Eddie Griffin did not play in the Rockets' first five preseason games while coming back from an ankle sprain. In the sixth game, when he finally did play, the rust showed. Griffin made just one of 10 shots. And when you're 19 years old and an NBA rookie, you feel a need to prove yourself to the fans in your new hometown.

"I wanted to have a good game at home," Griffin said. "It was only preseason, but I wanted to show what I could do. A lot of people expect a lot out of me. The Rockets traded three players (their three first-round picks in June) for me. I wanted to let people know what I'm capable of doing."