1. Pau Gasol, F, Memphis Grizzlies Stats: 41.4 mpg, 17.6 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 2.2 apg, 0.5 spg, 2.2 bpg, 52% from the field Comment: See above 2. Shane Battier, F, Memphis Grizzlies Stats: 40.1 mpg, 15.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1.5 spg, 1.1 bpg, 41% from the field Comment: Hate to heap so much praise on a team that has a grand total of 15 wins, but Memphis has the two best rookies in the game as we speak. And all it took was Battier putting together a February consisting of 15.5 points, 6.3 boards, 3.9 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.6 blocks per game. The Bulls may have stolen the headline on draft day, but it's this Grizzly duo that's putting up a combined 32.7 points, 14.1 boards and 3.3 blocks per game compared to much more heralded combo of Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry, whose totals read: 8.8, 6.1 and 1.6. 3. Jason Richardson, G, Golden State Warriors Stats: 30.4 mpg, 12.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1.2 spg, 0.3 bpg, 41% shooting Comment: All he did last week was win the Rookie Challenge MVP and Slam Dunk Contest. All he did this week was average 23 points and 6.5 rebounds since the All-Star break while also totaling 12 assists in that span and become a SportsCenter highlight regular. Now all he's got to do is keep from becoming a trivia question in his attempt to become a household name. Easier dunked than done. 4. Jamaal Tinsley, G, Indiana Pacers Stats: 30.5 mpg, 9.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 8.7 apg, 1.7 spg, 0.5 bpg, 36% from the field Comment: We can't ignore the horrific shooting slump he's mired in (32% in January followed by 34% in February), but we'd still rather talk about the dimes. Last week, Tinsley dished out 19 assists in a single overtime game of 56 minutes against the Mavs, which isn't that impressive considering he's already totaled 18 assists in 35 minutes against the Rockets on Dec. 13 or that he totaled his season-high of 23 assists against the Wizards on Nov. 22 or that he now has a grand total of 16 double-digit assists games under his belt. 5. Eddie Griffin, F, Houston Rockets Stats: 25.8 mpg, 9.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 0.6 apg, 0.2 spg, 1.8 bpg, 39% from the field Comment: Maybe they didn't give him enough time earlier in the season to find any sort of rhythm. Maybe they're still not giving him enough time now to keep it going. Whatever the case may be, Eddie Griffin is running hot and cold and just about out of this power ranking after crashing it with a bang last month. He has yet to put together more than four consecutive games of double-digit scoring and goes from one 31-minute game against the Nets on Jan. 24 in which he scores four points to back-to-back games against the Mavs and Hornets immediately after in which he totals a combined 26 points, 23 boards and 10 blocks to a game on Feb. 4 in which he plays 42 minutes but scores only eight points. But he's still the most under-used rook on the board so we'll stick with him at least another week .
Blame for the inconsistent production. In another thread, I wondered why so many people used excuses like EG's size to explain why there have not been more low post moves/plays for him; while Pau, who is just as skinny but is close to dominant in the low post. I know Pau has been a pro for some time but I am sure that has relatively little to do with it. KT last night made sure to stuff the ball anything he could. Tmo and EG tend to want to finesse things and get blocked.
How about this for an excuse, Pau has a hell of a lot more skills in the low post. Right now, all EG can really do is the turnaround jumper, and teams are figuring that out. Pau can put the ball on the floor, drive, post up, etc. He is a lot more polished, so he gets more plays run for him. And don't act like Pau being a pro in the Spanish and Euroleagues had "little to do with it." And competitive play is going to add to the development of players. Gasol has had a lot more competitive play than EG.
<B>I know Pau has been a pro for some time but I am sure that has relatively little to do with it.</b> Why would experience have little to do with how effective you are?
I think part of the "blame" goes to "the rookie wall". EG didn't play much the first few months, and is just now hitting the physical and psychological wall that most rookies hit. At the same time, I agree that the coaching staff needs to work over the summer to help develop a more complete offesnive game... they seem to have limited EG's involvement in the offense to the high-post (set screen, peel back and wait for a pass back) and while that worked early on (opposing team's challenging EG to hit that 3pter) defenses are clued in to his range. Hopefully Rudy and staff will diversify his involvement and EG will learn to roll towards the hoop when defenses tighten up on the perimeter. Another area that EG will need to develop is man-on-man defense... he has been allowed to float and play weakside help (and collect lots of blocks early on) but he needs to also bulk up and put his body on the opposing PF. Still, the guy is what, 19 years old? Oh, btw, I am new here, so be kind in your responses.
