Alan Griffin

[Capt. Tuttle]

I like Griffin, we know what he is. Very mercurial player but a guy who plays hard. Good rebounder and remarkable shotblocker, I'm not sure if people realize he averaged nearly 2bpg as a 6'5 wing.

He simply didn't get much run at the end of the season, and against Houston all I remember is him air-balling a three and passing up a layup for a horrible turnover. Bad end to the season but he didn't have much of a chance playing 10mpg and getting yanked for any misstep.

His “missteps” were selfish, “I’m gonna get mine” plays. He couldn’t/wouldn’t just let the game come to him. I believe that was the frustration for JB.

 

[orangenauburn]

I think his performance dropped off once he got the hint he will not be back next year

 

[Nicknack]

Thought it was obvious that JB wanted a scorer (besides buddy) to step up tonight. He gave AG a chance, but man did he squander it...

Yeah, it really builds confidence when you get pulled after one bad shot / decision.

 

[Cuse Action]

He really looked nervous last night.

Most players would if they knew that any misstep would get them yanked immediately, obviously he was looking over his shoulder the whole time he was in the game. I didn't see Braswell do much better, at least on the offensive end, but he isn't in JB's doghouse so he's not getting the criticism AG gets.

 

[Eric15]

I hated the decision to bench AG for 5-6 min after one bad shot a minute into the game.

 

[RF2044]

Most players would if they knew that any misstep would get them yanked immediately, obviously he was looking over his shoulder the whole time he was in the game. I didn't see Braswell do much better, at least on the offensive end, but he isn't in JB's doghouse so he's not getting the criticism AG gets.

Nah, that wasn't it. He looked like he was playing scared. Had nothing to do with fear of being pulled, or "criticism."

The NCAA tournament is a lot of pressure. AG didn't handle the pressure well last night. He looked extremely, extremely uncomfortable from the jump -- and it translated over to his performance, or lack thereof.

Braswell didn't play scared, but he also didn't contribute much.

 

[NineOneSeven]

He made 1 basket in his last 4 games, and totaled 8 points. Never seen anything like his close to a year for a player.

 

[Cuse Action]

Nah, that wasn't it. He looked like he was playing scared. Had nothing to do with fear of being pulled, or "criticism."

The NCAA tournament is a lot of pressure. AG didn't handle the pressure well last night. He looked extremely, extremely uncomfortable from the jump -- and it translated over to his performance, or lack thereof.

Braswell didn't play scared, but he also didn't contribute much.

No he was tentative because he knew that if he got aggressive and made a mistake JB would bench him, simple as that. The kid has been a ghost of himself the last month ever since JB started to pull him after any perceived mistake.

 

[Nicknack]

Nah, that wasn't it. He looked like he was playing scared. Had nothing to do with fear of being pulled, or "criticism."

The NCAA tournament is a lot of pressure. AG didn't handle the pressure well last night. He looked extremely, extremely uncomfortable from the jump -- and it translated over to his performance, or lack thereof.

Braswell didn't play scared, but he also didn't contribute much.

And, how do you know this??

I will say, I have a lot of respect for Grif in how he handled the quick pull. He listened to Boeheim and stayed composed. Many players would have been frustrated and showed their annoyance. I really hope Grif comes back as he's really talented. He just needs to show more consistence. The talent is there.

 

[HyattsCuse]

Feel bad for him. He was always straddling that fine line of aggressive versus taking terrible shots most of the season. You can just tell he doesn’t know when to shoot anymore when he passed up a few shots in the lane, probably for fear of getting yanked. Then stuff like that sequence where he somehow ended up at guard in the zone and Girard at forward then Grimes makes us pay for it by hitting a 3.

He had the definition of an up and down season. However, COVID made this a crazy year so I’m hoping level heads prevail and JB talks to each player about what next year will look like and if they’re a good fit for the team.

 

[DoctorBombay]

He made 1 basket in his last 4 games, and totaled 8 points. Never seen anything like his close to a year for a player.

His confidence was shot. The more Bras came on as a viable option, the less room there was to tolerate his mistakes, of which there were many.
I thought the only way we win last night would be if Griff showed up. In the E8 vs UVA, JB lit into Malachi Richardson at halftime and the kid came back to have the game of his life. That’s why we won that game.
We needed Griff to do likewise, but he never responded to JB’s tactics- which was probably frustrating as hell. If he comes back...if he’s asked to come back, i hope we see a better player mentally. The talent is there, he’s just a head case.

 

[grepal]

Last night's game boiled down simply to Houston's defense being better than our offense, all around. It was not a lack of effort, sometimes we need to give our opponent the credit, this was one of those times. They did what they needed to do ad we could not overcome it.

