http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/rssstory.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/3406687 Tracy McGrady is urging a new teammate to bring the Memphis Grizzlies a reminder of what they lost when they let their No. 1 draft pick in 2000 leave through free agency By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle Stromile Swift kept insisting, though not entirely convincingly, that Saturday's return to Memphis will be just another game to him. Tracy McGrady, however, would not allow that. McGrady has been there, and then some. He has returned to face two former teams, as the public enemy No. 1 in Toronto and Orlando. Swift is not likely to receive that treatment. But McGrady sent a message upon his returns and wants Swift to make the same statement Saturday when Swift faces the Memphis Grizzlies for the first time since leaving. "Oh, absolutely, I'm definitely going to try to make him have a great game," McGrady said. "That's my job, and that's what I'm going to do." Swift, however, said he has no special plans. It might be too early for that. He has played in just two preseason games, with many of the spectacular moments he flashed in Vancouver and Memphis but with generally mixed results. It might not be time for plotting his revenge. But Swift acted as if he barely noticed when, five seasons removed from being the second pick of the 2000 draft, the Grizzlies seemed to barely notice when he signed with the Rockets this offseason. Players have taken great offense at much less, but Swift insisted he had nothing to avenge. "I'm going to approach it like a regular game," Swift said. "I don't have any hard feelings against them. I'm going to go in and play hard against them and try to get a win. It will be good to see some of those guys again, but I'm going there to try to get a win." A moment later, however, he spoke of the apparent snub on his way out of town. "During the season, they kept saying they were going to re-sign me, they were going to re-sign me," Swift said. "Then they didn't make me an offer during the offseason. It was an easy choice for me, an easy decision. "I definitely would have listened to what they had to say if they would have made a proposal. Out of respect, I think it would have been good if they did. But they went the other direction, so I had to do the same thing. "I think they're going through a lot of things there. They're trying to make changes. They made a decision that it was time for a change." Stuck behind Shareef Abdur-Rahim and then Pau Gasol, Swift never did carve out a starting spot or starter's minutes with the Grizzlies. He averaged nine points and five rebounds, but he seemed capable of much more. Spectacular, inconsistent Averaging 24.5 minutes in his two preseason games, he has averaged 16 points and 4.5 rebounds, bringing his usual assortment of spectacular moments, but not the consistency the Rockets will expect. "The more repetitions he gets, the better off he'll be," Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "He has a lot to learn. He has to learn multiple positions, power forward and center, which are very similar in many ways, but have different responsibilities. He's doing OK." Swift will have time to learn to handle those responsibilities. Saturday, however, he will have one game to remind Memphis what it let get away. "To me, there is nothing you can tell somebody to prepare for a first time back," Van Gundy said. McGrady, however, planned to send several passes and words of advice to Swift. "Don't worry about it if you hear negative things." McGrady said of the counsel he plans. "People say negative things about you, that's in the past. This is the start of a new situation for you. 'Adding fuel to the fire' "I've been in two situations, going back to Toronto and going back to Orlando. It never seemed to bother me. That's like adding fuel to the fire. I loved to take on that challenge. It's a great opportunity to show them, this is what I'm all about. I'm with a new team. Just go out and play ball and don't worry about that stuff." That was Swift's plan, even if somewhere inside a part of him might want the Grizzlies not only to know what got away, but to regret it. jonathan.feigen@chron.com Rockets Summary Keep the buzz going Rather than be envious, the Rockets viewed the excitement around town about the Astros' success as a sign of what could happen for them if they can also make a postseason run. Tracy McGrady even saw a benefit for another Houston professional team. "For them not going to the World Series in 44 years, this is unbelievable. This city is buzzing right now," McGrady said. "If they can win the World Series, and we can come into our season and do something special, this would be a great year for Houston. "We want to keep the buzz going. Were kind of confident anyway because of what we did last year, bringing back the core group and adding some pieces. This should be a big year for us. It helps to have the Astros doing what they're doing so we can feed off them a little bit and keep the fans on their feet. "But I think who should really be congratulating them is the Houston Texans for taking the attention away from them. When this World Series is over, they've got to start rolling." Fun for fans The Rockets drew 3,200 for their open practice on Thursday afternoon, with Tracy McGrady flipping an alley-oop to himself off the backboard and Luther Head hitting a game-winning, last-second 3 highlighting the team's 20-minute scrimmage. "I think the defense will be much harder in games than it was here in the scrimmage," Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said of the dunk. "It was the parting of the Red Sea. "We had a better crowd on a weekday than I would have suspected. It was really nice we got that support. You only come out to open practice if you're a true fan. It's nice that something is free. All it takes is some time, and you come out and get to see the players up close, get some autographs. "That was mandated by the league. That's a good thing, though."
