HOUSTON - The Houston Rockets released forward Eddie
Griffin on Friday, completing the fall from grace for the 2001
first-round draft pick.
The 21-year-old Griffin is facing two counts of aggravated
assault stemming from an October 25 incident in which he
allegedly punched a woman and fired gunshots at her.
Griffin has been suspended since the preseason for missing a
practice and skipping a team flight to Sacramento.
"This has been very disappointing for our franchise," general
manager Carroll Dawson said. "We had high hopes for Eddie and
still feel that he has the ability to be a very good player in
this league if he gets his personal issues resolved. However,
there are times when you have to make difficult decisions like
this because it is the right thing to do for all the parties
involved."
Griffin was recently released from voluntary substance abuse and
depression therapy. But a judge has ordered a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
curfew, making him almost entirely unavailable to play for the
Rockets.
The Rockets announced previously they would not pick up the
fourth-year option on Griffin's contract. He was scheduled to
make $2.31 million this season before the salary lost due to his
suspension.
In April, Griffin was charged with marijuana possession. A
former Seton Hall star, he averaged 8.7 points and 5.8 rebounds
last season.