Griffin: Coming to Pistons 'made me realize what a franchise looks like'

It sounds like Blake Griffin is more than a little relieved to be out of the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Detroit Pistons landed Griffin in a blockbuster trade in January, putting an end to the power forward's tenure in sunny L.A. after eight-and-a-half seasons. But while Griffin insists he hasn't racked his brain over the reasons for the deal, in an interview with The Undefeated's Marc J. Spears, he did seemingly take a shot at his former employers.

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

Griffin's perceived grudge against the Clippers may be the result of the manner in which they enticed the 29-year-old to re-sign last summer, reportedly telling the superstar he would one day have his number retired with the team as they walked through an empty Staples Center.

To make matters worse, the team didn't notify the forward of the trade themselves, leaving him to find out on social media.

"You always hear guys say that, 'Basketball is a business,' and all that. 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," he said. "Someone always promises you this is what we are doing and six months later ...

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