Blake Griffin is the 3rd best American big drafted Since 2000

When discussing the greatest American big men drafted in the 21st century, Dwight Howard (2004, 1st overall) and Anthony Davis (2012, 1st overall) stand out as clear top-two selections. Howard, an eight-time All-Star and three-time Defensive Player of the Year, dominated the paint for over a decade, leading Orlando to the 2009 NBA Finals. Davis, a champion with the Lakers in 2020, is one of the most versatile two-way bigs in modern basketball.

But after them, who comes next? If we exclude Karl-Anthony Towns (born in the Dominican Republic) and Joel Embiid (born in Cameroon) from the conversation, the debate becomes intriguing. Here are the top candidates for the third-best American big drafted since 2000.

Top Contenders

1. Blake Griffin (2009, 1st Overall – LAC)

• Career Stats: 19.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 4.0 APG

• Accolades: 6× All-Star, 5× All-NBA, Rookie of the Year

Blake Griffin entered the league as an explosive power forward, redefining highlight reels with his jaw-dropping dunks. Despite missing his rookie year due to injury, he stormed onto the scene in 2010-11, winning Rookie of the Year and averaging 22.5 points and 12.1 rebounds.

At his peak, Griffin was an MVP candidate (2013-14, finishing third in voting) and the face of the Lob City Clippers. Though injuries limited his longevity, he evolved into a well-rounded player, improving his passing and shooting.

2. DeMarcus Cousins (2010, 5th Overall – SAC)

• Career Stats: 19.6 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 3.0 APG

• Accolades: 4× All-Star, 2× All-NBA

At his peak, DeMarcus Cousins was arguably the most skilled offensive big man in the NBA. A dominant post scorer with guard-like ball-handling, Cousins could shoot threes, facilitate, and bully defenders inside. His best stretch came in Sacramento (2014-2017), where he averaged over 25 PPG and 10 RPG as an offensive centerpiece.

However, Cousins' career was derailed by injuries—most notably a torn Achilles in 2018 that drastically limited his mobility. Unlike Griffin, Cousins never had a deep playoff run, leaving a sense of unfulfilled potential.

3. Al Horford (2007, 3rd Overall – ATL)

• Career Stats: 13.2 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 3.3 APG

• Accolades: 5× All-Star, 1× All-NBA, 2× NCAA Champion

Al Horford may not have the raw statistical dominance of Griffin or Cousins, but his impact on winning has been immense. A two-time NCAA champion at Florida, Horford entered the league as an elite two-way big.

He has been a key contributor to multiple deep playoff runs, most notably with Boston, where his defensive versatility and playmaking helped them reach multiple Conference Finals and the 2022 NBA Finals.

4. Bam Adebayo (2017, 14th Overall – MIA)

• Career Stats: 16.8 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 3.5 APG

• Accolades: 3× All-Star, 5× All-Defense

Bam Adebayo is the best modern defensive big in this discussion. A switchable, high-IQ defender, Bam was a key part of Miami's NBA Finals runs in 2020 and 2023. Though not as dominant offensively as Griffin or Cousins, his defensive impact is arguably greater.

Still only 26, Bam could rise further in this conversation depending on future success.

Who’s the Best Pick?

With all this I think is Blake Griffin

what is your thought on this