not sure if posted yet. Troubled forward Eddie Griffin said Sunday he has agreed to play for the New Jersey Nets. Griffin, released Friday by the Houston Rockets, quickly found a new home with the team that originally drafted him. ``I've decided to go play for the Nets,'' Griffin said in an interview with Houston television station KRIV. ``I'm excited about going to play for (Nets head coach) Byron Scott and playing with (Nets guard) Jason Kidd. It's just going to be an exciting thing for me and I can't wait.'' ADVERTISEMENT New Jersey president Rod Thorn said Saturday that the Nets were in the running to sign Griffin, who played at nearby Seton Hall. Thorn did not return a telephone call Sunday night. Griffin said he had already received calls from Scott, Kidd and Richard Jefferson welcoming him to the team. The Nets have not had a consistent contributor off the bench this season and Griffin, the seventh pick in the 2001 draft, could fill that role. But New Jersey is taking a chance by signing a player who brings considerable legal baggage. Griffin was charged in November with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after a woman accused him of hitting her three times in the face and shooting at her as she drove away from his home before dawn on Oct. 25. He will be arraigned on the charge Jan. 14. A second misdemeanor charge of assault related to the same encounter was dismissed last week. A separate case involving a charge of mar1juana possession is scheduled to go to trial Jan. 20. Griffin hopes to start with a clean slate in New Jersey, although he is uncertain when he will be able to join the Nets because of his legal problems. ``New Jersey was the best fit for me,'' Griffin said. ``I can get the most opportunity there. I felt like that's the team I fit in at.'' Griffin said a number of teams, including Detroit, Toronto, Philadelphia and Orlando, were in the running. He said he will sign for the balance of the season and again become a free agent. ``It feels good,'' Griffin said. ``It's a relief just to know where I'm going. I just got to get everything else behind me and I am ready to get back on the court.'' The 6-foot-10, 232-pound forward averaged 8.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.63 blocks in 150 career games with the Rockets. Drafted by New Jersey, Griffin's rights were traded to the Rockets for three first-round draft picks -- Jefferson, Brandon Armstrong and Jason Collins.
Of all the major ass screwings CD has given the Rockets, Eddie Griffin has GOT to go down as the most brutal and unlubricated. Thanks CD! We're going to remember this one for a LONG time.
What I am wondering is...since they are obviously interested enough to take the risk, why could we not make a trade with them?
Another two years contract extension awarded by boss Les. So the boss's IQ is same as the GM's, nice match.
They know they can get him for free, why they need put somebody to trade for EG? They know Rox can trade EG for nothing. If he is free, then NJ are willing to take the risk for signing him for little money. Anything else is stupid.
I think as a trade they pick up his salary for the rest of the year. As a signing of a cut player, they pay less and can cut him anytime he becomes an embarassment.
Who cares? Seriously. So we were screwed, it happens. Eddie's a loser, it's just a matter of time until he shows NJ why we let him go.
So basically the Rox gave NJ Nets four 1st round picks for free. Could it be the biggest draft blunder in NBA history? If so, at least Rox is making history
what i'm wondering is why NJ? i mean his child is here in houston...and during these tough times..especially when something of a custody battle will ensue...wouldn't he want to stay closer to his child? maybe i'm missing something.
So far nets risks have paid off really well . As if nets haven't done already enough dumb aquisitions with Mourning and Mutombo . They are basically bleeding cash on their risk projects.
Wonderful. It's nice to know we gave all of our drafts picks to the Nets in 2001 for nothing. I don't blame CD for this because at the time it seemed like a good move, but this is really an embarrasment for this team. Note to the Rockets, if the Nets ever want to discuse a trade in the future just look the other way.
I don't like EG at all, I think he is a bust and CD and Rudy are idiots on this one. But I'd like to see how he plays along with a great true PG and how he fits in a running system. It will be interesting.
