A bit sarcasm a bit spectulation Before JVG, Griffin had issues. . .. JVG did not GIVE him issues The coaching change happened THEN the shooting started I speculated on how much RUDY [you know the touchy feely players coach he was] was there for Griff . . . encouraging and prodding and nurturing this sensative/volatile/depressed person I wonder how once Rudy had his issues and move on . . . .. Where did that leave Eddie. . . how did he feel . . .with his crutch taken away . . . .. once again . .this is pure speculation Rudy could have been cursing him like a Sailor for all we know . . Was Griff close to ANYONE on the team? Rocket River
Without question we should put him on our Summer league team. And probably sign him to a league minimum salary for the Rockets for next season for him to prove his worth. We spent THREE 1st rounders on him. The Rockets owe it to themselves to FOLLOW THROUGH on their INVESTMENT in him and try to do whatever they can to realize some value in him as a player on the team. The Rockets have a hole at the 4 spot. The Rockets need to get more athletic and need some shooting to space out the floor. Eddie might not be the answer but he might be a nice option! He is only 21 years old. There is a lot of room for improvement. At this point with Eddie, I would say it is a Win-Win situation for us. If he plays well we sure up a spot without giving up anything. If ne doesnt play well then we are back where we started and haven't really lost anything. I think Eddie OWEs it to Houston to try to make his comeback here. He owes it to the team, the fans, and the management that spent 3 1st rounders for him.
I had to stop reading all of the bleeding heart "Oh I hope we give EDDIE another chance" posts here before I threw up. What in God's name is wrong with you people? What is the weather like on the Bizarro World you come from? This punk quit on the Rockets after they pissed away 3 - count them - THREE first round draft picks on his sorry a**. For those with short memories, that's Q-U-I-T, quit. He quit on them after they stuck with his underperforming a** for 3 seasons; after they traded Kenny Thomas to give him "more playing time"; after they let James Posey walk. He is a prime reason why your Rockets are sitting at home (again) watching the playoffs on TV, yet all you people are ready to line up and kiss his a** once again. This SOB is nothing but a loser, period. I don't care if he becomes the reincarnation of Julius Erving, he will ALWAYS be nothing but a loser who is out to scam a team in the NBA into paying his way. I personally never ever NEVER want him anywhere near the Rockets - it would make my day if they permanently barred his sorry behind from the TC. And while they are at it, they can add his good buddy CD. Your compassion is wasted on this guy. Since you people have so much "love" to give, why not give it to a more worthwhile cause: to those men and women who are laying down their lives over in Iraq fighting GWB's little war. THEY are infinitely more worthy of your respect and compassion that Griffin will ever be. Enough is enough for christsakes. Let it GO people!
This is a moot topic. (1) The Rox drafted Eddie - he never chose the Rox, and feels no loyalty to them (he shouldn't - business is business). There's no reason Eddie has any personal preference for Houston over any other team. (2) Sure, I'd give Eddie another chance - with a 4-year, two million dollar contract, and a 2-year team option. I have no problems with us paying him $500k a year. If he craps out again, we haven't lost anything. If he booms, we own his butt for 6 years. (3) There's no way in hell Eddie would accept my idea in (2), and we'd be fools to offer him more money (he's already stolen millions from the Rox). So, yeah. It's over. Throw away his phone number and move on. -- droxford
Lets not forget how many buddies Eddie has on the team who were all pulling for him when things got crazy. They probably know way more about what really happened to EG that day he was accused of shooting at that girl than any of us. So, if they are still in contact with him the Rox more than likely will give him another chance. I mean we signed freaking Charles Oakley guys. I think he will be on the Summer League squad. I know some of you folks are irate about the whole situation with EG (I was too) but I hope he gets his life back together even if its not in a Rockets uni.
Apologies for the minor edit, but could this be a Freudian slip for the real reason many on the board are willing to forgive Eddie?
