I'll make this real simple. Griffin would be better in his second season ( this season) than K-Mart, IF he were playing with Kidd. Could you imagine how good Griffin would be on the Nets? Run n Gun team, all easy baskets, East (weaker PF position), need defense/shotblocking? There's nothing K-Mart can do that Griffin can't do. You think K-Mart would be worth diddley-squat if he were playing in the West with even Steve Nash? Jefferson wouldn't start on most other teams. It's just a special situation for him to play with Kidd, being very athletic.
RJ is not better or worse than EG! Why? Jason Kid. He makes everyone better. Just ask Ray Allen when he played on the All-Star game with him... "He found me [open] even when I didn't find myself [open]."
In another year from now, and perhaps by playoff time, I think we'll all be glad we took Griffin over Jefferson, as long as he develops a passion for the game. He's just more talented, and an amazing shotblocker. Ming and Griffin will alter a lot of shots. And, if Boki comes on, we'll all be glad we have him over Jefferson. But, this year, we might have been happier, if we'd have taken Jefferson, Randolph and Wallace (or even Parker or Tinsley). We already have a lot of depth on our team, and can tire almost anyone else out, except for the Clippers, Jailblazers, and Pacers. Even if Griffin doesn't turn into a superstar, it was worth the gamble to trade those picks for the best player who might become a superstar, and that was Griffin. Imagine our team with 3 superstars, Francis and Ming, and possibly Griffin. Title time... ... I have this funny feeling, though, about Wallace and Randolph, even more than Jefferson ... those guys could really turn into something special.
Granville, Great post! You don't have to be afraid of the bullies. Rudy declared that he would have taken EG first! Now Rudy gives him DNP-CD. RJ is glad that he went to a team with a heavy emphasis on Player Development! Most of the posters blaming JK for his progression, didn't see RJ dominate the Summer Leagues! A player has to want to get better. EG refuses to put the ball on the floor and go into the lane. This will stunt his growth. He is a natural 3 who happens to block shots. He's too light to play the 4. He's a glorified Bullard who happens to block shots. Give me RJ all day every day!
Interesting ? to NBA GMs -- would you prefer Jefferson or Griffin? I have to admit -- I am enamored with Griffin. I believe he has super upside, but I suspect RJ is showing what he is -- a guy taking advantage of his team's system and maxing out. I love RJ -- but glad EG is a Rock!
Just as much as you say we may have not picked Jefferson ..I can say we would have. I have never heard the Rockets state they wouldn't have taken Jefferson or who exactly they would've taken..so you are all making that assumption as well. I was hoping for Jefferson thinking that we were not going to make a trade. We are a young team that likes to run the floor..THAT suits Jefferson's game. Eddie has had some time and I am not expecting him to be polished by now but I would've at least expected some consistency and confidence. He's starting to look like "dare I say it" scottie quitten. Someone with all these skills and moves and patrols the three point line. He hates to post up you can see that.. At this rate it's going to be five years before he comes of age..I don't think Rudy T had that in mind when trading all 3 first rounders. I just think greatness shows itself and I ain't seeing it in Griffin and it disappoints me.
Yeah, just look at how worthless Shawn Marion has been since he hasn't had Kidd there to get him all those easy shots...oh wait...
