Personally I feel Griffin should be a 4. But I have not seen many games of him. But judging his ability to block shots, he really could be a 3-4BPG type of guy next season at the 4 spot I beleive. But my question is, is he a great defender at the 4 potentially. Does he play decent position defense, or are his stats of blocked shots overated? I know that some defenders who block alot of shots are not always considered great position defenders....how would you consider Griffin is an overall defender at the 4 and can he be a GREAT DEFENDER in this league?
Some people are naturally good at blocking shots and Griffin is just that but he also tries which is the key point. And to answer your question if Clifford Robinson can make an all Defensive NBA team then there's no reason why Griffin can't.
Eddie "The Eraser" Griffin I wouldn't be surprised if Griffin was on this list at least 5 times during his career. He is going to be a stud and maybe more valuable to the Franchise than Steve will. I think that highly of him.
What made Hakeem s great on defense is unlike some shot blockers today, raef, ratliff to name a few, you could throw te ball to their man and they would score because they don't have the strength to hold it down. Its not really enough to be aweakside shot blocker if all they havet do is throw it to your man and he scores. Thats the way sac did raef. Who ever reaf was holding got te ball and scored. Now if you drive to the hole, he's very good coming off his man for the blks, but oneon one he's weak. Thats why i think its essesntial for eddie to bulk up to about 245lbs or 250. He will still have his quickness off the ground and wit those long arms, thats why he blks shots anyway. If he does that he can live on the all defensive team.
I predict (don't question my psychic powers...just my psychotic tendencies) that Eddie will grow one more inch to a true 6-11 and then in three years or so will bulk up to 255. Then he will be a load: think Karl Malone with range. The Dream started out with a frame similar to Eddie's and developed the muscle mass later. However, as The Cat once stated, and I paraphrase, Griffin will have to learn how to play with that extra weight while retaining his current run-jump ability. However, if he stays at 220, he still has the ability to be an All-Star SF. He will just have to improve his lateral quickness and ball-handling skills -- something I think he will do anyway. IMO, this kid is a keeper.
Well, If Eddie can put on some weight and get some extra upper body strength I think its possible he can be a future defensive player of the year candidate. He got backed down a lot this season. But, I haven't seen too many players that are able to jump off of his toes like Eddie. You can pump fake him, but he'll right back up in the air before you get your shot off. Some guys only get blocked shots due to their height, but Eddie gets block shots because of skill. He just has a knack for it.
I thought i read an article that Griffin said that he was 230. But if he really is 230 and can still play the four is that a good thing? Sheed is 230 but a little taller, but i beleive that eddie might be just as long. I think rudy should devise a plan to use eddie like they use Sheed in portland.
from the 12-15 games i saw this year eddie has an unbelievable knack for blocking shots. he almost just sets people up to believe they have a chance just so he can get the block, it's really amazing to watch. since i only 13 and 14 during the championship runs and dream's big time seasons, i wasn't paying great attention to nuance's like natural shotblocking ability but i would assume hakeem was quite like this in his career. i see no reason why with more playing time griffin shouldn't block 3 a game unless this season was just a fluke. he blocked 1.74 a game in limited minutes and he had 4+ blks/gm at seton hall his freshman year. he plain knows how to block shots. as for all defensive team and overall defense that will require bulking up, which most players seem to do, especially super young ones like griff. how he adjusts to the extra weight will be important but shouldn't be a major roadblock. also, quality missing persons reference in your sig roc paint (unless you got if from somewhere other than their song).
Cliff Robinson is nothing like Eddie... Robinson is a stellar perimeter defender. I'm not sure if Eddie has the instincts and quickness to defender the perimeter well. Obviously, he's a very good shotblocker thus far. With Eddie's size, or the lackthereof, if he wants to be an All-NBA defender, he must work on his perimeter defense. Ideally, he will bulk up and become a solid low post defender, something that he's not yet.
