Ex-Rocket's troubled life ends in tragedy

Former Houston Rockets forward Eddie Griffin, whose athletic gifts and potential seemed limited only by their inability to carry him past his troubles, died last week in a crash with an oncoming train.

The Harris County Medical Examiner's Office on Tuesday identified Griffin as the man who died on Friday when the sport utility vehicle he was driving plowed into a moving train in southeast Houston.

Officials said Griffin, 25, drove his SUV through a railroad crossing barrier, past flashing warning lights and into a moving train in the 5300 block of Lawndale about 1:30 a.m. Griffin's vehicle burst into flames on impact, burning his body so badly that investigators were unable to identify him until Tuesday, when they used dental records to confirm his identity.

The medical examiner's office said a toxicology report will determine if Griffin was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the fatal crash.

"Eddie is free now," said former Rockets guard and NBA coach John Lucas, who worked with Griffin in Lucas' Houston-based rehabilitation program. "Eddie was just a special basketball talent. He was doing well for periods. He would go up and down mentally and spiritually. But Eddie was a good person.

"I'm just sad, just so sad."

Rockets owner Leslie Alexander, who had believed Griffin would become one of the cornerstones of the franchise, described Griffin as particularly kind, though unable to overcome his problems.

"I found him to be a very quiet, sweet, charming, nice person," Alexander said. "It's a shame somebody this young has to die this way. The whole Rockets organization is devastated. Our wishes and thoughts go out to his family and friends. He must have been a very troubled young man and probably that trouble caused his death. It's just a very, very sad situation."

So great was Griffin's potential as a 6-foot-10 power forward, the Rockets sent three first-round picks to the New Jersey Nets for the draft rights to Griffin, selected seventh in the 2001 NBA Draft that night.

By his second season, however, his legal and substance abuse problems grew increasingly serious. He was suspended during the 2003 preseason after a series of unexcused absences from practices. While suspended, Griffin was accused of beating a woman and shooting at her in his home. The Rockets released him two months later.

"All the potential, all the dreams his family had for him for what his career would and could be, to see it end like this is just tragic," Rockets director of media relations Nelson Luis said. "He was a very quiet, introverted kid. But you could tell there was a current of trouble underneath the surface with him. It's a shame. He was trying. After he left us, he was trying to get his life together. It's a tragedy."

Griffin sought treatment for alcoholism during his suspension and several times thereafter.

"Eddie was like a man-child," said Rusty Hardin, Griffin's attorney. "He was a wonderful, gentle soul, but he was an alcoholic. Alcohol always got in the way. The one thing the Rockets didn't know and none of us knew was the extent of the problem. It's really tragic.

"What people don't know is Eddie didn't go out partying, he didn't go wild or was a jerk. He was secretly drinking. He would have been the savior power forward the Rockets needed if not for (alcohol). When alcohol wasn't involved, he was one wonderful, gentle giant."

Griffin signed with the New Jersey Nets in January 2004 but was released the following month. He signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves the next season and showed enough potential for the Timberwolves to sign him to a contract extension. Griffin played in just 12 games last season and — after a traffic incident and a suspension for violating the NBA/NBPA anti-substance abuse policy — was released in March.

"He was undecided the last I talked to him whether he wanted to play basketball anymore or what he wanted to do," Lucas said. "This is just really sad from a talent standpoint, it's sad from a personal standpoint, and devastating from a recovery standpoint. From a recovery standpoint — but for the grace of God goes I."

In 303 games from the 2001-02 season through the 2005-06 season, Griffin averaged 7.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.71 blocked shots. One of the nation's top freshmen at Seton Hall in 2000-2001 and an NBA All-Rookie second team selection in 2002, his playing career will be remembered for what it could have been.

"That's a true tragedy right there," Rockets vice president/trainer Keith Jones said. "He had all the ability in the world and was young enough to get his life turned around and affect people in a positive way, but couldn't get it turned around. You hate to say youth was wasted, but in this case, it really was."