I don't know if this has been posted before but I think the Rox should look at playing Eddie more like the mavs play Dirk.... Offensively he could play 2,3, or 4.... Defensively he's a 4 ...... I know everyone was screaming about playing him at 3 but... He could play "out of position like the 2 or 3 on O and switch on D...I know that is the reason Rudy drafts these types of players, (big men who can shoot and drive) you know so he can create match up problems.... Do ya'll know if he is working on any of this year? I haven't heard much about Eddie!!!! Last year he was our future...now because we have a behemoth China-man for our 5 every one seems to have forgotten Eddie!!!!!! Don't get me wrong, I am very excited about Yao but I think that we should use our weapons wisely... There has to be a double team, whether it is on Yao, Steve, or Cat, Eddie should be over looked A LOT.... lets use that!!!!!
I don't think Eddie is going to let us forget about him. He will definately get his plays. He'll be an all star in two years.
What the hell? Other than being 6-10 or 6-11, what comparisons are there between the two? Griffin has no dribbling skills to be anything other than a spot-up shooter, which is basically a 3, in the Rockets system.
EG has seen action at the 5 during preseason. So his progression from 3 to 4 to 5 already looks similar in the way the Mavs play Dirk.
kid, I think he can move pretty well for a 6-10 guy...I don't see why we couldn't help him adapt into a formidable slasher/driver. Eddie can move better than you think. I think that he could play the 2. Spot shooter...with francis drivind and dishing....I guess he's better suited for the 3 but, I am trying to be creative.
EG is assertive on D, but last year he wasn't as assertive as he should have been. DN can't play D. I live in Dallas and have seen him play a few times. He is great a can almost score at will but they are 2 different types of players. I haven't seen EG this year yet, but I know that he is blocking everything out of Grand Central Station but would like him to be more assertive. He does make a good contrast to Taylor who couldn't guard a BMW handcuffed to it. I think we have a good mix of players.
It's not about speed and quickness. My premise is that Griffin doesn't have the necessary ballhandling skills to take the ball to the hoop. I really can't remember a time where EG has dribbled the ball more than 15 ft and took it to the hoop. You can have all the quickness in the world, but if you can't handle the ball, you won't be going to the basket, without getting 10 TOs a game. I don't know how good Griffin's passing skills are also, to be able to drive and dish... A 2-guard generally must be able to shoot off the dribble, as well as penetrate, something that EG hasn't show thus far. As I said, he fits the 3 role best, which in the Rockets system, only requires spot up shooting. This has been the case for the last 11 years since Rudy has been head coach.
Also, how many times did EG play perimeter defense? I can't remember a time where he faced a 2 or 3, near the 3 pt line.
ok why Dirk is soo good? it is b/c of his shooting touch! i dont think EG will ever have Dirk's shooting touch, but he might become like a Duncan type player
I agree with Kid. The main thing that separates Dirk from Eddie is ball handling. Eddie cannot dribble like Dirk. We need a 3 to be able to move with the ball as well as without the ball.
Yet... He wasn't posting much last year either. He's only 20 years old. This would be his junior year in college...
"Eddie can't dribble like Dirk" Dribbling isn't something you are born with....It can be taught!! and kid since the NBA went to the zone D last year, Eddie dosen't have to worry about matching up with the 2 on D..... Look.... Say you have Francis-1,E.G.-2, KT -3, Mo T-4, and Yao-5 in the line up.... Tall Rebounding / Shot blocking line-up...... I think you have the ability to use E.G. as a scorer...if you teach him to drive. With all of the players we have, we the ability to put at least 3 legitimate scorers on the floor at one time!!!!!!! Scorers can be "slashers" or "shooters" or "post players" Eddie can be all three if he learns to DRIVE!!!!! That and his Defense would make him an All-Star and help get us to the Finals again!!!! TEACH HIM TO SLASH AND WE WILL WIN MORE GAMES!!!!!
Oh good grief! Why would you work on Eddie learning to dribble like a guard when: 1. we already have some very good guards. 2. Eddie can use that time working on his post up game. Eddie has never been a guard and has never been very good at putting the ball on the floor out on the perimeter. We have guards we need an inside presence. Dirk and Eddie do not come close to matching up.
