin posted a terrific 21.9 points, 9 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. He also finished third in MVP voting during the 2013–14 season and made four All-NBA teams. 

Unfortunately, he missed all of the 2009–10 season, his actual rookie year. To his credit, he missed just four games over his next four seasons. Griffin then missed 15, 52, 21, and 24 games—205 over the decade, or the equivalent of two and a half seasons. Overall, he is one of the more accomplished players of his era and had his body held up better, he would have been even better.