Time for Griffin to step up, grow up By FRAN BLINEBURY Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle Eddie Griffin is gone again. That is, if he was ever here. Barely 28 months ago, the Rockets rolled the dice on a 19-year-old with an assortment of blotches on his record. Since that time, he has been spottier than a cage full of leopards. Back then, it was said Griffin was selfish and immature, once punching a teammate in practice, allegedly for not passing him the ball. These days, he can't punch a time clock. Griffin missed the team flight to Sacramento on Monday and never called in with an excuse or an explanation. After talking with head coach Jeff Van Gundy and general manager Carroll Dawson on Wednesday, Griffin promised to do better, try harder. Thursday morning he didn't show up for practice. The Rockets have suspended Griffin indefinitely, perhaps because in this age of guaranteed multimillion-dollar contracts, putting his garbage out at the curb in a Hefty bag wasn't an option. Is this any way to start a new era with a new coach in a new building? "I care very deeply about Eddie," Van Gundy said. "I like him. We would like to count on him." In other words, all the Rockets can do is sit back and hope they are not trapped. The team has not offered to extend his contract into a fourth year, which is customary at this point with a first-round draft pick. To reward him would be sending a bad message. But without an extension, his trade value might be limited. These are the problems that go hand in hand with an NBA that is getting younger and younger every year. Drafting players has always been a quite speculative game. But trying to make projections on teenagers can be as dangerous as juggling chainsaws. Sometimes you get Griffin and sometimes you get Kobe Bryant. Maybe just different kinds of enigmas. "The NBA and basketball in general is littered with talented people who have not lived up to expectations," Van Gundy said. "Others have worked to make it. "You see guys with not so much talent but with attitude and passion and they find a way to succeed and make a place for themselves. But you see a lot of those high school All-American lists and a couple of years later, you wonder why some of those big names have fallen off. It's so hard to tell." The Rockets were so high on Griffin they traded three first-round draft choices to New Jersey for the chance to take him with the No. 7 pick in 2001, and they said that night they probably would have taken him No. 1 overall. They were hooked on the 10 rebounds a game Griffin pulled down during his one year of college ball at Seton Hall. They fell in love with his 6-10 size, long arms, outside shooting touch and shot-blocking ability. They talked themselves out of any concern over his track record on the personal side. What Griffin has mostly done in two pro seasons is gotten two years older. Now he is 21 with a child of his own. But paternity alone does not make for a man. It is so much more than the fact his game has consisted mainly of hoisting up 3-pointers that causes concern. It is the lack of personal growth and accountability. Griffin also was AWOL for one game last season, reportedly offering up an initial excuse that involved his dog. Now, perhaps, it is barking up the wrong tree to think much has changed. One problem is Griffin was being counted on to play a major role just behind the headline act of Yao Ming and Steve Francis in lifting the Rockets back up into the playoff mix. What is particularly egregious is that Van Gundy has invested so much of the early part of his regime in preaching that he will hold his players accountable for their work ethic and professionalism. This then is the first test of the new boss, and don't think the other players won't be watching to see if he stands behind all of the stern talk. It is only October but with much at stake. "We can't be dependent on any one person," Van Gundy said. "As much as I like the guy, I'll never sacrifice the team for an individual player. "In the short term, it's up to him to get back on track. I think Eddie can be an effective NBA player. But you can't be effective if you're not here." Assuming, of course, he ever was
Melo will probably win the ROY. But that doesn't mean that LeBron wont catch up in experience in the years to come.
Well said DT. I hope it gets better for Eddie from here on out. He has the tools and the opportunity. Hopefully he gets it together soon. I still like him and I am a fan. He is sooo young with all to gain or lose but time is sadly running out.
I agree completely... Lebron seems to have better handles but Melo has got all the tools to become an all star SF in this league for years to come....
Michael Jordan made an impact when he first played in the NBA. I still do not understand how the hell people want to compare Lebron as the next Jordan. Dont get me wrong, the kid is good. But the next Michael...i seriously doubt. The next person close to michael or to one day become the next michael is kobe bryant. Lebron was dunking the **** out of High Schoolers..He didnt even play college ball. Melo will definately be ROY for 03-04
I'm not a lebron James lover, but calling him a bust is like calling Yao a bust last year. It's amazing to me how people can just say this after a couple preseason games and it's his first year. The media overhyped him and now he's gonna have to live with this for a while. He's definitely a talented player that is not the instant Magic Johnson player the media had expected. But who can say he won't be in a few years.
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! I disagree. Players like this do nothing but hurt a team. How do you know he's a good kid. What inkling in his track record ever indicated that he was a good kid. Maybe I missed it in a previous post (and I probably did). Has anyone ever heard EG establish himself personally (set personal goals, be passionate)? These goals that are in front on him is what the Rockets organization placed on him. I agree he has potential and I'm sure it will astonish everyone, but please --- Somebody hire this guy a shrink and let's move on.
I agree with the title. New coach. New season. Two quick preseason mess ups. -- get them behind him. Time to deal with it eddie. Step up. This is the year. I'm still on the bandwagon (though cautiously looking for a way off -- hoping i won't have to leap). By christmas we'll know. Until then, go go eddie.
Two points. First, you simply don't trade 3 1st round picks for a player who winds up as your 12th man on the bench. Perhaps you feel that the Rockets should be the exception to the rule... Second, how many losses are you willing to accept while EG "develops his game and grows up"? And what if those losses cost the Rockets their shot at the playoffs? How "understanding" will you be? Would you consider the season "disappointing" or would you say it was worth missing the playoffs if EG was able to "get his head together"? Don't misunderstand me here, this is not an attack against you. I'm merely pointing out that in the final analysis, the majority of fans including those who frequent this BBS want results. By results, I mean wins and losses. If you think folks are being harsh now, just wait and see what will be said and written if EG costs the team a shot at the playoffs.
