Former Wolves Forward Dead

[Smooth]

HOUSTON -- Former Minnesota Timberwolves Eddie Griffin died last week when his sport utility vehicle collided with a freight train in a fiery crash in Houston, the Harris County medical examiner's office said Tuesday.

Investigators used dental records to identify Griffin, 25, who began his tumultous pro career with the Houston Rockets in 2001. He was waived by the Timberwolves in March.

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

Houston police said in a report that the SUV ignored a railroad warning and went through a barrier before striking the moving train about 1:30 a.m. Friday.

The driver's body was badly burned and there was no identification.

Griffin had a series of suspensions, court dates and missed practices during his first two years in the NBA with Houston and New Jersey. He spent time 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 to be signed to an extension.

But he was waived in March after appearing in just 13 games for the Wolves this season.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2985307

It's too bad he took the wrong road in life because if he didn't he could of become a pretty good player...

 

[Karma]

That is pretty shocking news. A real shame he couldn't turn his life around.

 

[James]

God damn, thats horrible. Anytime they got to identify you from your teeth, its not good. Dude was a hell of a player in High School. A shame he couldnt get it together.

 

[cdt]

Wasn't this the same guy that wrecked his SUV while masterbating? I really hope that wasn't the case again...

Tooth identification :uhh:

RIP

 

[NarlCavs]

Sad news. He still had a chance to possibly put it together and get back in the league. Shocking that it had to end like this.
Griffin did have a lot of raw talent but never was able to put it all together and his offcourt problems really hurt him. It would be nice if this could serve as a wake up call to other young athletes. Andray Blatche comes to mind.

 

[chiefwahoo]

Wasn't this the same guy that wrecked his SUV while masterbating? I really hope that wasn't the case again...

Tooth identification :uhh:

RIP

Yep, that's the same guy. Needless to say he had some problems. What a horrible ending...

 

[TheAdmin]

Whenever I see someone that dies in a train wreck that is very well known and unstable I always think its mob related.

 

[Mac]

The unfortunate thing was, I knew from the title who it was. I just didnt expect this to be the cause.

I knew it was going to be this kid...it just seems like it was one thing after another with him.

Sad.

 

[PIP]

He was a beast at Seton Hall...

I remember when the Nets drafted him right before us (Diop draft) I was so pissed...

 

[James]

The ones who die like this its almost like everybody but them knows how the story is going to end. Those to me, are just the worst.

 

[cavincali]

His body freaking was on fire. The absolute worst way to die.

 

[TrueCavsFan23]

This guy had so much talent it was ridiculous,he had a lot of potential.It had to have been his alcohol addiction

RIP

 

[The Oi]

They probably could have done a DNA check on the in-car movie screen.