<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">HOUSTON - Stromile Swift could not pass up the opportunity to play with Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming. In a deal originally reported by the Houston Chronicle on July 18, the Houston Rockets on Tuesday officially signed the 6-9 forward to a multi-year contract. Tuesday is the first day teams officially can sign free agents and announce trades as the new salary cap became effective at noon EDT, ending the league's "moratorium period." As part of the new labor agreement, the NBA salary cap for the 2005-06 season is $49.5 million, an increase from $43.87 million last season. The second overall pick in 2000 behind Kenyon Martin, the 6-9 Swift spent his first five seasons with the Grizzlies franchise, averaging 9.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. "We are thrilled to add Stromile's special talents to our lineup," Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson said. "He gives us a unique combination of strength and athleticism at the power forward position. We believe that he will join Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming to form one of the elite frontcourts in the NBA today." Swift, 25, had trouble cracking the starting lineup with Memphis, playing behind Pau Gasol. Known for his leaping ability, Swift has garnered the label as an underachiever. In 60 games last season, Swift averaged 10.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. ESPN.com </div> Its great to see the Swift deal done with.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Swift Top Story After coming to a verbal agreement on July 19, Memphis Grizzlies free agent forward Stromile Swift officially became a member of the Houston Rockets on Tuesday, August 2nd. The Rockets? got the man they targeted for this offseason, despite strong advances from the New Jersey Nets and the Seattle SuperSonics. A five-year veteran of the NBA, Swift brings averages of 9 points and 5 rebounds a game, as well as a much-needed dose of youth and athleticism to a ballclub in dire need of those traits. ?It was an easy decision for me, ? Swift said when asked about his choice of Houston as a destination. ?To be apart of this organization, I?m excited. I?m really happy and my family?s happy.? The second overall pick of the 2000 NBA Draft by the then-Vancouver Grizzlies, Swift has mostly been a bench player throughout his professional career, starting only seventy out of a total of 352 games. However, it was his energy, youth and athleticism that made the Rockets pursue the 6?9?, 230-pound power forward, and the possibility of disrupting the chemistry of last year?s close-knit team proved to be unfounded. ?If you have a race out there (on the court), he may win the race,? Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson said. ?He?s very athletic for his size. Our chemistry was excellent last year. I think this will do nothing but add to it.? The Rockets? pursuit of Swift as the apple of their eye began early July, as soon as negotiations between teams and free agents could start. Along with the idea of playing only a three-hour car drive from home, Swift, a lifelong Rockets fan and graduate of Louisiana State University, was also won over by Rockets forward Tracy McGrady?s personal recruitment of him. ?Tracy sent me a text message and told me how nice it would be if I came here,? Swift said with a smile. ?That was a big part of it (the decision).? At only 25 years old, Swift still has room to grow. His athleticism allows him to take advantage of rebounding and scoring off putbacks. He also has a nice medium-range jump shot that will allow him to be successful in the Rockets? halfcourt game as well. Yet fans come to see a show, and with his assortment of rim-rattling dunks and monster blocks, ?The Stro Show?, as he has so often been referred to, is ready to blastoff as a Rocket. ?Hopefully I can come in here and bring my game and take them to the next level,? Swift said. ?I can bring some excitement, athleticism. I?ll be here for the fans.? Rockets officials are just as enamored with the running game that the acquisition of Swift encourages. In an era of high-scoring, athletic and long basketball players, Dawson appears ready to bring a new look for Houston Rockets basketball. ?This guy can really be something special,? Dawson said. ?He can bring you out of your seat.? Official Press Release Swift Bio Rockets.com</div> It seems Swift will keep his number 4 based on a picture on Rockets.com
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Cool, was there a Press Conference VIDEO?</div> I think one of our video guys will cover that, right Dan Le and Julio ? Anyways, its good that we got everything squared away with Swift. Still, we already knew he was coming here anyways so its not too much of news. I was hoping to see the press conference on ESPNews but apparently Shaq resigning is a bigger headline.