 

[Millhouse]

It's like a knoblauch situation. Totally unraveled

 

[RF2044]

And, how do you know this??

I will say, I have a lot of respect for Grif in how he handled the quick pull. He listened to Boeheim and stayed composed. Many players would have been frustrated and showed their annoyance. I really hope Grif comes back as he's really talented. He just needs to show more consistence. The talent is there.

How do I know? Because when the camera focused on him several times in the first half, he was sweating bullets. And because he was playing tight. You don't think those two things were correlated?

 

[RF2044]

No he was tentative because he knew that if he got aggressive and made a mistake JB would bench him, simple as that. The kid has been a ghost of himself the last month ever since JB started to pull him after any perceived mistake.

Being aggressive isn't the problem, and never was. Producing has been the problem. He wouldn't get pulled if he hit some shots. Or took it to the basket and made something happen. Or was active on the glass.

Griffin began getting benched because he wasn't producing, plain and simple. He's too talented to score ~10 points over a four game span.

Want to remain on the floor? Go attack the glass --and find ways to contribute beyond scoring.

 

[Sherman20]

I like Griffin, we know what he is. Very mercurial player but a guy who plays hard. Good rebounder and remarkable shotblocker, I'm not sure if people realize he averaged nearly 2bpg as a 6'5 wing.

He simply didn't get much run at the end of the season, and against Houston all I remember is him air-balling a three and passing up a layup for a horrible turnover. Bad end to the season but he didn't have much of a chance playing 10mpg and getting yanked for any misstep.

I like Griffin too. He’s very talented and an excellent athlete. But he really lacks the ability to focus and play within the scheme. He also needs to work on his dribble and driving ability. It sounds like he’ll be leaving after this season but if he came back, I think there’s a chance he’d finally learn to stay locked in all game. Sometimes it just takes a little more time before it starts to click for some players, and that could happen next season. I’m rooting for him no matter what happens next. He seems like a great teammate and a Syracuse fan.

 

[Arangeman]

I know Griffin has only been here for a year but players should be improving the longer they are here. He regressed. Joe regressed. Players bear responsibility but so do the coaches.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[CuseChat23]

He brought some of the bench time on himself with his erratic play but it's tough to go out there and know that one mistake and you are sitting the rest of the half. We all know that once you are in the doghouse the season is not going to go well for you. The kid was an all conference honorable mention and he was needed last night to help this team win and advance. Some of it is on him but some of it is on the coach and coaching staff. Players are suppose to get better as the season goes on. I was always impressed how he cheered on his teammates even on the bench but we needed him rebounding and hitting some threes last night.

 

[Cusefan69]

For those who think Braswell is our go to replacement for Griffin or anyone else, his average for the year was 3.7 points and 1.8 rebounds. He is not some sort of elite scorer. He brings nothing for rebounding or assists or blocks. He showed no ability to create a shot. If Griff and Woody leave, Braswell can’t be the replacement. Those averages are over 12 minutes per game.

 

[CardiacCuse]

More than anything else, I don't understand his mindset if leaving is his choice. He transfers again and does what? He started every game this year and had every opportunity. What changes somewhere else?

more freedom to just play.

I think he needs a simple style.

play 1 on 1 d. and just freestyle on offense...at the 2 gaurd spot (buddy's position)

If I was him i would transfer even if it meant sitting out another year.

Its like someone who cant dance who is asked to do dance moves and steps that are supe complex...actually he can dance...but not to a set pattern...he is more of a freestlyer out there...but that doesnt work in JBs system. AT ALL. it got in his head.

 

[CardiacCuse]

Griffin isnt a forward and the guard spots are taken...soooooo....he could be a great 3rd/4th gaurd...but I think for him to get back on track...he needs to be a starter and be put at eaase that he can just play...at his top potential, he should probably be a starter at one of the guard spots.

I thought him and kadary shouldve been the starting gaurds in the beginning of the season.

too small to play forward for this team, imo.

 

[longtimefan]

For those who think Braswell is our go to replacement for Griffin or anyone else, his average for the year was 3.7 points and 1.8 rebounds. He is not some sort of elite scorer. He brings nothing for rebounding or assists or blocks. He showed no ability to create a shot. If Griff and Woody leave, Braswell can’t be the replacement. Those averages are over 12 minutes per game.

Braswell is the best defensive forward.

 

[tbonezone]

like him or not griffin did make some incredible blocks this season and another one last night.

 

[DoctorBombay]

Braswell is the best defensive forward.

And a good rebounder to boot. He doesn’t have the best handle, but he’s also not a stiff out there. He deserved the time he got, while Griff deserved the PT he lost.