Actually, consistency has nothing to do with stardom. Role players can be consistent, they are just not as talented as the stars. Juwan Howard is a very consistent player. That's why he, not Swift, is starting. If you are talking about shooting consistency, then nobody can shoot well every game, not even TMac. Heck, even Jordan had bad game shooting. But a solid all around player will do other things well even if his shots don't fall. Stro's problem with us so far is not his shooting. We don't expect him to be a great shooter. His problem is learning the defense. So far, he hasn't got it yet.
I agree with the sentiment that it's only been one game and that some folks may be overreacting just a tad but if one looked at the game with a dispassionate eye, there were definitely quite a few things that could be considered troubling if they continue happening into December. Specifically, I am referring to the performance of Swift or rather the quality of his performance. I recall the sheer elation around these parts when he was signed to the Rox because supposedly he was the missing piece we needed at the 4 spot and on paper at least, he did appear to be the real deal. He was to be the upgrade over JH that the Rox needed if they were to truly compete against the beasts in the West. But if he in fact WAS so good, then the question has to be asked as to why Memphis did the equivalent of kicking him to the curb. Given the reports of his play in preseason, where his level of play was up and down, what happened last night should not have surprised anyone. The fact that it's Howard who is still starting despite his limitations provides an indicator as to the fact that the PF position for the Rockets is far from being settled. This is not an attempt to dog out Howard because he is a steady player at the 4. I've posted before that he's an OK player to have in your rotation. But he is clearly not the answer at PF when you are looking to match up against the KGs, Duncans, Nowitzskis, Wallaces & (RIP) Stoudemires in this league. Swift is (or was) supposed to be that answer for the Rockets but it appears to not be the case (at least) so far. If, as has been posted here, that it will take a lot of JVG's coaching "magic" to transform him into the player he's supposed to be then I think that they (Rockets) will have opened themselves up to a good deal of second guessing and knee-jerking. I recall that last year it was the Mavericks taking the same leap of faith on Eric Dampier - who, on paper, appeared to be the answer to their long held problems at the center position. More than quite a few people were disappointed when Dampier returned to the form he showed for years at Golden State. I'm just hoping that Swift doesn't turn out the same way for us here in Houston.
Well, he had 6 points and 2 rebounds....which is only 3 points and 3 rebounds off his career average...in that light - it wasn't that inconsistent. I mean, do people really think Swift will get more then 10 points and 5 rebounds this season? Whatever.
Swift has been in the NBA 5 years! This wasn't his first NBA game. We can only hope he becomes as accomplished a player as Brad Miller. That said, it's early to compare him to the megabust named Dampier. For one thing, Dampier got 7yrs/$73MM, is 30 years old and he 6 more years to go on his contract. Swift is 25 and only has 4yrs/$22MM. We can unload our mistake if he turns out to be one or just keep him on the bench. If he opts out after 3 years, the cost is only $16MM.
Forget about what you didn`t see and think about what you did see. You saw someone in a Rockets uniform for the first time since the days of a young Hakeem that did not just slam the ball in the basket, but ferociuosly attacked the basket with speed, force, and agility from the baseline. The strongest reaction from the crowd came from that dunk! Besides, we didn`t see alot of things from alot of people last night. True, our hope can be that Van Gundy teaches Stromile positioning and spacing, but let`s also hope that Van Gundy does not kill the lethal weaponry of Stro`s game for the sole purpose of complying with JVG`S overly-stringent-in-the-box methodology that left us a gutted and bleeding corpse in Game 7 ay Alast year. I love informed and smart play, but I am prepared to campaign against basketball being treated like it is an intellectual exercise in nuclear physics. Listen my Clutch Fan friends, JVG is just as lucky to have the Rockets as the Rockets are to have JVG! Goooo STRO and keep slammin' until little man JVG is forced to like it because T-Mac, Yao, your other teamates, and the crowd will love it!!
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/pastorofmuppets/Rockets/FD004381wc.jpg" title="Cheese for your Whine">
Downtown: If Stro leans nothing, he will be a liabilty every single time he steps on the field. What you say is true: he's fun to watch. But who cares, if he hurts the team? You can't have a player who consistently blows defensive assignments. It's not permissible from anybody. Much less a player like Stromile Swift's, who's not more than average on his all-round offensive game.
exactly, I think one of my first posts was in the fire Gundy thread. We will all have a better idea of of what Swift is going to do for us down the road.
Well certainly it is a mistake to judge a person after one game, much less a "first" game. On the other hand I don't see a lot of people making excuses for the "first" game play of Anderson and Alston.
I told you so.... Look for him to have a big game soon, then 3 more duds and then miss some games due to injury before the New Year comes. He is what he is...sometimes it is good, sometimes it is average, sometimes it is bad.
This thread reminds me of about a year ago at this time when the Rockets struggled their first couple of weeks of the season and everyone, Orlando Magic fans and some Rockets fans, were coming on here and saying "See, I told you McGrady was selfish and wasn't a leader and couldn't win!" Within a month the Rockets were one of the hottest teams in the league. After one game you have bitter Rocket fans and Memphis fans coming out of the woodworks already trashing Swift. After ONE game.
That's because people are smart enough not to trash Anderson and Alston after their first games as Rockets. And yes it's their "first" game because they're playing for brand new teams.
I'm happy to have Stromile-good energy and his defense will improve. Anderson and Alston's passes were crisp and precise- both positions have improved.
yeah stop hatin', it's just one game and I can't imagine someone sayin' Stro and Bowen are equal...you crazy
I'm well aware of the one game only chorus. It is usually correct. I hope you guys are right. I remember being one of the only defenders of Kelvin Cato before his turnaround, so there is always hope. I guess I just believed the hype about Swift and did not realize he was such a project. So far I am worried about his rebounding, his defense and abiity to avoid fouling out. He hurried everything including wildly throwing up strange shots after offensive rebounds. He did do better in a couple of the pre-season games against mainly scrubs. Hey, at least he has better hands then Cato, though Cato was a tougher defender and rebounder and physically more imposing. Stromile did make a good pass or two. If Cato turned around, there is still hope for Stromile. Another worry is that he may be sort of a tweener-- too slight for power forward or center, with not enough skills for sf.
The problem is Stro needs to start. He needs to get starter minutes. Get him out there in the action right away so he can get a flow. Juwon is a veteran and should be better able to handle coming off the bench. I know he likes to start but it's all about team right?
Yes, it's all about the team, which is why Stro isn't starting now. It's really all about winning, so Stro won't start until he plays better.
