I think Griffin and Garnett have the same abilities and the Wolves are thriving with Garnett at the 3 spot. If we agree that they are in the similar mode, Griffin should be training at the 3 and would leave open some minutes at the 4 for KT. I truly think Griffin has the same qualities as Garnett and would allow us to start Griffin, Mo Taylor, Cato (double/double), Cat, and Steve. Starters/Reserves 10 man rotation Cato/Willis MoTaylor/KT Griffin/TMorris Cat/Torres Steve/Moochie
Griffin doesn't have the same passing skills as Garnett. Or maybe he does, we just don't know it because Rudy's offensive system doesn't include passing - only clearing out the lane so some guy can penetrate.
If you check out Eddie's college stats, that does not point at the reason being Rudy's system - he didn't have many assists there either. Compared to Garnett, I think he is a better three-point shooter and a better shot-blocker, might become equally good in rebounding and scoring - passing is probably one area where Garnett will always be better. However, there seems to be plenty of room for improvement there...
Ballhandling is the big dif. I haven't compared numbers, but I'd say Griffin is farther along in rebounding than Garnett in his second year.
What is the obsession with making Griffin a small forward? He's a big man. The Wolves are doing well because Garnett is a good player, not because of what position he plays. How does moving Griffin out of position help the Rockets? Glen Rice will start next year, that is a reality. The two best frontcourt players the Rockets have, by next year (barring any other acquisitions), will be Taylor and Griffin. There's your 4 and 5.
You are making a big mistake penciling in Mo to start at the 5. The way Cato is playing I cannot see us giving that up for Mo who could not defend at the 5 and is a lousy rebounder. I do not want to jump the gun on Cato but the respect and appreciation he is getting now will motivate his offseason hunger to continue to improve. If Cato improves beyond his current level he will be our starting Center next season, barring a trade. Rice would have to come real strong to start at SF. By strong I mean he has to show that he is lethal from 3pt line and can put the ball on the floor and his quickness has returned. I would not bank on that. He would be a great guy to come of the bench but not to be starter at this point.
Griff shoudl play 3 on offense and 4 on defense. That way we take advantage of his outside shooting and shotblocking. But Rudy is big on match-ups. Griff will play 3, 4 or 5 depending on the match-up...which changes every game. It's too early to be definitive on this issue.
Bingo. Couldn't have said it better myself. Griffin is a big man. The things he does best, which is block shots and rebound, are big man skills. Just because he can stick the 3 point shot doesn't mean he will do well at small forward. Personally, I think if you had Griffin out on the perimeter guarding opposing SFs, then you would lose a LOT of his weak side shotblocking.
Freak, I hear you. However, think about this where does Griffin minutes come in at the 4 with MoTaylor returning and our efforts to resign KT. We are getting killed on the boards night in and night out. We miss crucials opportunities down the stretch with poor rebounding. The wolves have improved their rebound by going big and enhances their opportunities on the offensive end. In addition, MoTaylor is not a big time rebounder, only averaging 5 something boards per game at the 4. Also, Mo's D is shaky at best and he cannot guard a 5 or 3. So we have basically overpaid. Imagine the scoring on the floor with Steve, Cat, Griff, and Mo. Anything Cato gives us is ice cream.
