Eddie Griffin strikes probation deal with prosecutors

Let me start. Kobe is a MUCH better ballhandler and passer than the average SG. Randolph is a decent shooter than the average 4. Both works hard to get better.

Now which part of EG's game can not be had in the average 4 in this league? Go head and tell me. Dodging the issue won't help you make a point. I think the term you are looking for is not TALENT, but POTENTIAL, in which we run into another little problem. Potential is worthless:
1. if you never get better
2. if you don't work hard
Both of which perfectly describes EG.

Yes, better players CAN be had later in the draft, see Jordan in particular (pop quiz, who was the #2 pick that year), it's the luck of the draw. However, RARELY does a player projected to be 1st overall in falls all the way to 7th.

 

Only thing i would like to say on that is that the Fight is really what dropped him down and problems with the team, not his talent.

 

Whether better players are available earlier or later isn't relevant -- THEY ALL HAVE TALENT. Griffin, despite his troubles, has talent. If you fail to comprehend that, then I'll let you wander in your fog.

 

Yes I know all players have talent. Jesus, there's a reason they're playing in the NBA instead of their own driveway. The question is, what part of EG's talent that we CAN'T live without? Which one of his talent can we NOT get in the average 4? How good is he that we gave up three 1st rounders, passed up trade for Shard and SAR for?

You've gone through 5 posts without giving me answers to a very simple question in which I asked repeatedly, yet I am supposedly the one wandering in the fog.

Like I said, talent and potential are very different.

 

And you would be right in that. However, my stance has never been that the reason he dropped is solely because he wasn't talented (anybody who makes it to the NBA has talent), but that PART of the reason he dropped is because he isn't as talented as could be. Think about this: if EG is the next sure thing OR his potential is so great, wouldn't you take a crack at him regardless, especially in a weak draft year? Remember what people said about Yao before the draft (too soft, can't D, foul trouble, etc). Didn't stop us from taking a crack at him. Or perhaps a better example would be Shawn Bradley.

 

I dont think we can find his rebounding, shot blocking or scoring in the average 4.. or dont you think we would have filled that slot already?

At this point in his career is he a difference maker? No
Does he have the ability to fill in a much needed role for us? Yes
Will he become the star we all hoped? Probably Not
Are we looking for a star PF? No

my point is we have a glaring weakness at the PF position and if we can get EGriffin cheap why not? If he can put all his troubles away he could be a steal for the minimum. Then if he develops into what we hope he will be a great role player and solid contributor.

It will be hard to find a star to add to this team without losing anyone else... what people are saying is if he earns a spot back on our roster and fills some needs for us.. whats the harm?

I guess I dont hold a grudge as long as some posters here.

J

 

Read couple posts back, I already gave him credit for being an above average shotblocker and rebounding. But how is his career 8.7 PPG above the average 4? How am I holding a grudge when I've been calling for his head since mid last season?

What people need to understand is, this is pretty much AS GOOD AS HE'S GONNA GET. He HAD potential, not any more, because he's screwed in the head. He can't even get his own priorities straight and doesn't want to get better. He's one of those headcases where as long as he stays out of jail, you can call him a success story.

 

I apologize for not clarifying who I meant. While a vast majority of the NBA can be listed, I was referring to a certain special case a few years ago. This "gentleman" was under suspicion back in 1994 of DWI when the cops found a .380 semi-auto pistol in his Range Rover. I can't seem to recall this shadowy part of the Rockets past, but I do believe he once performed on stage as Michael Jordan's side kick.

 

Curiousity question:

For all the jailtime lawyers out there or regular lawyers or those experienced in anyway with our judicial system and similar offenses to Eddie (I know there must be someone), how does this sentence compare to what the average joe or joey would have received for first time offenses like these? Was this a high-priced lawyer/professional athlete orchestration or was this standard operating procedure for this type of situation...

thoughts?

 

This was absolutely a high priced lawyer orchestration. If he had an average lawyer who was being paid very little, the prosecutor would never have offered that deal.

