http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/rox/3633011.html Swift hopes to salvage season Free-agent signee struggling to fulfill role with Rockets BY NEIL HOHLFELD Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle Beleaguered Rockets forward Stromile Swift didn't need to be a basketball detective to reach this conclusion: He has been, by and large, a bust in his first season with the Rockets after signing a five-year, $30 million contract as a free agent last summer. Swift admitted as much Thursday, one day after he was held out of an 86-84 victory over Milwaukee because he was late for Wednesday morning's shootaround. "I don't think it's gone how I wanted it to go," Swift said of his first season in Houston. "I've kind of struggled learning the terminology. I've learned a lot, and I'm still learning. "But I would say it's been kind of slow. I just want to get better." So, clearly, do the Rockets. Swift was expected to contribute much more as a power forward. Instead, he has started only five games and is averaging 9.4 points and 4.9 rebounds. 'Couple of bad breaks' Both Swift and coach Jeff Van Gundy said the forward's tardiness for the shootaround was a one-day incident that the coach termed "unfortunate." Most likely, Swift will play when the Rockets host Seattle tonight at the Toyota Center. "All we want to do is to try to help him maximize his ability," Van Gundy said. "That's really the only thing we want to do. That can help him, and that can certainly help our team. We obviously need everybody." For Swift, the shootaround episode was another in a series of woes this season. Most recently, he missed nine games with severe conjunctivitis and a corneal abrasion of his left eye from Jan. 10-27. "It's a couple of bad breaks," Swift said of his eye problem and being late. "You go through those types of things. The rules are the rules, and he's the coach. I have to live with that. You have to get stronger from it. You have to go out and try to be better from when I left off. That's all I can do." Perhaps, but it seems he might need to do more to reclaim his minutes. From all indications, Swift seems to have fallen down the depth chart. That may, or may not, be the case. Vying with Hayes While Swift was out, the Rockets signed rookie forward Chuck Hayes to a 10-day contract Jan. 18. Hayes made a strong enough impression that the Rockets signed him for the rest of the season Jan. 28. Hayes gives the Rockets instant energy, something Swift has seldom brought when he enters a game. In Wednesday's win over Milwaukee, Hayes had eight points and eight rebounds in 14 minutes, 51 seconds. He had all his points and four rebounds in the second quarter, when the Rockets outscored the Bucks 34-14. To the untrained eye, it seemed Hayes was a key reason the Rockets overcame an early 13-point deficit for only their second win in 11 home games since Dec. 6. But Van Gundy pointed out Thursday that Hayes had some defensive problems in the fourth quarter that could slice his playing time, which ultimately could benefit Swift. "If (Hayes) trots back (on defense) like he did (Wednesday) night, you probably won't see him playing with Yao (Ming) or Tracy (McGrady)," Van Gundy said. "His transition defense in the fourth quarter was unimaginable. "If he continues that way, don't worry, it'll be a one- or two-shot deal. I've seen a little bit of a downtrend in some areas." For Swift, who played five seasons with Vancouver and Memphis before joining the Rockets, turning this year around might be a matter of getting significant playing time. In eight games before his eye injury, he averaged 13.5 points and 7.9 rebounds in 28.1 minutes. Before that, he averaged 8.3 points and 4.1 rebounds in 20.8 minutes. Clearly, Swift is not touting himself as the free-agent signee of the season, but he isn't giving up on the year, either. There is time, he believes, to turn things around. "There is a long time left," Swift said. "We have a lot of games left to get this thing looking respectable." neil.hohlfeld@chron.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ROCKETS SUMMARY Wait and see on Barry There is a slim chance that veteran guard Jon Barry will be activated for tonight's game against Seattle at Toyota Center. Barry has missed all but three games since Dec. 6 due to a strained calf muscle. The Rockets didn't have a full practice Thursday, so Barry and coach Jeff Van Gundy aren't sure if Barry is ready to return. He went through a light workout, shot extensively and played some one-on-one, but he was unable to get a true read during an all-out practice. "It's feeling pretty good so far, but I really didn't have a chance to test it going up and down, and the only way you can test it is to play basketball," Barry said. "I guess we'll see what it's like at the shootaround (this