Just when things were going good, you knew it couldn't be long before Blinebury threw his pessimisitic view into it. Expect some rain on Rockets' parade By FRAN BLINEBURY Copyright 2001 Houston Chronicle Now that the addition of teen angel Eddie Griffin has prompted awarding the Rockets all of the NBA championships from, oh, about 2004 through the opening ceremonies of the 2012 Houston Olympics, perhaps it is time to turn down just a bit of the heat on the rhetoric that has us all feeling so flushed. So how's this for a bucket of ice down the pants? Kelvin Cato, at this very moment, is the highest-paid member of the entire Rockets organization currently under contract. As a reminder, that's $42 million over six years. Try a few slugs of Pepto-Bismol, and maybe the queasy feeling will go away. Or maybe not. Which is why the same folks who used creative draft-night genius to secure the rights to Griffin from the Nets must pull the strap even tighter on their thinking caps and land a starting center whose lack of production isn't dwarfed only by his lack of motivation. Keep in mind that the Rockets, who are already being fitted for firetrucks in the victory parade, are still essentially the same bunch who finished last season out of the playoffs and -- so far -- are only talking a better game of maintaining their focus and not blowing all those home games to the Nuggets, Clippers and Warriors. While it is understandable, even natural, to expect that Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley will improve and grow into franchise-carrying performers strictly with age, it is not a given. This is evidenced by Scottie Pippen's weak shoulders. Griffin has a ways to go There is, however, every reason to expect that can happen if Stevie Franchise can be set free from the shackles that too often inhibit him and if the Cat can ever be reined in. When you toss the talent and aggressiveness of Griffin into the mix, the long-term future is bright. It would simply be unwise to expect too much too soon. Griffin is nowhere near Francis as a rookie. For one thing, Francis was 22 to Griffin's 19. Francis also played three years of college basketball -- two at the juco level, one at Maryland. For all of the fanfare, Griffin is not a likely starter next season. For what to expect, try these numbers from a 1996-97 rookie: 15.5 minutes and 7.6 points per game, 41 percent shooting, 91 assists and 112 turnovers. They belonged to Kobe Bryant. Eddie is not Kobe. Thus, if the Rockets are going to take a step forward, the progress will come from within rather than outside, especially in light of the decision to back off the Chris Webber sweepstakes. Have the Rockets given up the chase of Webber because they think that much of the current team? Or, like the soon-to-be-jilted groom, are they merely getting the jump and calling off the wedding first? No matter, since it is the right decision. Unlike the one that rewarded Cato for a pie-in-the-sky vision of what any big man could be but has now become more burdensome than a pair of concrete boots on one of Tony Soprano's ex-friends. Not only does Cato's contract -- $6 million next season -- make him harder to get rid of than poison ivy on a homing pigeon, it also makes things ticklish with the one proven center the Rockets can and should have anchoring the middle. You remember, of course, Hakeem Olajuwon. Hakeem gets the call Head coach Rudy Tomjanovich telephoned Olajuwon's house at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, the first minute that rules permitted him to talk to free agents. Though he woke a surprised household, we can mark this as definite progress from the first half of last season, when Rudy T evidently forgot that the greatest player in franchise history was still on his team. Hakeem was not at home at the time, but in Jordan, which is a country in the Middle East, not a 38-year-old with cracked ribs. Olajuwon, it can be said, is slightly amused that the Rockets are content to go with the status quo -- re-signing Mo Taylor and Shandon Anderson -- rather than blow up the lab for Webber, which is the plan he's been pushing all along. Olajuwon's new agent, Dan Fegan, has been trawling for offers, and there is said to be interest in Phoenix and Orlando. But at what price? Olajuwon has floated $10 million. The middle-class exception for teams over the salary cap is roughly $4.5 million. But the likely real number that matters is $6 million -- Cato's number. It's one the Rockets set. Now it's one and a dollar more they'll probably have to swallow to get Hakeem to make the new toy go. Better save some of that Pepto-Bismol. The geniuses still have work to do before the parade. http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/bk/bkn/959100 ------------------ EDDIE, EDDIE, EDDIE!!! Draftsource.net-- the premier source for draft info. Profiles, rankings, mock drafts, and more! The Mo Taylor Fan Site
What the hell does that mean? I got to here and I had to stop, it was too much. ------------------ "So, is there still a big rivalry between North Carolina and Duke?" Craig Sager - Proving the only thing bright about him is his shirt.
ahhh...nothing like a good ol' pessimistic Blinebury article trying to shoot down our season and future. I had actually started to miss them while he switched personalities for a while. Sorry Fran, there will be no rain this summer, maybe light drizzle(keeping Cato), but no rain. ------------------ Who needs teachers? I can learn my own self.
