Wow! I just read the T-Mac comments after learning that we acquired Swift, and I absolutely love everything he said, he seems to be even more excited about Stro than we the fans are, that is Great! I absolutely love T-Mac's comments man, it just makes you all giddy as a Rockets fan, and you can't wait until the season starts few months from now. T-Mac sure has a way with words. Gotta love the fact that this guy is the face of our franchise. But seriously, why wouldn't he be super happy with the team, the organization, and the city? Look at what the Magic did for him in the 4 years he spent there...litereally nothing to help him out whatsoever. On the other hand, look at what the Rockets did for him: they have Yao (that is enough by itself), they have made great mid-season trades to turn around the team and give everyone a great ride through the season and the playoffs, and T-Mac points to a player he REALLY, REALLY wants and what do you know, the Rockets oblige. Happy Mr. McGrady? What other franchise would do this for you and give you a chance to win it all? I hope McGrady turns into Stro's mentor, because age-wise they can relate to one another, and they can hang and have fun with a good, solid group of guys on the team. I believe Stro will have a change of heart and finally commit himself to be all he can be, which is a lot if he ever realizes his full potential. It's your turn Yao and T-Mac, your wishes have been fulfilled!
Awesome move CD. All of last year I wanted Swift. Even at one of the games, when I had tickets near mid court in the lower bowl, I told T-MAC's body gaurd to "tell T-MAC He needs Swift next year."
Yo Yo Hillboy, Pfffft, Pfffft, here boy. Hey Hillboy, what a terrible GM CD is. Yep, you bet. Where you at Hillboy, here boy.
I love this comment by a Mav fan http://www.mavtalk.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=001219 Well we are diggin our grave. The rockets were basiclly trying to get swift and damob studomire. If they het damon, we are dead. Here is what could be there lineup.. PG- DAMON STOUDOMIRE SG- TRACY MCGRADY SF- WESLEY OR SWIFT PF- SWIFT OR HOWARD C- YAO OR DEKE BENCH BARRY SURA MIKE JAMES OR NEW ROSTER MEMBER MUTOMBO BOWEN Guys if this happens, the whole leauge is messed up. Dont get your hopes up for a good playoff run... [Md] [Frown] [Eek!]
Unbelievable. This is frankly surprising, given what Houston fans have been forced to come to expect over the years.. It is terrific that we have managed to avoid a 'Beltranning'.. Anyway, now the questions start. Who starts at the 4? What if a component of this signing is a hidden item that has not been mentioned in connection with Stro.. that is (and this is complete speculation on my part), what if JH is really done? What if the team knows it and has just been keeping it under wraps? Would that knowledge, and therefore basically an assurance that Stro would therefore be guaranteed to be the starter, have been the factor that tipped the scales in our favor? If (and believe me I hope it is not true) JH is truly done, then that still leaves us with a backup 4 problem. Baxter maybe? But if JH is ok, and comes back, who starts? DO they split the minutes evenly? Stro back at 20-25 minutes is only getting us 9/5 .. and JH's numbers were nothing to sneeze at.. I suspect that Stro would start in any case, which would allow us to have a VERY nice bench, with people like James, JH, and Head coming in to spell the first string.. that would be pretty sweet.. Also, how would Stro being there affect Yao's game? What will Yao be able to do better/more easily because Stro is there? This is the stuff I love thinking about.. Wonder if JVG will finally be able to get a good night's sleep, and get rid of those bags under his eyes..? Hehehe How does this signing affect other players already on the team, specifically the guys with upcoming expiring contracts? Does this mean we definitely hang onto the ECs, and try to swing a nice big fat trade halfway through the season, for a defensive 2 with an outside shot (maybe we already HAVE that with Luther?), or a pg or a 2/3 to spell TMac? But I guess the real big question I have is, will we ever actually see JH in a Rockets uni again (or anyone's for that matter?) Personally, I hope so, he's a great guy, and could probably be a good influence on Stro. But you just can't screw around with heart problems.
Excellent, excellent aquisition. Hopefully, he won't disappoint. But we have to give Yao, T-mac, Gundy and Dawson their credit. Excellent recruiting. And again, excellent signing.
Swift was the guy that I wanted all along,so this is awesome...no matter what he does,....as long as he posterizes Dirk at least once it'll be worth signing him.
The last sentence is the most important one. I think the enthusiasm ringing through these boards reflects an understanding of the economics of professional sports. Knowing full well the folly of of lusting after an O'Neal or Garnett as a sidekcik for McGrady and Yao, we are very happy with Swift because he is better than we thought we could get for the money we are permitted to pay. That said, I will admit I am optimistic that Swift may significantly exceed his performance of previous years when given a fresh start. After all, he'll be on a team where people are going to be concentrating most of their time on 2 other guys. Plenty of room for him to develop and improve, and I like the fact that Tracy has said he's looking to help him do so. In any event, I think it's worth noting that some have been critical of Juwon in the past because of the expectations that came with his contract, but with Houston, everyone has embraced Juwon as a smashing success - because even though his numbers haven't gone up, he has done his job extremely well. And we're not paying Swift more than Juwon. I just can't think of anyone we could've realistically gotten for the MLE who's a better sidekick for McGrady and Yao than Swift, and that's what excites me. Plus, McGrady wants him as a teammate, and I think that says a lot. Unless anyone thinks McGrady is misguided in his evaluation of Swift as a prospective partner? Not me - I'm inclined to give McGrady the benefit of the doubt on this one.
I hafta get in on the thread. Left the forum at work and went to see WEdding Crashers...came back to see this! Who woulda thunk post c.o.b. this would come out?! haha I love it! As many have said, I don't think he's QUITE as good as we're hyping him up to be...but LOVE it at the price. And I think he was the best option to improve the team. SO much better than Antoine for us.
This is great news. Swift is a HUGE addition and signing him for the MLE is probably the best case scenario we could have come across.
We need to give James some credit too. I believe he was the first to speak out about getting Swift. And surely Sura introduced him to some hotties.
the smart mavs fans are scared. a few dumb ones think they will still do better than us because "dirk was off his game and will come back with a few new tricks." and "are they planning on moving tmac to PF? otherwise they don't scare me."
