How do you see him playing other Centers in the League. [Beyond Shaq] I mean. . . Him against Duncan would be interesting. I think if we don't get our MING and Giff line up We should see Griff off the bench before Cato and maybe even AT CENTER KT, MoT and Griff as a front line or something. Rocket River
To me Griffin doesn't have the bulk to be playing the Center position yet. I think he should stick to Power Forward. But, due to the lack of talented Centers in the NBA, Griffin could probably hold his own right now against most teams.
EG will play some center when we go to the small lineup. Epecially if Yao Ming nad Cato get into foul trouble. I feel a whole lot better with EG out there at center than Collier.
Yeah, I think EG might play center in smaller lineups, but there's just no way he's ready right now. It'll take a few years before he's ready to start banging down low on a consistent basis.
I completely agree. EG is capable for decent minutes but still needs some seasoning before the bigtime.
Griffin is not strong enough to play PF so you want him to play Center ??? If Griffin was strong enough to be a Center he would be in our starting line-up replacing Mo-t/KT .
Actually, in a perverse way, this makes some sense. If you look at the strong, hard to guard, offensively-talented players, particularly in the West, they're mostly at PF. Eddie might not be too strong, but his lateral quickness ain't all that either. Players like Duncan, CWebb, Wallace and Nowitzki are tough match-ups for him right now, but some of the more offensively challenged C's might actually be easier.
I'm spewing fantasy talk here, but imagine: Kelvin Cato - C Yao Ming - PF Eddie Griffin - SF Cat - SG Steve - PG Huge frontcourt and super backcourt tandem. Of course this may be realized only in a NBA 2k3 lineup.
Griffin played some significant minutes at the 5 last year in the 2nd half. It can't work against all teams, but against weaker 5s, it can be an effective way to get him PT. However, last year Griffin logged minutes at the 5 because Cato is Cato, Willis was in the doghouse, and Collier is Collier. With Ming coming in, MoT coming back, and Cato still due for 18-22 MPG, I'd have to think those opportunities would not be as plentiful as they were before.
I think he'd make a great center in the mold of Marcus Camby (hopefully without the injuries) -- tall, athletic, shotblocking, quick. Strength is not the only thing you need to play center effectively.
I still like the theory of Yao playing the 4 if he and Cato are on the court together, although its high unlikely. Yao even may be better suited offensively right now to play there. Of course Yao playing defense at the 4 spells foul trouble.
yao playing D spells foul trouble...at least for his first year or two, before he dominates everyone.
Just something to think about, but we've got 4 players that have, can and will play center. Yao, Cato, Maurice and Eddie all bring different styles to the position. I think Rudy can do some good things with those four options. I'm sure you all share the same thought, but this is going to be a fun season! I love being a Rockets fan.
