One of the best ways of describing contemporary mentality in the Western world is...and admit it, we've all done it..we are all of us now prone to standing in front of the microwave, irritably drumming our fingers or pacing, and demanding of the machine why it is taking so damned long. When it comes to our sports teams, it stands to reason that the same kind of thinking applies; Take, for example, the case of Eddie Griffin. The day we traded from him you could have called for a ticker-tape parade, and it would have only seemed slightly overdoing it. The Rockets announced that, had they posessed the 1st overall pick, Griffin would have been that choice. We were giddy to such a degree that I recall people slamming posters for comparing Eddie to the likes of Garnett, Duncan, and Rasheed Wallace by pointing out the relative shortcomings...of those players' games when compared with Griffin. As for myself, while elated, I remember wondering ( and posting) about how long it would be before some weakness or other of Griffin's caused him problems, and how quickly we would turn on the kid when that happened. With younger kids coming into the league, you would think that there would be a greater sense of patience, but the fact that this coincides with free agency has actually been cause for the reverse effect, unless you're a high schooler. That, too, amazed me about Griffin. It seems that with high schoolers we are willing to wait for years for them to develop...and with good reasoon, as initial rough years have been overcome by the likes of Kobe, T-Mac, O'Neal, and to a degree Garnett. And yet, for some strange reason, let a kid go to college for only one year, and suddenly it's " What have you done or me lately?" It would seem that we consider that one year, with it's couple of dozen games, in our minds seperates you from the boys and the men, and reduces our patience with you by a lot more than a year. So Eddie came in, made a few splashes, and then, as expected for a skinny kid who one year before was picking out his college classes for the first time, hit several bumps in the road. And playing under a coach who ( understandably, to a degree) favored vets over rookies, when the injuries that gave Eddie his moments in the sun were healed, his pt sunk dramatically...and ever since then his playing time has been as erratic as his performance. I am, and have long been a proponent of letting your significant kids play unless you're already a contender..and in the past couple of years we seeemed to lose sight of realistic expectaions, and made " How you play NOW" too much of a priority to serve the development of a player who, if he does develop into what we envisioned, becomes that third star behind Yao and Steve which makes all the difference in the world. You NEED two stars to be a legit contender...if you have three you SHOULD be one, and if Eddie breaks out this year, if he becomes that solid 3rd star...well, boys, we're in for a long, fun run. I was considering writing this even before last night's game, but held off to see if there was any sign that this could be Eddie's turnaround year...and there was. By all accounts, he looked much more fit, stronger, and more aggressive. In other words, he's becoming a man, and in a man's game, that means everything. With Mo T out, Eddie will get every chance to show what he is capable of...JVG is not much less of a vet's coach than Rudy was, but then again Eddie is nearing veteran's status. If he plays like one, and here's hoping he will, JVG will ride him for all he's worth. Look at how Camby, another hot and cold too-thin power player with potential developed under him in NYC. If you are going to pay attention to anything other than the brightness of the new uniforms this traning camp, I suggest concentrating on Eddie. This could be the year...if it is, that changes everything. It means, for one thing, that all the major pieces for our Championship runs are here, and we won't have to go outside the team to add that 3rd star. That means they're all here, have been all along, and all the pie in the sky longings for Elton Brand, Rasheed Wallace and Jermaine O'Neal can remain where they belong; in our dreams. If Eddie has a break ut year this season, our reality might be even better...
I like your optimism MacBeth, but I think this is going to be another adjustment year for Eddie. 1) Adaptation - Because of JVG, he needs to change his playing style & work on his inside game which has never being his strength. I never doubt his talent, but how long will it takes for him to adapt to the inside game is another question. 2) Attitude - His attitude has to change in order for him to reach the next level. He needs to put in the effort & work on his foundamentals (such as shooting, post moves, positioning...etc) instead of relying on his athletic ability. He has to believe he is capable of being part of the 'core' players instead of acting as a secondary role player. I feel he was somehow overshadowed by Yao's play/attention last season which kinda effected his confidence/performace. Prediction: Another so-so season for Eddie, but he will start to show significant improvement towards the end of the season - in a way similar to Eddie Curry last season. p.s. If Eddie doesn't show signs of improvement by the end of the season, we probably won't see him in a Rockets uniform next year.
Did Eddie look heavier, stronger, faster, taller, quicker...more confident? Thoughts? Aside to MacBeth: you miss the edit button too, don't you? Time out! It's back. Thanks, Clutch.
The problem I see with Eddie is that he had no kinds of handles at all. I can't remember when I have seen him dribble the ball more than 3 or 4 times before shooting. When he is in the paint he doesnt look fluid and its almost like he is forcing his shot. He really needs to work on his footwork. And I want even talk about his post defense.