I can't see JVG going out of his way to bring in Eddie. JVG is all about seasoned veterans (JJ, MJ, Oak, Spoon, Padgett, A.Griffin). Nachbar played in 45 games, Wilks in 26, and Braggs in 11. JVG likes his player time-tested.
You know, I had forgotten about Eddie Griffin for awhile there, and then, all of a sudden, he gets mentioned again. Just sickening. Obviously the kid has problems but he could have been (be?) the next Rasheed Wallace (albeit with a simmering, hidden temper that manifested itself in a life-altering gunshot-at-the-girlfriend rather than 10 or 12 technical fouls; I guess there are worse things than letting a little [I say, a little] anger out on the court every so often).
1. I wouldn't put too much stock in what EG has to say. With depression, he may feel super-motivated and on top of the world one day, and be back in the dumps the next. It's hard to tell if his attitude will be lasting. He did something similar when he said he'd lead the league in blocks. 2. The only thing teams wondering about EG should concern themselves with is his treatment. Is he in therapy? Is he taking meds? How stable has he been? 3. Those who are unimpressed with EG's skills are fooling themselves. He's got lots of skills. You didn't see it much after his rookie year because of his depression. I have no doubt he will be a monster if he gets his life in order. 4. EG brings just the skill-set we need at the PF position. Strong rebounder, good shot-blocker -- would do great things for the Rockets help defense scheme. Can shoot from outside. Overall a great complement to Yao. 5. EG said when he left that he didn't bear the Rockets any ill-will. I think it is likely enough that re-joining the Rockets would be a strong candidate for him. He's got friends on the team and in management, it's an atmosphere that's already familiar to him, he'll be able to keep contact with Lucas who is also in Houston (right?), and a lot of fans actually care for him here. 6. I want to get EG back, but I don't think VG will be willing. There wasn't any particularly good reason to cut EG in the first place, but they did it anyway. I think they washed their hands of him entirely some time ago. It's too bad because I'm betting we'll regret it later.
I guess you feel the same way with Rudy then huh. Rudy quit on us during the season and he "quit" during the offseason. If you feel this way with Eddie, you must really hate Rudy. Look, the guy obviously had his problems. When someone has family problems or health problems, it is something they need to focus on, not basketball. The guy made some mistakes and he knows it. Its not his fault the Rockets used 3 picks for him, but there is a way for the Rockets to not let it waste anymore than it has. From Bird to the Dream, if someone tells you that you cannot see your child, your mind will not be on basketball, in fact, basketball should be the last thing on your mind.
JV perfectly articulated everything I wanted to say. What's wrong with Marcus Camby? Superstar, no. But great fit for the Rockets at PF next to Yao? Heck, yeah. If he wasn't asking for ridiculous money and didn't have a history of injuries, I'd be disappointed if management didn't go after him. I wouldn't go so far as to say that Eddie could have been a star, but he could have been a d*mn fine roleplayer for the Rockets. And that's why I would bring him back. I think JV's right that JVG and crew have washed their hands of him, and that if he successfully completes his treatment, it's a mistake. I do have one point in favor of the Eddie naysayers. The past is finished. Prior investment should not be a consideration here. Three first rounders = sunk cost. The question for the Rockets is: Is Eddie given his problems and abilities a legitimate prospect over alternatives to fill our holes in the frontcourt? JV answered it best.
Good points JV and Relativist. Just adding these questions, 'There wasn't any particularly good reason to cut EG in the first place' -- I disagree. It is apparent to me that this EG stuff was known to management and some of the players. 'What's wrong with Marcus Camby? ... If he wasn't asking for ridiculous money and didn't have a history of injuries, I'd be disappointed if management didn't go after him.' And if hakeem were 29 I'd be disappointed if management didn't go after him etc etc. Come on. Camby traded for Cato with same salary/contract? In a NYMinute. Camby TE'd for 6/60? No way, NO WAY!
