Well there's no crime in him being a lesser player than Pau ... But I agree with the rest of the points in your post. I don't think Stro is worth much more than the MLE(slightly more, but the probable hassles of having to give up more in a sign and trade deal make him worth the MLE for the rox). And I am dissappointed that the rox haven't made a stronger push for SAR.
CD in beginning of article says it's not because we weren't #1 on list..so that means we are #1 on his list? IT sounds like he wants to play here..but then he wants money too. It's cool that everyone's calling him and telling him to play here. Do you think people do that in NY? Like fans and other players..okay probably But yeah I really want Swift. Swift and Finley or Simmons would be awesome.
Hello, kindred spirit. Though I'd choose swift and simmons #1. It would be all too unreal if our summer produced a potential lineup of head, mcgrady, simmons, swift, and yao.
You left one of your body parts on the Rockets starting lineup. Rockets "hope" he will be part of the rotation and you are anointing him as the starting point guard? He is not even a point guard and you want him to play the most difficult position in the league--point guard aka general--as a roookie? OK
People who are showing Swift's numbers and comparing them to Mutombo and using that as a reason that he isn't that good need to remember, Jermaine O'Neal was in the same situation as Swift and exploded on the scene at about the same age.
"Potential Lineup" was the buzzphrase in my post, fan. If Luther came to start for the Rockets at any point next season, that would either mean a serious and sad avalanche of injuries was hampering our playoff hopes, or he was on track to win rookie of the year in a remarkable turn of events. If simmons and swift were to join our squad, I simply could imagine that potential lineup playing together. I wasn't speaking on starting. It would be a young and talented squad to say the least for the future.
I assume you are talking about me since I posted Deke's stats. I was actaully kind of doing the opposite in response to a few that are arguing against Swift basing it only on his numbers from last season. My point being that, as a backup to a team's one or two best players, your numbers are not always the most telling aspect to judge. I think most of us love what Deke did for the team last season, but his overall stats don't reflect how good he was. I'm not arguing for or against Swift because there really isn't an "ideal" fit that is available to the Rockets. Though, I think Swift can flourish under JVG and playing along side Yao & TMac. But, like I said earlier in the thread, you can't look strictly at the numbers when talking about him.
If you don't think he is a starter then you shouldn't put him on the same list as the other 4 starters. I'd put James, Sura or whoever we might sign in front of Head
i think in 30+ minutes a night would put the stro show to about 14 ppg, 8 rpg, & 2 bpg. that's all we really need at the PF position. as far as the money goes, the knicks have the higgest payroll in the league so there is no way they can offer him more than us. plus, with all the PF's in NY he wouldn't get nearly the playing time he would in houston. i know $ is very important to players and i'm glad stromile was at least honest about that but i know players also care A LOT about playing time and he would definitely get more in houston than in NY.
What if Swift did a sign and trade with the Knicks, say at 7 or 8 Mil. How would that compare (in terms of cost of living) to the MLE in Houston?
no, there isn't - and again, I like Stro' for MLE too - but my point about Gasol, was that they drafted Gasol the year after taking Stro with the 2nd pick (like the Hawks taking Williams this year). Generally speaking, when you take a player with the second pick - you don't usually look to add that position again with the 3rd pick the following year ... of course Jerry West has done some idioic things with that team - in my opinon (even though some have panned out)
the only bad move i would say was giving Brian Cardinal the full MLE, eveything else worked out pretty well.
No problem. I'm not gung ho about Stomile, but I see hope, and again the Rockets need somebody because of JHo's health concern's and Mark Madsen ain't gonna cut it. And besides, Swift didn't always play PF in those 7 games. Let's take a closer look at those 7 games (all this comes from the recaps..I know they suck but that's the best thing available for non NBA personel who have game film and stuff): November 3, 2004 Season Opener Grizzlies lose 103-91 to Washington Swift starts at center, plays 33 minutes, goes for 15 and 8 with 4 blocks on 7 of 15 shooting. Michael Ruffin goes for 6 and 11 with 7 blocks. Eh, Swift did alright there: playing out of position, getting four blocks and 8 boards and scoring okay. Ruffin wasn't dominating or anything and the 7 blocks ain't Swift's fault. The Grizz were up and blew a big lead late. November 19, 2004 at the Kings. Grizz lose 107-105 Swift comes off the bench for 30 minutes, scoes 23 on 9 of 11 shooting, grabs 4 boards and blocks a shot. He played mostly center b/c LWright only played 18 minutes while Gasol and Battier logged 34 and 32 respectively. I don't know if Swift guarded Webber or Brad Miller, and it would be nice to know because while Webber went off for 31, 12, and 7 and shooting 14-24, Miller was a pedestrian 2-10 for 8 points and 3 boards. November 20, 2004 at the Warriors. Grizz win 100-87 Swift starts at PF for an injured Gasol, goes for 20 points, 12 boards, and 2 blocks on only 6-17 shooting, but he's aggresive and gets to the line 10 times, hitting 8 of em. Now was Swift guarding Troy Murphy who went for 27 and 14 on 11-15 shooting or did he guard Cliff Robinson who went 1-6 for 2 points and a 1 rebound. Whatever the case, the AP article is titled Swift Carries Grizzlies Past Warriors