Only 16 minutes for Eddie Griffin last night. When will I ever learn?

Can I get something like a V-chip for my computer that will block any future transactions that I make involving Eddie?

I think Diaw will continue to see lots of PT for the Suns throughout the rest of the season. As has been said D’Antoni is a smart guy and a good coach who puts his players in positions to succeed. Diaw has that all-too-rare skill where he makes his teammates better. There’s always PT for guys like that.

As for Allen, Billups, Paul, they are obviously all fantasy studs and it’s pretty clear that they should be ranked in that order. Allen is the clear #1 option on one of the highest scoring teams in the league and he singlehandedly dominates a category while being pretty solid all around. Billups is playing out of his mind and while a slight drop off has to be expected, it’s time to accept that he’s a superstar. And Paul has been a revelation so far, but you never know about that rookie wall and he obviously doesn’t have the same track record as the other two.

Essentially, I do see some time of Amare running with Thomas, as Amare has made it known that he doesn’t want to shorten his career by taking a beating against Centers all year long. Diaw is also not the shooter that Jones/Bell/House/Barbosa are, which is what they required out of Q and JJ last year.

However, here is what I do know: Whenever Nash is out of the game, Diaw will be in it, as he is a great point-forward ala Scottie Pippen.

Whatever, I’m concerned about Diaw too, but since I’m not really playing for cash and love the guy, I’ll probably keep him anyways. But due to his great versatility, I think he’ll see the most burn of any of the Phoenix reserves all year long, if he in fact does ever come off the bench. In contrast to that last lineup, I could see Suns going with Diaw at either C or PF, with Amare at the other post with Marion on the wing, which he is more suited for anyhow.

2cents.

I think he stays in the starting line-up after Amare’s return as the SF; it could very well look like this:

C: Amare (Thomas)
PF: Marion
SF: Diaw (Jones)
PG: Nash (Barbosa)
SG: Bell (House)

Having said that, Phoenix will probably have a much deeper rotation than last year when they pretty much rode their starting five for as long as they could. Seeing as how their weak bench proved their undoing in the playoffs, the bench players figure to see a lot more action this season. Thomas will probably spell Amare at C (for quite a bit at first until Amare plays himself back into shape): Bell and House should continue to get minutes at SG and Jones will still back up Diaw. Barbosa will probably be used to liberally sub for Nash, who tends to wear down from overuse come the spring. Marion will probably get the most minutes of the starting five on a nightly basis.

In short, I wouldn’t worry about Diaw. D’Antoni is a very smart coach who clearly understands his players’ capabilities and is not afraid to mix and match lineups and throw a lot of different looks out there. Diaw could start at SF, or even spell Marion at PF if needed. He should continue to get 30 or so mpg and get the 10/6/6 + 1 block that he’s usually good for on most nights.

Like DM, I had vowed to never, ever, ever pick up Griffin again as the potential for frustration and heartache with him is just too damn great.

But there I was - again - last night, running to my keyboard to pick him up after I saw him strut his stuff on SportsCenter. Like Charlie Brown, believing that Lucy won’t pull the football away - again, I told myself that after last night’s performance he’ll see no more 9 minute nights; that Casey will come to his senses and reward Eddie with the PT he so richly deserves.

Today, in the cold light of day, I suspect that I’ve probably been played - again; that Eddie might just be one of those guys who (for whatever reason) never seem to earn his coach’s trust and will be forever jerked around, minutes-wise.

So, as a service to your readers, may I suggest that you initiate a 12-step program to help break poor bastards like me from the debilitating Eddie Griffin habit.

As far as Eddie Griffin, we know that he can rebound, and I just hope there isn’t some sort of time share and that eddie can get 35 minutes of game time at the PF/C. He’s only 23 which leads me to believe that he can improve…especially if his confidence is up…besides, the Wolves desperately need a legit #3 option, and he could be it…he can spread the floor for sure.