During his three-season career, Eddie Griffin has become Exhibit A that the NBA will forgive many transgressions to those with remarkable ability.
Griffin was waived by the Houston Rockets in December 2003 after missing practices and a team flight. After signing with the New Jersey Nets in January 2004, for whom he never played a game despite being paid $125,000, Griffin entered an alcohol rehabilitation center and missed the 2003-04 season.
Last January, he was convicted of marijuana possession, a misdemeanor.
In February 2004, Griffin spent 11 days in jail after violating a court-ordered curfew imposed as a result of an aggravated-assault charge. He was accused of hitting his former girlfriend and shooting at her in his house.
In March, Griffin was sentenced to 18 months' probation, fined $2,000, and ordered to take anger-management classes after pleading guilty to deadly conduct, a misdemeanor, in the incident involving his former girlfriend.
And still, Minnesota signed the 6-foot-10, 240-pound forward to a one-year, $720,046 contract before the season.
So far, the results have been positive. Griffin, 22, credits an aftercare program and the mentoring of Kevin Garnett for keeping him out of trouble off of the court.
On the court, he's averaging 8.9 points and 6.4 rebounds as a Timberwolves reserve.
Seattle Times: How fortunate are you to have landed with the Timberwolves?
Eddie Griffin: I feel real fortunate. Playing behind KG (Kevin), he's the MVP and I learn a lot from him. It's been good for me. There's a lot of vets on this team.
ST: So what's going on with you guys (Timberwolves) right now? I know you weren't here last year, but why haven't these guys had the success they had a year ago?
EG: I can't really say. I wasn't here last year. I guess you can say ... really, to be honest, I don't really know.
ST: On the subject of second chances, you know about that as well as anybody. What's your take?
EG: I'm real glad the Timberwolves gave me a second chance, and I'm just making the best of it.
ST: What did you learn about yourself during the year you spent out of the NBA?
EG: I learned a lot about myself. I learned that in order to be successful in the NBA you need to stay focused. I need to work on my game and just stay focused on and off the court.
ST: You were 19 when you got drafted. Were you ready for the fame and the money?
EG: I don't know. Maybe. I thought I was. Maybe not. It's not like you can ever really be ready for it.
ST: It seemed that the Rockets were the perfect situation for you. Any regrets when you look back at that situation?
EG: Not really. I believe everything happens for a reason. I feel like I'm in a better situation now playing in Minnesota.
ST: It seems like the power forward position is constantly evolving. What's that spot going to look like in five years?
EG: I feel like it's just a new breed of players coming in. There's a lot of guys 6-10 or taller now that can shoot threes. I feel like I'm a pretty good three-point shooter, and I was always a shot-blocker and rebounder.
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