Hey all, I have the misfortune to be a diehard Rockets fan living in NYC, so my only chance to see the boys play is against the knicks/nets or on national broadcasts. That being the case, my understanding of the way they are playing and the abilities of individual players is limited to journalism and sportscenter. That being said, I haven't seen EG play more than 5 or 6 times. Can anyone give me a reasonable scouting report on the guy? I know he blocks shots well, but my recollection from college scouting reports was that the guy had a limited, but effective post game based on athleticism and a good turn around J. That's all I recall. I know he shoots 3s and not horribly, but other than that, I haven't a clue about his offensive repertoir. Does he handle at all? Does he have a face up game (other than simply pulling up for the jay)? Does he shoot off the dribble? Only off the pass? Is he tough? Soft? Pass well? Court vision? What's his speed like? Latterally? How does he run the floor? How's his strength? Has he put on any weight since school? His upper body looked pretty cut in preseason pics on this site. How athletic is he? Defensively, it sounds as though he plays very good team defensive, good at helping out and on cuts to the hoop at least. Is this accurate? How is as a one on one defender? How does he defend in the post? On the perimeter? Is he more effective at defending 3s (quick enough?) or 4s (strong enough?)? Who might he be comprable too? From what I've read, his physique and skills sound like he has Rasheed Wallace potential, but sometimes he sounds more like a poor man's Derrick. McKey. As important as anything - has their been any difference in his game so far this year from last year? Is there any evidence that his game has improved? Or maybe just his body? Do he and Ming have potential for a little High Low combo? Does EG have the skills/head to play the high post? Hey ya'll, any thoughts would be appreciated.
Eddie is pretty soft offensively. His post game has not developed but I have no doubt it will. He shoots okay from long range but usually he hesitates before he shoots, it seems like he wants to pass it off or make a move but he jacks it up. He makes a decent amount from long range. He can crash the board pretty well and get some easy putbacks. Basically his outside is there but he hasn't learned to create his own shots or learn to post up effectively. (he's only 20 it will come) Defenseively hes great, he can lock up just about anybody from what I've seen. He is great on help defense. Eddie and Yao will be changing shots for the next decade. Hes already a very good defender and hes only going to get better with experience and if he adds some muscle. For a comparsion Wallace is probaly the best one I can think of. A combonation of a Jermaine Oneal and 'Sheed Walace in the near future is what I would like to see. And it can happen as he gets experience. Basically Eddie is still very young, Hes contributing right now. (Right now hes kind of like Robert Horry minus the clutch shots but his potential is much higher than that)Fans have to be patient and remember that he is developing. He is a star in the Making.
Lets see, Griffin is soft, has no post game, is slow, can't beat anyone off the dribble, can't shoot unless he is at the 3 point line. Doesn't rebound well, but will bock a shot evry once in a while. There you have it, Griffin's scouting report.
No handles. Dribbles a couple of times and passes. No face up game other than pulling up. OK at shooting off the dribble, but it doesn't happen much. He's not soft, but not that tough either. Nothing special on passing. Hasn't shown much on court vision, speed, lateral movement, running the floor, or stregth. Hasn't shown much athleticism other than shot-blocking. Yes, the first statement is accurate. He has been weak at times against strong opponents on one on one defense. He was scorched by Webber and Brand. But he did a good job on Tim Duncan. He can cause trouble because of his shot-blocking but he needs to gain a lot of strength. He hasn't had to defend on the perimter, probably isn't quick enough. Robert Horry perhaps, though not as athletic, but a better rebounder. Horry also spends more time outside makind decisions with the ball. Horry will feed the post and cut to the basket, Griffin doesn't do that. But Griffin is used a lot more often on pick and rolls, where he sets the pick and shoots a 3. This is the only play run for him, I believe. No difference. Not sure about his body. I don't see the potential for that combo. I think he has the head but not the skills yet. His low post game has shown zero development. He only pulls up or takes fadeaways. He rarely finishes strong inside.
