In Summer League Games, it seems each game Tierre and Oscar are very close to Griffin's points. Considering their involvement (Oz & Tear) in the rotation last year, does that mean that maybe we should be overlooking Griffin's stats in this summer league? Or does it simply mean that these two have been working on their game a lot and look to get more involved next year?
I think you have to downplay it somewhat...no doubt. If memory serves me correctly, Dan Langhi was scoring in the 20's last year and Zach Randolph looked like the second coming of Elgin Baylor. That being said, its obvious to me that EG has worked hard in the off season and improved dramatically from last season.
You have to downplay the stats because Langhi was getting 20 a game and Zach Randolph got in the high 30s a few times, Mark Madsen gets near triple-doubles playing 20 minutes, etc. However, it's important to see how Eddie's scoring. Last year in the summer league, he didn't sound to be as confident and as versatile in his methods. Also, alot of the people at the league have the talent to score 20 in an NBA game * cough* Langhi...but they can't do it consistently because they lose all confidence and get really nervous. I wouldn't think Mark Madsen or Bo Outlaw would do as well as they do in the SPL, but if Randolph wasn't on the deep Blazers he might be doing quite well now. Anyways, Eddie still has much improvement to do, but he definitely has progressed over the last year. He's expected to be the man in these summer league's. We have high expectations for him, but you have to remember he's still only TWENTY so he has awhile until he's fully developed. So we should downplay his performance but not his development. Reports seem to say he's playing inside, still hitting the 3, and just being better all-around. Development is looking nice, but I hope he doesn't get intimidated by NBA PF's. After a year under his belt though, I'm pretty sure he's ready to bring em all on...
yeah Griffin is not capable of those #'s in regular season play and I can't believe all of these people saying he is better than MoT and KT????? It makes me sick
Last season KT was very capable of that in a few games I recall and Mo T was capable b4 he was injured......So they are more than capable. Check the stats buddy
I am taking these games and the output very seriously; obviously they are not like the NBA but I do not see the justification for discounting it so. While folks are quick to show DL, they never mentioned the Russian in Utah who did deliver in the regular season. There is also Richard Jefferson who also became a major part of his team's rotation all the way into the finals. I have gone over tapes on games last year and the fact that Brown and EG are delivering big time in these games is no surprise and I am sure exciting for the coaching staff. I am sure based on what they are doing they have cemented spots in the rotation. Certainly one cannot see that CD is going to spend his time looking to bring in another player for training camp. As it is Morris is facing the IR. Having let go Walt, Langhi and Willis, it says something that the team can be in a position where Morris is facing IR. As a result of the right moves, which are continuing to unfold and some luck the team is overloaded with talent.
Capable of that in a few games??? I checked buddy and I dont see it. You know what I also checked? Mo T's (why do people always get me started on him) career #'s BEFORE the injury. Low and behold...you had better go look for yourself.
They are all very good but clearly EG is the best. He will yield to them because they are older and he is more versatile. His rebounding, shot blocking and shooting range makes him the best of the three, hands down.
Based on preview articles before the summer games, there was the impression that Brown and Torres had to prove themselves. Now that they did, everyone wants to downplay it. In my opinion they prove whatever they had to, and, barring a mishap, will be on the team. In addition they are probably our best defensive guards.
Downplaying? Why would you down play what Brown, an undrafted rookie, does against Joe Johnson and Casey Jacobsen when he scored 23 point and seven assists?
off_welfare Looking at Griffin's stats for last year, he had a strech were he was putting up over 20 points, over 10 rebounds, and there were several games where he had 5 or 6 blocked shots. Now this was only a small sampling of the games, but for a guy to do this in his first year really shows me something. I really like what MoT and KT bring to the team, but even at this point, it is obvious that Griffin is the best rebounder and shot blocker of the three while being about even in scoring capability. Plus he will only get better in all phases.
So when Haislip rains down 3's in summer league it must be downplayed? http://espn.go.com/nba/s/2002/0717/1406904.html
You can take the stats in summer league games only so far. Last year, I saw Jeff McInnis score 51 points in a summer league game -- he was absolutely unstoppable. Obviously, THAT is never gonna happen in an NBA game. So take those stats with a grain of salt. EG's looked great so far in *most* of the games. What Eddie has that neither KT or Mo-T have is: * Pure athleticism -- Eddie has a grace that neither of those guys even approaches. * Youth -- Sure, the others are relatively young, but EG is a friggin' KID! He's going to be a monster in another year or two. Think along the lines of how Jermaine O'Neal progressed in Indiana as he got older and you'll see what we have to look forward to with Eddie -- and Eddie is already better than O'Neal in only 1 season. * Every once in a while, EG shows flashes of absolute brilliance. You can watch a full season's worth of KT and Mo-T and you won't see that. Mark my words -- based on what I've seen of his play this summer, Griffin has progressed to the point where he'll have a HUGE impact this coming season. With Ming drawing attention on the inside and Stevie and Cat keeping things honest on the perimeter, Griffin is going to see plenty of open space.
