Just throwing this out there, since griffin's breakout game he's averaged 3.4 blocks a game. Assuming Griffin can keep this block shot pace (I think he'll have atleast two seasons if not more over 4 a game), play 16 years with at least 75 games a year, he'll break 4000 blocks in a career by the age of 36. The growing record is at 3791 by the Dream. He looks to become a 20-10 man. Francis is a creator. What do you value more?
"Calling Stock/Malone not clutch is not what I would say. Afterall, Stock knocked our asses out in 95 (right?). " - krosfyah No, that was '97 I believe...we won a championship in '95 . I wouldn't give Stockton too much credit for that though...his man was bear-hugged on the inbounds pass by Malone which let him get wide open. I still get mad every time I think of that. On topic now...like SF3 said, does it really matter who is the better, or who will be the better? Lets just be happy we have two stars to lead us for a while.
Agreed. But, I am ver y infatuated with KG, and I would be shocked if EG ends up as good as Garnett. EG doesn't seem to have that fire. As for Steve and Marbury, I think they are close in talent, but they have different agendas. Marbury wants to be an all star, Francis wants to win.
Opps, my finger slipped. If you recall, KG's knock was that he was too nice. And we'll just leave your infactuation with KG alone. The comparison to Stock/Malone was more on the level that they are complimentary players and need each other to succeed. Right now, I'm seeing a little bit of the same thing in Steve/Grif. Steve is great but always forces the action. Grif always gets his points the the flow of the game. It's a perfect combo. Grif is single handedly reducing the # of ISO plays that we run. It's fun to watch.
This post isn't entirely necessary, but EG is getting some national attention now (finally). Some of these quotes we've seen before, but in today's Chicago Tribune, I read this: GRIFFIN ROCKETING TOWARD THE TOP OF ROOKIE CLASS Jamaal Tinsley, Tony Parker and Pau Gasol have been the front-runners in the race for rookie of the year, but watch out for Houston's Eddie Griffin. After a slow start Griffin, who was the seventh pick in the draft after leaving Seton Hall following his freshman season, is looking like one of the elite power forwards already in the much tougher Western Conference. He is the fourth youngest player in the league after Eddy Curry, Tyson Chandler and Gerald Wallace, and he grew more than an inch, to about 6 feet 11 inches, since measurements at the predraft camp. "I know there are other coaches out there who might say the same thing about their kids, but I wouldn't trade him for any other rookie in the league," said Houston's Rudy Tomjanovich. Griffin is averaging 7.8 points and 5.2 rebounds a game. But since getting regular playing time with Kenny Thomas hurt, he has averaged 16.6 points, 9.4 rebounds and 3.4 blocks over the last 10 games. "If [Olajuwon] was in his 20s when he came into the league and he winds up as the greatest shot-blocker in NBA history," Steve Francis said, "this guy might go past that number."
i love griff. i love griff. i love griff. ok, now that that's out the way, eddie griffin can be better than KG, better than rasheed, better than duncan. i know, i know, that's hard to conceive, but think of this: 1) he has a better stroke - at 19 years old and his rookie year - than they do as veterans. 2) he has an excellent work ethic. 3) he's still growing. 4) he already displayed (pre-season) a penchant for the postup turnaround j. as a pet move, that's unstoppable. 5) he's still getting comfortable on the court. i think #5 is the biggest reason of all. when the moment - the epiphany, if you will - hits him that "damnit i'm in the nba and i can not only "play" here...but, damnit, i'm the freakin' MAN"...when that moment hits him, there'll be no stopping him. does anyone else realize that we're talking about a 19 year old kid that could end up averaging 20, 10, and 3blocks for the season???!!! oh yea... 6) he's a hog!!!!! dude will pass, but make no mistake, he ain't afraid to shoot. from anywhere. 7) he has the fire! we haven't seen it yet, but a player cannot be capable of punching out his own teammate (ty shine), and not have some fire. he's got it. i just think he's adjusting to his team. he entered the team knowing that it's steve's team, cat's team, mooch's team, etc, etc. he's still fitting in with the boys. just wait till he realizes that he's not just "one of the boys" but that he is THE MAN.
