Eddie leads the league during the preseason with 3.85 blocks per game, with a total of 27 in 7 games. The runner ups are: Samuel Dalembert - 2.75 per game (11 total in 4 games) Theo Ratliff - 2.67 per game (16 total in 6 games) Dikembe Mutombo - 2.17 per game (13 total in 6 games) Tim Duncan - 2.14 per game (15 total in 7 games) Shawn Bradley - 2.13 per game (17 total in 8 games) Guys who average 2.00 per game include Kwame Brown, Keon Clark, Dan Gadzuric, and Kurt Thomas. Eddie is superman.
He is also 2nd in blocks per 48 minutes: Theo Ratliff - 6.62 Eddie Griffin - 6.45 Shawn Bradley - 6.00 Dikembe Mutombo - 4.84
If Eddie gets to start for the Rockets and gets "starters minutes" I think there is no question he will be in the Top 5 in NBA Blocks this year, possibly top 3. I think with Ming in there being a focal point Eddie will get a lot of "weakside" blocks. The last two games has been unbelieveable for Eddie! Now, if Eddie can just improve his FG% some he will be a heck of a starter on the Rockets! Chris
when he's out on the floor with ming the offense usually gets so caught up with the big man that they forget eddie's there. this should potentially open up alot of weakside block attempts.
I think we'll probably lead the league in blocks this season. Ming and Griffin will combine for 5 blocks a game. Assume Cato get one, and we average 6 a game just from 3 players. T-Mo can get a lot of blocks at the 3 too. It's going to make a heck of a difference for us. Now with Ming playing in the post too, Griffin's shots become easier and easier.
Don't forget "Air Boki", that block he made was awesome. Steve should get one once in a while too....
Can you imagine Ming, Griffin & Terrence in the game at the same time? All three can block, and I agree with Sane that TM can block.
that sounds like a nice lineup which is why i was so dissapointed when tmo went down. he was displaying that nice shot which is the key to him getting playing time. if he comes back at that pace, the shotblocking potential from those 3 is amazing.
I wonder if Rudy will start Ming, Taylor, & Griffen or will he start Rice or KT? I hope after Mo's suspension the starting lineup is: Francis or Francis Cat Cat Griff Rice Taylor Griff Yoa Yoa Starting Ming and Griff improves our D so much more but they both are skinny as far as banging for rebounds.
I have to say one thing: If T-Mo can continue to do what he did in the preseason, I'd rather have him as our future SF rather than Boki. T-Mo had everything but a consistent shot. He brought that this season, and he came into camp in great shape. The tremendous hard work, energy, and defense he'd bring to this etam would be incredible. Can you imagine this: Yao Ming Eddie Griffin Terrence Morris with a consistent shot Cuttino Mobley Steve Francis Bench and main rotation players: Moochie Boki Cato In a year or two, if Cato is looking good and wants more minutes, maybe we can trade him and get a Banger/enforcer C . Someone that plays like Charles Oakley, but is 6'10 or more. Jahidi White maybe? If T-Mo continues to work on his game by improving his J more, and adding a decent 3-pt shot, then he will be my choice for starter.
I think it all depends on what happens the first five games of the season. If Griffin is going to keep his job as the starting 4 then he is going to have to start rebounding and hitting his shots. At this point he looks more like Theo Ratliff than the next Duncan or Wallace. I am the biggest Eddie Griffin fan on this board but I am ready to see him start asserting himself in other areas as well as shot blocking. Forward combo for the first five games will certainly be Eddie Griffin and Glen Rice. MoT is on a five game suspension while KT and TMo are both trying to get well from pre season injuries.
Sane, I completely agree with you. If TMo has a consistant outside shot then he becomes the present and future small forward for this team. Also I don't know if it is just a coincedence but the offense sure looked smoothe when it consisted of Steve, Cat, TMo and Eddie in the starting five. It just seemed that TMo and Eddie played very well with Steve and Cat. Throw in Yao Ming and now we have three very unselfish players to go with our high powered back court.
Eddie Griffin may just turn out to be the best player on this team when it's all said and done. The guy has all the tools, and he's only 20 (2 years younger than me). Once he gains some muscle tone and experience, in a few years, he'll dominate. Griffin's kind of overlooked because he's so quiet. Remember how excited we were when we traded for him? I remember "busting a nut" in the chat room that evening. He should compliment Maurice Taylor well.
