Coach Kevin Sutton, in a kind, yet authortative tone instructed, “Alright guys, partner up!”

It was my first workout with the group and on this cool spring night in May, I just so happened to get paired up with 6’8″ 215 pound Eric Griffin.

With his height and long arms that stretch into tomorrow, I expected Griffin to be strictly a post player.  Fifteen years ago I’m sure that’s exactly where some coach would have placed him.  All I can say is, I’m glad it’s not fifteen years ago!

During the workout, I was amazed at Griffin’s ball skills and his ability to shoot the rock.  He literally takes jump shots from three point land!  I’m talking a couple of feet off the ground JUMP SHOTS!

It’s one thing for a 6’2″ guy like myself to do that, but when you’re 6’8″, well you can understand how and why Eric Griffin took Campbell University by storm last year!

Transferring in from the community college level, Eric averaged 13.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 2.1 blocks per game, while shooting over 50% from the field, for the Fighting Camels.  In February of last year, he was named Atlantic Sun Conference’s newcomer of the week (see video below) with a stat line (22.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 blocks, 2.5 steals and 1.5 assists) that’ll make any basketball fan say damn!

What’s just as amazing as Eric leading Campbell in points, rebounds and blocks last season, is that this, his senior season at Campbell, will be just Eric’s fifth year of organized hoops!  That’s right, the guy swatting shots, raining three’s and thumping dunks on foolish defenders, played just one year of high school basketball at Boone, in Orlando, Florida.

As good as Griffin is right now, logic has everyone wondering just how good can he be?  That’s a question Eric Griffin wants to find the answer to as well, which isn’t great news for opponents!

Without further ado, here is 23 questions with Campbell University’s Eric Griffin!

23 Questions With Campbell University’s Eric Griffin:

1.  What sparked your interest in basketball?

Eric Griffin:  About the age of 8 watching the Orlando Magic, I fell in love with the game.

2.  What’s your jersey number and why do you wear it?

EG:  #21, my pastor blessed me with this number.

3.  Do you have a nickname?

EG:  E-money.

4.  Favorite Food?

EG:  Hot Wings.

5.  Hidden Talent (Something you’re good at that most don’t know about)?

EG:  I know how to Rap lol….

6.  Something you’re surprisingly really bad at?

EG:  Cooking.

7.  Favorite Musician/Group?

EG:  Lil Wayne/One-way Boys.

8.  Proudest moment as a basketball player thus far?

EG:  This year made six three points in one game, made player of the week, and ended the game with 27pts.

9.  If you didn’t play basketball, what else would you enjoy doing?

EG:  That’s a really good question.  I love the game of basketball so much can’t really see myself doing anything else.

10.  What advice would you have for someone looking to achieve your level of success on the court?

EG:  Work hard, never let your goals fall behind, play every game like it’s your last and keep faith in God.

11.  Who are your role model(s)?

EG:  Mom and Grandmother.

12. What is your earliest basketball memory?

EG:  First year playing basketball, my 12^th grade year, making the basketball team.

13.  Twitter or Facebook?

EG:  Twitter (@MRCU21)

14.  If you could meet any celebrity who would it be?

EG:  Kevin Durant

15.  What kind of basketball shoes do you wear?

EG:  I don’t have a specific pair.  Any shoes will work.

16.  Favorite pre-game meal?

EG:  P&J lol…..

17.  Do you have any pre-game superstitions?

EG:  A good old Nap.

18.  What motivates you?

EG:  My mom.  Seeing her smile.

19.  During an average week, how often do you play basketball and or do something related to basketball like conditioning?

EG:  Every morning I start with a run and end the day with a good workout.

EG:  Making it to the NBA and supporting my family.

21.  How do you think you would fair today against MJ 1-on-1?

EG:  Go Kobe lol….

22.  How do you think you would do against Jordan in his prime?

EG:  Jordan was the man in his prime.   It would be a good game.

23.  Any advice for me for WHEN I play Jordan?

EG:  Do your best and don’t let him win!

####

Thank You Eric Griffin!!!

I want to give a BIG SHOUT OUT to Eric Griffin for taking a few minutes away from his training and school work to be a part of the journey that is mevsMJ.com!

All the best to you this upcoming season!

You can follow Eric Griffin senior season on Twitter @MRCU21! 

Video of Campbell University’s Eric Griffin:

httpvh://youtu.be/y5rszOSzxk4

Eric Griffin with one of the SICKEST DUNKS you will EVER see!

httpvh://youtu.be/SfN16daQ300

Me vs. Eric Griffin???

For inquiring minds, yes I will match-up with Eric after the season when he makes his way back to Orlando!

Until then, I’ll keep working on my game in preparation for my upcoming opponents and ultimately, Michael Jordan!

me vs. MJ…the journey continues!

“You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.” – Michael Jordan

I read that quote a few hours before I slid my Jordans on and took on my next 1-on-1 opponent, Jamaican National Team Starting Shooting Guard, Garfield Blair.

