[Chron]Its Time for Swift to Shine

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/3539115.html

Considering he was the most ballyhooed of the Rockets' offseason transactions, Stromile Swift has yet to draw the spotlight.

The saga involving Tracy McGrady's ailing knee and balky back garnered a lion's share of early attention, as has the avalanche of injuries in the Rockets' backcourt — Bob Sura, then Rafer Alston, Jon Barry and Derek Anderson in succession.

Yao Ming absorbs some of the glare, a consequence that comes with being a 7-6 center representing the most populous country on the face of the planet.

As for Swift, the power forward's slow start drew the ire of some and initiated trade rumors. But Rockets fans have had more pressing issues.

And with Yao out for upward of six weeks following Monday's surgery to treat osteomyelitis in his left big toe, the brunt of expectations has landed squarely on Swift's shoulders.

How Swift performs with Yao sidelined will draw analysis and scrutiny.

"I'm just trying to pick up the slack," Swift said. "More rebounding, blocked shots — just be better defensively. Hopefully I can bring some offense, and hopefully we can keep it going. We've been playing really well together lately, so hopefully we can just keep it going."

The Rockets will be hard-pressed to keep pace with their recent 5-1 trip should Swift not make a leap forward. Offensively Swift had begun to show signs of life and, not coincidentally, his production spike coincided with the Rockets' five-game winning streak.

During the run of victories over Boston, Sacramento, Portland, Golden State and Seattle, Swift averaged 10.2 points and shot 55.5 percent (20-for-36). Additional minutes will come with Yao and Dikembe Mutombo, who suffered a dislocated and lacerated middle finger on his right hand Sunday against the Los Angeles Lakers, out of the mix. The Rockets expect Swift will boost his production.

The problem comes on the boards.

Swift has had just one double-digit rebounding performance this season, grabbing 12 boards against the Phoenix Suns on Nov. 23.

Little against the Lakers
In the last four games, Swift posted eight rebounds — and zero while starting for Yao against the Lakers.

Over the same four games, Swift corralled one offensive rebound in 77 minutes.

"When you're in a four-man rotation, you can live through the ups and downs and inconsistency of any player," Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "But you take two of those four out of that rotation, and you've got to be responsible to your team every night, not to play great — you can't totally control if you play great — but to be alert, aware, active, aggressive and play a hard, smart game. That's for everybody. It's nothing new.

"You have to be even more responsible to your team because there's less room for error. If he's not successful or not doing those things in a four-man rotation, that's like the other three guys — you can take one out and plug one in.

"When you're in a basic two-man rotation — him and Juwan (Howard), with Lonnie (Baxter) sort of trying to pick out a good matchup — you need to be accountable and responsible."

It remains to be seen whether Swift can help offset the loss of the 12.5 rebounds that Yao and Mutombo, who could miss at least a week of action, combined to average per game.

T-Mac to carry offense
At least one of Swift's teammates has volunteered to help.

"As long as I'm in that uniform and out on that court, we'll be fine," McGrady said. "Everything is on me, and I will lead these guys. I will get back to being the old Mac like I was in Orlando where I was basically just going out and averaging 30-something points.

"If I don't do that, we won't win. It's just plain and simple. With all those guys out, if I don't go out and if I do that, we won't win ballgames, so expect that."