Eddie Griffin should start the rest of the season, yes even over KT

I disagree. I think KT actually has better latteral quickness than Eddie. KT has that terrific first step on offense that Eddie has yet to display and KT looks to be significantly better guarding people out on the floor than Eddie.

Eddie has the best support defense of anyone on the team and never seems to loose his man close to the basket. He will wait until the last second to come of his man in support and is always quick to get back. His one weakness in the paint at this stage of his career is the fact that people like Anthony Mason can bully him closer to the basket. Eddie appears to play with out ever fouling people or pissing off the refs and at 6'10" he has a sweet turn around jumper when he is close to the basket that could be his go to shot at some point in his career. It is clear that Eddie is a better shot blocker and rebounder than Kenny.

While it is true that Eddie will certainly hit that rookie wall he might as well face it this year and learn how to play through it. Steve had to do it as does almost every other player to ever play the game had. The fact is that while KT has a great first step and some of the best moves to the basket as anyone in the game he simply does not posses the same tools as Eddie Griffin.

Lets see how Eddie does in his next start. If he gets 20/10/2 and shoots 50% then can we really justify putting him back on the bench for a 12/7 player just because he is 19?

 

Great point. Everyone talks about how Moochie dribbles out the clock and won't give up the ball. From what I've seen, half the time, Moochie is looking inside but isn't confident the guy he wants to pass to is in position to catch the ball rather than lose it. Maybe Eddie will solve that problem.

 

Because I haven't been able to watch recent games, I asked about Eddie's interior offensive game in another thread, but no one responded. Everyone's been complaining about Eddie just taking long shots from the perimter or 18ft. out. What about recent games where he's started? About how much has he been given the ball down low, and how has he fared when he has?

 

He still primarily runs the high pick but there have been a couple of instances where he looked to be running a high pick but then made a move to the basket where he looks very good. There have been a couple of situations where he has recieved the ball with his back to the basket but not many. Rudy is slowely starting to add plays for Eddie and maybe Mooche is starting to feel like Eddie is someone that can recieve the interior pass with out fumbeling it away like Cato.

 

I say go Big and Play KT at the 3

Griff
KT
Cato
Mobley
Mooch

 

I think KT should go to the bench unless Griffin starts messing up royally.

I mean he got 20/10 against the Lakers and the Bucks 2 VERY good teams.

Griffin is going to be a better player then KT, so let's begin that process now.

DaDakota

 

Wow, the other team will be running on us all night long with KT chasing a SF and Cato walking backcourt on defense.

It's not really "going big" because KT is 6 ft 7, average height for a SF.

Also, he does not finish well enough to pose as a post-up threat.

 

aaaahhh DaDakota
We know u hate KT cause he short *grin*

I guess the question we need to lok at it
Elite SFs
And how badly could they abuse KT
and how many nights of the year will we be against them

Rocket River

 

And somehow KT chasing SF's is much worse then the defense of Williams and Rice?

 

One problem with playing KT at the 3 that hasn't been mentioned is that we usually like our SF to be a perimeter shooter. Someone comfortable receiving dishes from the guards who can let loose bombs from afar. KT has three-point range, but most people don't want him taking those shots for good reason. We may not be happy with Walt and Rice, but they're still shooters, even if they haven't been effective like they should most of the time (although Walt was a significant part of the Bucks win). If you play KT and Griff together, that means that one of them has to take those shots, and do we really think that's best?

 

Before the season, I would have said no way, but looking at how slow Rice and Williams are, I think Kenny is quicker and stronger than both. Plus Kenny plays harder than both, so I would go ahead and play him there. we're getting killed anyway, so might as well.

 

Deep down, we all know that on the Rockets championship team, Eddie is the starter and Kenny is the 6th or 7th man. A great 6th or 7th man, supplying hustle and boards and making things happen while Francis or Griffin is on the bench. It's a crucial role in winning the big enchilada, and we should by all means keep Kenny for that role if we can. He should get all the minutes a player of so much effort and heart and versatility merits. But no way should he be starting over Griffin once Griffin has achieved the comfort level we're already beginning to see.

 

Like Carl Herrera and Mario Elie I agree. Thats what I say Griffin is the future and Thomas is the back up, albeit a good one.

 

where does that Leave Mo T

Rocket River

 

Why wait for the end of the season to trade Thomas. His value is going up and we might be able to get something pretty good for him. Since Rudy was playing Glen Rice and or Walt Williams at the backup 4, they can backup Eddie. I couldn't believe that. Glen and Walt at the 4. Rudy trips out sometimes.

 

I agree to an extent with what Will is saying. Griffin is showing what he is capable of, but he is 19 and will have off games. We can't expect him to go out and play 30-35 minute per night at this level just yet. Maybe next year, IF he keeps himself in b-ball shape.

As for KT, I love the guy, but if we can package him, Walt and Langhi or Collier to Miami for Brian Grant, I say we make the deal. It's another big contract to take on, but at this point, that is really all we can do. By the time Cato, Rice, Moochie and Grant(if we get him) come off the books, we'll be in fantastic position to land some serious free agent talent and keep our own old school talent.

Disclaimer: This is just a drunk man's perspective.

 

Griffin has almost half as many double doubles(2) as Taylor had all last yr (5). Why are we questioning who is the better player?

Rocket Pimp: I was getting blasted on Hennessey earlier. I feel ya.

 

If Franchise can play the minutes, hit the wall, and bounce back, why don't we expect the same out of him. I mean we didn't really have a point then, except Cat the yr before, just like all we have is Kenny, which isn't that bad but......... What are we waiting for, Griffin is clearly better than Thomas and Taylor, so why not let him play, make his mistakes and move on.

I think sometimes when young guys with explosive potential like Griffin comes off the bench, they tend to force things, try to be productive in a short period of time. When they know they'll get minutes and shots, they seem to relax more. remember how Kobe used to come in and be out of control? I think Kenny can adjust to coming off the bench a little better than Griffin can since he's been doing it his entire career.

Griffin is the player and he should play because he seems to be our 2nd franchise or cornerstone. He should get the minutes regardless of who's there. He has 2 double doubles in 2 starts. Taylor only had 5 in 68 games and Thomas has 3 in 20+ starts.