Sorry, I meant, Condensed, Synopsised text recap, please. Thanks again in advance. This way, the people who want to listen to the aforementioned horrible interview can do so, since the downloads are limited.
any one still on 610? a lot about the Rockets. Probably no more signings coming They don't see anything else they really want. Jon Barry is back and will be resigned. Maybe something for the 1.7 LLE. nothing big or really new for that matter ,but just stateing what I heard. It was Lance from the Morning Crew
Thanks http://s49.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1PXZ617IQ0P490FQTXBJ31RJX5 6.79 MB Red Stone Red Stone Red Stone Red Stone Red Stone Red Stone Red Stone Red Stone....
Interview between Mark Vandermeer (610 am radio) and Stromile Swift (newly-signed power forward for the Houston Rockets). Tuesday, August 2, 2005 Mark: How do you feel about signing with the Rockets? It's a very exciting day - give me your impressions about the team. Swift: I'm excited. I'm just ready to get started. Mark: When the offseason began, how badly did you want to play with T-Mac and Yao and be part of this team? Swift: It was exciting for me. That was a big part of my decision - just being able to come here and team up with Tracy and Yao. I believe when I come here I can complement those guys very well. That was a big part of my decision. Mark: You know, Juwan Howard is still a big part of this basketball team, how do you think you're gonna fit in with the Rockets - what do see your role being with the club in 2005 - 2006? Swift: Right now, I don't know what my role is. I don't know what's going to happen with Juwan right now. Hopefully I can come in and bring some athleticism, shot-blocking and just get the fans excited, and if that's coming off the bench or starting, that's what I want to do. Mark: How will you help Yao Ming when you're on the floor? Talk about when the two of you are going to be out there together, what it's going to be like for Rockets fans to watch. Swift: I think Yao draws a lot of attention on offense, so guys are going to try to double-team him, and then hopefully I can be there to get his back, get offensive rebounds, and things like that, and he can do the same for me. So, I think we'll complement each other well. Mark: How much did T-Mac have to do with you coming to the rockets? Did you talk to him much and get his impressions of what it was like to play here? Swift: Yeah, I talked to him a couple of times and he said that if I wanted to come here and learn the game of basketball, come here and win games and be coached, then this was the place, and he said that they could realy use a player of my status there. That was very nice to hear, and that kinda helped me out a lot, too. Mark: What's been missing for you personally and individually playing with the Grizzlies? What are you looking to improve in your own individual game as you become a member of the Rockets? What do you want to see change for you? Swift: Really, just be more of a part of the situations on the floor. Be more a part of the team, and just be around good guys and be in a good atmosphere. In my game, I would like to improve my rebounding, one-on-one defensive stance, my jumpshots... my all-around game. I just hope to improve that and be able to come here and help this team win. Mark: What are your impressions of Jeff Van Gundy so far, and I imagine shopping around around for a team to play for when you're a free agent - the coach has to have a great effect on whether or not you're going to sign. What to you think of coach Van Gundy so far? Swift: I've heard a lot of different things about coach Van Gundy, but for me, the coaching issue wasn't a big issue for me because I feel that... a lot of guys say that Van Gundy is hard and he's a tough guy to play for, but I've played for Hubie Brown for 2 1/2 years and I felt like, if I could play for Hubie, I don't think it could get any worse than that. Mark: How shocked were you guys with the Grizzlies when you found out that Hubie Brown was coming to coach? It must have been a real shocker to get the news that somebody that age was going to be taking over... somebody you were very familiar with watching on television, and you knew he was a great coach at one point. But that had to be amazing. Swift: At that time, I didn't really know him as a coach. I just knew him as an announcer. I'd seen him announce the games and I watched him and had seen how much he knew about the game. When he got there, it was a really tough adjustment to adjust to how he wanted things. It was tough at first, but once everybody got to know him, and he got to know everybody, it was pretty easy. It was smooth. He was very well prepared, and all the guys loved to play for him. Mark: Tell me about playing in Memphis, because you are coming to an NBA town, a team that has tradition, a team that has won championships, with very high expectations from the fans. What was it like being in Memphis? And, it's gotta be a real breath of fresh air to come here to Houston. Swift: In Memphis, we really didn't have a history there, in NBA basketball. But here in Houston, people are excited. They expect greater things. They expect more wins. They just expect more. And from what I hear, the fans are great here, so I'm just excited about coming, and I can't wait to get started. Mark: Where are you headed right now, and when will you move here, and what will you do between now and training camp? Swift: Right now, I have to go back to Memphis, get my stuff out of there and put my house up for sale. I'm headed back to Louisiana right now to visit with my family and then I'm going to Miami and I'll be working out there. I think the Rockets are going to send someone to start working out with me in Miami and I'll be there, probably, until training camp. Mark: Have they given you some specific physical goals to achieve (weight and that kind of thing) before you get to training camp? Swift: No. Not yet. Mark: Thanks so much for spending some time with us and congratulations on becoming a Rocket - we look forward to seeing you Swift: Thank you.
thanks for the recap... wow, i am really excited. It seems like Stro is really embracing his new start and eager to get started. Man, the season cant come soon enough!!!!
Thanks for the great post Droxford! I'm still amazed at how the addition of just 1 guy can potentially mean so much for the Rockets.
