Eddie can't dribble Eddie can't play the 3 Eddie can't pass Eddie can't play the 3 Eddie will never be a 3 The Rockets need a 3 that can shoot lights out from the 3pt and feed the post or drive if Yao clears out, Eddie can do none of this, he is not a 3.
Exactly who is going to "win the war" with these players? Eddie just needs time for his frame to physically mature and he'll be fine. It's hard to work on your post up game when you got the likes of Duncan shoving you out of the box. Relax and give the kid a chance.
I hate to agree with anyone from Oklahoma (), but Eggie can't dribble. That's enough to put paid to the idea, even without all the other reasons. I hope to see Posey there, if we get him for a reasonable contract that's not for 40 years. (or if we don't trade for someone better. I'd mention Boki, but who the hell knows what he can do??)
nbadraft.net couldn't have been more off base: Eddie Griffin's Profile NBA Comparison: Tim Duncan Strengths: One of the top overall talents in college basketball already... Has all the makings of a future NBA superstar.. Only 18, and has a ton of physical developing to do, a scary thought... Can stroke shots all the way out to college 3... Similar to A-Rahim with his smoothness, and offensive skills, but has even more athleticism.. Very strong post and intermediate game... Has excellent rebounding and defensive skills.. Very calm court demenor, (similar to Tim Duncan) doesn't get rattled easily.. Sometimes the lack of emotion gets confused with a lack of desire, but it's there... Weaknesses: Ball Handling abilities are not super... Needs to get alot stronger.. Needs to get nastier (on the court).. Character questions have resulted from two separate incidents involving off the court fights with teammates, one in HS one in College. Very smooth, like Tim Duncan, plays without much emotion, and his game is very steady but not spectacular. Very effortless looking game. Has good range on his shot. Game is between the 3 and 4 positions but his height, athleticism, and talent make him a blue chip prospect. Shoots very well. Great shotblocker. Character may come into question after he sucker punched Ty Shine and refused to apologize, the second off the court fight in as many years. Must prove that off the court temper problems are not going to be a continuing problem.
Smooth is the antonym word to describe Eddie. He’s a clumsy klutz and totally looks awkward when the ball is in his hands. Often he reminds me of a 6’10 version of Shawn Bradley. As far as trying Eddie at the 3, there's no way Eddie can keep up with athletic 3's like Marion and Finley.
Too bad NBAdraft.net's capsule write up was not more accurate! The thing with Griffin is, offensively he needs to either be able to have decent handles to take the ball to the basket OR have a post up game. He at least needs ONE of those aspects. He can do NEITHER. All he can do is shoot a jumper or rebound. He can't create his own shot. His offensive abilities are so limited and thus really limits him as a player. To take it to the next level he needs to address these limitations. If he could just work completely on offense in the offseason and put on more muscle (he is listed at 232 and needs to add another 12 pounds this summer like he did last summer to get to 244) then I think he can make a big difference next year. The added muscle alone will help with his position defense.
One more thing. Eddie Griffin looks very similar to Indiana's Jonathan Bender. Both are tall and lanky and have decent long range shots but both are still very raw and still need time to fully develop. The difference is that on the Pacer depth chart Bender is BEHIND O'Neil and Harrington and gets limited minutes every night and here in Houston Griffin is starting and getting 25 minutes a night.
I bet you don't say that when he drills 3's from the top of the key. Finley starts at the 2, not at the 3.
Well if we started him at 3 wouldnt that mean he could shoot a little bit more! I thought we didnt want that! If he atarts at 3 will he shoot more 3's!? God I can't take it anymore too many three's must stop him! LOL! Yea I'm bored we had early dissmisal! ah!
He He! Actually I was just looking at his profile he shoots better than 30% from the 3 pt line! Hum didnt know that! Shoots better than Iverson! Wow impresive but then not!LOL
Well it boils down to: *he can't dribble *not fast enough on either ends of the court but what about his inabilities at the 4? *not strong enough *don't rebound like a 4 should *no low-post game *loves the 3 pt arc I just see it as him having less inabilities as a 3 than a 4. For him to actually play better at the 4, there has to be a lot more effort than Eddie would like to put in (i.e. bulk up, work on low post moves, box out when rebounding, etc). At the 3, you can play him inside the 3 pt arc with the 4 and 5. He doesn't have to take his man off the dribble or what not, but he does have a height advantage and can shoot over most SFs. Also, moving Eddie to the 3 would solve our problem of masquerading him as a 4 and think that him and mo taylor can handle the PF position in the West. THe rockets can then bring in a LEGITIMATE 4 that will do the dirty work.
in the longterm, i believe eddie will end up at the 4. of course, this is assuming that he continues to put on weight and get stronger. in the meanwhile, however, i see no reason why he can't play the 3. defensively, he does well against the sheeds and kgs. and i can't think of too many 3s that are just unstoppable going to the rack. but the main reason for moving him to the three (for now) is offensively. eddie's problem is lower body strength, or the lack thereof. so the mature 4s in the west can deny him post position. but eddie is probably stronger than most of the 3s in the league...at least strong enough to gain and maintain good post position. at 6'10", he should be able to shoot that turnaround jumper over most 3s with relative ease. of course, this also relies on the rockets acquiring a strong 4, because the other team can always play their 3 against our 4 if he's weak, and put their 4 against eddie - thus denying him offensive advantages. so, we need to have a 4 that demands some respect, but isn't a ballhog. solution: kurt thomas kurt has a serviceable midrange game, is a strong rebounder, and would be personally offended if the other team dared to put a small forward against him! kurt would put the crush on him. hmm... PG: steve SG: cat SF: griff PF: kurt thomas C: yao ming
If EG desires to be a "good" PF in this league, he needs to declare war on all the players he guards.....EG looks like a momma's boy out there. HE needs to be more aggressive and more fearless in the paint. During COLLEGE BALL, EG friggin punched the lights out of one of his fellow teamates bcuz he wasnt playin-------->EG needs to stop being MR NICE and friggin become MR MEAN (but not like LARRY SMITH ) he needs to have one of those mean streaks once in a while and stop cryin and get rid of his "other hobbies" MAybe Larry Smth can show him how to be a "MR MEAN"...........right. itzIce
You want to encourage EG to shoot more shots (outside shots he has no chance of making btw) than he does now? Besides, with Houston's sad guard ISO offence, it's more likely somebody at the 3 will get the ball than somebody at the 4 and 5. I'm not sure you want EG to handle the ball.
Tell me why EG couldn't be as good as Rashard Lewis at the 3? Same knocks on EG as were made about Rashard...can't dribble, too skinny, can't shoot, etc. etc. EG has every bit, if not (much) more talent (read God-given athletecism) than Rashard, Seattle puts Rashard at the 3 and end of story. I suppose, Rox could enjoy the same results if EG were placed there exclusively. EG detractors speak of Eddie like he's some sort of Jason Collier, aloof, clumbsy, etc. EG could be a mad 3, but to do so, he needs to be told to focus during the offseason on: (a) go learn...err...refine your dribbling skills (b) you're not a back to the basket type player, so don't confuse yourself trying to learn jump hooks and drop steps, focus on the arch on your shot (c) we're not expecting you to bulk up, go lean, go mean, and come back CLEAN!
