He ain't getting paid to solve world peace or find a cure for cancer. He's paid to block shots and rebound.
Besides the other plusses about Swift that have been pointed out here, one of the biggest is that Yao won't have to wear himself out doing something he just doesn't have the quickness and stamina to do... dash out on rotations to cover a perimeter threat. Yao gave it his best, but was clearly unsuited for the role. Swift will be able to do that in spades. It's one of the things on the defensive end that has me the most excited. He's tall and amazingly quick. Perimeter threats are going to lose their "free ride." Open looks will be much harder to come by. He is going to have a major impact on this team.
<b> with no changes ... </b>Actually, if he even does what he did in Memphis, he'd be a very welcome addition to our team. We already have 2 superstars. Even though Swift was projected to be one himself, we really don't need another one. We need what he brings. His athleticism, his dunks, his blocks, his power ... he just flat strengthens the PF position, which was so weak. He CAN guard other major PFs better than Howard. He's not better than Gasol, their best player, NBA rookie of the year, who plays the same position? Who cares? It's not much a question of if he will fulfill all his original potential, but if he can do what he did in Memphis for more minutes on this team.<br> <b>his attitude ... </b>I am most curious about this. He obviously did not want to be in Memphis. Francis didn't either. Even though they're stockpiled with talent, they just aren't a winning organization, even with the Logo, and MemphisX's support. The team he always wanted to be on was the Rockets. He has made a huge sacrifice to get here. I am very impressed with that. He could have waited for Atlanta and gotten a max contract. Did he have a bad attitude in Memphis to get himself to this position? Or was he just immature and cavalier? The complaint has never been his talent ... only his attitude, and that he didn't bring his game every game. What we all hope is that he's done what Tracy and Vince did to get themselves out of where they were. JVG won't put up with less than his best. We will know soon ... <br> <b>his ego ... </b>Did he lose confidence behind a star like Gasol? Did he need to be needed? Does he have the fight, like a Stoudamire to be great? From what I've heard, he feels very wanted and valued here. I think that Tracy will WILL him to be great, and JVG will push him. He has the talent, can he now gain the confidence? <br> <b>his BBall IQ ... </b>McGrady and Yao have very high BBall IQs. From his reputation, Swift is not so swift. But, he's very athletic, and could become a defensive beast, especially in shotblocking. Do we need him to be smart? I don't think so. We need him to be tough next to Yao, athletic and fast on the break. <br> <b>his youth ... </b>Swift is still very young, and just like Garnett or Oneal might still develop into something very special. This is his favorite team, where he fits, he's valued, he'll be pushed, where if his head is into it, he can shine. This is what we were all hoping for. With McGrady and Yao, there's not much money left to get more talent. But, when Swift signed here for the MLE, it enabled us to get a young talent where we needed it, and that is wonderful, even if he never becomes a star. <br> <b>matching Yao ... </b>Yao is soft, Swift is powerful. His blocks and dunks are often thundering. Swift brings to the frontcourt what Yao doesn't. With Swift near the basket blocking, there will be less doubling of Yao, and he'll be able to do some of his work farther from the basket, resulting in less fouls, resulting in Yao playing longer minutes, and less wear and tear. Not only will Swift fit better here, but Yao's play should increase, which might be even more important. Remember, in part time minutes, last year, Swift had 6 blocks in one game, and 8 a couple years before. Whether he fulfills his potential or not, he'll make Yao a better player. <br> <b>but, what IF ... </b>what if he DOES fulfill his potential here? What if he's always tried to figure a way to play for the Rockets? What if Yao and McGrady's excellence rubs off on him? What if he's believed in, and he lives up to that faith? What if JVG's standards of excellence motivates him? What if the chance of winning a championship drives him to use all his talent? What if he realizes what he's truly capable of, and steps into it? What if he actually turns into the star everyone hoped when he was drafted? Hoooyaaah!
I wouldn't say that JVG turns players around, but I would say that he definitely puts all his players in the best possible position to succeed. If Stro has the capability of being a quality starting pf, then JVG will find a way to make it happen.
LOL. Man he had some SICK facials on YAO. ofcourse he did on just about every center in the league. I can't believe we have naysayers before the season, or even the damn preseason has started. Man, there are some bad fans.
From what I see, the majority of the hate on Swift is from people who are Live type players (no offense) who try to make their team with the best possible players at each position and have a 99 overall team rating. Swift will or should be a starter because his talents fit our needs in that lineup and position. Swift will not be a major contributor in scoring, only on things he's good at (dunking/receiving alley-oops, jumper, finishing on the break) or capitalizing on everyone else's bad shots (ie: put back dunks). He won't be counted on to create his own shots, pass like jon barry, or shoot 3s like MoT *George Bush grin*. He will be counted on to do what he does BEST himself. We're not trying to make a shoot first, boneheaded, undersized SG into a playmaking PG or something *whistles*, rather we are trying to make Swift do what he does best-- every night. We're not trying to make a C student who smoked crack into a president here, we're trying to make a creative hard-worker into an engineer.
Remember how T-Mac never enjoyed his time in Francisland (Orlando)? You see how T-Mac's attitude has changed once he came to Houston, how he's happy and actually enjoys playing? Swift is currently in that dump mode coming from a crappy team. Once he starts playing with this team, enjoys the guys around him and the chemistry, he'll give it 110%. As you can tell, I'm very high on this dude. He's going to be killer on this squad!
If he is an "average" starting 4 whose skills fit in well between Yao/Tmac that is a tremendous addition and more than worth his contract. Anything better ("above average" starter) is gravy. Some positive signs before the signing: he has always had decent blocks, Fg% and FT%. Some really positive signs after the move: Memphis players and fans seem to regret that he is leaving. I think if you are expecting an all-star you will be very dissappointed, but an all-star PF is not what we need sandwiched between an all-star and offensively dominant C and maybe the best SF in the league.
a 2nd overall pick who can't find 30 mpg on the floor? yeah he's been a bust, but THANK GOD cuz that's the only way we could get him!! i'm glad he's been mediocre so far, let's see what he'll do here...
OK You guys killed me!! Look this isn't Rockets.com where "everything is cool...buy some tickets". I just wanted to know why Stro is going to be the man. I hope he's as good as everyone on this board says he is and I'm rooting for him. I just have my doubts. Oh...by the way, I think it was my wife who pissed in my Cheerios. I'm not "hate'n" anyone...I'm just not sold on him, because "potential" doesn't mean squat!
Hey - don't forget about last season, after Juwan went down. We had NOTHING at PF .... (Spoon? yeah, right ). If we'd have had Stro, we woulda blown past the Mavs (we put up a pretty good fight, even without our starting PF. Even if you're not high on Stro, think of things that way.
He's going to fit in great next to Yao. I predict we will see a lot more of the following: 1. Swift getting easy weakside blocked shots as opponents try to manoever around Yao. 2. Swift getting short alley-oop dunks on passes from Yao - Yao should have many opportunities to put the ball where only Swift will be able to go get it. Yao is the kind of player who does not mind giving up a shot if it gets his team a much better shot - and Swift is perfect for this. 3. Swift getting the opposite kind of rebounds that Yao gets: Yao blocks out and eats up the area rebounds, and Swift gets the quick reaction/quick jumping type. I think that they are a great match. I can't think of many PFs in the league that would be a better match, frankly. KG would be, but KG likes to dominate the ball. Hopefully JVG can keep Swift's head on straight.
Who's talking about "potential". Pretty much every positive response is saying that for the price, and his skillset, Stro is a good fit for the team. It's hard to deny that.
