The bottom line is to get Battier, the Rockets had to get rid of Swift to match salaries. Also, they felt Swift wasn't going to be that power forward they thought he would be. If you are thinking they could of used trade exceptions instead of a player, the trade exceptions can't be used with a player. The two trade exceptions could of been combined together to get Battier individually but then a second trade would have to be Gay going for something, which didn't happen.
What would be funny is if this is what finaly lights a big fire in swift and he becomes a beast just out of the spite of being traded like this.
The problem with Swift is he might not know that he had caught fire and the beast is no where to be found. All I know about Swift is that he was late for practise, not once but twice. This really show whether he has a heart or fire in him to help the team to win. Maybe I am wrong but I don't think he will ever be a beast.
For anyone that thanks Stro got screwed because he took less money to come here last year think again. If Stro had not taken plays off and played up to his potential plus had half of a brain then not only would he have started last year but no way the Rockets would have traded him. If Stro had played up to just a fraction of his potential (which he did not) the Rockets would most certainly had to have kept him. It's Stro's fault for getting traded more than any ones.
To really break it down, its as if we never picked up an asset through free agency last offseason. JVG wanted him, then he didn't want him. The rockets gave up 3 1st round draft picks for Eddie Griffin and in the end basically flushed those assets down the towlet as well. How many asset hits can this franchise take. To give up Stro and Gay for Battier should have at least landed us an extra future 1st round draft pick. Don't be surprised to see Stromile playing along side Jason Kidd next season and watch the Logo get something nice in return.
i really liked swift when he played for us, despite his bad season he still showed promise and i think with yao and tracy healthy he would have flourished like he did in those 10 game stretch where yao and tmac played together... i hope the trade does get rescinded but i doubt it will be.
BASICALLY Stro took a deal from the Rockets that he WOULD NOT HAVE TAKEN FROM MEMPHIS "He also comes at a reasonable price -- a contract that pays $5.4 million for the 2006-07 season. Swift left Memphis last summer after five seasons partly because he sought a six-year contract averaging $10 million per season. The Griz had offered an incentive-laden deal worth $48 million before Swift entered his final season in Memphis." So . . .Memphis got him for less than or near what the offered him. Basically got him for what they wanted and the rockets made it possible If I were an Agent. . . . . I would serious be thinking the two managements worked to screw my client nothing provable. . . but I'd be kind of pissed too Rocket River
I bet the logo is going to get Richard jefferson. New jesery needs depth at the 4 position, thats something Memphis has right now. I bet jerry is gonna package mike miller, swift and sometihng else for richard jefferson.
Swift will have plenty of time to comprehend the move during one of the many occasions he finds himself stuck in traffic on the way to practice.
Wake up RR, It was the year previous to us signing stro that they offered him around 7 mil a year. Last offseason we were bidding against ourselves for stro. NO ONE ELSE! let me emphasize that again. NO ONE ELSE OFFERED STRO ANYTHING TANGIBLE! this in a year where backup centers were getting 10 million a year. The grizz had already determined that they no longer wanted stromile and were thanking their lucky stars that he didn't accept it. The only person who screwed stromile was himself, which I admit is hard to do, but when your head is already stuck up your ass it makes it much more possible.
Somone should tell Swift that we Rocket fans were not so thrilled with him either. We expected more from him, at least hustle and be professional. 2 weeks for pink eye...sheesh !!! Swift was a MAJOR disappointment. He is one of those classic cases of a player who is just happy to be in the league and making money. DD
I think you might be the one who needs to wake up. http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/Swift_Top_Story-147977-822.html
Stro thought he was going to get both the money and a free ride to a title or two.What an unprofessional @$$!
the nets targeted sharif abdul rahid the whole way and it wasn't until he failed his physical that they addressed stromile. Also IIRC the sonics made a half hearted pitch and could have been the front runners had they really wanted. When push came to shove, it was the rockets ball to drop the whole way. No team with cap room made a play for the man. that should speak volumes. Also, the team that had him signed and could re-sign him for more money made no attempt. that should be the final word.
Jim Jackson didn't bother turning up to the place the Rockets traded him to but the trade went through because the other team OK-ed it regardless.
Memphis could waive the physical, a la Jimmy Jackson to New Orleans. I firmly stand with those saying Stromile should kick himself over this. JVG didn't "want him then not want him" - JVG wanted him, and became sick with Stromile's disinterested attitude and lazy execution on the court. In particular, his very sloppy picks (rarely made contact with the defender), tendency to loose his man whenever he had to rotate on D (also done at half-speed), and the most apathetic rebounding possible. Guys like Hayes were busting their @ss on the court and showed heart even if they weren't getting the ball, so they took his minutes. That said, we kicked him out of bed for saltines. It's hard to believe that we couldn't have gotten a better return for him and Gay (who's a major risk to share Stromile's faults). I like Battier a lot, and would swap either player for him, but not both. But that's what happened. And I feel absolutely zero sympathy for Swift. Zero. I hoped he turn his career around with us, but he was the same loser he was in Tennessee. Evan
