Chron.com: Player and coach's comments on Griffin's release

Precisely. One day eventually, Griffin, in order to get his money, would show up on the Rockets doorstep and say "I'm ready to play". If he did it, I don't think the Rockets could have kept him on suspension without a nasty fight with him, his agent, and the players union.

Similarly, keeping food off of his table for a full season jsut to save a few bucks would give Les and Rockets management a horrible reputation among current and potential players and agents.

It was the right move for all sides.

 

He DID get a second chance. Why do people keep saying this? He had an opportunity to come back to the team after being suspended, and he blew it. Then, we set up practices specifically for one player - Eddie, and he didn't show up!

It's exactly like that - and he totally deserves MORE than being fired. He deserves to NOT get paid millions by the Rockets.

All you people who keep saying that 'The Rockets shoulda done more to help him' are full of bull. JVG's statement only confirms that we do more for our players than he has ever seen.

Uh, no. He's not a good kid. Not at all. He punched out his college teammates. He's fathered an illegitimate child. He's punched out an ex-lover and shot at her. He's abused drugs. And he's soaking up millions from the Rockets while he doesn't show up to flights, practices and games. He does NOT deserve an enjoyable life. He deserves jail time, and I sincerely hope that in January the judge agrees with me (though I'm sure he'll slide).

Wrong again. Life didn't throw any curves at Eddie - Eddie threw curves at himself (and the Rockets). Life threw a curve at Alonzo Morning... Grant Hill.... no, no, no - the source of Eddie's problems is EDDIE FRIGGIN' GRIFFIN!. AGH! People are so damn stupid!

This is the only smart statement made.

-- droxford

 

"Wrong again. Life didn't throw any curves at Eddie - Eddie threw curves at himself (and the Rockets). Life threw a curve at Alonzo Morning... Grant Hill.... no, no, no - the source of Eddie's problems is EDDIE FRIGGIN' GRIFFIN!. AGH! People are so damn stupid!"

I suppose the folks on this board who flippantly throw around these sorts of opinions grew up poor and black in inner-city Philadelphia, went to high school at Roman Catholic, and have seen their siblings die young.

Acutally, people who say "life threw curves at Eddie" are not 'so damn stupid.' Don't judge a man until you've walked a mile in his shoes.

Not to pick on you, but I find these "I have no sympathy whatsoever" arguments massively ill-informed. Not just about Eddie, but about life in America.

More on this soon, I am seriously pissed
CBFC

 

If this was some 40 year old guy, I can't say I'd have too much sympathy for him, but he's still a kid. I can't help but have sympathy for him.

I also wonder if the Rockets :

a) Sent a message to others (like Jeff said) that this won't become a Jailblazer team.

b) Tried to help Eddie out by getting him to go elsewhere. If you believe, as was stated, the decision was mutual, then maybe the Rockets did themselves a favor and did Griffin one, too.

I sincerely hope the kid gets his act together - he's still young enough to do it. I hope this doesn't come back and haunt us, but that's secondary.

 

He needs help that the NBA can't give him. The above doesn't give you a free ride...that goes w/o saying.

Actually I grew up poor and white in the city and I don't feel sorry for him.
Where you came from shouldn't always determine what you do and don't do in life.
Having benefited from his athletic ability most of his life probably hasn't been the best thing for him as a person.

FWIW I think he should get a second chance at life be it with Bball in it or not. Good luck EG.

 

I agree although to certain extent it is much tougher for those who grow up in such an environment as I could attest it.

But that should not totally be an excuse!

 

There are lot more people in the world with a lot worse problems than EG's who are more deserving of sympathy. I think part of my anger stems from the fact that Eddie has had such great opportunities and has pissed them away. There are tons of people out there who don't have those opportunites in life, and are trying a lot harder than EG to live a good life. Don't waste your heart on him - go help a family that really needs it. Hopefully such support will put a struggling family back on track while Eddie Griffin rots in jail.

And, BTW - I'm really only judgemental like this on the BBS. Here, I can be as judgemental as I want.

-- droxford

 

Codell,

Your post of the article didn't contain what I thought were the most interesting quotes from the article I read:

"Over the years, the meetings I've had with Eddie ... we've tried to deal with it," Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson said. "We had his agent come in a number of times. This wasn't a spur of the moment deal. This was over a year-and-a-half period of time. He was in my office many times. We've talked about a lot of things. I tried to help him as did the coaching staff. His intentions were to do the right thing. It just didn't work out that way.

"I think everybody feels for Eddie. What's the best thing for both parties. It's what happened. If you play with a guy and you get to know him, you want what's best for him, and I do. I think this is the best thing.

"It's disappointing. But this is real life. I quit dealing in fantasy a long time ago. Everybody asks me, do you wish this. Yeah, I wish a lot of things. You deal with real life and the decisions you make. We think we made the best decision for both parties."

Since none of know what really happened, we are all speculating. I will too.

If this has been "going on" for a year and a half, why didn't they take stronger action sooner? Suspensions, benchings, etc. If you draft a kid with a troubled past who has lost his father figure brother, give him millions of bucks, and immerse him in the NBA lifestyle, can you really be surprised if he has some trouble?

It just doesn't add up to me, but then what do I know?

 

This makes no sense. I can't even grieve because most people here just want us to be the 6th seed in the West.

This is the result of JVG - me thinking CD should retire. With no prayer of Yao beforehand a decision was made. Bad decision maybe, but look were we might have been now if the injuries from two years ago hadn't occured - dead last in the WC.

The NBA's not like Exxon. But hell even if Exxon thought they had a kid with promise less than a hundred people possess they wouldn't give him away.

A cancer? A kid who didn't talk? Amazing...

 

God Damn it

 

It's sad to see Eddie go, but for the sake of the team and its immediate and future outlook, the right decision was made. Eddie is 21 now, a man in a man's world. If he can face up to his current karma, embrace and resolve it, he can go on to a successful career in the NBA; in his own life and community. It'll be a fine day when he registers double doubles on a regular basis. Here's to his health and wealth (not monetary) this holiday season. After thought: We may have not robbed the till with Eddie, but we broke the bank with Steve and Yao. It all balances out. It'll be nice to get the other Griffin up and running.

 

Eddie was just living in the fast lane! He will be missed and Wishing him the best of life.

Eddie, get your life situated!!Quit that head banger boogie!!

 

Hooray for CD and JVG

for kicking Griffin off the team. They needed to set a strong message that that type behavior will not be tolerated. I'm so sick of the pot-smoking loud-mouthed fools that play basketball; it's idiots like them that have destroyed Portland's fan base and others.

I'm aware that a bunch of people on this line smoke dope, so have I. However, I've got 3 young boys and haven't touched it in 15 years. It's stupid and anyone who takes dope sets a piss-poor example for young people.

Also, hooray for Drayton McClane for kicking Lugo's ass off the team, too.

Go Houston!