Garfield Blair (The Player)

In July of last year Blair averaged over 15 points per game for team Jamaica in the Centrobasket tournament (A FIBA sponsored basketball tournament) including one 27 point outing against the U.S. Virgin Islands.

In 2009, Garfield graduated from Division I, Stetson University, where he averaged 17.3 points per game and 7.7 rebounds per game during his senior season.

Blair also had a short stint this year with the National Basketball Development League’s Springfield Armor.

Going For The Win!

Despite all of that, I went into yesterday’s games with Garfield going for the win.  We would play two games of 1-on-1 to 15 points, make it take it, with two pointers worth 1 point and three’s worth 2 points.  I believed in my mind that I could pull it off if I got hot…and then the game began (video below).

Game 1 (Two Shots)

I shot for ball, missed, and then the 6 foot 5 inch, 210-pound, former Stetson Hatters star gave me an up close example of what he can do.

After playing Garfield, the bigger question is what can’t he do?

In all of game one he missed four shots, two of which he got the rebound and then converted to baskets.

This hurts so badly to type, but the game lasted less than four minutes.  I touched the ball only twice, and one of my two shot attempts was blocked.

He torched me with drives, dunks, NBA three pointers, and pull-ups.

He dominated me to the tune of a 15-0 shutout!

I’m Better Than This!

During the break between Game 1 and Game 2 I couldn’t believe I had just been beaten so easily.

I couldn’t believe I had just been shutout!

In all honesty, I don’t think I’ve ever been shutout in a game of 1-on-1.  I also have never gotten the ball only two times.  Blair had it dialed in and it was sooo smooth.

Head up, I was determined to do better in game 2!

Game 2

Game two began unfortunately with more of the same.  Of the first four points Garfield scored, two of them were dunks.

Then I finally got my chance.

A couple of jab steps and I got enough room to get off and make a three pointer.  I then drove to the basket and made a left handed lay-up high off the glass (which he slapped in an attempt to block the shot).

That was the extent of my scoring.  In game two I touched the ball just five times and only got shots off on four occasions.

Garfield went back to work draining three NBA distance three-pointers in a row and finished me off easily.

Final Score of Game 2:  15-3

Me vs. Garfield Blair (Video):

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJJk3OvfmtI

[If you are reading this via email or RSS, click here to view video.]

He Has No Weakness!

Most normal people that play basketball can dribble or shoot or are athletic, but rarely are they more than one of those.  So against normal competition I would identify the weaknesses and the adjust how I play them, making the game easier for me.

Garfield Blair has no weakness and he definitely isn’t normal.

He handles like it’s on a string, has ocean deep range, is quick, strong, and explosive and doesn’t miss shots.

I think both games of 1-on-1 took a total of 10-11 minutes.  It was crazy!

Time For A Change (Loser’s Outs)

Going forward I will be most likely forced to play loser’s outs when playing top tier competition like Garfield Blair and Robert Brown.

The prideful side of me doesn’t want to do that, but it should give me a better chance of making the games competitive by getting more chances to score.

Overall Impressions

It’s inspiring and a bit demoralizing playing against someone like Garfield Blair.  He not only has talent, but he has put so much work in to the game of basketball and it shows.

Before I began this journey, I really didn’t believe there was that big of a difference in players.  I’ve played ball my whole life, and despite how Garfield makes me look on the court, I’m actually decent on a normal guy scale.  To go out and to be made to look like I’ve never played ball pounds the ego, but it also inspires.

It shows me how great someone can be.  It motivates me to get better, to do everything possible to be more prepared next time.

End of the day, Garfield Blair can flat out ball.  It is truly amazing how good he really is.

BIG THANKS TO GARFIELD BLAIR!!!

I want to thank Garfield Blair for taking the time and playing me.  It was something he didn’t have to do and my appreciation that he did is huge.

Watch for him on team Jamaica, or an NBDL or NBA team in the near future.

He’s a class act that some team will be very happy to have.  No doubt!

Failing into Success

So thus far I’m 1-7 in 1-on-1 match-ups, as I prepare for my dream match-up with Michael Jordan.  Not good at all.

“I’ve failed over and over again in my life.  That is why I succeed.” – Michael Jordan

I could easily pick lesser players and rack up some wins, but what good would that do?  Even though I’m loosing, I’m winning.  The experience of matching up with phenomenal players is priceless and believe it or not, I will be better because of yesterday’s brutal beating.

I want more than anything to do a 1-on-1 post and report a big win.  I still believe it’s possible.  I will continue to work and do my best to maximize my potential.

Thank you for the love and support!

me vs. MJ…the journey continues!

*If you’d like to help me prepare for my eventual 1-on-1 match-up with Michael Jordan and are a current or former top high school, college or pro player, sign up here! Thanks in advance…and I will be coming for the win!

*Note:  I also want to thank Justin Cobb for connecting me with Garfield and for doing a great job shooting the video!  Also, special thanks to Ziarekenya Smith for the awesome pictures!  I appreciate you guys!!