I do hope the Miami game shows all the doubters of what the Griffin (a mythical beast with the head of a lion, wings of an eagle and tail of a dragon) is capable. Anybody got a drawing or something for a new nickname? Anyway, let's leave Eddie completely out of the various realistic and unrealistic trade scenarios. Thanks.
I know DofD and Rockets2K did, but did anyone else notice how EG put the ball on the floor and drove a couple of times last night? This adds so much to his game. Hes such a leaper than if he takes it straight in, he can probably outjump most defenders and lay it in or dunk it. Also, he can pull up and hit a lil 10 footer (like he did last night). I was really impressed with EG. Hes growing as a player. Baby steps!
I defenitely noticed codell, I was very excited to see EG make some moves to get closer tio the basket for some higher percentage shots. In OT he was so aggressive, I was sitting there like no, no YES! Good shot Eddie. He was also doing a great job of rebounding and of course he was active in blocking and altering shots. Soon enough, he will become the Rasheed Wallce/ Jermaine O'Neil player we all know he can be.
He was doing it a little bit more - I've always thought it made as much sense to teach him how to drive as it does to teach him a post up game. His offensive game is more SF than PF by far.
I think this year, Eddie has showed some nice moves in the post and that, coupled with last night, show he is developing a PFs game. At times, we will still see him taking 3 pointers because he can make those and being guarded by other 4s, means he will more often than not, be wide open. In the end, giving the fact hes only 20 years old, I think he will continue to grow into the PF spot. Its just going to take the rest of this year and maybe next. Also, I think its unfair when some people get onto Eddie about taking outside shots. However, EG is not venturing out the on his own, this is how the given play is drawn up. So if we should blame EG's outside tendencies on anyone, its the coaching staff because they are the ones putting him out there on a given play.
Oh thumbs I almost forgot, people will never stop mentiong EG or any other Rockets name (except for Ming...for now) in irrational or unrealstic trades
What did he shoot like 5-14? Yes he played ok, but I would prefer that he hit a higher percentage. DaDakota
It seems Griffin's play as of late has been better and I think the fact that he is "coming off of the bench" is a big reason why. He just does not seem "ready" to play starters minutes against the starting PFs in the league. He is still very young. Perhaps we have asked for too much too soon with him. I think Kenny starting the game and Griffin coming off of the bench is where we need to be at at the moment for the Rockets. Chris
Our inside trio of Cato/Ming/Griffin had: 32 points 29 rebounds (14 offensive) 9 blocks (5 Ming, 4 Griff) That's the good. Now the bad: 11 of 25 shooting (Ming was 5/6, wish he could get more shots) 0 assists. Yes, no assists for any of these 3 players 5 TO's (4 for Ming, 1 for Griff) Not bad, but not good. I'd really love to see Griffin not taking ANY 3 pointers (he was 1 of 5 on 3's) and Cato only shooting when it's a very high percentage shot. He has improved his jumper and added one or 2 moves, but I'd like to see him use the moves only when he's WIDE open, and otherwise, just make a simple play. Props to Ming. I admittedly thought he wouldn't be able to handle Grant.
What really impressed me about Eddie last night was his rebounding in the first half. He was madman. Looked almost like Rodman out there. That's the type of hustle we need from Eddie. I would be happy if all Eddie does on the court is rebound the way he did last night. The points he scored later in the game were just a bonus for me.
i'm glad someone started this thread! eddie - TWICE IN THE CLUTCH MINUTES - dribbled in to his right and pull up smoothly for a stop and pop jumper at the elbow of the free throw line and hit it. i believe he missed one other one. this is soooo important because it shows a comfort level that we have not seen from eddie in 2 different areas: 1. dribbling! eddie has been reluctant to put the ball on the floor since he has arrived to the nba. the fact that he was willing to do so in the clutch moments - not once, but multiple times, shows that he is finally comfortable in his dribbling ability. no, he's not rafer alston, allen iverson, or jamal tinsley, but he IS competent enough to drive to the bucket. THIS IS HUGE! 2. a go to shot! eddie has always settled for the 3 pointer as his most comfortable shot. well, if he were steve kerr, that'd be ok, but since he isn't he needs a different shot to go to. what better shot than the stop and pop?!! i love it!!! eddie is taking the necessary steps to becoming a more complete player. we just have to remain patient! remember, he's only 20 years old!
9 blocks!!!! Man, can we accelerate the learning curve so that Ming and Griff can play together 35 minutes a night!!! I have seen the future and it says....Hakeem/Ralph...Admiral/Duncan.... Griffin/Yao.....TWIN TOWERS. We shall have a top 5 defense every year just because of the two guys in the middle.
Absolutely!! There's no reason that Eddie couldn't at least take a few dribbles, find a crease, and slash to the rim. I just have a feeling that Eddie (as he develops) could dribble the ball at least as well as Horry if he had more confidence. He has to learn how to create opportunities for himself, or he'll remain a low-efficiency, deep-shooting specialist, and develop more faith in his abilities. I hope that last night was a game he can build on.
Sane: 1) Griffin can play an inside game much more easily if opposing teams fear his outside shot. In Miami his 3-point shot was not there. In other games, we have cheered it. 2) He doesn't need any "moves" if he's WIDE open. Does no one have a "griffin" drawing that could be morphed into a ball-slamming, net-trashing posterama?
yes he needs to work on the shooting, but he did way more than ok. we don't win the game without him in overtime. 2 clutch shots one of them from a big offensive rebound, and of course the free throws. his rebounding and blocking skills are excellent, he just needs to get used to the pounding.
man...gotta love EG's long arms... Kenny should be the player in the first quarter, and maybe second, but around second half i dont think he should be played. another forward...like EG should play second half...or MoT.
DaDa-That 5-14 is skewed because of his 3s-he went a much more respectable 4-9 from inside the arc, and two of those misses he got the offensive rebound himself. I think he's one summer away from getting some consistency. Remember, this would only be his junior year of college. As for his ballhandling-he needs more work on it, but it's miles ahead of where it was last year. The thing that's so great about Yao/Eddie, is it makes one of them a weakside shotblocker. Any time a team has to worry about a 7-6 guy in front of them, and a 6-10 guy with great shot blocking instincts lurking in the shadows, it's going to be a load. We've already seen its impact last night, and some in the San Antonio game. Just wait till Yao and Eddie gain some chemistry and experience, and grow into their bodies....
