Hmm, when I think of what kind of player EG will be when he matures to his full potential if he ever does, I think of a guy that could be more of a Rasheed Wallace type. Someone capable of being versatile, but is still a big body. And I think of the mediocre seasons Wallace had before he started reaching his potential, and it's pretty much a similar trail atleast from what I remember of Wallace in his first few years. Then I think about the fact that Griffin is under Van Gundy, and realize Griffin probably won't turn out like Wallace, and be a versatile power forward. It's not a bad thing, but I just think Van Gundy will give Griffin a defined role, make sure he stays around or under the basket to grab boards, and slashes around in the lane for easy shot oppurtunities. And that reminds me of one player from Knicks under JVG's system. Marcus Camby. Camby wasn't a great shooter. He had a long body, was athletic, and did was he was told to do. Grab boards, slash in the lane, and play D. Take an open jumper if it's given, but for the most part work under the basket. That's pretty much how I see Griffin next season. A guy that could get you a double double a night without needing set plays around him. I personally would like to see him embrace that role.
All I have to say is that EG is on schedule to be a special player in this league on both sides of the ball. Some have said we are going to play a slow down game. If that is the case it will hurt EG's development.
A better one! I am confident he will eventually prove the Rockets made a good decision in trading 3 picks (who aren't that good anyways - no, Jefferson sucks!) for him.
I just want him to be aggressive. I want him to be able to make some sort of dribble move to the basket along with working on a jump hook from the lane and I want him to go after every shot on defense like he did at the beginning of last season. He was very aggressive at the start of last season but was benched mid way through with KT and Mo hitting their strides and he just never seemed to regain his edge.
I think Richard Jefferson is only good cuz he plays with Jason Kidd.. Jason Kidd makes him better.... Let see what will happen if they were to trade him to a team with a cheap point guard.
i still have confidence in eddie he still has loads of potential and i think we will see a diffrent eddie this up and coming season i expect 12ppg 8rpg and 2bpg
Well since we all know we need that banger type big man next to Yao Ming... I expect JVG to define EG's role as a defensive/rebounding for in the paint... Make him make opponents work... He has the talent to become a very good post player but he has not shown the ability or confidence to post up... If I had to pick a player that I think he can be like is Horace Grant... He's about the same size and has that 15 ft. jumper(also 3pt shot ability)... EG needs to get tough, he may never be a banger but if he can get mentally we will have a player we thought he was... I think we all know that every player on this team will need to get tougher than they are... From Franchise to Nachbar... We have some guys like Hawkins, Francis and Cat that are pretty physically tough on opponents but then we have those that aren't as physical like Norris, Rice, Nachbar, Yao, EG, Taylor and Cato... JVG will know what players will be here during the first half of the season(which ones will buy into his style of ball)...
i think e.g could have a better season if he just shows some emotion. He never talks and doesnt look very happy on the floor. He would really help the team as a spark plug by blocking shots and dunking more.
OUCH!! I have to agree with you though; always shows flashes of brilliance, but leaves you disappointed. (Though Timmy T has better 3s and EG has better shotblocking, I think)
Disagree. One of the aspects I admire about Eddie is that he, like the Dream, eschews the jaw dragging, teeth clenching, chest pounding, ape screeching, finger pointing antics that seem to dominate the basketball scene.
comparing Eddies demaneor to Dreams demeanor is just not right or prudent. think of the young people, the Yao fans who just arrived, and the foreigners who never got to see the Dream. take it back! don't desecrate the Dreams legacy like that. they both have a quiet demenaor but the Dreams was a inward passion and hunger for the game that was recognized by all that witnessed him play whereas Griffin's demeanor seems more aloof and disintrested. though im not a good judge of character, so i could be wrong.
Fear not, Stoke. I would not as yet even think about comparing the Dream's SKILLS with Eddie's. However, their demeanors are the same, and Eddie has a competitive fire inside just like Hakeem. So, in that regard, again I say, "Fear not." Just my opinion. I could be wrong.
I understand your point and agree. But Hakeem did play with high intensity. That's what Eddie needs to bring. All the jive talking and antics after the whistle stops play or after a good play is made doesn't hack it. It's the intensity of play while the clock is moving that is important. Hakeem had that, MJ had it, Magic and Bird had it. EG and 90% of the league needs it now. But only the great ones elevate their intensity level to that point on a consistent night in, night out basis. Just name one player on our whole roster that plays with that kind of intensity. Not even Francis and Yao at this point. That intensity that drives certain players to get better and better, to always be thinking about how to beat their opponent, and to always be working on improving their game. You can see it in Duncan, Garnett, Kobe, Kidd, KMart, and maybe a few of the older, fading stars like Malone. Van Gundy is gonna get some intensity in this team and a good place to start is with Too Cool Eddie. I would bet that if Eddie is still playing his same game from last year by the midseason trading deadline, that the Rockets move him. I would also be willing to bet that Eddie is not gonna be playing lackadasical and lethargic under Van Gundy. He may be on the suspended list for pulling the Latrell choke job on JVG but he won't be playing without more intensity than last year.
My point is that intensity and theatrics are not the same. Eddie is not a "too cool" customer like some rap star. Rather, Eddie is a shy kid with talent who needs coaching and direction. I am a great fan of Rudy and hope to see his return someday, but he was not a developer of young talent. This is what JVG brings to the table, and I think Eddie will blossom under his tutelage. But don't make the mistake that Eddie has no competitive fire.
