Oklahoma’s Blake Griffin heads to Clippers as No. 1 pick in NBA draft

Clippers take Blake Griffin as No. 1 pick in draft

LOS ANGELES — Blake Griffin is definitely still learning as he takes his initial steps from college to the NBA.

And that includes what to wear.

Griffin took the stage at New York’s Madison Square Garden on Thursday night as the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, having been selected by the Los Angeles Clippers.

But the player with all eyes on him had accented his black suit and tie with a purple shirt. That color is closely associated with the NBA champion Lakers, who rule the city and the arena they share with the Clippers, whose color scheme is red, white and blue.

“It was accidental, man,” Griffin said on a conference call. “I didn’t even think about it until right before the draft. Someone said, ‘The next time you wear purple it’s going to be a $5,000 fine,’ so I’ll be sure not to make that mistake again.”

Across the country, Griffin’s fashion faux pas hardly mattered to Clippers officials gathered at the team’s practice facility. They heartily applauded the franchise’s only pick in this year’s draft.

“We feel like Blake definitely is a sure thing,” general manager and coach Mike Dunleavy said.

Griffin was the consensus college player of the year after leading the nation with 14.4 rebounds per game while averaging 22.7 points for Oklahoma. The Clippers said they would take the 6-foot-10, 251-pound forward with the top pick just hours after they won the draft lottery last month.

“I felt pretty solid, but I kept saying in the back of my mind, ‘Don’t get too comfortable because something could happen,’” Griffin said about the possibility of a last-minute change of heart by the Clippers. “I tried to stay ready.”

Griffin’s 30 double-doubles as a sophomore led the nation. His field goal percentage of .659 was second best in the country, and his 504 rebounds were the highest season total since Larry Bird grabbed 505 in 1978-79 at Indiana State.

“The fact is we’re getting an incredible player, incredible person, an impeccable work ethic and a guy that we plan on having in L.A. for many years to come,” Dunleavy said. “He’s going to be a great, exciting fit for our ballclub.”

After hugging his parents in the New York audience, Griffin smiled and shook hands with Stern. He’s expected to join the Clippers in Los Angeles on Monday.

“I’m ready to show the fans of L.A. what I can do,” he said.

Griffin’s older brother, Taylor, a 6-7 forward from Oklahoma, was selected 48th by the Phoenix Suns in the second round, putting both siblings out West.

Griffin comes to a team that has had two winning seasons in the last 30 years — they were 19-63 last season — and just one playoff appearance since 1997. The Clippers also had the No. 1 pick in 1988, when they took Danny Manning, and in 1998, when they took center Michael Olowokandi, who proved to be a bust.

“The biggest strength is my rebounding and just playing physical,” he said. “The thing I need to work on the most is probably my shot. That’s something I’ve been working hard on and will continue to develop.”

The Clippers’ starting lineup last season was Baron Davis, Eric Gordon, Al Thornton, Chris Kaman and Marcus Camby.

Dunleavy said he anticipates Griffin playing most of his minutes at power forward, although he could log time at center.

“He has the versatility to eventually play 3, 4, 5 at times,” the coach said.

The Clippers only had the No. 1 pick, although Dunleavy said the team was looking at acquiring another selection.

“We’re patient,” he said. “If something comes up that would be a good opportunity, we’ll look to take it.”

Griffin has accepted an invitation to participate in the USA Basketball national team minicamp in Las Vegas from July 22-25. The minicamp will be used to identify prospects for openings on the U.S. teams in the 2010 world championships and 2012 London Olympics.