I cant wait till we get someone, Swift would obviously be my choice. If the Hawks throw Max deal at JJohnson then our main competitior would be NY. Now, In NY Swift would have to play some minutes at the C for a weak Eastern Conference team, looks like we are gaining more chances to sign this kid. He can play I watched him play at LSU for a few and I know he can play and would fit our needs, a defensive minded athletic freak, lets say he is Hakim Warrick x 2.
I was being somewhat synical, but point taken... We are VERY fortunate at the C position. No question we are stronger at that position than any other team in the league! It only gets worse from the point when Deke retires (very soon). Deke was a crutch to Yao last year...
Dangit...and I thought I had a sense of humor! Really, though, this was more of a continuance of my original post in response to letting DEKE go. No way! Exactly!!
Lets hope that by then Yao will have improved enough that his backup wont be near as important as Deke currently is. re: Deke's gas in tank If you will recall...most folks had written him off as DONE last year. What did he show us about that? I saw it reported that Deke thinks he has at least 2 more years in him..as long as he is used the way he was used this past year...I dont see any reason why he couldnt last at least 2 more years..he is still in good shape...no major injuries lately to worry about... Now, Im not saying dont keep an eye out for a backup center starting next offseason so that we can make sure to find a good one that will fit in, but thephatp is right...we dont need to worry about that THIS YEAR...lets devote our attention to filling some other holes....we are ok at the 5 right now.
thanks for the video. the guy is extremely athletic and obviously has no fear of taking it hard to the rim. the question is can he put it on himself to have that intensity for 30 +minutes a night as opposed to the 10 he's probably given for the last five years. he could be UNBELIEVABLE under jvg if he buys into his goal. everyday i'm torn between who i want, i just hope we can sign someone soon.
If we sign Stromile Swift are we going to have enough money to bring back Mutumbo? He was a huge boost off the bench last season. I guess we could cut Weatherspoon or Moochie to help from paying too high a luxury tax??? I'm sure the Rockets have something up their sleeve. I loved Rudy, but have you actually sat back and realized how much this team has improved with new scouts and coaches. Of course, CD made his share of mistakes over the years, but I think he redeemed himself last season. Their overall evaluation of talent these days is much better than it has been in the last 5 or 6 years. It wouldn't surprise me for them to pull off a pretty sweet trade.
Something to remember about Swift. If a player is as good as advertise, the gm or coach either trades to open a spot up or finds a way to put the best player on the floor. When SAR was traded to Portland, he didn't come off the bench, they played him next to Zach. Whe Kobe was seen as the guy, La trade eddie jones. If Swift is as good as he think, why didn't jerry west trade Wright and force the coaches hand to play Swift?
Starting on a Lottery team doesn't always signify better value or fit than someone in the rotation of a playoff team. One of the people Swift backs up is the person MEM traded away Abdur-Rahim to get (Gasol). If you're going to play the "doesn't it tell you something" tune....doesn't it tell you something that Abdur-Rahim has never once been mentioned by a reliable source as a Rockets' target?
Starting on a Lottery team doesn't always signify better value or fit than someone in the rotation of a playoff team. One of the people Swift backs up is the person MEM traded away Abdur-Rahim to get (Gasol). If you're going to play the "doesn't it tell you something" tune....doesn't it tell you something that Abdur-Rahim has never once been mentioned by a reliable source as a Rockets' target? The Rockets have Mutombo's Early Bird Rights up their sleeves. And they aren't deep enough into LTax territory to worry. A few years ago, teams slightly over the LTax actually got money back when the tax was re-distributed.
I see Stromile Swift as a guy that is in it for the money with winning secondary. I would be shocked to see him sign with the Rockets if all they can offer him is the MLE.
I think it's safe to say the Rockets won't be able to sign Swift straight up w/ the MLE. A S&T is probably the only way to get him in a Rocket's uni next season.
I hope the Rockets aren't putting all of there chips in the Stromile Swift pot. Alot of free agents are signing contracts. Swift wants the money and the Rockets can't give it to him. I hope they are working on getting other players who can help the team. If they go into next season with the same team they won't do any better than this year. Maybe worse.
Aloe, they've been talking with Walker too, and while I don't particularly like Walker, I think our chances of acquiring him are pretty good. Outside of Boston (who just signed Scalabrine) and Chicago (who denied being interested), I haven't heard that we have much competition (although if someone recalls any Chronice quotes about other interested teams and can refresh my memory, I'd appreciate it.) I believe our chances of us getting one of Walker or Swift to be over fifty percent. But even if we don't get an expensive PF, I have faith that we can get a stop-gap measure on the cheap (like Brian Grant) and be in good position during the season to acquire talent with our expiring contracts.
Boston Globe reported that they believe Antoine Walker will be moved in a S&T, they didn't report any teams. The Knicks have expressed interest in Walker but Ainge said that a trade to a conference rival was unlikely. So lets see, Payton is not resigning with Boston so they need a veteran point guard on the last year of his contract. What teams can give back a good veteran point guard in the last year of his contract and have a need for a PF, anybody think the Portland Trailblazers would do this.
http://rockets.realgm.com/articles/63/20050709/swifts_new_home_in_houston_or_is_money_talking_/ Swift’s New Home In Houston, Or Is Money Talking? Marcus James - 9th July, 2005 4:28 PM Whether it’s playing for your favorite team while growing up, or playing for money, Stromile Swift has taken the Houston Rockets into deep consideration. Swift’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, told the local newspaper, the Houston Chronicle, that the 6-9 Power Forward has some interest in becoming apart of the Houston Rockets. The Rockets, who stand with nearly 5 million dollars to offer in the Free Agent market, have also contacted several players including Antoine Walker, Vitaly Potapenko, Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Donyell Marshall. Stromile Swift landed in Houston on Wednesday, and ended his meeting with positive information for Rockets’ fans. Stromile Swift has been interview by the New York Knicks and other team’s interested in services, which will remain confidential. He had the 2nd meeting with the Houston Rockets on Thursday. The Rockets have attempted all ways to get Stromile, but now it’s just up to him. Swift left the meeting on Wednesday saying, "A lot of times people say the dollars aren't important, but they really are," Swift said. "For me, I'm going to try to wait it out and weigh my options and see what's the best situation for me.” Meanwhile, he also mentioned that, "For me, I think that's something I want to be a part of, a winning team, and hopefully I can come in and add on to what they built here and try to help them try to bring home a championship. It would be a great opportunity for me to come in and play with guys of that caliber and just learn on the way while having fun." Swift admitted that he at first was going for the highest bidder, but a team like Houston always has to be taken into consideration, even if they money isn’t as satisfying as it would be on some other team. The Rockets are willing to open their wallet landing close, but not exactly, numbers that Swift desires, but it could depend on the status of the Memphis Grizzlies and what they want in return if a trade was to be made. People may think money is the difference, but there’s one other factor too, the deciding obstacle is one of Mark Bartelstein’s other clients, Antoine Walker. Is his willingness to accept less money than Swift, more cooperation in a deal with Boston than Memphis, and the fact that Walker is more proven than Swift going to persuade the Rockets?
It seems we are pursuing the hardest on a free agent who cares about money. SAR and AW can settle for MLE with a winning team.
