I still think back on that nice run he had during our 5-1 road trip, and how it looked like he was really starting to fit in nicely next to Yao and T-mac. Then, Yao went down, and Stro couldn't really step up how we needed him to. At this point in his career, it's probably safe to assume that he'll never light the NBA on fire. But at the same time, he still has the capacity to be a quality contributor. And I don't think it's too much to expect that he could flourish playing next to Yao and Tracy. I mean how many games has the whole team even had together? 13? 14? Would I trade him for an upgrade? Of course. But at the same time, it's not time to trade Swift just to trade him.
You completely misread my opening paragraph. Hell no, by no means, for all that's holy was I implying Stro is anything like a franchise player. What I said and meant was that people seem to foolishly hold him up to that standard expecting him to be the missing link or something in our quest for a championship by providing the kind of impact a franchise player would. Instead of being measured by standards of a role player it seems people are expecting more and it crosses the line between being realistic and unrealistic. My goal is not to make excuses for Swift because honestly, i'm not even a big fan of him to begin with. But let's say we trade him away and we don't get a decent big man in return: PF Howard Baxter Bowen Hayes C Yao Mutombo Talk about the most unathletic frontcourt i've seen in a long time. Swift gives us a dynamic we otherwise don't have: the guy that can give you the highlight dunk, the acrobatic rebound, the leaping shotblock. Regardless of what you say about the guy's motivation issues, he is capable of all the above mentioned.
TO is a different deal in that his contract dispute affected his relationship with the team, nobody ever accused him of being crazy. Good to hear a players opinion on Artest, I had heard the Indy players were fed up with Artest's antics but to hear Jon Barry say it underscores why it would be a risk for any team to give up anything of value for Artest which is why he is probably not coming to Houston anyway, we don't have anything they want.
I think you would have to kick in a 1st rounder or Head to make it work. The Pacers are imploding though with all the trade uncertainty, so somebody might be getting a bargain this week IMO. I'd do Swift/Moochie/unprotected #1 for Ron. also Swift + Head
Indiana Trade Breakdown Outgoing Ron Artest 6-7 SF from St. John's 19.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.2 apg in 37.8 minutes Anthony Johnson 6-3 PG from Charleston 7.2 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 3.6 apg in 23.4 minutes Eddie Gill 6-0 PG from Weber State 0.6 ppg, 0.4 rpg, 0.3 apg in 3.1 minutes Incoming David Wesley (cap relief) 6-1 SG from Baylor 10.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 3.2 apg in 35.6 minutes Stromile Swift 6-9 PF from Louisiana State 9.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 0.5 apg in 22.6 minutes Luther Head 6-3 PG from Illinois 9.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.5 apg in 30.0 minutes Change in team outlook: +2.6 ppg, +4.1 rpg, and +0.1 apg. Houston Trade Breakdown Outgoing David Wesley 6-1 SG from Baylor 10.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 3.2 apg in 35.6 minutes Stromile Swift 6-9 PF from Louisiana State 9.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 0.5 apg in 22.6 minutes Luther Head 6-3 PG from Illinois 9.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.5 apg in 30.0 minutes Incoming Ron Artest 6-7 SF from St. John's 19.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.2 apg in 37.8 minutes Anthony Johnson 6-3 PG from Charleston 7.2 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 3.6 apg in 23.4 minutes Eddie Gill 6-0 PG from Weber State 0.6 ppg, 0.4 rpg, 0.3 apg in 3.1 minutes Change in team outlook: -2.6 ppg, -4.1 rpg, and -0.1 apg. Successful Scenario Due to Indiana and Houston being over the cap, the 25% trade rule is invoked. Indiana and Houston had to be no more than 125% plus $100,000 of the salary given out for the trade to be accepted, which did happen here. This trade satisfies the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Jon Barry is a great guy- but I really feel that his feelings will be irrelelevant if the right talent comes on board. IF you read what I suggested originally- it was not a trade for a SPECIFIC player. Frankly I dont think we have the pieces to get Artest ( miracles do happen). He most likely will be in California. What matters to me is what happens on the basketball court. I am pretty sure RON RON would have learnt from his experience- I am amazed how many people believe so ardently on "facts" as reported as the absolute truth. And if you leave basket ball alone- I can stretch the logic and say Magic, Michael, Patrick, Kobe are not "family Values" type of guys either! It is pure hypocrisy to set "moral values" selectively! I find it hard to believe that some people are stiill making the" Stromile needs time" argument! I would love to see him show his potential- while I am not expecting him to be an all star- atleast be a decent Power Forward! It would not matter a damn to our chances- if he does not show a spark- if he is put on the purgatory list.I want Stro to do well- but I think he had his time. A Pink eye would not make me think twice! ( as an excuse- is that really an injury- apart from being an irritant) Heck I will take Peja Stojacovic with if Stro does not get his act together! ( Dont take this one seriously!) I am convinced we are exploring trades.
