With all the fans here who are angry that Eddie isn't putting up KG-type or Duncan-type numbers, let me ask you, where are his shots going to come from? Why is he relegated to standing at the three-point line? Why are there no post-up plays set up for him? Alot of the reason why Eddie is starting slow is that he hasn't found his niche` in the system. What if Eddie turned into a Ben Wallace-type of player? A player who plays great defense, rebounds, blocks shots, hardly scores , but still contributes to his team. Would that satisfy you? Eddie is probably the fourth option on the court after Steve, Yao and Cuttino. Eddie is 20 years old. He has had a season and a half of experience in the NBA, which isn't easy. Eddie is going to develop into a good player, maybe even great, depends on how bad he wants it. Personally I'd like to see Eddie going to Pete Newell's big man camp, to learn some post moves. I can't stand watching him shoot three-pointers and being referred to as a jump shooter. If he is a jump shooter it should be from 18' or less. No more than that. The impatience of the fans on this forum is ridiculous. Yao has spoiled us with his quick and surprising rise to all-star (isn't it great). But lets remember that Yao has played pro ball since he was 16. Eddie is twenty, cut him some freakin' slack. I don't think he'll turn into a Robert Horry clone, but he will be a great defensive presence. Either way I hope this thread eventually gets locked as well as the other bash on EG, or does EG have heart, or that maybe EG's headband is causing him to start slow, or what time did EG go to the bathroom. (Ok that was pretty ridiculous, but you get what I'm saying). EG will come into his own. Going back if asked if I couild rethink the deal the Rockets made for EG, I'd make that trade every time. RJ wouldn't be doing as well here as he is in NJ. So in parting, have patience with EG. Lets cheer for him and chant and hope that he knows that the fans are behind him 100%. He'll be great, just give him time.
I ain't gonna give a lot of people slack if they're making millions! I hope he aint sitting around and think the game will come to him. EG needs to smarten up! No more "he only 20" excuses! Learn to play well quickly within the team or else sit on the bench and learn to be motivated! We don't have time to wait around for him next year. Best for him is to come off from the bench until he earn to start again. I not saying EG sux but his inconsistency is killing the team once in awhile and his defense is very deceiving. Don't blame Yao for spoiling anyone. He's motivated and work very hard and that's partially why people respect him.
Why? Did he become older all of a sudden? The guy is 20. He is an EXCELLENT shot blocker and has a decent jump shot. He is too skinny to bang down low with the big guys. Give him some seasons and he will be just fine. The "we can't wait for him to develop" bull**** is just whack. We are one team that can wait for him to develop. We are pretty strong at all other positions. Eddie has no pressure and Rudy will not destroy his confidence. You haters do realize that not all playoff teams have all stars or even solid players at all five posistions. Compared to Kwame, Curry, Chandler and most other young guys our Eddie is doing just fine.
And who is going to be the starter? MoT? He is 20 years, how many players that age contributes as much as he does. Not many. Look at Kemp and J Oneal. They didn't do jack until there 4th year in the league.
Actually, come think of it, I only have ONE problem with EG. FG%. That's it. ONE problem, and it's irritating me to no end. He shouldn't be jacking all those 3s and he shouldn't be looking for those quick off the dribble Js. What he should be doing (& the fault is as much with the coaching staff) is finding shots he can make with some consistency and take those. Hell, I don't care if his scoring avg drops. We have enough capable scorers. He should do the optimal things within his ability to help the team. That's help D. That's rebounding hard. That's NOT shooting 38.7% as a 4TH OPTION. When you are the ONLY option like AI, OK. MAYBE excusable, because opp D is ALWAYS focused on u. BUT when u got Yao, Francis AND Mobes all demanding attention, you got to figure that there are good open shots out there to be had.
ROcket03: How do you define "good jump shot"?? You must mix that up with someone else, right. In your judgement, who has not as good jump shot as EG in the team?
I totally agree. Its his preprogrammed moves that he makes that make me wonder also. I've seeen EG get the ball 5ft from the hoop, take a dribble and shoot a 9ft jumper. His footwork is terrible right now and I agree that someone with limited touches should be more effecient. I would like him to become a garbage man right now, like he was for a stretch while coming off the bench.His fg% is probably what irritates me the most.
damn straight. in fact, out of those four one could argue that eddie is the only one who doesnt suck! last years top three picks have been nothing but a collective bust so far. they are all still works in progress, eddie included, so none can be written off just yet. but id take e.g. over all 3 of them. it will be interesting to watch these four young guys develop over the next few years. they all came out of the same class, all very young and all with very high expectations. i think that so far eddie is the only one showing anything for it. only time will tell... eddies problem is that he is a young, skinny dude playing the toughest position in the toughest division. poor kid's got to play malone, dirk, garnett, duncan, gaosol and juwan-and thats just mid-west division, for gods sake! just sit back and watch him develop into what he becomes, like the lotus out of the earth, daniel-son.
Damn some of the people who post here are stupid as hell eddie needs to gain abot 20 to 35 more pounds hits the weights hard and work on his game this summer.
I think Griffin's main problem is confidence. His on-court demeanor is, of course, naturally nonchalant, but have you guys seen him when he gets the ball? If he's at the three point line he'll pump-fake, hesitate and look around to pass. And if he's in the post his moves look urgent after he receives the ball. Almost shaky. The kid (funny I say that when I'm the same age) just needs to gain confidence in his shot. And, other than the three-pointer that came off the rim in PHO at the buzzer, Eddie has made a couple big shots in his career. Last year at Dallas HUGE three to put us up, at Minny he had the game winner, and this year he dominated the OT at Miami. Eddie knows how to play ball. It's just like the overwhelmed sophomore playing in a varsity game for the first time - you're self-conscious about anything you might do wrong. When Eddie hits those snides...those droughts where he can't hit the ocean, he stops shooting. Even when he has the shot. And that eventually leads to turnovers. He's got a pretty good bank-shot. Rudy should utilize that angle more.
I forget the posters name but i thought he said that every couple of weeks he would post Eddie's numbers compared to Curry, Chandler, and Brown's numbers. Just to see where they compare since they are all about the same age. Come forward I was looking forward to seeing those posts. And im to lazy to do it my self.
Ok i checked Eddies stats and he had a better scoring average then all 3 players and better rebounding then both Chicago players, and only .20 less rebounds then Kwame Brown. Of course he does have slightly less fg% then all 3 players but he will pick that up hopefully. So I want to know why he is considered a bust by people on here... If what you think is true of him. Then I guess all 4 of those players are busts. Especially since the fact all of them were drafted higher then him.
That was me and I made my last update just before christmas. I will be making another fairly soon but I need to get over this feeling of angst due to the Rockets poor play during this current home stand.
Cool Crash thanks, speaking of Griffin though he shot 3 for 10 again tonight. I wish he could have a good shooting game for once. You could look at it like this a game like tonight maybe if would have shot 4 for 10 or 5 for 10 that would have been the diffrence. But oh well I know he will get better.
