Wolves should dump Griffin and his baggage http://www.startribune.com/508/story/527625.html We heard of Eddie Griffin's vision problems during his flop of a 2005-06 season. Now, we have heard the complete allegations of what might have led to his car accident on March 30. All a fellow can say is maybe the nuns at St. Gabriel's Grade School in Fulda, Minn., had a case back in the 1950s when they warned us of the potential side effects of sinful behavior. There was no disputing the risk to the Timberwolves before the 2004-05 season, when they signed Griffin, only 22 and already a legend for his reckless ways. The 6-10 Griffin played only one year at Seton Hall, where his self-centered approach managed to tear apart a team with great potential. He entered the 2001 NBA draft and wound up with Houston in a draft-night trade. He failed to show up for several practices in 2003 training camp and was suspended. During the suspension, there was gunfire at his home on Oct. 25. He was charged with assault with a deadly weapon. Later, he was ordered to stand trial on a misdemeanor for drug possession. By mid-December, the Rockets had their fill and Griffin was released. He signed with New Jersey Nets on Jan. 8, 2004. He never played for them. He wound up in jail in Texas for breaking his probation on the assault charge. He was released after three weeks to the custody of John Lucas, former NBA player and coach, and a drug-counseling activist. The Wolves decided Griffin was their kind of guy and signed him in October 2004. He played the 2004-05 season without a public incident, and with marginal impact. The Wolves decided to bring him back on a three-year deal totaling $8.1 million. By this midseason, his minutes were being chopped and rumors were flying around Target Center that he was having chemical problems again. The Wolves equivocated when those questions were asked, suggesting only that his minimal playing time was traced to vision problems. No matter what they might say publicly, the Wolves knew that Griffin was headed for trouble again. They should have turned him in to the NBA. Instead, they shrugged, and now the franchise has gotten what it deserves: full-frontal embarrassment. The latest revelations forced Griffin to release a statement Friday through an L.A. public relations firm. He apologized to his family, teammates and the community for "any embarrassment his actions" may have caused. Griffin's contention in the statement was the car owner filed his lawsuit after demanding an "outrageous sum of money" from the NBA player. "Just because these allegations have been made does not make them truthful, and one should question his motivation," the statement concluded. Whatever exaggerations in the lawsuit, the Wolves' mistake was bringing in Griffin in the first place. Take a troublemaker out of the big-league life for a while and he can act contrite. Put him back in the big leagues and the odds of staying straight are almost nil. Eddie Griffin, meet Steve Howe. You're similar guys, except for this: Howe is dead, after filling himself with meth and crashing his truck early on the morning of April 28. The Twins tried Howe in 1985. He was out of rehab again for his never-ending cocaine addiction. Howard Fox was the general manager and Ray (Rabbit) Miller was the new manager. They assured the local media after interviewing Howe that the pitcher was ready to put his drug problems behind him. The reporters then interviewed Howe. It took five minutes to figure out this guy was borderline nuts. The Twins let him stay in Chicago on an off day to appear on "Nightline" and talk about his recovery. He left the show and disappeared on a cocaine binge. Howe lasted with the Twins for 13 appearances -- obviously, much more trouble than he ever was worth. Two decades later, the Wolves are in that situation with Griffin. He's mediocre at his best, and a potential embarrassment to his employers the rest of the time. The Wolves owe him $5.6 million for this season. Glen Taylor should offer to buy it out at a discount today. Griffin could use the check to go into business with Onterrio Smith -- maybe as co-owners of a Whizzinator store. --

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