You know, one thing I didn't notice about Stromile before he came here is how quiet he seems. Whether he's just really laid back or if he's actually a bit nervous, either way he certainly isn't as emotional as I would have expected him to be. That said, it's great to see Tracy trying to stir up a fire inside of him for his return to Memphis. You know a guy is quiet when Tracy is the one trying to get him pumped! lol Hopefully once Stromile gets more comfortable out there with the guys, with the fans, and with living and playing in a new city in general, he'll start to bloom. Or maybe that's just not the kind of person he is. Maybe I got the wrong impression from all the highlights I've seen of him mashing on people and celebrating after. Maybe he only shows his emotion after those plays...? Oh and it's nice to see that JVG was appreciative of the "true fans" that came out today. I'm glad I can say I'm in that category I just realized something that's pretty interesting regarding JVG. I look forward to his quotes more than any players on the team. Even Yao. Damn I love this guy.
One thing I didn't expect from McGrady before the big trade for Francis was how much leadership ability he has. He seems really cares, about winning, about his teammates, and about the city he lives in. He impresses me more and more. I know a guy who was a teammate of TMac when he played for Orlando, and he didn't have any good word to say about him. In fact, that guy thinks McGrady is a pure idiot. I won't reveal the details, but they weren't pretty. However, from what he's done, TMac has won me over as a Rockets. Who cares what he did in Orlando, and if those allegations were true or not. He seems to be shining brightly here. Go TMac!
What's funny about Stro is he 100% makes up for the loss of Eddie Griffin. He plays the same position, has a similar build, were similar age and had similiar potential. It was a bitter pill to lose Griffin they way we did for nothing in return. But Stro completely wipes the whole debacle away.
What a great point. In 10 seconds, you made me feel better about Swift's shortcomings and about losing Griffin for nothing. When I look at this way, everything's cool.
I agree, and the best thing is, Stro won't be camped on the 3 pt line, and will actually be going for offensive putbacks.
Interesting points about McGrady. I think we are getting the opportunity to watch a superstar mature in front of our very eyes. His game has always been there, but his head had some maturing to do. Interestingly enough, it is the opposite of Yao, who has always seemed mature beyond his years to me and who needed a little maturity and adjustment in his game. Would be nice to see TMac bring Stro along the same maturation process with him.
I never thought about it that way, but you are right. I don't remember Stro punching out a team mate, though. EG's baggage turned out to be more than anyone expected.
I wish Stromile had gone the complete opposite way and started Hulking it up in front of the cameras. His eyes bugging out, spastically flexing and posing, and yelling things like: "SO BRIAN CARDINAL'S WORTH THE MLE AND I'M NOT?!?! YOU BETTER STAY ON THE INJURY LIST, CARDINAL. 'CAUSE IF YOU COME OUT ON THAT FLOOR I AM GONNA DUNK ALL OVER YOUR BALDING DOME! 'CAUSE WHEN THOSE THOUSANDS OF STRO-MANIACS ARE CHEERING, YOU BETTER BELIEVE I'M BRINGING THE PAIN!!!"
One thing JVG pointed out about Stro that I agree with is Stro's inconsistency. He's the kinda guy that can light it up one night and be quiet as a mouse the next, which I think is okay since we have Juwan to watch our back. If Stro can give a consistent effort night in and night out....watch out San Antonio, this is a Rox team you don't wanna mess with, with or without Ginobilli.
I still have my share of skepticism about Stro... Jerry West, Hubbie Brown, Mike Fratello, these aren't small names, and if he can't get off the bench under these guys, why would he succeed under JVG? However, my heart says otherwise. If TMac/Yao/JVG can help this guy to blossom here, I can't be happier. We will become a magnet of good free agents in the future. Hey, maybe two years from now, KG will take the MLE and sign with us.
I doubt it. He's not going to want to hitch his wagon to a sure thing. I envision him signing with Lebron's team (wherever that may be), or possibly teaming up with Kobe.
Swift had ton of highlights in just 2 preseason game. Overall I am pleased that we have him. If there is something I have to think negative about him in these 2 games, he might want to play more intensely on both ends. You know JVG. But those are pre-season game. I see another Camby in the making.
Yeah, right. This coming from the guy who insists that the windows be completely covered so that nobody can see them practice. That's alright, though. As long as he leads the team to a championship.
Well its not like you want any opposing team scouts to be able to waltz right up and video your secret plays before the season even starts.... I see a maturing T-Mac through JVG the same way that MJ matured through Big Chief Triangle....six-peat here we come!!!
It's funny how people can do a 180 when they grow up and take responsibility for their actions and their position. I'm not defending T-Mac's supposed actions in Orlando, but he is showing how good a person and player he can be here and now.