 

EG is a top-norch talent. I can still remember him blocking KG shot straight up and Dirks too. I remember him being a real factor in defending Duncan. Anytime who so heavy rely on the committee of MoT, Spoon, Padgett and Oakley are in need of a player of EG's skill set. The question is certainly not about talent or whether there is a need. The question is whether he is available in the true sense of the word.

 

EG's man-to-man defense was weak, IMHO. A lot of his blocks were from the weak side (like all shot-blockers really) but his individual defense was poor, probably because he lacked strength.

 

I'll answer it for him.

1. Outside shooting, while 33% is great, it's better than most of the 4s in the league.

2. Shot Blocking/Hops/Timing, not only from stats and reputation, He still the only guy I've seen blocking a baby hook from Garnett straight up, (Garnett backing Eddie down, turn slightly, let the ball go with a baby hook, and Eddie swatted at it's apex, very nasty).

 

Though yes, his lack of work ethic and off the court troubles never helped him realize his potential (which was very high), and he is one of the biggest busts ever for the Rox, but he still had talent coming out, enough to warrant 3 picks for him on draft night.

Most ppl forgot that he was projected #1 a lot of mock drafts and everyone was loving the trade right after it happened. Unfortunely, his lazy attitude and mental problem screwed us in the end.

 

I miss Eddie.. I really liked him in the beggining of this season.. he seemed to come in with more aggression.. but once he missed practice and the flight its been really dead And signing with the Nets and calling the players cliquish.. seems like he doesn't like the Rockets at all .. oh well..

 

You know, that's funny. The last thing I want my 4 to do is camp behind the arc and launch 3's. Antoine Walker anyone? So let's see what EG adds to this team. Hmmmmm, another lousy shooter beyond the arc bricking shots. I thought the point was to take pressure off Yao. With most average 4's, they can hit the 8 footer semi consistently while EG can brick on a putback or a layup. Now we want him behind the arc instead?

His athleticism/shot blocking has been duely noted many times in this thread, which I already gave him credit for. But you know what, Darius Miles has athleticism too. Look how he turned out? Athleticism without talent is nothing but a waste, and EG isn't like Amare, who actually works on his game/weakness.

 

PS. Does anyone remember the last time Duncan attempted a 3? Does anyone care?

 

His 33% from beyond the arc is great for a 4 and good for almost any position. We envisioned a tweener with upside being KG and downside being Horry (both of whom shoots quite a bit from downtown). We were hoping that he has the shooting touch to develope a decent mid range game mixed in with penetration with better ball handling skills. He didn't, it was unfortunate.

Wasn't Darius Miles the third pick overall? The point is when young draft a player as young as Griffin or Miles, you draft it based on atheleticism and you hope for the best. It didn't pan out, it was unfortunate, but don't say Griffin didn't have the potential.

All I am saying is that when we drafted him, we felt we stoled another young superstar like we did with Francis, after his first year we were all impressed with his athletecism (and all felt he was snubbed from being in the all rookie game). After his second year, we were still failry optimistic though not as much (off and on games with it msotly being off, but keeps you hooked with what he shows in his on games), and then this season was a unforseen bizzar disaster.

 

Can't. We don't have another 3 FIRST ROUND PICKS to waste on this loser...

 

See here's the thing. If he can shoot the 3, great. The problem is other than that he has no game. Even Antoine Walker has a low post move. If EG can post up, put the ball to the floor, I don't give a damn he shoots 28% from 3. The problem is he can't, so what do we use him for? If he want an outside shooter at 33%, we can just pick up a damn SF. EG isn't strong enough to defend the 4 and isn't quick enough to defend the 3. Basically I don't know what he's good for.

Darius Miles also wasn't traded for three 1st rounders and passed up in trades for Shard and SAR. But you know what, I'm over that now and I really don't have a problem with CD/Rudy/whoever. What I DO have a problem is that some people coming back saying let's sign him again. It's not we HAVEN'T been down that road. We've been more than patient. Yet now some people are saying let's take another crack at this loser and tie up more money as if we haven't wasted enough time with him.

You know what, I don't have a problem signing EG again if he can prove he got his life fixed. Otherwise we'll just be like the Nets when they signed him, the joke of the NBA.