Wolves should dump Griffin and his baggage
http://www.startribune.com/508/story/527625.html
We heard of Eddie Griffin's vision problems during his flop of a 2005-06
season. Now, we have heard the complete allegations of what might have
led to his car accident on March 30.
All a fellow can say is maybe the nuns at St. Gabriel's Grade School
in Fulda, Minn., had a case back in the 1950s when they warned us of
the potential side effects of sinful behavior.
There was no disputing the risk to the Timberwolves before the 2004-05
season, when they signed Griffin, only 22 and already a legend for his
reckless ways.
The 6-10 Griffin played only one year at Seton Hall, where his self-centered
approach managed to tear apart a team with great potential. He entered the
2001 NBA draft and wound up with Houston in a draft-night trade.
He failed to show up for several practices in 2003 training camp and was
suspended. During the suspension, there was gunfire at his home on Oct. 25.
He was charged with assault with a deadly weapon. Later, he was ordered to
stand trial on a misdemeanor for drug possession.
By mid-December, the Rockets had their fill and Griffin was released.
He signed with New Jersey Nets on Jan. 8, 2004. He never played for them.
He wound up in jail in Texas for breaking his probation on the assault
charge. He was released after three weeks to the custody of John Lucas,
former NBA player and coach, and a drug-counseling activist.
The Wolves decided Griffin was their kind of guy and signed him in October
2004. He played the 2004-05 season without a public incident, and with
marginal impact. The Wolves decided to bring him back on a three-year deal
totaling $8.1 million.
By this midseason, his minutes were being chopped and rumors were flying
around Target Center that he was having chemical problems again. The Wolves
equivocated when those questions were asked, suggesting only that his
minimal playing time was traced to vision problems.
No matter what they might say publicly, the Wolves knew that Griffin was
headed for trouble again. They should have turned him in to the NBA.
Instead, they shrugged, and now the franchise has gotten what it deserves:
full-frontal embarrassment.
The latest revelations forced Griffin to release a statement Friday through
an L.A. public relations firm. He apologized to his family, teammates and
the community for "any embarrassment his actions" may have caused.
Griffin's contention in the statement was the car owner filed his lawsuit
after demanding an "outrageous sum of money" from the NBA player. "Just
because these allegations have been made does not make them truthful, and
one should question his motivation," the statement concluded.
Whatever exaggerations in the lawsuit, the Wolves' mistake was bringing
in Griffin in the first place.
Take a troublemaker out of the big-league life for a while and he can act
contrite. Put him back in the big leagues and the odds of staying straight
are almost nil.
Eddie Griffin, meet Steve Howe. You're similar guys, except for this: Howe
is dead, after filling himself with meth and crashing his truck early on
the morning of April 28.
The Twins tried Howe in 1985. He was out of rehab again for his never-ending
cocaine addiction. Howard Fox was the general manager and Ray (Rabbit) Miller
was the new manager. They assured the local media after interviewing Howe
that the pitcher was ready to put his drug problems behind him.
The reporters then interviewed Howe. It took five minutes to figure out
this guy was borderline nuts.
The Twins let him stay in Chicago on an off day to appear on "Nightline"
and talk about his recovery. He left the show and disappeared on a cocaine
binge.
Howe lasted with the Twins for 13 appearances -- obviously, much more trouble
than he ever was worth.
Two decades later, the Wolves are in that situation with Griffin. He's
mediocre at his best, and a potential embarrassment to his employers the
rest of the time.
The Wolves owe him $5.6 million for this season. Glen Taylor should offer
to buy it out at a discount today. Griffin could use the check to go into
business with Onterrio Smith -- maybe as co-owners of a Whizzinator store.
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