I think Eddie is a younger and more athletic version of Rasheed Wallace (Eddie has better d, rebounder, shot blocker ability). I also believe that Eddie can become a better player than Rasheed but the guards will have to start to learn to share the ball!
Rasheed's a good comparison.... Rasheed with shot blocking ability. But do you know who that makes him like? Kevin Garnett. Just slightly less athletic, but possibly a slightly better shot.
he's not as tall as KG, or have the lateral movement of KG but I think will have better range and be a better shotblocker I think he really needs to learn how to express himself and have an outlet for his emotions... I think that's why he clocked Ty Shine
KG's is way more explosive and physical. EG is going to have the exact same offensive game as Rasheed if he keeps working on it. + shot blocks!
The KG comparison is more apt than the Wallace comparison because of their defensive play. Wallace has very little aptitude for defense, and utterly no shotblocking ability. Wallace is also probably better in the low post than KG or Eddie, but lacks the range. I acknowledge that KG has better physical tools.
Eddie is a freak of nature. I don't know of any player that has Eddie's defensive capabilities and his range. The closest thing I can think of is a SUPER Robert Horry that is not lazy.
Offensively I like the Rasheed Wallace comparrison because both players can shoot from everywhere on the court and more importantly have 3pt range where most PF post players don't. I think Rasheed is more "polished" offensively now in terms of his turn around jumper but I think Eddie can get that in time. What is more important however is Eddie is a MUCH better shot blocker and has a much greater upside for defensive than Wallace. I don't think Eddie can quite be compared to KG because of the height difference and the lateral quickness and handles. But Eddie is like KG in that he can float from the 3-4-5 positions during the game. I don't see a lot of their games but how about Jermain O'neal and Shareef Abdur-Rahim? Any comparrisons there? Chris
Definitely wishful thinking. Olajuwon was one of the strongest players for his size. Even when entered the league and was a bean pole, he could dunk with two players on top of him. He never got pushed around in the paint until the last two years.
I think Eddie is just Eddie. No Duncan. No Garrnet. No Olajuwon(sigh). So in 15-20 our kids/grand kids will compare future Rockets to Griffin and there'll be someone to say that player is unique. Griffin is great, maybe he'll be one of the best in his prime.
Have to disagree with you there. Hakeem was not intially as tough in the post in his early days. He used to make a living off of weak side blocks and simple athleticism (waiting for the player to shoot and then timing his jump). What helped his post game tremendously were those legendary workouts at the Fonde Rec., where he would routinely get abused by Mose Malone. Eventually though Hakeem got to the point where he could not only hold his own in the post, but would actually get the best of Moses. So there is hope that, with added weight, strength, and experience, Eddie can effectively defend the post as well as the best.
It depends what you consider the early days. Remember that NBA players were not as physically strong in those days. In the 1986 Western Conference finals, Hakeem clearly overpowered Jabbar.
Jermaine O'Neal, maybe. He can have the same kind of offensive post game as O'Neal with better hops and quickness, and a much better shot.....so, in actuality, EG has more potential game then Jermaine. O'Neal is jut taller and stronger.....for now, but give Eddie some time to grow upward and outward, let him refine his O, and tune up his already sick defensive skills, and like many have said....there will only be one superstar to compare him to.....Eddie Griffin! By the way, how tall is EG now, and how tall do you think he will get when he stops growing???
