Yes, but I would think that the new coaching staff would want to see what Griffin can do in game-like conditions. Sure summer league is a bit low on talent, but it seems like someone who is as young as Griffin could use all the practices/games he can. I think many of us here would agree that Griffin needs to show something after being in the league for 2 years and really not improving all that much. Is he really the power forward of the future or just a high draft pick bust? Playing in summer league might have helped give some insight. Maybe not just for the coaching staff but for us starving Rockets fans who are just bored out of our minds this summer . Just my thought.
Griffin should of been there to benifit from the JVG twice a day 3.5 hours a session. The Rockets Roster is about to start life all over again under the direction of JVG.
He is not playing so other teams can't see how bad a shooter he is, and how lazy a player. That way they may still take him in a trade. DD
I wouldnt want a pot smokin lazy player on my team. They arent going to trade him because no one wants him.
He was there practicing with them, just didn't play in games. That's what CD said would happen some weeks back.
Griffin lit up the summer leagues last year. He has nothing to prove there. Darius Miles needed the games to show he could hit a jumper against live defenses, plus it gave him the chance to get acclimated to Lebron. Kwame Brown came out of high school and has not lived up to anything. You didn't see Battier or Gasol, who also came from Griff's draft in there. Accrding to CD, Griffin was to practice with the team, which may have been delayed by the glass in the foot thing. No big deal. Kenny missed the games after being bitten by a dog. Griffin's problem is he needs to bulk up and get tougher. I don't see how being guarded by guys just as in need of bulk, if not more so (Tskitishvili) is going t really make a difference.
He needs to improve his low post game. He needs to play with his back to the basket. He needs to practice his dribbling. Even if he's playing against scrubs, it'll give him an opportunity to reinforce some good habits while learning the new offensive.
It has been posted on this very board (I think from a Feigen artile)that Griffin would practice but not play in the summer league games. The reason is that he cut his foot on some glass right before the league started, so he is limited. Exascerbating a minor injury is not worth something as worthless as summer league.
I can understand not playing because of an injury. However, live competition in a structured environment is never "worthless" for a 21 year old with a lot of flaws in his game. It's certainly better than pickup games with no coaches to help correct your mistakes.
I also agree with this sentiment. I am also wondering how much of it is a sort of pride on Griffin's part in addition to a fear of getting injured. "I am a third year NBA pro selected in the lottery. I don't need to prove myself in the summer league " attitude. Apparently, Kwame Brown played in only 3 games (that was initially agreed upon by both sides) despite the Wizards wanting him to play in all of the summer league games. Link to Kwame Brown's status in summer league (at bottom of Gilbert Arenas article): http://espn.go.com/nba/news/2003/0718/1582592.html
Sure, everything can be helpful, but five games against non-NBA material is not going to make or break his career or season. That is why I said it was worthless considering the injury.
I found the answer to wheres Eddie. Google search says "A popular comic turned actor who started his career on-stage as a dare, funnyman Eddie Griffin's memorable supporting roles in such films as Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo have built the comedian an ever-growing fan base and a path to his first starring role in 2002's Undercover Brother.
Apparently I was wrong. I was under the impression that the league we were in was open to 1st and 2nd year players only. Oh well. I, at least, think that should be the rule for one summer league.
First of all, this statement is completly subjective and ignorant. Eddie gets caught once with a dime bag of weed and he is considered a "pot smokin lazy player." Also, I would like to see the reference for your statement that "they arent going to trade him because no one wants him." Where the hell did you get that from? Have you been hanging out with Mr. Stern? (If so, what's really going on with Kobe?) Last time I checked, Eddie was a million dollar athlete. I don't think we'll be seeing him hanging out in the 5th ward on the street corner. I think your statement may be a little exaggerated, don't you think? Try to have some objectivity in your posts.
