http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/3398462 Swift shines in no time Rockets forward displays talent, but has durability issue By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle SAN ANTONIO - Stromile Swift had swatted away a Tim Duncan jumper. He had knocked down his first shot in a Rockets uniform. He had gone up and over Sean Marks to throw down a dunk that he made look as though he had bounced on one of those mascot trampolines. By then, Spurs forward Robert Horry, savvy veteran that he is, got the idea the kid could play a little. So Horry, with the ball in the lane, went up for a fadeaway hook shot that seemed only within Yao Ming's reach — if Yao had a ladder. Swift went up and got that one, too, smacking it back as easily as he did everything else in a spectacular first-half debut and sending a strong message that the Rockets had been changed on their way to a 95-87 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday. The Rockets moved to 3-0 in the preseason. But beyond the win, with Swift making an impressive first impression, Houston sports had for the day fittingly become all about its Stros. That's why he's here "It was very exciting to see," said Rockets forward Tracy McGrady, who left the game after a first-half collision but was not hurt. "Very athletic. Very talented. Some of the things he was doing out there, I was saying to myself, 'That's why we brought him here.' " After sitting out the first two Rockets preseason games with a bruised left forearm, Swift came off the bench late in the first quarter, offering one sensational moment after another, scoring 11 of his 15 points in the first half. Swift hit a foul-line jumper on his first shot, drew a charge, and threw down a dunk that was only uncontested because he outjumped the reach of the defense. He blocked a Duncan jump shot 15 feet from the basket and after Dikembe Mutombo blocked a Rasho Nesterovic drive, smacked away Duncan's attempt at a follow. He offered one more display of the rare athletic ability that made him the Rockets' top free-agent priority when McGrady lobbed a fast-break pass toward the rim, where Swift grabbed it, turned and laid it in all while seemingly standing on air. "Like most players, some good some bad," Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "Certainly, his ability to cover ground in a couple sequences was very impressive. His conditioning has a long way to go. We have to make sure we can get him in great shape and the only way to do that is to keep him on the floor in games and practices." Is he tough enough? Swift had to leave the floor when he was hit in the jaw by a Duncan elbow and immediately asked to come out of the game. He held the jaw for several possessions before the Rockets pulled him from the game after 11 minutes on the court. "It's important that he be durable," Van Gundy said this week of Swift's reputation for not playing with nagging injuries. "His career has not gone the way he wanted it to. If he wants to have more success, he has to go about things differently. "All those things could have been legitimate injuries. But you can't play well if you're not on the floor. Everybody in this league has to figure out how to play well when you don't feel well. You're not going to feel great in this league. It's a grind. Everybody figures out there's a difference between being sore and being hurt." Swift played Saturday with a thick pad protecting his forearm, but said he was concerned with playing poorly in the first two preseason games. "I didn't want to go out there and not be able to do the things that I do," Swift said. "I just tried to give myself a little time to heal so I can go out and perform at least halfway decent. "It's a little bit (sore), but it's nothing I can't play through. If I can't play with it, I won't."
Swift shines in no time Rockets forward displays talent, but has durability issue By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle -------------------------------------------------------------------------- SAN ANTONIO - Stromile Swift had swatted away a Tim Duncan jumper. He had knocked down his first shot in a Rockets uniform. He had gone up and over Sean Marks to throw down a dunk that he made look as though he had bounced on one of those mascot trampolines. By then, Spurs forward Robert Horry, savvy veteran that he is, got the idea the kid could play a little. So Horry, with the ball in the lane, went up for a fadeaway hook shot that seemed only within Yao Ming's reach — if Yao had a ladder. Swift went up and got that one, too, smacking it back as easily as he did everything else in a spectacular first-half debut and sending a strong message that the Rockets had been changed on their way to a 95-87 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday. The Rockets moved to 3-0 in the preseason. But beyond the win, with Swift making an impressive first impression, Houston sports had for the day fittingly become all about its Stros. That's why he's here "It was very exciting to see," said Rockets forward Tracy McGrady, who left the game after a first-half collision but was not hurt. "Very athletic. Very talented. Some of the things he was doing out there, I was saying to myself, 'That's why we brought him here.' " After sitting out the first two Rockets preseason games with a bruised left forearm, Swift came off the bench late in the first quarter, offering one sensational moment after another, scoring 11 of his 15 points in the first half. Swift hit a foul-line jumper on his first shot, drew a charge, and threw down a dunk that was only uncontested because he outjumped the reach of the defense. He blocked a Duncan jump shot 15 feet from the basket and after Dikembe Mutombo blocked a Rasho Nesterovic drive, smacked away Duncan's attempt at a follow. He offered one more display of the rare athletic ability that made him the Rockets' top free-agent priority when McGrady lobbed a fast-break pass toward the rim, where Swift grabbed it, turned and laid it in all while seemingly standing on air. "Like most players, some good some bad," Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "Certainly, his ability to cover ground in a couple sequences was very impressive. His conditioning has a long way to go. We have to make sure we can get him in great shape and the only way to do that is to keep him on the floor in games and practices." Is he tough enough? Swift had to leave the floor when he was hit in the jaw by a Duncan elbow and immediately asked to come out of the game. He held the jaw for several possessions before the Rockets pulled him from the game after 11 minutes on the court. "It's important that he be durable," Van Gundy said this week of Swift's reputation for not playing with nagging injuries. "His career has not gone the way he wanted it to. If he wants to have more success, he has to go about things differently. "All those things could have been legitimate injuries. But you can't play well if you're not on the floor. Everybody in this league has to figure out how to play well when you don't feel well. You're not going to feel great in this league. It's a grind. Everybody figures out there's a difference between being sore and being hurt." Swift played Saturday with a thick pad protecting his forearm, but said he was concerned with playing poorly in the first two preseason games. "I didn't want to go out there and not be able to do the things that I do," Swift said. "I just tried to give myself a little time to heal so I can go out and perform at least halfway decent. "It's a little bit (sore), but it's nothing I can't play through. If I can't play with it, I won't." jonathan.feigen@chron.com
Swift definatley can provide the athleticism the Power Forward position has been lacking. I was IMPRESSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Further Update: ROCKETS SUMMARY McGrady not hurt Rockets forward Tracy McGrady left Saturday's game late in the first half after he tried to draw a charge on Spurs rookie Sharrod Ford. Ford's right knee caught McGrady in the abdomen. After spending several minutes on the floor, McGrady went to the locker room. The Rockets said he could have played in the second half. McGrady had 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting, with three assists in 18 minutes. "It's good," McGrady said. "I got the wind knocked out of me. I got a little nauseous. Coach knew I was cool. He just decided to sit me down." Rockets center Yao Ming sat out Saturday's game because of soreness after the toenail fell off his left big toe Friday. *Phew*
Good to have him on board. Now it's time to muster up all our strength for the regular season, and kick some ass!
