[轉錄][新聞] Griffin killed when car hits train l …

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※ [本文轉錄自 NBA 看板]

作者: rainmaker2 (rainmaker2) 看板: NBA
標題: [新聞] Griffin killed when car hits train last week
時間: Wed Aug 22 14:05:18 2007

HOUSTON -- Former Minnesota Timberwolves forward Eddie Griffin died last week
when his sport utility vehicle collided with a freight train in a fiery
crash, the Harris County medical examiner's office said Tuesday.

Eddie Griffin

Griffin

Investigators used dental records to identify Griffin, 25, who began his
tumultuous pro career with the Houston Rockets in 2001. He was waived by the
Timberwolves in March.

"The cause of death and manner of death, which also includes toxicology
results, is pending," said Beverly Begay, chief investigator for the Harris
County Medical Examiner's office.

Griffin, a five-year veteran who was the No. 7 pick in the 2001 NBA draft,
had battled alcohol problems since coming out of Seton Hall. He was suspended
by the league for five games in January for violating its anti-drug program.

"Basketball was never an issue with him. He needed more life lessons, and
unfortunately he was never able to reach his potential," former Timberwolves
coach Dwane Casey said.

Houston police said in a report that the driver of the SUV ignored a railroad
warning and went through a barrier before striking the moving train about
1:30 a.m. Friday. The resulting fire burned the SUV and the side of a railcar
carrying plastic granules, police said.

The driver's body was badly burned and there was no identification.

"I was able this afternoon to get some dental records from the one dentist he
had gone to see in Houston, and they were able to use that apparently to
positively identify him," said Derek S. Hollingsworth, an attorney who has
represented Griffin in criminal cases.

Hollingsworth said he spoke with Griffin's mother, who was devastated by the
news.

"Everybody tried to help him from the top to the bottom of the organization,"
said Casey, who coached Griffin for 11/2 seasons. "He just couldn't get it
straight. It's a tragic ending for a beautiful kid. He had a beautiful heart."

Casey said he hadn't talked to Griffin in five or six months but he knew that
Griffin was spending the summer trying to get back in shape to play in Europe
next season.

Casey said he regretted not having reached out to Griffin in the past few
months.

"The entire Minnesota Timberwolves organization is deeply saddened by this
tragic news. Eddie will be missed by everyone who knew him," said Kevin
McHale, vice president of basketball operations for the team. "Our thoughts
and prayers are with Eddie's loved ones."

Casey said Griffin was "like a son to Kevin. Kevin really enjoyed working
with him and taking him under his wing."

Mark Madsen, a former teammate in Minnesota, said Griffin was a mild-mannered
person and "one of the best shot blockers and defensive rebounders I've ever
played with." He said Griffin will be missed.

"Eddie Griffin is someone who was never a super loud or boisterous guy in the
locker room, but he was someone who everyone loved in the locker room,"
Madsen said. "When he was doing well on the court we were all so happy for
him. And when he was struggling, we were all struggling right there with him."

Griffin had a series of suspensions, court dates and missed practices during
his first two years in the NBA with Houston and New Jersey. He spent time in
the Betty Ford Center for alcohol treatment in 2003-04.

Hollingsworth said he found Griffin to be kind and gentle -- behavior
inconsistent with how the player was described in police reports.

"He had a problem with alcohol, and I think that was a medication for him,
and I think that led to a lot of issues," Hollingsworth said.

Griffin, who played forward and center, signed with the Timberwolves as a
free agent before the 2004 season. He showed enough promise as a shot-blocker
and rebounder to be signed to an extension, but was waived in March after
playing in just 13 games last season with the Wolves.

The Wolves put his locker right next to star Kevin Garnett, hoping the former
MVP could help straighten Griffin out.

Griffin put up some big numbers on occasion with the Wolves, but continued to
get into trouble off the court. He pleaded guilty last season to inattentive
driving after he hit a parked car while out late one night in Minneapolis.

The Rockets released a statement saying the organization "is devastated and
saddened by this terrible tragedy. Our thoughts go out to Eddie's family and
friends during this very difficult time."

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press


http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2985307&campaign=rss&source=NBAHeadlines

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推 ando:好走阿 囧
推 hoyo:囧>
推 kspacey:確定沒邊開車邊做其他事??
推 lakers1031:.......
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◆ From: 122.123.41.166
→ nikekobe:超扯@@! 安安  r.i.p
推 iamexwilly:默哀三分鐘......
推 Hawking:一路好走
推 piaggio:默哀...他也太不小心了吧...
推 dwaw:天啊  震驚.........一路好走  以前在火箭還蠻喜歡他的
→ kendle:R.I.P.
推 chenlansue:支前在車上打手槍的是不是Griffin?? 有點忘了
→ banbantone:嗯 好像是他
→ david31408:他實在很誇張耶....唉
推 tracy8901:R.I.P
推 mayfirst:R.I.P
推 mackulkov:才25歲耶....默哀
推 barkleyc:靠...........................
推 barkleyc:當年用R.J等人換來他 真的很期待  結果orz....
推 york47c:當初對他期望超深的...結果...
→ goaty:默哀 一個不重視自己天份的天才 真是可惜了
推 SMALLZCH:怎麼辦我幾乎沒看過他打球...囧  那時還是魔術迷...
推 clydeli:R.I.P Eddie...
推 letitbee:R.I.P
推 XiCheng:他在火箭的時候我對他寄予厚望呢Q__Q  一路好走...
推 carboyUSA:真的很有天份的球員,他大學不是平均5個火鍋...埃...