Chron.com: Eddie misses team trip

codell · 10-15-2003, 12:08 AM

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory...bk/bkn/2157947

Reason for forward's absence unknown
By JONATHAN FEIGEN
Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle
RESOURCES

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- If the Rockets did not have enough problems this preseason, third-year forward Eddie Griffin, one of the presumed keys to their rebuilding, gave them another.

Griffin skipped the team's Monday flight to Sacramento on Monday, did not return messages left by the Rockets on Tuesday and did not take a commercial flight to join the team in time to play against the Kings on Tuesday night.

"There were messages left by Carroll (Dawson, the Rockets' general manager) to him," Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "There has been no returned call. It's my understanding he's safe. It's not a safety issue.

"I don't think anybody (with the team) has talked to him."

Dawson said he has spoken to Griffin's agent, Arn Tellum, and to others close to Griffin, and hopes to meet with Griffin today.

Tellum was not available for comment Tuesday.

Griffin, 21, skipped a home game last season under mysterious circumstances. When he returned to the team he would only say that he skipped the game for "personal reasons."

Griffin is free on bond after a marijuana possession charge last April. His case is scheduled for a hearing late this month. But Griffin's attorney, Rusty Hardin, said Tuesday that there were no issues with Griffin's case that could have either required that he remain in Houston or troubled Griffin to the point that he would choose to skip the trip.

"It's got to be something personal," Hardin said. "I know nothing personal with his case."

The Rockets have until the end of the month to exercise their option to extend Griffin's rookie contract to a fourth season. They typically have made such moves before the preseason but apparently wanted to see Griffin work with Van Gundy and the Rockets' new coaching staff before committing to another season.

Van Gundy and Dawson would not say whether Griffin's absence on Tuesday would be considered when making a decision on Griffin's contract.

Griffin, however, could be a more valuable commodity to have on the roster with his contract extended to a fourth season.

If the contract is not extended, Griffin, the seventh selection in the 2001 Draft, would become an unrestricted free agent after the season. The Rockets gave up three first-round draft picks that night to get Griffin from the Nets.

"He missed the flight," Dawson said. "He's OK. I hope to talk to him tomorrow. I've talked to other people enough that I know it's not a basketball issue. It's something personal. I can't talk about that. That's his business. In talking to his agent, he doesn't have issues with us."

The Rockets, however, might now have issues with him.

"I'm concerned about everyone individually," Van Gundy said. "But I'm more concerned about the team and particularly concerned about those players who are here, and I look forward to meeting with Eddie and deciding what we're going to do from there. I would say what has happened is unacceptable."

Griffin has averaged eight points and eight rebounds in the preseason, but has made just 28.6 percent of his attempts from the field. Van Gundy said he was not aware of any issues that Griffin might have had with the team but was not checking, either.

"I don't try to make proclamations. I don't take their temperature day-to-day," Van Gundy said. "You take your time and see how things go. There are some things he's done very well. There are some things we're going to try to get him better at. I'm talking about basketball stuff.

"Something like this is a step back."

Faos · 10-15-2003, 12:21 AM

He better have a good excuse.

ima_drummer2k · 10-15-2003, 12:26 AM

Man, this kind of brings back memories of a certain Rockets point guard who shall remain nameless (we'll call him John L.) pulled the same thing back in the mid 80's just up the road in Oakland...

Not good.

codell · 10-15-2003, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ima_drummer2k
Man, this kind of brings back memories of a certain Rockets point guard who shall remain nameless (we'll call him John L.) pulled the same thing back in the mid 80's just up the road in Oakland...

Not good.

Spot on. Ive said it time and time again. I think Eggie has some serious demons he is battling. Im not just talking about the grass. Something else is going on with him. WHo knows what it is. Maybe its a harder drug problem. Maybe he has some sort of mental disorder. Maybe he just doesn't care.

Regardless, I was expecting to see some fire in him this preseason. So far, nothing. With Mo out for a while, he has had the chance to show JVG that he is the man at PF. With his play, poor shooting and now this, he is blowing his shot.

Hopefully, JVG will fine and suspend him. Maybe EG will get the message then.

DaDakota · 10-15-2003, 12:54 AM

Not all 19 year olds can make it...maybe he is our Leon Smith.

