Houston headache Rockets' Griffin making the least of his considerable skills Earth to Eddie The Rockets were so enamored of Eddie Griffin's talent that they dealt three players for him. Now, SI.com's Marty Burns says Griffin's constant flaking has the Rockets fearing he'll never pan out. Left off the roster for the Rookie Challenge at All-Star Weekend two years ago, Rockets forward Eddie Griffin cried foul. The game was to be played in his hometown of Philadelphia, and Griffin, then 19, thought he deserved an invitation. "I'll use it as motivation," he said. "In the future there will be other things I'll be selected for." Like, say, the All-Headache team? That's the only place the former Seton Hall star seems headed these days. Last week the Rockets suspended the 6-foot-10 reserve indefinitely for "conduct detrimental to the team" after he skipped practice just days after missing a team flight to Sacramento. Citing personal reasons, Griffin explained his Sacramento no-show to new coach Jeff Van Gundy and GM Carroll Dawson in a clear-the-air meeting on Wednesday. But on Thursday, when the Rockets showed up for practice, Griffin again was nowhere to be found. Houston had no choice but to suspend him. Griffin remains in limbo, according to a team official, until he gets his act together. "I care very deeply about Eddie," Van Gundy told the Houston Chronicle. "I like him. We would like to count on him." It's the latest in a string of incidents for Griffin, the No. 7 overall pick in the 2001 draft. At Seton Hall, which he left after his freshman season, he was suspended for a fight with a teammate. Last year he missed a game because he said his dog got out of his home and bit a neighbor. In the spring he was busted for pot possession. In the summer he blew off workouts, angering Van Gundy. All this from a kid who has averaged a whopping 8.5 points and 5.8 rebounds over his first two seasons. And to think he only cost the Rockets three first-round draft picks (one turned out to be Richard Jefferson). Nets GM Rod Thorn, who engineered that draft night trade, should be feeling pretty guilty right now. The Griffin saga not only comes at a bad time for the Rockets, who are trying to learn Van Gundy's system, but also at a bad time for Griffin himself. Houston has until the end of October to extend his contract for a fourth season (at $3.9 million). Now they have to be wondering if it's wise to invest that kind of money in a player who doesn't seem to want to be around. On the court, Griffin hasn't exactly set the world on fire, either. At 220 pounds, he's too weak to defend the post. His jump shot is a wreck (he's a career 38 percent shooter). He spends most of his time on offense parked beyond the 3-point line. Still, Griffin has shown tantalizing glimpses of potential, especially as a shot-blocker. The Rockets were hopeful that with a little work he could blossom this season into an athletic complement to Maurice Taylor at the power forward spot. Van Gundy talked about wanting to see Griffin's head under the basket more. Griffin grumbled that he was more comfortable on the perimeter, but said he'd go along with it. Two summers ago, an NBA GM called the Rockets to inquire about Griffin's availability in a trade. "They wouldn't even listen to us," a source with knowledge of the call said. "That's how much they loved the kid." The Rockets can only hope Griffin regains his own love of the game soon. For their sake. And his own. Marty Burns covers pro basketball for SI.com. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2003/writers/marty_burns/10/22/burns.griffin/index.html http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/index.html
Wel...l i dont know why you'll make a thread about it, if is the same topic and a post it becaus is in the front of espn.com - nba TODAY
I didnt make a thread about it. but that doesnt change the fact that it is already there...and has been for some time.
The funny thing about today's professional athletes is: They come in younger and younger every year. They invariably move from being a big fish in a little pond to a little fish in a big pond. Their life experiences are either negatively affective or positively ineffective. But ? the biggest adjustment is accepting unsolicited criticized from anyone ? and I mean anyone ? able to use a mouth or raise a finger (middle or index-NUMBER ONE,BABY!). Take this thread for instance. EG is either accused (with little evidence) of being either a dope smokin?, pity poor baby crying all the way to the bank because momma (or the team ? take your pick) won?t let him play kissy-kissy anymore ? Or, he is being vilified for having the audacity for acting even slightly human in a situation all of us profess we would probably face more gallantly stupid given the same circumstances. Frankly I wish he would just play ball at the level I assume everyone else sees him capable of doing. That?s where it ends with me. I do think he was rightfully suspended. Though I doubt my opinion matters to him. But I would add if given the opportunity - say to him - Just suck it up and go on. The art of personal growth is finally realizing where you fit within the big scheme of things. You have had enough time to adjust to the league, your professional drive and learning to feed your social appetite. To all the young athletes who do silly things from time to time - that big slurpy sucking sound is the collective pulling of your heads out of your asses. Don?t be frightened. It?s normal. We all had to do it at some point in our lives. Some like me, on more than one occasion. The important thing here is to finally realize ? This is supposed to be a FAN?S game played by MEN in spite of the fiscal endorsement of BIG BANKERS. Unfortunately today it is a MAN?s game, played by BOYS for the enjoyment of BIG BANKERS and sometimes (the little people) FANS. Hell if I can accept that after forty of my fifty years .... EG can too after two years. Tip-off and film at eleven. NOW .. I think this thread is dead ? .
Not quite, popeye. I was on the road and didn't get a chance to say it's good to have you back. So. It's good to have you back. Hope all's well with you.
