Should it matter? IIRC, Eddie lost his brother about a week before the draft. His brother was highly influential in him declaring in the first place, and they were VERY close...I think the plan was for Eddie's brother to continue as his "advisor" once he got in the league. BJ- Well, that may be part of the hope with JVG. Eddie was very affected by the loss of his brother. Perhaps JVG's fire as opposed to Rudy's more relaxed atmosphere will spark something in Eddie again. He's not even 23, after all.
If my opinion is wanted... I don't think all those draft reports were very far off. I don't think the Rockets saying they would or should have taken him with the first pick was very innacurate either. I think that a lot of his problems are psychological. Mental barriers and trust issues haunt him. If he had not lost his brother at that specific point, I honestly think he would have been a lot better of a player by this specific point. But on the bright side, you can notice a marked difference in his mentality this year. A positive one, IMO. He seems to be opening up both on the court and off. He's actually talking and having fun. The way that translates into better gameplay is that, if he opens up more, if he begins to trust his teammates and coaches more, he will be more receptive to the things they can teach him...which are things we can all agree he needs to learn. I think his lack of great progress thus far can almost be pinpointed to these problems, and I think they are on the way to being solved.
I think Griff has to start to enjoy the game. When I see him on the court, I can't help but think, "Shawn Bradley." Just have fun, Eggie!
I heard from a highly respected professionall (in their field)recently say that it took three years to get over a sudden loss and emotional trauma. I know form the the tragic summer of 2000 in my own life this to be true. So how long has it been now for Eddie? I except him to come round in the JVG system. His time is soon. He should start showing signs. Maybe not an All Star, but a solid player in all aspects of his game. If his mind could grasp the responsibility of his situation, I think he'd step up. Maybe Ruby was too easy on him.
He juss need a lil more time!!! Remember he still is the youngest player on the team!!!! AND I AM TIRED OF SAYIN DIS HE IS NOT 22 or 23 HE IS 21 AND JUSS TURNED 21 ON MAY 30th
Eddie will be fine. VG will work him into a valuable cog. It won't happen overnight, but in my opinion, Ewing, who has very solid fundamentals, will have an impact on Eddie. Just wait and see. Hear me now and believe me later. I can't tell you the excitement (a basketball excitement, not a sexual excitement)...seeing our starters as: Yao Griffin Boki Jackson (I think) Franchise I like that team. I like BOKI and EG on the floor together.
But that would have Mobley coming off the bench. And that would cause "pouting." We can't have "pouting."
Then he needs to be benched until he earn a starting job! The kid is damn inconsistent and making bad decision. Who telling him to be taking more shots then YAO and missing 70% of it?
The scouting skills of the Rockets brass. Perfering Eddie over Rashard. and possibly Rahim. This is why I have no faith "it will turn around". It all starts at the TOP. The warning signs were there on nbadraft site before drafted about his bad handle and poor fg%. Ive nevered understood why Rudy would have picked him over Curry or Gasol. Weird. Eddies popularity has been interesting since his rookie year and I'll break it down for you. 2 years ago it was he is the next Duncan. Then the next Garnett. Then the next Pippen. Then last year people said he was better than Amare. Then maybe next Horry(including myself). Then next Donyell Marshell. Now I dont know what to think. Will he even be in the league in 5 years? I honestly think in 10 years people will say Badiane has had a better career than Griffin. I just dont get why Bad was sent back. If he sucks,then so what. Sign him for 2 years to "grow" then sign him again for a really cheap contract for 5 years at the minimum. When he blossums he would stil be locked into that cheap contract. Instead,if he comes back from Europe bigger and better,then teams will notice him alot more and we will be forced to sign a higher contract just to keep him. Horrible strategy on the Rockets part.
Interesting Rocket Image... So?! who was excited that day?! Im sure all of yall were juiced about griffin and morris right?
do you know what these numbers are? 3,9 3,3 0,3 or these 9,3 5,7 2,3 the first are the numbers of jermaine O'neal in his 4 year the second are t-mac's numbers in his second, year, don't you think that m,aybe griffin can become a good player? if we had JO and we were as patient with him as we are now with griffin we would have traded him. Don't you think both toronto and portland regret that they traded those players?
