I have a funny feeling that Eddie is doing some kind of rehab or treatment and the Rockets are keeping it between Eddie and themself out of respect to Eddie. Is it possible for something like that to stay under wraps by the organization? I can see the Rockets doing this to help show Eddie that they are behind him and let him tell his story when he is ready. Am I the only one that is wondering if this is going on or do some of the rest of you think that possibly this is happening? Either drug rehab or clinical depression rehab?
I have no idea what the problem is but Eddie doesn't appear to be getting along with the organization. He didn't tell them that he wanted more time off the court because of his personal matters. I get the impression that he is angry or at least annoyed with them even after talking to the coach because he didn't show up to practice. These are bad signs in my opinion. I hope he can solve his problems quickly and show a professional attitude. The team needs him to do well.
I found this quote rather insightfull. "Who knows what he's going through? It's not fair for me to say if what he's doing is wrong." - Maurice Taylor
I don't think many know what's really going on with EG. Maybe only Les, CD and Jeff. If you've seen any of the locker room coverage, EG is always very quite. Never talking. Shy and reserved. He's not the kind of guy to openly talk to players about anything, much less personal problems. He's probably very selective in his friends too.
The Rockets are not allowed to hide players drug problems. If they were caught doing so they would be heavily fined. It doesn't it couldn't happen. But I suspect it isn't. He is probably just doing what he said, taking a break because he is sick of the game and the pressure. He's 21 and he wants to still be a kid and as a kid he probably wouldn't play as much basketball but instead get high a lot more. Speaking of getting high there is another possible scenario. Perhaps because of all the pressure he got stoned the night before the Sacramento trip and now worried about being tested and suspended even longer he skipped the flight. And now he isn't going to show up until his urine is clean. I mean he did say he is under alot of pressure. And I just don't see that much pressure playing a game but if you are at risk of losing a lot of money because you toke and he still loves to toke and doesn't want to stop, but is so afraid he is going to get busted than perhaps that is the pressure. Anyway it is just speculation but if I am right and he is skipping cause of that than he may be stoned right now. And the cycle is on. I am under so much pressure by the league to not get stoned that I have toget stoned to handle all the pressure I am under by the league to not get stoned so I get stoned to deal with all the pressure... and so on and so on. Let's hope I am way off base.
Now that makes sense. But if he is just staying away until his urine is clean, then I don't think JVG will take him back until he sees a definitive change in the way Eddie does things.
Hoopsworld is whack, I know... but here's what they say: OH EDDIE, HOW THE MIGHTY HAVE FALLEN On draft night in 2001, The Houston Rockets surprised a lot of people when they selected Richard Jefferson with the 13th pick in the first round, later they selected Jason Collins with the 18th pick, leaving many at home scratching their heads. When Brandon Armstrong was selected with the 23rd pick, it seemed the Rockets had reloaded, an already full roster, and then the trade was announced. The Rockets had packaged all of their first round selections for Eddie Griffin, who was selected 7th overall by the New Jersey Nets, Rockets fans went through the roof. EGriff was the man, and they were excited to have him. This week, new Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy was the one who went through the roof. Griffin, who has failed to impress even the most astute Rockets fan in his two complete seasons in Houston, missed a team plane to Sacramento, then failed to show for practices. There has been speculation that his recent suspension from the team is related to his mar1juana offense, and rumors of continued usage haunt him in Houston circles. Sources close to the Rockets say this is a more trivial and common problem… Eddie doesn’t have a role, and he wants one… He’s coming to the end of his contract and the Rockets are not going to pick up his option, so Eddie sees himself on the bench, in the final year of a NBA contract in which he’s averaged basically 8 points and 5 rebounds a contest. Those are not numbers that get you a multi-year deal. Eddie is frustrated with the Rockets view of him (and their view is justified), and he either wants them to trade him – something they are exploring – or play him, something coach Jeff Van Gundy is against until Eddie improves his conditioning and his attitude. On the other side of the pond, Richard Jefferson has turned into a solid contributor and professional, being one of the leagues emerging spokespeople featured in TV commercials and endorsement deals, Jason Collins has become a serviceable center, and was part of the reason the Nets bought out Dikembe Mutombo. For the Rockets, on draft day Eddie Griffin was a promising star, today, it is can you get anything for him… Oh how the mighty have fallen. http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_5715.shtml hmmm?!?!?
