Not to call anybody out, but it really surprises me to see the level of some peoples knowledge (or lack there of) of basketball. By the way, I don't see how being able to knock a guy out makes you a better basketball player....a better boxer maybe....but....I guess I could be wrong.
Kobe Bryant, in his first year in the league, averaged 15.5 minutes, 42% shooting, 7.6 points. In his second year, his scoring average doubled, fg % virtually unchanged. Too bad Kobe didn't improve or make anything of himself. Whatever happened to that guy? Kobe, as we know, would jack up shots w/o conscience. He had the ball in his hands. EG has to rely on others to get him the ball (or rebound). EG will be a hell of a player, certainly better than K-Mart, whose game made a significant jump in his last couple years in college.
Taking off my Rockets colored glasses for a moment, it's not clear cut whether Eddie will pass KMart. Everyone should agree that Kmart is a better player at this moment. I don't recall Eddie ever having the explosive type games that Kmart showed in the finals. I agree that Eddie hasn't had the chance yet. Personally, I love Eddie's upside and am willing to give him a chance to get there. But based on what we have seen thus far, 1 thing concerns me the most - all great/very good players demonstrate tenacity and aggressiveness early in their careers. Kobe was out of control, but wanted to shoot and excel. Kmart knocked people out but was trying to stake a claim in the league. There's always a spark of a mental edge, even when the prospect is pretty much clueless and operating on raw talent alone. I'm not sure I've seen that in eddie.
Stevie Francis:- NO NO No No No No No!!!!!!!!!! leave our team alone, our key players must have a chance to develop together for at least 3 seasons!
K-Mart is one of the most overrated players in the game, IMO. He has no shot, his defense is average at best, and his post game is very inconsistent. His best scoring method is catching alley-oops (we have Cato for that), and driving past the slower PF's to get to the basket (we have KT). As far as maturity, I am assuming you were talking about their games/talent. Eddie was 19 last season, and there is no way his game is more mature than Martin's. Give it another year or two, and there is no doubt that Griffin will be a better player than Martin.
Even at a tender age of 19, Griffin has shown aggressiveness and mental toughness. The guy blocked 6 shots in one game. He sank few 3-ptrs at a very critical portion of the game for us. He really showed flashes of brilliance. He does not show emotions and makes it look easy but he without a doubt Griffin is a star in the making.
One other thing-do we want Martin's ego on this team? We have lots of players that play with cockiness on this team. Putting Martin on a team with Moochie, Steve, and Cuttino is a chemistry meltdown waiting to happen. Eddie is quiet and unassuming on and off the court, and if Ming and Griffin hypothetically both reach towards the high end of their potential (if that happens, with our backcourt we're a top 3 team in the West). That quietness in Griffin will allow Steve and Cuttino to still hold their spotlight, and not have a big ego clash go down, causing a Jailblazer-like meltdown.
Did you see this with Tim Duncan? Eddie and Tim have the same attitude on the court. They look reserved, but they are aggresive when it comes to playing. Just because Eddie isnt screaming and making faces doesnt mean he isnt tenacious.
Martin is a better man to man defensive player, but Eddie has to play against the best Power Forwards in the world in the western conference. However, Martin absolutely stepped it up in the finals, and that's a hard quality to come by. When it comes down to it, I wouldn't trade Eddie for Martin really because of the age difference, Eddie has so much more to learn and he's so young. This guy led the whole NCAA in blocks and rebounds in his freshman year, keep him and it's possible in the NBA. And I would trade Baron Davis for Steve Francis, but that's another topic ...
Martin also put up great shot blocking stats......I know you guys know that Tyson Chandler will be better than eddie. Come on now. If you don't feel that way you're as stupid as me.
I definitely don't know that. Eddie's a better shotblocker, has more range, a more accurate shot, better rebounding, and has a defined position. Tyson Chandler's an athletic freak of nature, but you have to have more than that. I think of the comparison between Chandler and Griffin the way I think of Garnett and Duncan. Note: before anyone overreacts, I am not saying that Eddie is or will ever be as good as Tim Duncan, and the same for Chandler and Garnett. On a smaller scale, there is a likeness in the two comparisons. Chandler is the more versatile one, withe insane athleticism and ballhandling, but Griffin is the better fundamental basketball player. He's more capable of playing down low. He has a better shot. He's a better shotblocker with significantly better timing on his jumps. I'd take Griffin.
If Rasheed is so good, how come he never avg a double double in his career? If he is so great or good, how come he has never avg 9rebs a game? Rasheed has a world of talent but for some reason yet unknown he hasn't put them together after 7 yrs in the league. If Elton Brand can change league and avg a double double, Kevin Garnett has been a double double man for the last 3 yrs or so, why can't my all world talent wallace do it? Griffin will be like 17 pts 11 rebs 3 blks type of player i think. With Francis,Mobley and Ming, that will be enough to make this team a force though.
No.....hell no. Martin is the ultimate "tweener". Too small to handle the real "4s" and not quick enough to handle the better larger "2s" and "3s". His one-on-one game isn't anything to write home about either.......it's not even worth mentioning. Come back to me when Jason Kidd isn't dishing out the assists.
same reason mo taylor don't avg double doubles i guess. they don't like to bang under the basket and would rather shoot the jumpers from 15 ft.