I think they're going to be what Stephon Marbury and Kevin Garnett should have been in Minnesota. If that tandem would've have stayed together then they're is no telling how much better Minnesota would be by now. And Francis and Griffin reminds me so much of those two. Even though Francis is better that Marbury and Griffin will be better real soon.
btw, griff - by definition - should be better than francis. all things being equal, the big man should always be more effective than the little man, since he is - in theory - closer to the basket and doesn't face as many obstacles on his way to scoring. also, griff has no problem shooting the ball. steve often seems to hesitate. that said, griff will be THE MAN on this team by the beginning of next season. his growth this season is absolutely astronomical and i can't wait to see how good he'll be come next season.
All I know is ever since I dis'ed him on 12/19 with the post below he has been incredible. "He is not getting the ball because he can't make a basket. Why should we be passing the ball to a 29% shooter. I like the kid and I think he will be good some day but, right now we need the ball in the hands of someone that can break the 30% mark. That leaves TMO out because he too is shooting 29% but, he is getting better lately, which is more than I can say for EG." I certainly have changed my view of him in the past month. Eddie is THE MAN. An impressive turn around for a 19 year old rookie. It appears his potential is unlimited. Go Rockets.
I have often said I see them like a KG and Stephon type where Francis is a little better than Marbury and KG a little better than Griff . Maybe even like Payton and Kemp from 92-96 before Klump was traded. If The Rockets trade one of them down the road I think it would be a huge mistake unless we get some one better then A Vin Baker or a Terrell Brandon like The sonics and Wolves did . God if only we drafted Rashard at #18 Francis Cuttino Rashard Griff Cato
Eddie's the man..... I was looking at Pau Gasol's stats back when he was Griff's age.....about 2.2pts and 2.2rebs per game for some Spanish league team...now extrapolating out using Gasol's current stats as a guide, Griff should be averaging about 120pts and 28rebs per game in a couple years. Seriously though, I really believe Eddie will be the best player on this team by the end of next season, if not b4 that.
I think Griff will be the better player in the long run. He already plays defense, which is something Steve is not really committed to. Steve and Cuttino are about winning, buy they also want to showboat just a little too much. Griffin's calm, noncaring personality does not worry me at all. There is a certain 4 down I-10 that is also labeled as a non passionate, but has already won a championship and is probably the top three player in the league. Griffin is exactly the player this team needs to win. I think when he puts on a few pounds in the offseason his rebounding avg. will go even higher. Right now he is reb solely on skills. In a few short years he will also be able to overpower some opposing players for more rebs. Griffin Francis Mobley A reb center (NOT CATO!) A good shooing (perhaps Torres) should get us a championship one day. KT, MoT, and Moochie are excellent players. I just wish there was some magical way to get rid of Cato and replace him with a thuggy, reb center.
Man do ya'll know that you are saying that next year, the franchise will be in the hands of a 20 year old. That is a scary thought. I love Griff but I don't think that other teams have decided how to defend him yet...Most teams have not seen enough of him to know how to stop him. When they start double-teaming him and Francis starts ringing up 30 pts. / 10 ass. you guys are gona say that Francis is the man and Rudy and CD are stupid for picking Griffin. I love the thought of a KG / Marbury type team in H-town.... but don't forget it takes both to make a team. Francis is my franchise player......for now
moe-We may get Rashard in the offseason. Eddie is one good player. He's shown commitment, and also one great ability-showing up for big games. His breakout game was against the Lakers on national TV. He'll really be something if he can keep up this consistency.
A good big man is better than a good little man. So EG does have the potential to be bette rthan Francis, but it's too early to tell.
How would that at all be possible? Arent we way way over the cap? Walt comes off, but we still have Cato and Rice's huge contracts. Also we have to sign Steve.
