From Deseret News archives:
Griffin punished for no-shows
The suspension came a day after coach Jeff Van Gundy met with Griffin to discuss another no-show. The third-year player missed the team's flight to Sacramento on Monday night.
"He didn't show up again today, so we suspended him for conduct detrimental to the team," Van Gundy said Thursday. "Hopefully, he'll get himself together and get back and rejoin us soon.
"He's an integral part of what we're trying to do and yet what's going on is totally unacceptable."
Griffin told the Houston Chronicle on Wednesday that he missed the trip because of personal reasons. Griffin skipped a home game last season, too, and gave the same reason when he returned.
Van Gundy said he knows the source of Griffin's problem but would not discuss it. He said Griffin would remain away from the team until the issue was resolved.
Griffin was the seventh overall pick of the New Jersey Nets in 2001 and was traded to the Rockets for three first-round draft choices. He has averaged 8.7 points and 5.8 rebounds per game in two seasons with the Rockets.
