Update on Eric Gordon

[DUBulldog]

Does anyone recall the incredible hype about a New York high schooler about a decade ago named Felipe Lopez?

Before Felipe Lopez ever played a college game he was on the cover of Sports Illustrated, he was named the best high school player ever, called an immediate impact player, a sure bet college and NBA star,

Yep, I remember that well. Clark Francis of the Hoop Scoop gave Lopez a rating of 12 on a 10 point scale (sounds like something from the movie Spinal Tap ). The "experts" all said he could be a superstar in the NBA right out of high school. Like so many New York City "legends", the reality was nowhere near the hype. Pearl Washington, anyone?

Anybody remember Rashard Griffith? One of the Chicago papers had an article about him when he was in 8th grade...and the writer thought he could possibly hold his own in the NBA....as an 8th grader!!!!!! I don't think he ever played in the NBA after a decent stint at Wisconsin.

[BradleyBrave]

Does anyone recall the incredible hype about a New York high schooler about a decade ago named Felipe Lopez?

Before Felipe Lopez ever played a college game he was on the cover of Sports Illustrated, he was named the best high school player ever, called an immediate impact player, a sure bet college and NBA star,

Yep, I remember that well. Clark Francis of the Hoop Scoop gave Lopez a rating of 12 on a 10 point scale (sounds like something from the movie Spinal Tap ). The "experts" all said he could be a superstar in the NBA right out of high school. Like so many New York City "legends", the reality was nowhere near the hype. Pearl Washington, anyone?

Anybody remember Rashard Griffith? One of the Chicago papers had an article about him when he was in 8th grade...and the writer thought he could possibly hold his own in the NBA....as an 8th grader!!!!!! I don't think he ever played in the NBA after a decent stint at Wisconsin.

Ronnie Fields ring a bell to anyone? There's a "can't miss" kid or 2 every year. A lot of them miss.

[mike radigan]

Comparing Rashard Griffith to Ronnie Fields is wrong. Fields has been a life long minor league (read not much money) player while Griffith had a very successful overseas career. Griffith did quite well financially.

[BradleyBrave]

Comparing Rashard Griffith to Ronnie Fields is wrong. Fields has been a life long minor league (read not much money) player while Griffith had a very successful overseas career. Griffith did quite well financially.

The only comparison was they were both guys who never lived up to the hype they received in high school. I would say it is not so much a criticism of the players themselves but moreso the people who hyped them up.

[mike radigan]

Comparing Rashard Griffith to Ronnie Fields is wrong. Fields has been a life long minor league (read not much money) player while Griffith had a very successful overseas career. Griffith did quite well financially.

The only comparison was they were both guys who never lived up to the hype they received in high school. I would say it is not so much a criticism of the players themselves but moreso the people who hyped them up.

I understand that, I'm only saying one did much better than the other.

[tornado]

Does anyone recall the incredible hype about a New York high schooler about a decade ago named Felipe Lopez?

Before Felipe Lopez ever played a college game he was on the cover of Sports Illustrated, he was named the best high school player ever, called an immediate impact player, a sure bet college and NBA star,

Yep, I remember that well. Clark Francis of the Hoop Scoop gave Lopez a rating of 12 on a 10 point scale (sounds like something from the movie Spinal Tap ). The "experts" all said he could be a superstar in the NBA right out of high school. Like so many New York City "legends", the reality was nowhere near the hype. Pearl Washington, anyone?

Anybody remember Rashard Griffith? One of the Chicago papers had an article about him when he was in 8th grade...and the writer thought he could possibly hold his own in the NBA....as an 8th grader!!!!!! I don't think he ever played in the NBA after a decent stint at Wisconsin.

DU B you have a good memory.
Rashard Griffith had a decent career at Wisconsin, and based mostly on his physique was drafted in the 2nd round of the 1995 NBA draft by Milwaukee, but he has never played a minute in the NBA. Griffith then went on to a decent career in Europe, playing in Germany and then in the top league in Italy with Kinder Bologna.
BUT--- in a development that almost got Rashard some NBA minutes, his contract was offered for sale to the Orlando Magic, who also made a deal with Milwaukee to acquire his draft rights (which the Bucks still held) in 2002. But in the end, it didn't work out and the Magic cut Rashard.
Note in this report from his appearances in the Magic's summer league games it says:
"Griffith...struggled mightily and was not in very good shape. A quick look at his summer league numbers against not-so-great big man competition has Griffith probably not making the Orlando roster at this point."

http://www.hoopsworld.com/cgi-bin/news/exec/view.cgi?archive=4&num=502&printer=1

Since then Rashard has been back in Europe, more as a journeyman, playing in Turkey, Italy, Spain, etc.

[brainiac]

Here's what the IU people are going to show Gordon.
They are going to try to lure him with the announcment of $55 million of new sports facilities, locker rooms,
and practice courts for men's basketball.

http://www.idsnews.com/news/story.php?id=37627&adid=news

[patrick_o'brian]

I joined this board called illini loyalty, basically just to find any info for us over here, and they are pretty pathetic. They found out I was a bradleyfan and notre dame football fan and they are talking all kind of stuff, but it's kinda funny because they are so sure that Gordon is coming. I say no freakin way is he going to illinois. And get this. They make up so many excuses for their football team it's pathetic. I'm starting to lose respect for the illini fans. I'm starting to side with MM and that's scary.

[MacabreMob]

I'm starting to side with MM and that's scary.

Who? Me?

And that's scary?

-s-w-e-e-t-

But really... I am harmless.

[LTHS02]

There are growing rumors on the Iowa board and the Indiana board that Eric Gordon and his family are arranging a press
conference for Sunday or possibly early in the upcoming week in order to make the inevitable announcement that he has selected IU.
All references to these rumors are being deleted from the illinois boards.

A poster on the Iowa board who has over 3000 posts states that he has a friend who works at the Indianapolis Star as the source of the report.

Just more of a soap opera.

[chitownBUB]

Here's a story with a subtle, yet funny overtone.

It is about how Purdue coach Matt Painter really can't rest too easy about his fine class of recruits until they sign their LOI.

And why is that??
The answer is in the talk about how rival coach Kelvin Sampson is hunting recruits from among those already committed.
"Still, until they sign a national letter of intent...you never really know, and if you don???‚¬?„?t believe us, believe Illinois coach Bruce Weber, who is sweating out whether superstar guard Eric Gordon of Indianapolis North Central will honor his commitment and become an Illini or switch and join the Indiana Hoosiers."

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/15667386.htm