morning) and see what happens. "The muscle is healed. There's some pain. I probably won't be completely pain-free for the rest of the year. That's just something I've got to deal with, but the key is knowing I can do what I used to be able to do. That's my goal." Barry said he and Van Gundy would meet after today's shootaround and discuss the possibility of Barry's return. In 17 games this season, Barry is averaging 4.8 points. Back concerns McGrady Because the Rockets had a light workout Thursday instead of a full-throttle practice, Tracy McGrady's back got a little bit of rest. McGrady has been out on three occasions for a total of 13 games this season due to severe back spasms. He felt some discomfort in Wednesday's 86-84 victory over Milwaukee. He had 22 points and seven rebounds in 38 minutes but was 6-of-19 from the field and missed much of the second quarter. After the game, McGrady said his inability to get loose was on his mind much of the game. "It was just one of those days where you roll out of bed and your body is sore and your back is tight," McGrady said. "I just couldn't get loose, and when that happens, it's kind of hard to concentrate on my game because I'm worried about my back. "Especially after what I've already experienced, having to be carried out on a stretcher." McGrady collapsed to the floor due to back spasms during a game at Toyota Center on Jan. 8 against Denver and was taken from the arena on a stretcher. -- NEIL HOHLFELD
LOL. That's just a bunch of psychology from Van Gundy to get Hayes to step it up even more and keep Swift feeling good about himself and make teams think that Swift is a valuable commodity to us. Van Gundy is a piece of work.
"I don't think it's gone how I wanted it to go," Swift said of his first season in Houston. "I've kind of struggled learning the terminology. I've learned a lot, and I'm still learning." Good Lord, Swift is making it sound like Rocket science.
i didn't notice anything hayes did wrong but he was pulled for howard in the 4th and never brought back. i thought that was weird because he was having a good game and since we called him up he's been finishing games unless he fouls out.
it's not all about stro not being so bright. fact is, jvg turns this game into science - you can tell by the way he runs the team. nothing but set plays, players lifelessly running through the motions and afraid of messing up, no freedom whatsoever. jvg is sucking the life out of the game, and it shows.
GOD i HOPE it WORKS!!! If we make 8th spot, it would be so great to take out Dallas or San Antonio! Man they suck Bal*ls!
I'm glad Swift seems serious about salvaging the season. He does seem lost at times, at other times he shows really good effort. My only concern about him before was that Hubie Brown could not seem to reach him. Van Gundy may be the one to help Swift develop his game to a higher level. By preaching those fundamentals-repetitive tasks that become second nature without concious thought- then Swift can fine tune himself into the Rockets flow of the game and help. I still hold out some hope that with a young agressive rebounder in Hayes, and a complementary player in Swift- that can block shots, rebound, and help Tracy score- we could have a servicable-though not elite power forward tandem to really help Yao.
I was in the car listening to 610 and the actual audio of this interview. he sounded pretty frustrated.
i would add wesley to the list of possibles. i would also bet on recieving a 3rd scorer in the form of a guard.
Thats about the time the Bucks made their run and got back within a couple of points of the Rox. Guess JVG thinks that was partially poor transition D by Hayes, hey thats a coaches job especially with young players, how is Hayes supposed to get better.
I like JVG in many ways, but this bothers me. I think he is too rigid. Rudy was too loose, but the organization overcompensated. We need a more balanced approach. Some players just don't play well in an over mechanized system. There are so many variables not the least of which is injuries, but the team doesn't look "fluid," things just don't "flow." And the "motion," player and ball movement so common last year, has diminished, at least on offense.
That was the time, but I remember at that time being more angry at david wesley's poor play at the time. That's when DW proceeded to commit 2 fouls and a turnover in less than 4 minutes.
This is what im talking about. Hayes has given this team nothing but heart and hustle, and some great games to his ability, lots of rebounding and some defense, and all JVG can do is point out one mess up. Im tired of hearing his death quotes. Dang man say something about what he HAS done for once. At least admit that he helped the team win, but this is just nitpicking. The players are human beings not robot zombies.
