Eddie Griffin provides...

moomoo · Mar 6, 2002

Griffin provides some late-game magic
By JOSEPH DUARTE
Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle

Eddie Griffin knew of the Dream legacy long before Tuesday, but only before tipoff in a Compaq Center tunnel had he met Hakeem Olajuwon.

As impressionable as a rookie can be, Griffin cherished the moment, exchanging handshakes and a brief conversation before the game with Olajuwon's new team, the Toronto Raptors.

But only during pre-game introductions did Griffin, 19, fully realize Olajuwon's popularity when he came onto the basketball floor to a standing ovation and faint chants of "Dream-Dream!" from the upper deck.

"It was good to just get out on the floor and play against him," an almost reverent Griffin said. "You see the effect he has on the city of Houston ... the way the crowd gave him a standing ovation and how long it was."

Nearly three hours later, the chants changed.

"Eddie!"

"Eddie!"

Griffin, moved out of the starting lineup for Tuesday's game, provided three 3-point baskets and a key block down the stretch as the Rockets rallied for a 112-109 victory to spoil the return of Olajuwon and send the Raptors to their 12th straight loss.

"He was phenomenal," Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. "He's a big-game player. A buddy of his told me if you need him, he'll be there. He's shown that several times."

Coming off one of his worst games in Sunday's loss to the Lakers in Los Angeles, Griffin made the most of his reserve role. He scored 17 points, which included three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, and had three rebounds and four blocked shots. After the Rockets overcame a 17-point third-quarter deficit, Griffin kept them in the game with three treys in a 2:05 span midway through the fourth quarter.

Following a 3-pointer by Vince Carter, Griffin answered with his own trey with 8:30 remaining in the fourth quarter to pull the Rockets within 92-91. He hit a wide-open 3-pointer 34 seconds later to tie the game at 94, sending the crowd into chants of "Eddie! Eddie!" that cracked a wide smile on the rookie's face.

Toronto quickly regained control and went ahead 100-94 before Griffin shifted momentum with another wide-open 3-pointer with 6:25 left.

"That made me feel real good that (the crowd) is behind me and supportive of me," Griffin said.

But his biggest contribution might have come on defense. With 1:23 remaining and the Rockets trying to preserve a seven-point lead, the 6-10 Griffin added to his impressive season block total with a rejection of Raptors guard Alvin Williams underneath the basket.

"I think I would have gotten his approval," Griffin said when asked what Olajuwon, the NBA's career block leader, would have thought about the late block.

"That was the biggest block of the game," Rockets swingman Walt Williams said.

After their first meeting, Olajuwon was impressed, saying, "(Griffin) has tremendous potential to be a very good player in this league."
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Didn't Eddie meet Hakeem in Toronto, making last night's game at least the second time they've met?

Evil Beaver · Mar 6, 2002

I am totally impressed with Eddie. If the rest of the guys would take as much pride in their defense as Eddie does, we'd be competing for a championship.

dreday · Mar 6, 2002

It was nice to see Eddie have a good game again. The block toward the end of the 4th was sweet. Not to mention the 3 big time 3's he nailed. Wish I could have been there to hear

Eddie! Eddie! Eddie!

JuanValdez · Mar 6, 2002

Originally posted by moomoo
Didn't Eddie meet Hakeem in Toronto, making last night's game at least the second time they've met?
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You're right. They both played in that game. But with Dream on the low-block and Eddie out at the 3-point line, maybe they never had a chance to talk.

moomoo · Mar 6, 2002

But I remember in that game Eddie at least once fell victim to the Dreamshake...

GB_Rocket · Mar 6, 2002

Wasn't Eddie on course to get 100 blocks and 100 threes in a season? How's he going with that?

And what was the context again - was it something like only 3 rookies have ever done it, or 3 players in history?

tikwanleap · Mar 6, 2002

http://www.clutchcity.net/playerinfo_current.cfm?PlayerID=206

According the stats on this page, Griffin has passed the 100 block mark for the season with his 4 blocks in the last game against the raptors... He is now at 103!

He has only 74 three pointers made so far. There are 23 games left, so if he averages a little more than one three pointer per game he'll reach 100.

treeman · Mar 6, 2002

Warm fuzzy.

Pat · Mar 6, 2002

Originally posted by Evil Beaver
I am totally impressed with Eddie. If the rest of the guys would take as much pride in their defense as Eddie does, we'd be competing for a championship.
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I think Terrance does, and I fel the same about Kenny Thomas. Everybody else just wants to have fun.

Wakko67 · Mar 7, 2002

Originally posted by GB_Rocket
Wasn't Eddie on course to get 100 blocks and 100 threes in a season? How's he going with that?

And what was the context again - was it something like only 3 rookies have ever done it, or 3 players in history?
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2 players have done it. Robert Horry and Nowitzki. Griff would be the first rook.

Evil Beaver · Mar 7, 2002

Originally posted by Pat

I think Terrance does, and I fel the same about Kenny Thomas. Everybody else just wants to have fun.
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Kenny gets a few steals, but not many blocks. Terrance doesn't get many steals or blocks.

KALIKULI · Mar 7, 2002

Most impressive rookie in the NBA today with an all around skill, He will be a shining star, finest crop to watch in years to come! Eddie has also has this down to earth attitude type that people describe as mild manner guy with killer instinct in the game!

Can he still be a Rookie of the Year? I hope so!

R0ckets03 · Mar 7, 2002

Originally posted by Evil Beaver

Kenny gets a few steals, but not many blocks. Terrance doesn't get many steals or blocks.
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You dont necessarily have to get steals and blocks to be a good defensive player.

TheGreatest · Mar 7, 2002

I think that Eddie might have overcome the rookie wall that he supposedly hit.

Evil Beaver · Mar 7, 2002

Originally posted by R0ckets03

You dont necessarily have to get steals and blocks to be a good defensive player.
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I agree.

MattsayzIstillbelieve!!! · Mar 7, 2002

I think Kenny actually is getting a lot of steals this year at least from what I've seen.

GB_Rocket · Mar 9, 2002

No threes last night for Eddie(didn't stop him throwing them up mind you!).

Still on 75 for the season.

Go Eddie! Join the 100/100 club!

Sane · Mar 9, 2002

If you get steals, blocks and defensive rebounds, you're an above average defender already.

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Eddie Griffin provides...

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