December 27, 2003 -- NET NOTES AUBURN HILLS - Talent usually is the bottom-line consideration, and so both the Nets and Knicks are interested in Eddie Griffin, league sources say. The Nets and Knicks are among the teams lining up hoping to sign Griffin, the 6-10 problem player recently released by the Rockets. While the Nets have heavy interest, the other team on the floor here last night, the Pistons, are said to have a strong chance because Griffin has a history with Larry Brown. Griffin was the guy the Nets drafted for Houston at No. 7 in the 2001 draft and then swapped for Richard Jefferson, Jason Collins and Brandon Armstrong. While Jefferson and Collins have been key contributors in two straight trips to the Finals, Griffin, a Philadelphia product who attended Seton Hall, has fallen prey to emotional problems and faces a felony assault charge plus a misdemeanor mar1juana possession rap. Griffin (8.6 points and 6.0 rebounds for the Rockets last season) is a bundle of potential - one who can shoot, block shots, rebound, defend and score inside. He was suspended in preseason by the Rockets and released last week. He faces arraignment next month on aggravated assault charges from an October incident in which a woman accused him of beating her and firing a gun in her direction. At least seven teams - likely far more - are willing to take a chance on Griffin. And the price is right. Griffin likely would get a minimum deal and earn in the $500,000 neighborhood before becoming a free agent at season's end. Griffin came to the NBA with a checkered history that included a locker-room fight with a Seton Hall teammate. From NY POst.
Don't know why Detroit would take a chance on Eddie. Their frontcourt situation is pretty crowded as it is, and that's without their #2 pick Darko Milicic in the mix. IMO, Tayshaun Prince does what Eddie did, maybe without all the shotblocking, but that's what you have Big Ben Wallace for. So NJ got the better end of the 2001 draft, and they still want to take a chance on Eddie. It'd be even more depressing if Eddie blossomed in New Jersey, opening up more talk about how the Rockets got screwed. But anyway, it'd be interesting to see EG try to fit in NJ and JKidd's system. I don't think he runs nearly as well as KMart or RJeff, but coming off the bench he'd probably be a contributor, in the form of Rodney Rogers maybe: show up for a few games, other games just completely disappear. All that being said, I do hope one of the seven teams does take a chance on Eddie, and that without all the pressure, he'll turn into a decent player. No hard feelings and all that, I just hope he can turn his life around...
Nets get Grigfin back, that sucks. The trade goes down as one of the worst trades in NBA History. Way to go Carrol Dawson u SOB.
griffin sucks. who cares?? he cant shoot, no inside game, not a great leaper. the only thing he has going is the 'P' word. but potential doesnt mean anything when you cant keep out of trouble. ex: see -- roy tarpley
Usually it does, but not in the Rockets organization where it seems that loyalty supercedes production. Bah humbug!
Worst part is, he'll blossom in New Jersey if he signs with them. No doubt their offense would make him look terriffic. Imagine Griffin not needing to bang, getting high % alley oops and cuts all the time, and playing against weaker players in the Eastern Conference? Oh, and with the best passing PG in the NBA too. His FG% numbers will go up, and that was the only problem with him here. After one more summer of bulking up, he'll be ready to play inside as well. I'm sure he's going to try to make a point too and play like a mad man. I'm happy for him. He wouldn't have been succesful if he came back here, this system is not for him.
You know...if EG is actually in a better mental state of mind...and his legal troubles don't get him into too much trouble...and if he goes to NJ....he can be a VERY good player with Jason Kidd at the helm (like everyone else in NJ right now). Which would ultimately kick the rockets organization in the cajones even more.
I don't give a damn whether Griffin lives or dies. So what if I sound like an insensitive prick? All I care about are the 3 1st rounders he cost us.
LOL! Eddie Griffin is going to end up with the Nets. Nets management has to be laughing their asses off. If Eggie ends up becoming a player with the Nets this will be one of the biggest screw overs in history.
Carroll Dawson is the biggest idiot in the world. First, he trades 3 first round picks for EG, then he releases EG, when the guy still has value? As the previous poster said, the Nets management are laughing their asses off.
The 2001 draft picks have the following players available at the number 13th pick which Houston had. Remember Houston has 3 first round picks. Jefferson T. Murphy Zach Randolph Brendan Haywood Raul Lopez Gerald Wallace Jammal Tinsley Tony Parker Gilbert Arenas Mehmet Okur So after 2 years, what does the Rox have to show for ? nothing.
for his career would love to see him land on the nets, they are considerably banged up and he could see minutes when legally possible, plus playing with Kidd would be great for his game, plus be a great chance to show the board how much difference Kidd makes (I mean everyone think Jefferson is a complete chump without Kidd around here) irony is amazing
What does this say about the Nets and Pistons if they are this desperate to add so-called "talent". He's a better shooter off the court than on it. I don't know why any NBA team would want EG on their roster, when you consider his lack of talent and the excess baggage.
If they got the NETs HOW LONG BEFORE EGRiff vs K MART That would be a fight i would love to see Rocket River
I would love to have Eddie Griffin on my team...for minimum. Just take a try. I wish we did not release him..but too bad. We had to..because of his legal problems.. If he goes to New Jersey and "blossoms"..MAN