That is such crappy logic. There is a ton of evidence to suggest that for the suberbly gifted, one year of college may be all they need before becoming full-fledged starters in this league. If you are going to make a comparison Fran why not show us the rookie stats for Lamar Odom, Stephon Marbury and Shareef Abdur-Rahim? Odom and SAR would be the most appropriate comparisons, why are they not shown? Oh thats right - they made an impact right away and would refute Blinebury's poorly supported point. Fran, I rebuke thee. ------------------ "So, is there still a big rivalry between North Carolina and Duke?" Craig Sager - Proving the only thing bright about him is his shirt.
Love the article, what a great and realistic take on the events so far. No way my 87yr old Grandma would be afraid of taking it to the hole against our Superb Frontcourt. Perhaps Fran should have added a warning, as not to hurt the feelings of the CC.net BBSers who think will we win a title now that we have Griffin. Perhaps with the New Arena on the cards we can rename the team the Houston Marshmallows. WE NEED some GRUNT up FRONT!!! GIVE ME A INTIMIDATOR who wants to OWN the DEFENSIVE Keyway ------------------ "The things I enjoy most, I suck at: 1) Sex: everything's fine until she makes noises." - Achebe
Odom and Rahim played on crappy teams. Kobe played on a good team. It makes for a pretty good example(Kobe), but I'll try and find one that's like this scenario. ------------------ ZeColmeia on stealing: "I did not steal anything. Ive used some of clutchcity player profiles when I first created the draft profile page." [This message has been edited by NYKRule (edited July 02, 2001).] [This message has been edited by NYKRule (edited July 02, 2001).]
What a flat out WARPED view of things! How does he KNOW if Griffin is going to be like Kobe or better? If you're bitter and angry all the time I guess you would think like that. I wonder what kind of numbers Garnett put up his first year. Or Shaquille O'Neal. Just messed up, brutal logic. ------------------ "Win if you can, lose if you must but always cheat!" - Jesse Ventura
Odom and Rahim played on crappy teams. Kobe played on a good team. It makes for a pretty good example(Kobe), but I'll try and find one that's like this scenario. Actually that's a TERRIBLE comparison, Griffin and Kobe. Kobe came to a Lakers team where it would have been impossible for him to crack the starting lineup. That Lakers team had Van Exel, Ceballos and Eddie Jones playing at a high level. Griffin will be able to step in and have a chance to make an impact like Rahim, and Marbury, and Garnett. ------------------ "Win if you can, lose if you must but always cheat!" - Jesse Ventura [This message has been edited by RocksMillenium (edited July 02, 2001).] [This message has been edited by RocksMillenium (edited July 02, 2001).]
This is why I stopped reading Fran articles. ------------------ Ceo of the Walt Williams and Lisa Malosky fan club. atheistalliance.org
I agree with Pued, That's a horrible, horrible comparison of Griffin to Bryant. At the time, I know the Lakers had Eddie Jones at shooting guard, and maybe even Anthony Peeler. In other words, he had competition. Griffin has two offensive specialists with no D, Walt and Bull, and a second year player who airballed half his shots and doesn't possess great lateral quickness, Langhi, in front of him. It'd be stupid not to start Griffin, and even if it doesn't happen the first game, I would rather have him inserted in the starting lineup sooner rather than later. I don't want the rest of the players developing some chemistry with freakin' Walt and then having to get used to Griffin in the starting lineup. Let's not forget that when Griffin is inserted in the starting lineup it would also affect rotations. Also, who are these people that are getting the firetrucks ready for the championship parade? The majority of people I hear see the Rockets improving 5-6 games, and grabbing the 7th or 8th seed. Me thinks Blinebury reads this site. The "geniuses" still have a ways to go eh? ------------------ The Smurfs were Communists [This message has been edited by tacoma park legend (edited July 02, 2001).]