and here's the opening paragraph: Stromile Swift is making the most of his opportunities. Swift made his second start of the season a pivotal one, scoring 20 points and grabbing 12 rebounds as the Memphis Grizzlies posted a 100-87 triumph over the Golden State Warriors. January 25, 2005 vs the Magic. Grizz win 95-83 Swift goes for 18 and 9 with 3 blocks on 8-16 shooting in place of an injured Gasol. It's a safe assumption to say he matched up against Dwight Howard, who went for 6 and 8 on 1-4 shooting. Game stuff:"Stromile stepped in and did a great job," Magic center Tony Battie said. "You're supposed to be on the bench licking your chops, ready to go in. I'm glad to see he did that, not for us, but for him." Swift had 18 points and nine rebounds while blocking three shots, including two in the latter stages of the fourth quarter. "I thought they'd start trying to take some jump shots, but they kept coming at me," Swift said. "I saw they were coming at me, so I started trying to block shots and change shots." "Stromile had some huge defensive plays late in the game that looked like baskets for them and turned out to be baskets for us," Grizzlies coach Mike Fratello said. January 31, 2005 Grizz win at New Orleans 98-91 Swift goes for 19 and 5 on 5-8 shooting, but gets to the line hitting 9 of 9. He starts for an injured Gasol. Rodney Rogers goes for 13 and 10 on 5-7 shooting. It doesn't look like he did a good job on D, but it was also a game where Swift had a bad 1st half and good 2nd half, scoring 14 of his 19 points there. The 2nd half is also when the Grizz pulled away. Game stuff:Swift scored his most points since November 20 and did not commit a foul or turnover in the second half after collecting three fouls and two turnovers in the opening half. "We need (Swift) to come up big," Fratello said. "It's easy to figure out that we need him, with his scoring and rebounding. He had a great second half and I left him out there because he stayed out of foul trouble." February 3, 2005. Grizz lose 106-103 to the Clippers in Memphis. Swift starts for injured Gasol, goes for 13 and 5 with 4 blocks on only 2 of 11 shooting, but gets to the line for 9-12. Elton Brand goes for 17 and 11 on 6 of 13 shooting, eh those are Brand numbers. All the article talked about was Jaric and Bobby Simmons going crazy hitting jumpers and rallying the Clippers from an 18 point 2nd half defecit. February 11, 2005. Grizz beat Portland in Memphis, 88-82. Swift starts, goes for 23 and 8 with 3 blocks. 7-15 shooting and 9 of 10 from the line. Theo Ratliff had 4 points, 12 boards, and 8 blocks. -------------------- Okay, what have I learned? Well, again, this is just a small sampling, but while Stromile Swift isn't a Defensive turnstile (because I've shown that dharocks' stats were deceiving), he isn't a stud on D either. Some games Stars did what they did (Brand, CWebb, though Swift played Center that game and guarded BMiller) and other games role players did what they did. What we can see from the games though is that Swift is swift...really. If you look at his poor shooting games (which would hint that he lacks post moves and maybe falls in love with the J too much), Swift has shown the ability to get to the line..a lot! a la Amare. 9, 10, 12 times. That is a major asset, and I think it's fair to assume that the guy faces up the slower defender and blows buy him with his quickness. Another thing we can see is that when Swift gets time, he produces: getting to the line, or scoring points. I mean he does average 47%, so for every poor shooting game he has, he comes back with a good one. Mainly, Swift can block shots better than most PF's in the league. I'd say it's fair to have him average over 2 blocks per game if he played 35 minutes, and that would put him in the NBA's top 10 blockers. And of course his rebounding needs work. His numbers aren't terrible, but they are bad. Even with 35 minutes a game, he gets 7 boards. But again, we hope that if he's a Rocket, JVG can help him improve his boards and his blocking (which is already good) and his D. JVG turned Cato and Yao into the best interior % D in the League. I believe that with Swift, the Rockets can have that #1 inside D again.
nice post, w/ good info. Stro wouldnt be so bad. I still think we would need a Center when/if Deke retires.
I shouldn't put him on the same list as 4 other starters? Is this a rule in the FAQ I've missed? I can totally respect a differing viewpoint, but to say I "shouldn't put him on the same list as the other 4 starters" like it's gospel? Should I run all my posts by macfan before submitting? I'll wait for clutch's ruling on this. Please hate elsewhere until then. To further explain, the potential of a head, tmac, simmons, swift, and yao lineup at any given time in the future I think would be a bright prospect. That's all. A young and talented lineup bursting with potential. This has nothing to do with naming a "starting" lineup.
Kim, excellent post. You pretty much covered it all, and with the proof of his stats, it shows that when he does get time, he produces. Regarding the FT's attempts, I absolutely agree with your assesment. He's basically a very poor man's version of Amare Stoudemire. A poor rebounder for a guy of his size and athleticism, average defender, great shot blocker. Offensively, he has limited post moves, but gets to the line, because like Amare, his primary offensive move is driving from the FT line in to the basket. For the MLE, I would be ecstatic to land this guy.
I am not telling you what to write. I was just pointing out something that didn't make any sense whatsoever. The list you mentioned (head, swift, yao, simmons, tmac) would be more appropriate as one of those SAT questions: "Which of the following does not belong?" The potential of the players you mentioned would be really good, but the potential of the last 4 and anybody other than Head woudl be a lot better.
