cavs are still after a pf. they're chasing udonis haslem. they can offer more money than the rox but they are reportedly after a pg as well.
from gucci888: Possibly. On the other hand the offer itself gives leverage to Stro to ask for 7-8 mil. a year in a S&T which he IMHO doesn't deserve, but there may be some team willing to do it. I know the majority here think SAR's not an option, but most were also saying he was all about the money, and that's been proven false. I hope he does visit here, and I hope we still have a shot at him.
Didn't see this posted: A Stromile Swift Signing Would Complete The Rockets Line-Up David Christopher - 12th July, 2005 2:11 PM In the summer of 1996, after coming home with another Olympic gold medal, Charles Barkley was traded to the Houston Rockets for Robert Horry, Sam Cassell, Chucky Brown, and Mark Bryant. The move placed three future hall of famers in the Rockets starting lineup and gave them a significant shot at the title. Had it not been for a Karl Malone bear-hug-pick on Mario Elie and a John Stockton buzzer beater, the Rockets may have reached their goal and given fans one of the most epic NBA finals of all time with the Rockets going head to head with the Chicago Bulls. Nine years later, the Rockets find themselves looking for another power forward to push them towards their goal of a third championship. While the Rockets are certainly a different team, now anchored by the youthful Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, many believe they are an athletic forward away from being a title contender. With a signing of Stromile Swift, while by no means is at the level of the “round mound of rebound”, the Houston Rockets will put themselves in position to once again challenge for an NBA championship. In all of Jeff Van Gundy’s interviews since the Rockets’ playoff exit he has made the point that Houston is in the precarious position where if they stand pat they will lose ground, but if they make a move and ruin the chemistry the team developed late in the season it could be even more detrimental. But to win a championship you have to gamble, you must take risks. Stromile Swift is definitely in that category. Stromile Swift was chosen with the second pick by the Vancouver Grizzlies in 2000 and to this point in his career has failed to live up to his draft number. In five seasons in the NBA he has averaged just nine points and five rebounds a game. But what is attrating the Rockets the most was the dreaded "p" word that has made so many players before attractive: potential. While he has only averaged nine points and five rebounds, he has only averaged 21 minutes a game as well. The Rockets believe that given more time he could possibly double his output. In Memphis he played behind Pau Gasol, the tall, whiney version of Hayden Christensen. In Houston he would more than likely start of Juwan Howard and have the responsibility of making up for the toughness and athleticism that Yao Ming currently lacks, which could make the duo a potent combination. With a frontline of Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming, and Stromile Swift, along with the depth that Mike James, Bobby Sura, Luther Head, Juwan Howard, and possibly Dikembe Mutombo and Jon Barry bring, the Rockets would have a solid chance to reclaim the glory that “The Dream” once brought the city of Houston. But destiny is not a matter of chance, it’s a matter of choice, and if Houston is to reach the pinnacle, they will need their players to live up to the “potential” that others have seen in them. Especially Stromile Swift… Send comments/questions to dcs_realgm@yahoo.com
link for the above http://rockets.realgm.com/articles/...t_signing_would_complete_the_rockets_line-up/
from ESPN Rumor Central: Swift fits in Houston <Jul. 12> The Nets are planning to meet with Stromile Swift today, reports the New York Daily News. While Shareef Abdur-Rahim seems to be the team's top choice to fill the power forward spot, they can't afford to wait for Abdur-Rahim's decision as he continues to meet with other teams. Swift has already met with the Rockets and came away impressed, the Houston Chronicle reported. "They have a good team, a good coaching staff," Swift said. "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."
Swift's not being very 'swift' about this decision. Can't say I blame him, but still. C'mon, 'slowmile,' quit being a tease.
If he knows the worse he can do is the MLE, there is no reasone why he would rush into anything. Only good things could happen if he waits.
That was a good article. If I were Swift, I would want to play and be apart of this championship team. Yao and Tmac both talked to him..butttttt money would be more important. But hopefully miraculously Swift signs with us..I think he would make us one of the top teams in the league
it's probably not good that swift hasn't given his decision yet since we've already offered, BUT since no other PF's have signed it's not too surprising i'm sure they are all waiting for the first one to fall then find what their value will be. i still don't see someone who actually needs Stro's services providing a contract worth more than $6-7 million a season.
in the meantime, is CD just sitting on his ass or is he gonna go find us a PG or SG? I don't mean to be rude to Dawson, but if swift is taking his sweet time, shouldn't we hear something about CD talking to other PFs or even some backcourt players? Like, say, Antonio Daniels? (i don't care if the Lakers are "targeting" him. it's not over til it's over) I just dont' want the rockets to just put all their eggs into the Stromile Swift basket and end up with nothing after the offseason
I figured that if we've offered the full MLE to Swift, most of the backcourt players that we would be able to afford with our LLE and the minimum will probably be around after Swift makes his decision anyway. I would imagine that right now CD's looking into out backup plan in case Swift goes somewhere else. I'd imagine that would be either Marshall or Walker. Or at least that's what I'd be doing...
Absolutely. After Swift, I would be talking with SAR/Portland 1st, Walker/Boston 2nd and Marshall 3rd. Since we have not seriously talked to SAR or brought him here, probably the best is for him to go to NJ to take them out of the picture. But any of these guys who help us far more than AD would considering we have Sura/James/Head. The only reason I talk to AD/Seattle is to see if they want to do a S&T with James or Sura. Actually not even then, because James might be needed with a S&T to Boston for Walker. Until this PF thing settles we can't do a lot.
Like I said b4, i dont know why, but SAR isnt being mentioned and he is clearly the best fit from a offensive cohension point of view. How many teams could put out a lineup in which 3 guys could get you 25 every night. How many teams could line up and play hi-lo like the rox could with Yao and SAR? Swift is what gets gm's fired because of his "P". If the Rox don't get who they're going after of, there are quality guys that will be availible.
We have expirings and our MLE to work with. It's obvious that our top priority is a quality 4 to play alongside Yao and TMac. When that deal goes through, it will be accompanied or included with deals for a swingman and backcourt help. Imagine this: S&T with Swift and JWill coming to Houston for a either Sura/Wesley/Moochie and Spoon/Baker plus our 2006 #1. Then Memphis dumps Bonzi. The market for Bonzi will probably be pretty weak. He may not even command the whole MLE. So, we offer him $20 mill over 4 years or whatever and all of a sudden your starting 5 is JWill Bonzi TMac Yao Swift with a bench of JB Deke Howard Bowen Hayes Sura etc. That's a much improved team. Chemistry isn't an issue as long as we have the little pale general prowling the sidelines. I ain't even worried about Bonzi and JWill blowing this team up. Won't happen. They'll either play their role or they get shipped out. We may even be able to package JWill and another expiring to somewhere like Minny for one of their contracts and Cassell or whatever. We still have some expirings to offer to Seattle for a S&T Daniels. Wouldn't that be nice? Daniels Bonzi TMac Yao Swift Tall, long, quick, athletic combined with Tall huge massive Jolly Red Giant and a killer bench. Everybody can defend and score and the perimeter can shoot and dribble drive. Swift can clean up the garbage, and hit the 17 footer. (Yes, he can hit that shot.)