You're right. It's probably useless playing against all those future Nowitzki/Stojakovic types in a european superleague. Besides all this, Pau is 21, and Griffin is 19. I'm happy with the develoment, but unhappy at him for hitting the rookie wall. His body didn't take all that much battering. He was usually at the 3-pt line, not banging, and barely played the first 15-20 games. Then he also had the All-Star break. Why isn't he producing (offensively) anymore?
He doesn't get that many looks. On D he gave Garnett fits last night. the only thing I don't like right now is the way he shoots his shot. He releases low and it's easy to block.
The league has also caught up to him and his tendencies limited by the coaching staff. The reason why I would not like to hide behind the "longer pro issue" is that I think there are other reasons. Pau dominates in the post mostly because he wants to. I am not convinced EG does. Pau seem to want to stuff it down your throat. He uses is long arms and reach, which EG has, to dunk and/or get fouled. With EG's leaping ability, I think I should have seen him at least once try to take the ball to the hole against his man and try and dunk or get fouled. It really does not take much for EG to get to the basket. Pau gets to the basket because that is how he want to play the game and the coaching staff is creating the environment for that to happen. Can we say that RT and Co. has tried the same.
how hard is it to understand that eddie griffin is not pau gasol. they're not long lost twin brothers, one who grew up in spain and one in new jersey. this also has nothing to do with rudy not knowing what to do with him or eddie not having the same low post "desire" as gasol. the fact is at this point they are completely different players with different stregnths. we all want eddie to get in the block and jump hook over duncan or dreamshake over shaq but you know what he doesn't have that. right now that's the equivalent of asking moochie to do a reverse jam on a fastbreak. the one difference is that eddie has the ability to learn these moves. we want to see something that a teenager who has played 2/3 of a season just can't bring yet.
Are you kidding? Griffin's 3P FG%, and regular FG% are nearly identical. He does not have the bulk to go inside consistently, and 19 year olds aren't supposed to be consistent. Rudy has historically played him based on his performance, and that hasn't changed. The system isn't susposed to change for a 19-year old immediately.
Agreed, Griffin should go to the post more, but he wouldn't be half as good as Gasol, because has done this before, and done it against better competition. Griffin's 19, I think it's safe to say that it's possible that in 2 years, he'll be able to do everything Gasol is able to do better. *note: Gasol is incredibly creative in the post, maybe he won't be able to match that.*
Haven, last i looked, you were logged on, so if you're still reading (althought you're probably in the hangout), a little help please. I agree about the dreamshake, but Haven has posted before that Eddie used a little jump hook at Seton Hall. So, do you think he can get off over someone taller than him? He sure jumps quick, so you would think he could. I agree he realeases his jumper too low sometimes.
I do have a nasty, nasty habit of leaving browsers open to this site... so if you ever post something like this, and I don't reply... don't take it as an insult. Yes, Griffin did have a nice little jump hook at Seton Hall. It wasn't pretty, but was effective. And I actually think he could probably get it off over someone his size, particularly with his extension... and it was the type of hook that isn't easily blocked... quick motion, no frills... not part of a larger move that could be anticipated. However, Griffin has problems in the post. He's not strong enough to back his man down... and he's not very good with the ball either. I'd guess that's why you're not seeing the post game. Also, I never saw any other moves from him in the post, besides his turn-around. So perhaps in the pros, a good defender could anticipate it too easily.
I will be shocked if he doesn't work on pump fakes, drop steps and up and under moves this summer. Watch Lorenzen Wright when you get a chance, now that he's back from injury. He is as skinny as Eddie, but scores in the paint and rebounds like crazy.
One thing to mention-Eddie was extra successful in college because he got to play PF then, next to Dalembert. College PFs were rarely much stronger than Griffin, and almost always much shorter. We saw Griffin hit a gorgeous turnaround over Garnett on the baseline vs. Minnesota, but he only got the ball in the waning seconds of the shot clock. He'll develop. Right now, the Rockets' offense isn't well equipped for post ups, and this can't be blamed on the coaching staff-When we originally acquired Griffin, he wasn't expected to play anything but garbage minutes, because MoT was healthy. He was NOT expected to do the things he's shown, and coming in, he'd help the team best by hitting 3 pointers. With Griffin improving, and the possibility of one more major piece, expect the Rockets' offense to change to accomodate him/them. Give it time. Griffin can not create his own shot much, yet. He knows he needs to work on his ball handling and said he will. CD is marvelous at developing post players with talent and work ethic-KT and Othella are prime examples of this, and lately Cato is as well. As for Griffin vs. Gasol: Gasol is a more creative scorer. Griffin is the m better defensive force, even though shot blocking they are about equal. Griffin has the better shot, Gasol has the better handles. I think in their prime, they'll be about equal from the post-Gasol scores a lot in face up right now. Both are pretty nice players.
