EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) Troubled forward Eddie Griffin practiced for the first time Thursday with his new team, the New Jersey Nets.

The 21-year-old free agent, who signed earlier in the day, appeared rusty and out of shape. But he expected that.

``It's going to take me a little while to get into shape, because I hadn't been doing anything for a couple of months,'' he said. ``But I'm happy to be here in New Jersey. I knew that they had a good bunch of guys and they made me feel welcome right away.''

The 6-foot-10 Griffin was originally selected by the Nets with the seventh pick in the 2001 draft, but was traded to Houston for the draft rights to Richard Jefferson, Jason Collins and Brandon Armstrong. He averaged 8.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.63 blocks over his first two seasons.

But Griffin ran into legal problems in Houston. He was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in November, after a woman claiming to be Griffin's girlfriend accused him of punching her in the face three times and shooting a pistol at her car as she drove away. Griffin faces arraignment on those charges next week.

He also faces a marijuana possession charge in a separate case.

Because of his legal woes and missed practices, as well as missing a team flight to Sacramento, the Rockets suspended Griffin, then waived him Dec. 19, after he checked into a Houston hospital for treatment of undisclosed problems. The Nets were among several teams willing to give the former Seton Hall product a second chance.

His familiarity with New Jersey was one of the reasons he accepted the Nets' offer of approximately $450,000 for the remainder of the season.

``They always showed they had interest in me,'' Griffin said. ``I'm familiar with the New Jersey area. I have friends here from my days at Seton Hall, some of my teammates, my friends, my AAU coach, people who are close to me who are going to be a good support system for me.''

The Nets are taking a serious approach toward handling Griffin. They've hired a personal assistant to make living arrangements for him, as well as instituting a curfew in which he has to be in his hotel room or at home after 6 p.m.

``Right now, basketball is the least of his worries,'' head coach Byron Scott said. ``He has to take care of things on the court and off the court, but we want him to feel a connection that this team is behind him.

``We're all trying to take him under our wings and be an important part of his life. This is a young kid who can help us, but we have to help him first.''

The players also are making an effort to help Griffin.

``We tried to make him feel welcomed, treat him like he's been here all the time,'' said forward Kenyon Martin, who will begin serving a two-game suspension Friday for his involvement in a fight with Corey Maggette of the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night. ``He seemed relaxed. I hope we made him feel comfortable. The kid can play. He's going to help us.''

Scott said there was no timetable Griffin suiting up.