and Rahim had who to take shots? ???? and who did Garnett have to take shots? Luc Longley? Tom Gugliotta?....and Odom had Olowokbusti?....he won't contribute as much as them. 10/11 points 6/7 rebounds 1.5/2 blocks Expect that. It's more than Kobe, but it isn't going to be as much as Rahim. ------------------ ZeColmeia on stealing: "I did not steal anything. Ive used some of clutchcity player profiles when I first created the draft profile page."
Ummm, Garnett also had Stephon Marbury, remember him? ------------------ "Win if you can, lose if you must but always cheat!" - Jesse Ventura
Marbury didn't come until after Garnett. Oh and Garnett had 10/6/1.5 his first year. That was what I have been predicting all along for Eddie Griffin because that's what Garnett had. ------------------ ZeColmeia on stealing: "I did not steal anything. Ive used some of clutchcity player profiles when I first created the draft profile page." [This message has been edited by NYKRule (edited July 02, 2001).]
And here's a dirty little secret, Garnett averaged 10 points a game BEFORE Marbury got there, and averaged 17 points per game AFTER Marbury got there. So his scoring WENT UP! ------------------ "Win if you can, lose if you must but always cheat!" - Jesse Ventura
Marbury didn't come until after Garnett. Oh and Garnett had 10/6/1.5 his first year. That was what I have been predicting all along for Eddie Griffin because that's what Garnett had. But you're prediction doesn't make sense. You say that Griffin isn't going to put up big numbers like Rahim because Rahim got a lot of shots. But then you say that because Garnett only scored 10 points per game without any help that THAT is what is going to happen to Griffin. ------------------ "Win if you can, lose if you must but always cheat!" - Jesse Ventura
Obviously, it went up because he gained experience at the NBA level. Just don't expect Griffin's first year to be GARNETT's second year, he isn't a freak like Garnett. Garnett wasn't getting starter's minutes his first year-just like Griffin won't. That's why they will have similar numbers. Lower your expectations a little bit on him or else he'll disappoint you. Shareef was getting approx. 8 minutes more per game in his rookie year than Garnett. That's why his numbers were better, and that's why Griffin's numbers won't be like Rahim's. Griffin won't get 35+ mpg. Walt, Morris, and Langhi will still get some minutes. If the Rocks sign Anderson, expect Griffin to get even less minutes. ------------------ ZeColmeia on stealing: "I did not steal anything. Ive used some of clutchcity player profiles when I first created the draft profile page." [This message has been edited by NYKRule (edited July 02, 2001).] [This message has been edited by NYKRule (edited July 02, 2001).]
Hey I don't have huge expectations, I'm going to wait and see. I'm not going to go out and predict he'll score 10 points a game because when you have a strong backcourt, 10 points per game could jump up to 15 to 16 points per game. If you don't believe me, look at the Garnett example you pointed out Garnett, who struggled because he came straight out of high school without any help blossomed with a guard supporting him. The same could happen to Griffin. ------------------ "Win if you can, lose if you must but always cheat!" - Jesse Ventura
He isn't a freak like Garnett? Who's to say whether he's not, he's certainly a special talent. I don't think he'll ever put up the numbers Garnett does, but Griffin is a freak. ------------------ "So, is there still a big rivalry between North Carolina and Duke?" Craig Sager - Proving the only thing bright about him is his shirt.
Garnett's body just made him a freak. Griffin doesn't have the same ability and frame Garnett had coming out. I see your argument w/the good PG. I just don't think he'll get enough minutes to produce like Reef did. ------------------ ZeColmeia on stealing: "I did not steal anything. Ive used some of clutchcity player profiles when I first created the draft profile page."
First of all if my name was Fran and I was a guy , I would shoot myself in the face . That being said I think ol' Blinebury takes it out sometimes on the Rockets . ------------------ Reactions after The Rockets got Eddie Griffin for 3 draft picks "Eddie For 3 ... Yes!!! O Mother!!!!!!!"
