Timberwolves waive F Eddie Griffin
By JON KRAWCZYNSKI, AP Sports Writer
March 13, 2007

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Timberwolves waived Eddie Griffin on Tuesday, ending the forward's tumultuous three seasons in Minnesota.

The 6-foot-10 Griffin appeared in just 13 games for the Wolves this season and had not played since Dec. 13, a span of 42 games.

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The fifth-year veteran, and former seventh overall draft pick, has battled alcohol problems since coming out of Seton Hall. He was suspended by the league for five games in January for violating the anti-drug program.

"It was time for both parties -- Eddie and the Timberwolves -- to move on," Wolves vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale said in a statement. "It just didn't work out for Eddie here in Minnesota."

Griffin signed a three-year, $8.1 million contract extension before last season, when he appeared to be turning around his career.

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

Griffin signed with the Wolves as a free agent before the 2004 season, and showed enough promise as a shot-blocker and rebounder for McHale to sign him to an extension.

He put up some big numbers on occasion with the Wolves, but he continued to get into trouble off the court.

Griffin pleaded guilty earlier this season to inattentive driving after hitting a parked car while out late one night in Minneapolis. Then came his suspension, and that was enough for the Timberwolves.

McHale declined further comment to the media on Tuesday night, but alluded in his statement that the team reached a financial settlement with Griffin to nullify the contract, which had one more season remaining.

"He will be a free agent next year and we do not have any further financial obligations regarding Eddie's contract," McHale said.



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he's had alcohol problems, but he's a good rebounder, shotblocker. worth a minimum contract/flier.

I'll pass on him, he can't stay out of trouble. We don't need guys like that on this team.

He's more headache than upside. His talent is a bit overrated. He can blocks some shots though.

No, you must not take a flier on Eddie Griffin. The Wolves waived him for a really good set of reasons. Griffin has used up more than his share of chances, and he would do absolutely nothing for the Knicks but generate controversy.

Oh hell no. The last thing we need is Eddie emptying out clips in practice and beating his meat during timeouts in games.

[Edited by - BigC on 03-13-2007 10:42 PM]

Posted by SlimPack:

yeah we may as well just use cato. no need to risk the problems that griffin could cuase.

It looks like Cato was just signed to be a practice dummy for Curry.

Posted by SlimPack:

Posted by BigC:

Posted by SlimPack:

yeah we may as well just use cato. no need to risk the problems that griffin could cuase.

It looks like Cato was just signed to be a practice dummy for Curry.

lol, but he has looked good in the spot minutes that he has played. even with lee out for a while I doubt Isiah signs anyone anyway. we still have alot of options left on the roster.

I like Cato. I think he is just misused on this team. He capablable of giving solid defense in limited minutes. For now he is just known as that guy that wears nice suits at the end of the bench.

I think there is a good chance Eddie and Eddy could be the knicks front court soon............

this dude has been trouble and a mental midget. I remember when he was drafted, during draft day, he was being interviewed by a radio station here in Atlanta, he fell asleep during the interview on live radio, the host had to wake him up, he sounded disinterested and immature. This guy has been problems since his days at seton hall. Why do we need to give him a flier? why? why should we?

Posted by tkf:

this dude has been trouble and a mental midget. I remember when he was drafted, during draft day, he was being interviewed by a radio station here in Atlanta, he fell asleep during the interview on live radio, the host had to wake him up, he sounded disinterested and immature. This guy has been problems since his days at seton hall. Why do we need to give him a flier? why? why should we?

Because he is 6'10...........just the way things work.

Posted by tkf:

this dude has been trouble and a mental midget. I remember when he was drafted, during draft day, he was being interviewed by a radio station here in Atlanta, he fell asleep during the interview on live radio, the host had to wake him up, he sounded disinterested and immature. This guy has been problems since his days at seton hall. Why do we need to give him a flier? why? why should we?

Not to mention I think he got into a car accident while beating his meat. Then he pistol whipped his girlfriend.



[Edited by - BigC on 03-17-2007 12:52 PM]