*Phew* is right. I believe the most impressive aspect of tonight's game is that we were able to hold onto the lead during the 2nd half and win the game without our 2 superstars. That has impressed me the most out of everything tonight. The Rockets were..........*gasp* actually watchable without Tracy McGrady in the game! I knew this day would come sometime. Yes, I know it was just a pre-season game.
The article is right on. Swift just needs to work on being reliable and needs to toughen up mentally. If JVG and Tmac can make him work on those 2 aspects, Yao-Tmac-Swift will be the best trip in the league for next couple of years.
Everytime he was lined up at the freethrow line waiting to try to grab a board, you could see how tired he was, he was breathing very heavy, I hope that doesnt cause a problem. I thought his performance was great, added exactly what we needed from the 4. I just hope he gets conditioned and can play heavy minutes if needed.
JVG and SS comments confirm what we have heard about him, soft and won't play with pain or injuries. I'm glad we have the depth at PF this year because I don't think he can average 30-35 mpg over the course of an NBA season. He is quite a talent so if he can average 24mpg he'll help this team.
I dont think there is any question that 'durability' is an issue with Swift. But I have a hunch that Tmac/JVG will push Swift more than he has ever been pushed before. I know that Swift has been coached by Hubie/Fratello, but for some reason I think Tmac/JVG will be able to push Swift farther. I think the peer pressure of someone of the stature of Tmac will be big for Swift. We know Tmac has bought into JVG's system. And I think Tmac will push Swift to buy into it as well and push him farther than he thought he would go. Man, from reading all the reports about the game I really am sorry I wasnt able to see it. Sounds like QUITE a debut for Swift! I noticed on my NBA League Pass channels that the Rockets/Seattle game is showing on the TEAM 2 channel on Monday so I will be watching.
What you see is what you get, and that's a good thing from what the Rockets have had at the 4 position. The question is whether JVG can push this guy to another level. To me this guy is a clone of Amare Stoudamire in terms of talent. He can be as good or even better than Stoudamire, but he just lacks to many qualities that you need to be a superstar. This guy has unbelieveable talent and it's ashame that the fans want get to see it unleashed.
Swift was awesome, it just that he could do that night in and night out, and play good minutes, we will have another all star.
That frontline if they click give me chills. It has to be probably the best front line since Bird-McHale-Parrish. And if we can get the same success they did I would be quite a happy camper. Man this season is going to be Friggin Sweet
I thought it was excellent how after Swift got elbowed by Deke and kept looking at JVG and signalling that he wants to come out... but JVG just stood there with his arms crossed with his pouting look. Swift was breathing extremely hard and was walking up court on offense and he kept motioning that he NEEDS to come out but JVG didn't budge until finally swift just couldn't make another step lol. THAT is what Swift needs to fufill his potential. Once he learns that JVG won't fall for any soft mentality out there, he will give up on trying to persuade the coach to get a rest because he knows it won't happen. I just think he got so used to doing that in memphis and getting away with it it has just became a bad habit. That's about to change.
I hope you're right, and think you might be. I noticed one play when the Spurs got out in transition and it was 3on1 with only McGrady back. At the end of the play (TMac fouling the shooter) it looked like he was b****ing at Swift for being slow to get back with him. I like how Van Gundy wouldn't take him out right away for the jaw thing too. Suck it up big guy. I love what I see so far! And Howard is still doing well so it's not like Stro is a make or break thing for us.
Some other posters have alluded to it, I think the best thing Swift showed was that we can have Yao/Juwan or both out and still have some threat in the post on offense. I was really jazzed that Swift was able to log solid minutes playing C with Juwan on the floor as well. Everytime Swift made a play I was calling someone to say "HOLY SH*@^%T! We got this guy for the MLE???" I know, I know, it's a preaseason game, but he was looking good against the best in the game.
