EG v.s. Walker v.s. Swift

Are you kidding?

Did you ever watch Eddie during interviews, it always looked like he was high. No thanks, he'll have a few outstanding games and the rest of the time he won't show up.

 

You can't compare just from a pure skills perspective, otherwise there would be no such thing as a cancer. If anyone gives EG more than a $1 to $2 Million per year then they're overspending. Yes he has talent, but he doesn't have the drive to Win like Walker does now.

 

btw, I don't think Eddie is a cancer, but I don't think he's motivated.

 

Waste of talent. He could have been just as good as Jermaine O'neal-yep, I said it. He could hit the outside shot, block shots, defend..the only thing that he needed was to learn how to rebound and post up which are the same things that O'Neal had to pick up along the way as well.

 

Very valid points from people here. There's no way he's ever coming back.

I could go into great detail comparing their skillsets, but when it comes down to it there are only a few really relevant points: EG's got some ballhandling and 3-point shooting over Swift, and he's got some shotblocking over Walker. That's about it really.

If you wanna look at the fact that of the three he has the best combination of 3-point shooting and shotblocking, fine, that's not unreasonable to say. But it's not even worth thinking about really. EG's a lost cause.

 

I remember we all thougth he had so much potential.
Oh well...that day I still remember 5 am gunshots fired Eddie Griffin's house..
Anyways..I also remember Yao just easily dunking over Eddie...cuz Yao knows Eddie can't guard him.

I want Swift, but it doesn't seem like we are gonna get him. So ANTOINE!!!

 

Not sure what this has to do w/ the question.

But skill-wise:

EG has nowhere near the skill level Walker has, very few PFs actually do. It's just that Walker hasn't shown he can use his skill to help benefit the team.

Compared to Swift, I think there are some very similar qualities. Both had/have a ton of potential, but have only shown a lack of rebounding and drive.

 

Eddie has all the skills that we need in our PFs, but he just doesn't do anything particularely well.

A rebounding, shotblocking, 3PT shooting PF is just the type of player we need. But unfortunately, Eddie's not that great a rebounder, his shooting is streaky, and despite his shotblocking ability, his overall defense is quite poor.

If he just did everything he currently does BETTER, he'd be the perfect fit. But IMO, he hasn't shown the desire to improve, and may never capitalize on his enormous talent.

 

Eddie Griffin has always been a good shot-blocker and rebounder. He has excellent timing. He averaged 6.5 boards a game in only 21.3 minutes last year. Stromile averaged 4.6 boards a game in the same number of minutes. Eddie blocked 1.7 shots per game while Stromile blocked 1.5. Eddie puts up better defensive numbers than Swift, but numbers don't tell the whole story.

Griffin has always been horrible when left in single coverage. He usually got manhandled in the post, not having the strength or positioning or desire to keep people off the blocks. Last year he was listed at 6'10" and 240 so he definitely had the size (on paper) to play power forward.

Griffin's shooting percentage has never exceeded 40%. For a power forward, that's atrocious. He has yet to show any significant improvement in his game. I always thought his footwork and ball-handling were pretty bad. I don't think he'll ever become a low post threat.

 

Eddie has ZERO mid-range game, which is exactly what we need on offense. How can he get offensive rebounds when he's roaming outside the arc? How can he have all the skills we need but also be a subpar/average rebounder and a poor defender?

If EG would develop a deadly mid-range jumpshot instead of hoisting up 3 pointers he could possibly fit into our offense. On defense, we are good in the paint so the need for another shot blocker isn't there. Our defensive weakness is perimeter speed.

I'm glad EG is not even a remote possibility because he doesn't fit us and the last thing we need is a permanent head case.

 

7.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 1.7 BPG in 21 minutes of work for an unmotivated guy who is out of shape and parties too much.

If you translate that into per 48 minutes, thats 17 PPG, 15 RPG and 3.8 BPG. Obviously he is in no shape to play 48 minutes a game but if he ever decided to dedicate himself and get into shape, those are the calibur numbers he could put up.

My point? This guy is essentially putting up these current numbers in his sleep. If you've watched him play for the T-Wolves, his demeanor, his attitude, all lead to make me believe he's not even fully applying himself. EG needs to realize he's the author of his own story. He's doing all of this now without fully applying himself, imagine what he could do if he ever developed a good attitude and a winner's mentality? He's only 23 years old, if he cares enough to change, he can change, and ultimately make whatever team and coach that takes a chance on him look brilliant.

.....it certainly won't be the Rockets though.

 

I agree with this, but the bigger question is not necessarily whether he is as good a AW or SS but is he worht more for the buck than those two if Walker is signed for less than six mil the answer is no. SS I'll say about the same but consistency is not his middle name, if you are willing to spend anything more than six mil then go after the most cosistent pf of all the FA,s which is SAR which is 8 mil max all of which would be done through trade. You know that he will score points shooting a good percentage from the field and that he will be an OK rebounder with mediocore defense. Similar to Walker but more consistent. Stro more of what we need but may not give us the effort 82 games of the season.

 

No, it is not.

 

I would take EG over both of them....cheaper and seems to have turned his life around.

DD