Griffin's breakout a welcome relief By JOHN P. LOPEZ Copyright 2001 Houston Chronicle IF the Rockets were looking for sanctuary from their long winter chill, they might have come to the right place, but this was the wrong time. Lakewood Church at Compaq Center is a couple of years away. This was no time for a higher calling or some kind of divine intervention to finally get the Rockets following the light to victory. This was the NBA gospel according to the Lakers. That is, show no mercy. That is, forgive nothing -- not the Rockets' injuries, not their taped-together roster, not Cuttino Mobley's foul trouble, not any of the weaknesses the likes of Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant exploit. The Lakers came calling in all their Hollywood grandeur Thursday night. And they brought their best, beginning with O'Neal, who might not have put up all-world numbers (16-points, 14 rebounds), but was his burly and overwhelming self in so many other ways. Just because the Rockets needed a bit of help getting out of their funk, the Lakers weren't about to do their part. Just because the Rockets were struggling, Bryant didn't spin any slower or fade away and soar any softer. Just because the Rockets were overmatched and slumping, Derek Fisher and Lindsey Hunter didn't run the show any nicer. Just because this was an easy one on paper, Rick Fox didn't steal fewer errant passes or, judging from the courtside shrieks, hearts. Best against the best But the Lakers' bringing their best only made what Rockets forward Eddie Griffin did Thursday night all the more impressive and promising. "A couple of times I had the urge to (chant), `Eddie, Eddie,' " Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. Griffin was a world-beater. Sure, he might not have literally taken out the world's best team, but even in the abyss of a 15-game losing streak with Thursday's 107-101 loss, there was the hint of a light in Griffin's eyes the Rockets might follow to future wins. Eddie, Eddie. In the end, the Lakers did what they are wont to do to veteran teams, much less young and thin ones like the Rockets. A close game for nearly three quarters became a workmanlike drive to just another Lakers win. Bryant ignited a huge third-quarter run and offered a few obligatory highlight-reel jams; the Rockets had no answer for The Big Man Of Steel inside and the Lakers' 3-point shooting did the rest. But there should be at least a taste of excitement amid the Rockets' gloom. There should be hope in the midst of a losing streak that has passed the point of humiliation. "The guy can hoop," Bryant said. The kid stared the mighty Lakers in the eye and showed them -- and himself -- that all the promise he holds is beginning to be tapped. Early and late, Griffin, 19, played not just like the Rockets' best option, but their most confident and competent player, which served as the best testament yet for his reputation as a "big-game" player. This was one of the biggest and Griffin had a career night. The pick-and-roll was all his, no matter when Lakers coach Phil Jackson tried three defenders hoping to stop Griffin. He drained 3s, rebounded and blocked shots, finishing with a career night in each of those categories -- 25 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks. Boost to the coach And that it happened against the Lakers in a nationally televised game only meant more. Griffin's big numbers didn't come in garbage time. It wasn't the Heat or Grizzlies trying to stop him. "To have a game like this, it just builds and builds," Tomjanovich said. "It's a foundation. And today was a breakthrough day." The 6-10 rookie forward played the game of his young NBA life and the only person that might have needed this night more than Griffin probably was Tomjanovich. Losing might never have felt better for the coach and the kid. Both needed a boost. Just last week, one national publication listed the biggest surprises and disappointments of the season. Griffin, despite averaging just 15 minutes per game and being younger than all but three players in the league, was called a disappointment. It probably was not a fair assessment, but playing behind Kenny Thomas, he hadn't exactly distinguished himself until Thursday. Questions and concerns were beginning to surface about Griffin everywhere but within the club. "What he did tonight wasn't a surprise to us," Rockets guard Cuttino Mobley said. "He does so many things well. Tonight, he got the time on the floor." Praise be. Griffin was so good he even made the worst losing streak in Houston Rockets history taste sweet.
Yes , Griff wasnt doing this against the Grizzlies Bench Mob , He was doing this against The World Champion Los Angeles Lakers .
