The Tip Top Five April 16, 2024

Welcome to the Tip Top Five! Every Day I'll be highlighting the Top 5 stories of the day!

5. Blake Griffin Retires from the NBA:

Griffin Announces Retirement

Blake Griffin took to social media to announce his retirement as confirmed by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Griffin represents a time in basketball where his high flying capabilities and thunderous dunks helped propel a normally underachieving franchise to the spotlight when he was drafted Number 1 Overall in 2010.

Griffin Retires as a 6X All Star, 5X All NBA, former Dunk Champion and NBA Rookie of the Year. He ends his career averaging 19.0 PPG and 8.0 RPG.

"He was up to some shady stuff"

4. Glasnow - Ippei "Shady":

Tyler Glasnow said on "The Chris Rose Rotation" that former Shohei Ohtani translator, Ippei Mizuhara was seen as "up to some shady stuff" when he was introduced to the Dodgers following the Ohtani free agent signing. Glasnow went on to say that Ohtani had the demeanor of an innocent man and had even gave his phone to his teammates to help "figure this out". Ohtani was thrust even deeper into the public spotlight following articles mentioning a massive payment to illegal bookmakers in California. Documents revealed that Mizuhara allegedly lost over $180 Million and stole more than $16 Million from Ohtani, himself.

3. Chicago Sky Draft Reese and Cardoso in the first round:

Chicago: Sky's the limit

The WNBA Draft has come and gone! To no surprise, Caitlin Clark went Number 1 overall to the Indiana Fever. However, the Fever might not have won the night. The Chicago Sky were able to draft 6'7" Kamila Cardoso (South Carolina) and Angel Reese (LSU). This helps shore up what could be considered one of the most dominating front courts in the WNBA. Both have Championship Pedigree and dominated in the NCAA. Reese was noticeably and understandably emotional as she spoke about her excitement to play alongside Cardoso.

2. NBA Play-In Games on the Way:

After 82 games, the NBA Play-In Tournament is set to be underway! In the west the 7/8 game is between the Lakers and Pelicans, while the 9/10 matchup is Warriors v Kings.

In the East, The Sixers and Heat square off in the 7/8 matchup and the Hawks take on the Bulls in the 9/10 matchup. Though the East is going to be undoubtedly entertaining, the more compelling storyline is in the west. There is a scenario where the Lakers and Warriors are both eliminated from the Playoffs. The NBA is better with a LeBron and Steph storyline running deep into the post season and it really seems like this could be in doubt as we get closer to tipoff.

1. Caitlin Clark Goes Number 1, Fanatics cant keep up:

Fever Pick Clark No. 1

Maybe this isn't a big surprise because we all knew it would happen, but it's always nice to see dreams come true. There has been a ton of debate surrounding the Basketball Super Star on wether or not she can have the same impact in the WNBA. Iowa is a woman's basketball stronghold, but Indiana is always a place that loves basketball at any level. The Caitlin Clark effect should be something that lasts through the next few seasons as Women's Basketball continues its growth. One measurement of this exponential popularity is the scene at Fanatics. The normally under the radar company has been in the news since February when their MLB uniforms became the topic of discussion and now following the WNBA Draft, they ran out of Caitlin Clark Merchandise. Hopefully they can get it together, because the demand for Clark will not slowdown.