I know this is a real stretch, and I don't want to be ostracized by all the posters here but, If this kid is still growing, maybe in two three years he could turn out being a real skinny shot blocking machine at the 5. Alright that's myu thought, take it easy on me guys!
That would be something...EG needs to gain some weight but could do it in a few years. If you recall, Sampson and Olajuwon were'nt that heavy. Olajuwon is about 6'11" 270lbs. If I recall correctly, I heard EG grew an inch since being drafted. Doesn't that make him 6'10" or 6'11"? It would be a project, but it's possible.
I would still rather him develop into a skilled, finesse PF a la Wallace than a C. But matched up against the Keon Clarks and Ratliffs of the world, I can see EG playing some at the 5.
And if Cato averages those #s and goes to the All-Star game, I might run through the Galleria, naked!
I think that would be fantastic. He definitely has the shotblocking and rebounding skills. I would still like a 7'4 guy who weighs 340 pounds to play against Shaq, though. Against most others, he could probably hold his own even at C after a few years if he adds some more muscle.
Hey Live... this might have been made somewhat obvious by the two people that posted before me but, I don't think that E Griff playing the 5 is THAT much of a stretch. I think the perfect center for the Rockets out there right now is Marcus Camby. Plenty have disagreed with me but he's athletic, long, great shot blocker, nice post moves, and he can flat out run with the kids. IMHO, the other 2 guys that fit with the Rockets style ability wise is Tim Duncan (I think his style works with EVERY NBA team) and Theo Ratliff. Now, that said, I have heard NBA experts compare Eddie Griffin to all of those guys at some point. Before last season, EG was measured at 6'9 220 and now is 6'10" 227. Who knows... if that trend continues, he could start his second year at 20 years old and measuring up at 6'11" 234. To start at Center in the west he'd definately have to add about 15 pounds but it isn't far fetched at all. I would love to see a bigger Griffin, MoT, T-Rock, Cat, and Franchise as our starting five in 2-3 years. Can you imagine if Mo Taylor was the oldie of the bunch... damn that's exciting... or it could be. Good post Live....
If EG could fill out i could see him playing center, but it would be an experiment just like with the Clips using Darius Miles some at the 4 just so cause the clips wanted him on the floor cause that had a log jam at the other positions
Griffin at the 5? Don't think so. I just hope he gains enough weight to deal with the big fowards in the league. I see the Camby comparisons, but technically he isn't a 5 either. Now Ratliff, that would be a Dream...
We're in trouble if Griffin plays substantial minutes at center. That's just not his game. Of course, he'd probably be at least as effective as Cato.
I don't think it's a strech for EG to play Center in a couple of years. EG is huge, and he's already 6'10 and IMO +230lbs aready and most definitely will put on a few more pounds. I would love to see him with Mo and TRock on the front court. They would be an athletic frontline and a tall one that could match up to almost any out there in size and speed in maybe two years. Most scouts have compared his play to Tim Duncan and I would agree also, and when his body matures I would think his body would resemble Tim Duncan also(not in terms of height but build). The main reason that I have been saying that he could play center is that in the summer league the rockets have had him play center and even start him at center once. But I really think at this points it depends on the matchup if he was to backup at center.
