I got a kick out of reading some old 2001 predraft articles. All the CBSsportsline guys had Eddie ranked 1 or 2 as an nba prospect. I just wonder what it will take for him to reach that potential. Is it maturity (physical and mental), coaching, or maybe just judgement (as in shot selection)? I think Van Gundy will help. If we get Ewing (I'd prefer Olajuwon) in here, Eddie might benefit more than Yao. Actually Eddie's 3-pt % is pretty damn good for a PF, he just needs to rely on it a little less. What's shocking is that his overall % is barely .400. That's friggin pathetic! That makes Mobley and Francis look like disciplined shooters. Not to keep hammering away at this, but Richard Jefferson shot around .500 and he's in the playoffs (playing poorly I hear). Nevertheless, I want to see Eddie work hard and succeed for us. I think he can be a great member of the supporting cast.
I agree with most everything here including the part about EG needs to be closer in. The trouble is whether we have enough room down low?! If I am not mistaken, Camby played at the FT line on the weak side as a C and they were running plays on the strong side for the SG or SF. Those plays were out on the wing or the baseline. Camby was not in the line-up often with Ewing in the low block. If Yao plays in the low post and EG at the FT line, his man will crowd the middle. There is no room for Yao to work.
Well, for one, he was a growing teenage boy when he was first drafted. And if you don't buy that, in 2 years of working out I think he's pretty much added what he's gonna add to his volume. I think some people expect him to come out looking like Karl Malone or something, and I'm sorry but I just don't think that's gonna happen.
Watch the finals tonight and see where Rose and Robinson are when Duncan gets the ball. Even when he's doubled, those 2 are no further than 15ft from Duncan and vice-versa.. It works with SA because Duncan,Robinson and Rose can hit from the ft line. It will work for the Rockets if Eddie can do the same. Ho Grant made a living and a good career from the ft line elbow jumper. If Eddie can do this, the Rockets will be more effecient out of the double teams. Next yr, it won't take teams half the season to double Ming. He will get it from the beginning t the end and having a reliable player at the ft line extended hittin jumpers or passing it down low will make this team very ,very good. Did I mention Francis using that same ft line screen to get loose?
ok, so now he's 20/21 years old. i don't think that means he's done growing. maybe height wise he's done (although i grew until i was in my mid 20s). but mass wise, most people continue to grow into their 30s. i don't think people expect eddie to come out looking like karl malone. karl's one of the strongest men in the nba. i think people want eddie eventually a little bit less than the tim duncan area. tim, btw, is 7'0" 260#. so eddie at 6'11" 250# is not that far away. like i said, he put on 15# in 2 years. there is NOTHING that says he can't duplicate that 15# increase.
What i would like to see from Eddie more than anything is his aggressiveness taking the ball the basket. Next to Yao, Eddie is probably the worst on the team at attacking the rim. Some of those 5ft fade away jump shots he would take and miss would drive me crazy during this past season. It was almost like he was scared of contact downlow.
Well, I think that kinda goes hand & hand with his size & strength. He doesn't have the body to bang with the big boys. I guess part of my criticism is that I don't think he necessarily wants to be big down low. I think he may prefer to settle for the jumper than post up.
Well, seeing as there have been imitation Eddie Griffin polls popping up, I thought I needed to get the original back on top again. I believe this year will be EGs coming out party. The dude is just too talented to not be great. He just needs more of an inside game (along with some size and strength) and better shot selection.
This is his contract year so maybe he will come to play - but after he signs the next contract do you feel comfortable that he will come to play in 04/05? I don't think so - package him for a backup pg/sg/sf/pf.
Just from experience in the sports world, we should know that as soon as we trade Eddie he will become the baddest mutha in the NBA.
They do get a 3 year contract, but with a team option for the 4th year. The odds of this team not picking up Eddie's team option are slim and none in my opinion...
Well according to another poster who allegedly witnessed Eddie (and Moochie) first hand... ...maybe Eddie is taking care of business, although no evidence was provided that he is improving on that .400 shooting percentage.