DD

jaredb2 · 10-15-2003, 12:58 AM

This is definitly NOT what the rockets, Jeff, or Eddie need right now. i can't think of think of anything that would make me go AWOL in a CONTRACT month!!!

Doctor Robert · 10-15-2003, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ima_drummer2k
Man, this kind of brings back memories of a certain Rockets point guard who shall remain nameless (we'll call him John L.) pulled the same thing back in the mid 80's just up the road in Oakland...

Not good.

Scary. That would certainly explain why the option on his contract hasn't been picked up already.

CBrownFanClub · 10-15-2003, 01:03 AM

this sounds really bad

DavidS · 10-15-2003, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ima_drummer2k
Man, this kind of brings back memories of a certain Rockets point guard who shall remain nameless (we'll call him John L.) pulled the same thing back in the mid 80's just up the road in Oakland...

Not good.

If there was anyone that could help EG it would be John L.

thacabbage · 10-15-2003, 01:09 AM

I don't see what purpose there is in not picking up the option. Why let the guy walk for free when we could atleast get something for him I'm sure.

DaDakota · 10-15-2003, 01:10 AM

Cabbage,

Agreed !!

DD

keep_rudy · 10-15-2003, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DavidS
If there was anyone that could help EG it would be John L.

Hey Davis, can you tell me who is that John L?

Deckard · 10-15-2003, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by CBrownFanClub
this sounds really bad

It sure does. About two weeks before your contract must be renewed and you miss a game? And no one knows why?? Eggie is walking on egg shells.

Doctor Robert · 10-15-2003, 01:13 AM

Innocent until proven guilty.... I've known a lot of people who smoke marijuana and although it isn't helping their cardiovascular fitness level, it certainly isn't threatening their lives or careers. Maybe he is just an emotional guy (we've also seen that in the past as he seems to bottle stuff up) and he broke up with a girlfriend.

ima_drummer2k · 10-15-2003, 01:13 AM

Wasn't a close relative or friend of EG's killed within the last few years? Or am I on crack?

u851662 · 10-15-2003, 01:14 AM

So quick to jump to conclusions around here. Wait to you get the facts of what the deal is, until then just say a prayer and hope that he is okay. I wonder if he knows what all his so called fans are saying about him now. It could be some kind of family issue or something. Fact is if you dont know dont be so quick to judge and jump to conclusions. Drug problems, demons, he just doesnt care? Man back off for a second. At least til' you here what the deal is.

DallasThomas · 10-15-2003, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ima_drummer2k
Wasn't a close relative or friend of EG's killed within the last few years? Or am I on crack?

It was his brother, whom he was really close to. He died shortly before Eddie came into the NBA.

DavidS · 10-15-2003, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by keep_rudy
Hey Davis, can you tell me who is that John L?

John Lucas, one of the best Rocket PGs, had a shortened career during the late 70s due to drug problems.

He's a good mentor, one of LeBrons favorite persons, and a motivational speaker at inner city schools.

Used to coach the Cavs.

The Real Shady · 10-15-2003, 01:31 AM

Oh, this is just great.

This guy can obviously not handle the pressures of the NBA and when pushed, just a little, crumbles under the pressure. This guy has the talent but certainly does not have the make up to make it in the NBA right now, and his trade value just might have hit the floor after this incident.

Richard Jefferson sure would have looked good in a Rockets uni.

Batman Jones · 10-15-2003, 01:54 AM

I highly doubt this is a drug issue. Nothing about a drug thing would keep him from returning calls. I think he's depressed.

Everything about his body language, the way he talks, the way he plays suggests it. I think he has serious depression issues.

I said this before, a while back, about Cato and I still believe it. But I think Cato's manic. He seems to have wild mood swings between really caring and not being able to buy a care. Right now, and for a while, Cato's been riding a great wave. He seems to respond really well to positive reinforcement (from a coach, teammates, reporters and fans) and I'm glad to see he's getting it.

Eddie, on the other hand, doesn't seem to have highs and lows -- only a steady, prevailing low. Maybe it's to do with his brother, but I think he probably had it before that. And it is hell on his game, which has gotten worse with each season. I hope I'm not right. I hope he's perfectly happy and about to have a breakout year. But if I am right, I hope he gets the help he needs. Cause he really seems like he needs some help. And not just with his shot.