Here's an Exclusive Rockets.com Q & A Session With Swift http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/Swift_Top_...147977-822.html It runs off Flash so I cant save the file. Oh well.
Just a little info for y'all...That front page article you're reading off of Rockets.com was written by a JBB.com member. I'll let him take credit for it if he so chooses, but I just thought y'all would find that interesting.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting JuLiO-R-:</div><div class="quote_post">Here's an Exclusive Rockets.com Q & A Session With Swift http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/Swift_Top_...147977-822.html It runs off Flash so I cant save the file. Oh well.</div> I did not like what he said towards the end of Q&A of that video. Sounds kind of selfish to me. Swift was saying something along the lines of: Yao can take pressure off of me. Tracy can take the pressure off of me. That's one of the reasons I decided to come to Houston. Anyone else think that's a little selfish? It just seems he doesnt want to play as hard. He should also be saying that he'll take some pressure off of yao and tracy, not the other way around.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MTran:</div><div class="quote_post">Yao can take pressure off of me. Tracy can take the pressure off of me. That's one of the reasons I decided to come to Houston. Anyone else think that's a little selfish?</div> I dont think so. I think he meant that Yao and TMac will make the game alot easier for him because Yao and TMac demand so much attention. And he looked nervous during the interview so maybe that made him change his words a bit.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MTran:</div><div class="quote_post">I did not like what he said towards the end of Q&A of that video. Sounds kind of selfish to me. Swift was saying something along the lines of: Yao can take pressure off of me. Tracy can take the pressure off of me. That's one of the reasons I decided to come to Houston. Anyone else think that's a little selfish? It just seems he doesnt want to play as hard. He should also be saying that he'll take some pressure off of yao and tracy, not the other way around.</div> You're misinterpreting what he's saying. He's basically trying to say that he can play to his potential and his role without having to play beyond his PF position.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting drake:</div><div class="quote_post">You're misinterpreting what he's saying. He's basically trying to say that he can play to his potential and his role without having to play beyond his PF position.</div> Hey guys, I found some more pics!
well he does seem a bit uncomfortable in front of the camera... i just hope he brings his A game and doesnt slack off. hope jvg whips him into shape.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting SupermanRT:</div><div class="quote_post">Just a little info for y'all...That front page article you're reading off of Rockets.com was written by a JBB.com member. I'll let him take credit for it if he so chooses, but I just thought y'all would find that interesting.</div> Really, who from JBB wrote it?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting KfrumHTOWN!:</div><div class="quote_post">is it me or does he look like a dinosaur?!</div> a brontosaurus??
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting SupraJames:</div><div class="quote_post">Really, who from JBB wrote it?</div> I would believe it's Shooter. He was interviewing for a media role with rockets.com a while ago and I believe that he did get the position. Great news! As for Swift, I just hope that he could play up to his potential. I was pretty much a hater back then and I still am, but I'm eager for him to prove me wrong. Btw, he looks really quirky in a tux.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">I would believe it's Shooter. He was interviewing for a media role with rockets.com a while ago and I believe that he did get the position. Great news! As for Swift, I just hope that he could play up to his potential. I was pretty much a hater back then and I still am, but I'm eager for him to prove me wrong. Btw, he looks really quirky in a tux.</div> Correct. Shooter is a good friend of mine off of this board. He got the job earlier this week and his first assignment was to cover the Swift press conference.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting SupermanRT:</div><div class="quote_post">Correct. Shooter is a good friend of mine off of this board. He got the job earlier this week and his first assignment was to cover the Swift press conference.</div> Nice! Please do extend my congratulations to him. And to keep us posted of any available juicy insider rumors
Awesome stuff! I dont believe Swift will be what everyone is expecting him to be. He'll beyond his year. Is he going to be starting or off the bench? As him coming, I can't wait for game 1!
