[Shreveporttimes.com] Rockets' Swift set for takeoff

http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051101/SPORTS/511010334/1001

Rockets' Swift set for takeoff
Former LSU, Fair Park star eager to play in Houston
November 1, 2005
By Larry Wade
shreveportsports@gannett.com

HOUSTON -- It takes a lot to excite Tracy McGrady. He's seen just about everything there is to see on a basketball court.

But Stromile Swift put on a display recently that amazed even McGrady.

In an Oct. 15 preseason game against the defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs, no less, Swift excelled on both ends of the court.

He blocked shots, played stellar defense, made highlight-reel dunks and otherwise reminded the Rockets why they signed him to a multiyear contract in the offseason.

"It was very exciting to see," McGrady said. "Some of the things he was doing out there, I was saying to myself, 'That's why we brought him here.'"

The Rockets have long coveted the athleticism Swift brings to the power forward spot. His tremendous leaping ability enables him to grab rebounds, block shots and dunk against taller opponents. And he has developed a mid-range jump shot, which should come in handy when opponents become overly concerned with Yao and McGrady.

The 6-foot-9, 230-pound Swift, who was one of the NBA's most sought-after free agents, said the opportunity to play with the Rockets' All-Star tandem of Yao and McGrady was a major factor in his decision to sign with Houston.

"Yao and Tracy, just being able to come and be a part and play with those guys of that caliber," Swift said, "I think that helped out a lot."

The former Fair Park and LSU standout was taken by the then-Vancouver Grizzlies with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2000 NBA draft after the New Jersey Nets selected Kenyon Martin.

While Martin has developed into an All-Star forward, Swift is still widely seen as having a wealth of untapped potential. But Rockets head coach Jeff Van Gundy hopes to tap into the 25-year-old power forward's deep well of talent.

"Stromile is obviously a very gifted athlete, and he wants more from his career," Van Gundy said. "And we want him to be able to produce more. The only way to do that is to put more into the job. It's up to us to give him a plan that will work, and for him to accept that plan and work that plan as well as he can."

And Swift says he intends to work according to plan.

"I'm going to go in and play hard," he said. "I think I can bring some athleticism and shot-blocking and just getting up and down the court."

Swift's first five seasons in the NBA were spent with the Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies, playing mostly as a reserve. But he has become a defensive force despite his limited playing time.

Swift is only one of six NBA players to average over 1.50 blocks per game over the last four seasons. The others are Elton Brand, Tim Duncan, Pau Gasol, Shaquille O'Neal and Ben Wallace.

When Swift left LSU after his sophomore season, only O'Neal had more career blocks.

The Rockets haven't won an NBA championship since 1995, and their title hopes have been crushed in the first-round of the playoffs the last two years. But Swift hopes to use his abundant talent to take the Rockets to greater heights.

"Hopefully I can come in here and bring my game and take them to the next level," he said.

If the preseason is any indication, Swift will give the Rockets a big boost.

He averaged more rebounds than last year's starter at power forward, Juwan Howard. He was the Rockets' third leading scorer behind McGrady and Yao, and he led the team in blocked shots per game.

"This guy can really be something special," said Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson. "He can bring you out of your seat."