It's Vescey in the Post. We Indiana fans are praying this isn't true. Peja is hobbled by a protruding disc? Like that's going to go away on its own. We want Odom!
Houston Trade Breakdown Outgoing Stromile Swift 9.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 0.5 apg in 22.6 minutes Derek Anderson 6-5 SG from Kentucky 10.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.6 apg in 29.1 minutes Incoming Al Harrington 18.8 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 3.1 apg in 37.1 minutes Change in team outlook: -1.6 ppg, -2.3 rpg, and 0.0 apg. Atlanta might do this if they think they have very little chance to resign Al. They'd get an Al jr for a reasonable price. We'd get a MLE mulligan and Al for a few months (I don't think we'd be able to resign him unless we can also unload Howard for an expiring contract). Of course if Atlanta think they have a chance at resigning Al, then they'd be laughing.
If Pacers are willing to do Artest for Peja, which is essentially Artest for cap relief (Peja is gonning to a silly crappy club which will overpay him in the summer), then why not Artest for Swift+cap relief+2nd pick? Swift at MLE is not a contract that you can find easily on the FA market. He kinda sucked this year but partially it is because of all the injuries and rotation changes we have experienced.
I would guess the Pacers have secret reassurance from Peja's agent that he'll stick around (yes, I know it's "illegal", but we all live in the real world). Stromile + Luther would make more sense for Artest given the fact that Peja's been playing professionally since he was a teen and only has so much gas left in the tank, etc etc and will demand too much money. Cap relief + draft picks would work for the Pacers, but they started the season with title aspirations, and probably want to show their fans (as well as their other players) that they still want to fight this year.
I like this, but Atlanta should be able to get more, I would think. It would be an even nicer trade had the Rockets been able to keep up .500 ball. The obvious problem being difficulty resigning him, thus pointlessness in even getting him, unless you truly believe there is an amazing playoff run in this team. If you could sign him long-term, then it would be great.
I doubt Pacers can offer Peja much more than and MLE, and I doubt Peja is gonna be content with MLE. So I don't see him sticking with Pacers. By the way he's been playing, Peja isn't worth much more than MLE, but we all know a silly club is bound to throw a lot of money his way.
i do not think stro is going anywhere this season. he's a bargain for his contract. also, i could see stro backing up yao at the 5.....while hayes splits time w/ jho. baxter is probably gonna be the odd man out, b/c hayes has looked good in his 3 game stint. mutombo is probably gonna be used less and less....so that stro can get more playing time. it's a good thing that yao will be coming back soon....and stro also. since endurance will be a problem in the beginning.....having yao, mutombo and stro split minutes at the 5 could be a good thing. but unless something comes up that is too good to pass up.....stro will be w/ houston for this season. i don't think any combo w/ stro is going to net artest, but then i do not want artest on the rox. also, dwes has been putting up consistent numbers lately, and i would really like to see him stay with the rox this year. i know his contract ends and could be traded, but after rehabbing his knee....his shot is becoming more consistent.
Pacers, if they wish to keep Peja, will hold his Larry Bird rights ( ironic isnt it?) So this would not exactly be a salary dump.
I knew he'd be a bumb. Good thing we got him cheap. there's a chance some other team will be foolish enough to take that underachiever.
Now that Artest is going to Sacramento this leaves the door open for the Rockets to try to acquire Al Harrington. I remember the Pacers were at their recent best when Al Harrington was playing small forward for them. He created matchup problems at the SF postion for other teams. If Stromile can get you AL Harrington you have to do that. If not, I like our team the way it is when healhty. A tweak here and there may be needed but when healthy the Rockets can matchup with any team.
Are they willing to match the absurd offers other crappy teams will throw at Peja? I think it is dumb move by pacers.
Gadzuric for Swift. We get a good 2nd center behind Yao. We still have Howard, Baxter and Hayes for PF.