I thought EG looked good in the 1st quarter. He posted up and shot over Sheed a couple times. He went to the off glass or generally stayed around the board instead of the 3 pt line. On defense, his positioning and posture was good. He bent his knees and slid with his man instead of walking around aimlessly.
Yes footwork and handles are nice but that is not what he needs or the team needs. In his rookie year I described him as one with prolific scoring ability. I still believe he is but it is not his footwork or handles that is keeping him back. His biggest set back last year was his shooting percentage. He has to improve his shooting. He has been getting good looks and will continue to get good looks. The other four starters are scorers and that alone will get Eddie many open shots which he has to hit. Right now he can get open 8 - 22 ft shots, he can get not so deep post turnarounds, left or right, some fast breaks, some put backs, and some cuts. The footwork will help with the cuts and fast breaks but it is no good if he does not get his shooting down. I expect a change in attitude for various reasons including the presence of JVG; the noticable change in Ming, along those lines; and the simple maturation process of Eddie himself. He certainly does not lack confidence and his deposition may be misleading. Defensively, he gets a bad rap. I know that the team's best stretches defensively last year were with him and Ming and that can only improve this year. Finally, unlike Macbeth, I am not looking for a 3rd superstar so some on here can stop dreaming about O'Neal and co. I would prefer that we secure/develop some more critical cogs and I believe we have quite a few qualified candidates. If these candidates do become critical cogs then we would be contending. Those candidates are Eddie, Mobley, Jackson, Taylor and Cato. Other than Cato, these players can give you 15-20pts on any given night Certainly when we won in 94/95 we did not have 3 stars. In fact when we did, we did not win. We won with some critical cogs, like Horry and Cassell, as examples.
Eddie is becoming an excellent rebounder. He definitely looks bigger and stronger. Still can't dribble too well, but there is a little improvement. Man to man defense is still not the best. Does look like he is learning to score inside. Eddie seems to have made good progress physically and with respect to developing his game this summer. If he continues this growth for a couple of more years we'll be happy with him.
I think it's way too early to be expecting him to breakout this year. To temper your enthusiasm - EG supposedly had an impressive game while Boki sucked. 23 mins, 3-8, 7 points, 5 rebounds, 3 pf, 1 steal, 4 to vs 24 mins, 3-8, 6 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 5 pf, 3 to the emperor has no clothes.
Eddie was getting schooled way too easily by Sheed. He goes for the block too much instead of using his body to push defenders away from the basket. He should do better once JVG settles him down though. BTW, he did look stronger and posted up MUCH more! good signs overall.
It was his demeanor and agressiveness that was impressive to me moreso than his stats. If he plays with that kind of passion every game, his stats will increase and so will his confidence.
Eddie Griffin will have a great year!! Last night he was really the only one really playing like he wanted to play besides Cato and Scales. I have a feeling Griffin will breakout this year. He was actually calling for the ball lastnight!
Yeah, that was really inspiring! he did it like 4 straight times on Sheed, and pretty deep too! didnt get much out of them but hey, i like the confidence. Plus, one time he actually turned and faced up Sheed, ready to make a move (Sheed knocked it away though ) but once again, BIG difference from last year!
If we want EG to be a post up player then I don't think this will be his year. Eddie himself has said that 3 pointers is his game. He does seem willing to adjust his game, and work at being a post player, but I don't think that it will all of a sudden just be there for him. Last night when posting up he turned the ball over a number of times, and despite getting bigger, he still isn't ready to dominate down low. I know a lot of people were screaming for him to get in the post and not the three point line the past few years, and I wouldn't mind EG doing that if he can. We definitely could use a strong inside presence at the PF. But just remember what happened last night, and expect more of that. EG will be learning a whole new game.
Eddie also had 7 of his points and all of his rebounds in the first quarter, when it was apparent that the Rox were running plays for him. We started running plays for other guys and had lots of weird combinations in there through the rest of the game. I think the first quarter is the only part of last night's game that even approaches what we will see in the regular season and EG did well. While all of the defenders were concerned about Cat and Wink, EG was able to do some damage inside even though Cato's defender was doubling at times. Yao's defenders won't be able to do that without giving up dunks. I foresee a great year for EG.
Excellent points. He indeed only got one real quarter of action. I say if they leave him down there and let him accumulate some touches, that the TO's will drop and the shooting percentage will rise. And if he just learns to post defend a little better, you've got yourself great competition for the rest of the PF monsters in the west. Eddie has that God given ability to time his leaps for the blocked shots. I'd love to see the kid make it. Just quit toking weed and keep working on his game. If Eddie does show that he is gonna be a player, then I think it will be easier for the Rockets to make some roster moves mid-season to really help the team.
Huh?? Collier was drafted the year before Randolph. Zach was drafted the same year that the EG/Jefferson trade went down. And 15 or 16 other teams passed on Randolph too.
