Very shortly I am removing Eddie's #33 from my sig. It is a sad day. IMO, the Rockets did what they had to do. I wish Eddie Griffin well and hope he gets well. Well, now let's hope the Rockets can get well as well. Is there anybody left worthwhile in the well of free agents?
The timing of this whole thing is weird to me. Its almost as if the Rockets are cutting their nose off to spit their face. 1) As long as Griffin is on the suspended list, the Rockets don't have to pay him (someone correct me if im wrong on this assumption). If they release him, dont they now have to pay him the rest of his salary since his contract is guaranteed?? 2) Its easy to make an example out of a player when he can't play (i.e. because of the curfew, Griffin can't play for us even if he was ready to come back). Therefore, why not make an example out of him when he CAN play (i.e. at the end of the season and after his trail(s) are over)??? Obviously, he is being released because of the incident at his house (remember, JVG, even after the Griffin no-shows to games/practices, said he expected this to be a short term problem and forsaw Griffin's return). Therefore, the Rockets are taking a stand and saying that they don't want these types of players on or around their team (something I have no problem with). So overall, IMO, the message (releasing him) is much louder, and would be taken more seriously when he can play versus when he can't play.
The timing makes me wonfer if they were pissed abouut the Atlanta trip mentioned here. Maybe he wasn't allowed to go and did? Does releasing him clear any cap space for a pick up or a trade? Anyhow, good luck EG,,,, Lord knows you need it. Hope it comes your way.
I didnt even think about that Atlanta trip. Interesting. I am pretty sure he still counts against the cap for the rest of the year. That is, unless the Rockets found a technicality and were actually able to VOID the contract. Again, as I said before, if this was just an out and out release, and the Rockets now have to pay him for the rest of the season, why wouldnt they have just kept him on the suspended list?? At least they wouldnt have had to pay him.
The Rox are weak at PF. The Cato experiment isn't really working. I bet we released EG to make room on the roster. The only reason we would do that is because we're gonna make a trade or acquisition. I agree there is something to the timing because there is no other reason to do so at this time. Also, they admitted they have been actively shopping EG around. Do you think the Rox refused to listen to other trade scenarios during all these talks? This team is regularly proving that our chemistry sucks. The winds of change are blowing. You don't have to be Cleo to put it together.
For the most part I agree with this post. I really am sad to see Eddie released. I really had hoped he would be able to come back and contribute! Clearly he has done some wrong things. No one disputes that. But he IS getting therapy. The Rockets invested THREE #1 draft picks on this guy. You would like to think they could have given him some time, some patience, to see if he comes back with a vengence. Look at Vin Baker this year and how well he is doing after coming back after some serious alcohol problems. I just dont see why the Rockets would not give this thing more time to develop. If after a while they were seeing it was not going to work out then fine, but he is just now coming out of his therepy. Let him see if he can beat the charges (likely not going to jail) and see if he can get back into BB shape. BOTTOM LINE...what a waste! The mis-drafting of Griffin and Nachbar is really hurting us right now. Those mispicks along with a few bad contracts really has hamstrung this team!!
Anyone else notice that his hospital care was for substance abuse as well as depression? I bet travelling to Dallas is *not* part of Eddie's aftercare program.
I guess because they were trying to keep his rights while attempting to unload him. The article alludes to release and paying him. I am surprised there is not a clause in the contract that allows the contract to be nullified for certain actions on the part of the player. My guess is that he is only accused so that "clause" wouldn't count right now. And, that this trial will be dragged out past summer thus nullifying any advantage in holding his rights. They probably are privy to the prosecutions details and know it is hopeless.... I just hope they can use the salary space under the circumstances...
RR, If this was just a basic release, then a) The Rockets have to pay Eddie and b) He still counts against the cap (just like Maloney, etc.). This release accomplishes nothing other than to basically sever ties with EG. It wont open up a roster spot and it wont save them money under the cap this year.
That's what I thought. Why they would do that is not clear. Unless EG and his agent are willing to negotiate the contract balance down to a small sum while pursuing another contract elsewhere right away. Could be EG's attorney has a deal with the courts that allows him to play if he is no longer in this area / environment, i.e. with another team elsewhere. In the absence of a good trade the Rox might have just tried to save the money. If that's the case (big if), then does the smaller renegotiated amount then apply to our ability to land someone else?
RR, I doubt their was any buy out or negotiations like that. Due to the trail and curfew, Eddie pretty much won't be able to play the rest of they year for anyone. I am pretty confident that there is a travel restriction on Eddie. If thats they case, It wouldnt make sense for a judge to make concessions so Eddie can play for another team, but not the Rockets. Also, I doubt Eddie has any incentive to negotiate his contract (I doubt this is even allowed by the CBA since rookie contracts are sort of set in stone) since he hasnt been paid any game checks this year.
You make an assumption the judge placed this curfew on EG to restrict him from playing for the Rockets. Not true. He did that to restrict him while he was not playing for the Rockets. If he was to return, he would not be suspended and would be allowed to go "to and from work". He probably would have other restrictions as well and everything he did would be monitored and would have to be job related. There is no renegotiation I guess. He has been released. I'm sure since he is not under contract to play basketball at that point, they do have the ability to "buy out" the contract. Does released mean he is a free agent? If the answer is no, then he has incentive to buy out his contract so he can end it and move on....
Jonathan Feigen, good read Fran Blinebury is an idiot. How is taking someone under your wings, helping them through their problems and trying to put their life back together easier then just releasing him. They did not release him after the missed trip, missed practice, shooting, checking into hospital and being charged. He was released because of the curfew of 6am to 6 pm which excludes him from games which means he will not be able to play for the rest of his contract How is that choosing to be a better part of the community??? Poor Eddie I wish him luck and hope he comes back to be MVP one day
RR, Re-read the article: "Facing felony assault charges and a misdemeanor drug possession charge, Griffin was recently released from voluntary substance abuse and depression therapy. But a judge ordered a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew, making him almost entirely unavailable to play for the Rockets" Feigen specifically states that Eddie's work obligations can't supercede this imposed curfew. And again, I don't think the CBA allows for buy-outs. At least, not to the point of dismissing the salary cap committment. If this was the case, then why wasn't Maloney's contract bought out instead of just releasing him like the Rockets are doing with Eddie?? Maloney was released, paid in full and still counted against the cap for the duration of his contract. Perhaps there is a "voidable clause" in Eddie's contract that allows the Rockets to get out of his contract committment due to his behavior.
That would have been modified easily to accomodate a return to the Rockets (work) There would have been monitoring, reporting and restrictions to accomodate his working. After all, he is accused and on bond, not actually convicted. That 6-6 was while in his "rehab".
