10 best acquisitions of 2004-05

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I agree totally with this list. I think Miami got the best of this years free agents.

<font color="Red">Please don't quote ESPN Insider material in the future.</font>

 

I thought the Miami thing wasa trade rather than FA acquisition.

Well I'm happy to see Stromile Swift high on the list since I'm a Houston Fan. hehe. Donyell and Caron were also good calls.

 

I dont like the trade the Miami Heat did, i dont think we gonna see Wade put up big numbers next season cause with a PG like Jason Williams he wont dominate the ball as much.

The Rockets getting Swift was a big move and they recently signed Anderson so u know they gonna be one of the best next season.

If the KNicks would trade Jamal Crawford id consider that Richardson signing a beauty.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trueplaya4real:</div><div class="quote_post">I dont like the trade the Miami Heat did, i dont think we gonna see Wade put up big numbers next season cause with a PG like Jason Williams he wont dominate the ball as much.</div>Boohoo for your fantasy team. BTW don't you think "dominate the ball" is a poor choice of words? Wade can play off the ball and impact the game in other ways. Players that need to dominate the ball to be effective are guys like Iverson and Kobe.

And just so everyone knows, Jason Williams is getting the ball for <u>good</u> reasons:
-He's arguably top 5 playmaker in the league
-He's gonna get everyone wide open shots and easy baskets
-He's gonna create plays for Shaq like Steve Nash does for Amare
-He's gonna allow Wade to get on the break and use his athleticism to score easy baskets

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Rockets getting Swift was a big move and they recently signed Anderson so u know they gonna be one of the best next season.</div>One of the best? IMO they're not even top 5. I would put the Spurs, Heat, Pistons, Pacers, and Suns above them until proven otherwise.

 

I see the Rockets as being behind SA, Indy (maybe) and Miami...so 4th overall...as far as their ranking among the top 10 acquisitions of 2004-05, I'd say 3rd is on point, although the article doesnt take into account that we just signed Derek Anderson...

 

I would put the Wizards getting Antonio Daniels above number eight. They lost Larry Hughes but found the absolute perfect player to replace him in Antonio Daniels. If you ask me I would swap them with the Rockets and Stromile Swift at number three.

 

How about the Cavaliers getting Larry Hughes? IMO, that was the best acquisition of the 2004-2005 season...so far. I think Atlanta getting Joe Johnson was solid and so is the Rockets' acquisition of Derek Anderson.

 

I suppose this was written before the Kings acquired Abdur-Rahim.For under 6 mill per year id say that was a very good signing,mostly because of the price tag.No the Rockets arent the 4th best team, 5th is pushing it.SA,Miami,DET,Indy,Dallas I would say are all better.

 

After Heats got Walker and Williams.They turned a All-Star team not a champion which is like Spurs.They have a superman but he's older day by day.They have a fat PF who like shoot 3pt but can't get enough rebounds.They have a superstar of future but not now.Wade need more time to develop.They also have a player of troubles which Memphis be tired of.

 

Haha, you whacky kids. Houston the 4th best team in the NBA? Stromile Swift the third best acquisition of the offseason? He couldn't even start over Lorenzen Wright in Memphis. How does he make a team that much better? He's lazy, inconsistent, and just not that talented. It's pathetic how overrated that signing is.

Chris Andersen and Quinten Richardson top ten acquisitions? No Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Sam Cassell, or Bonzi Wells? This is probably the last time I read to John Hollinger.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting homie:</div><div class="quote_post">After Heats got Walker and Williams.They turned a All-Star team not a champion which is like Spurs.They have a superman but he's older day by day.They have a fat PF who like shoot 3pt but can't get enough rebounds.They have a superstar of future but not now.Wade need more time to develop.They also have a player of troubles which Memphis be tired of.</div>

Antoine Walker can't get enough rebounds? He averaged 9 a game last season, 2.4 of which were offensive. Also, for as many 3's as he shoots last season with Boston he really cut down and then shot 35% from three. And Wade not a superstar now? Don't kid yourself. The kid can develop more, but time is of no concern. Have you seen the same Wade that I have? If so, you're sadly mistaken.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Voodoo Child:</div><div class="quote_post">Haha, you whacky kids. Houston the 4th best team in the NBA? Stromile Swift the third best acquisition of the offseason? He couldn't even start over Lorenzen Wright in Memphis. How does he make a team that much better? He's lazy, inconsistent, and just not that talented. It's pathetic how overrated that signing is.

Chris Andersen and Quinten Richardson top ten acquisitions? No Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Sam Cassell, or Bonzi Wells? This is probably the last time I read to John Hollinger.</div>
I'm sorry, you must not follow basketball very often, do you. Cause if you did then you would know that Stro Swift was backing up Gasol and not Wright. And this was a huge acquisition for the Rockets. McGrady and JVGundy wont allow Stro to be an underachiever. Don't be surprised to see Rockets take the Southwest (over Dallas and San Antontio) 2005 BOLD PREDICTION

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting side45wayz:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm sorry, you must not follow basketball very often, do you. Cause if you did then you would know that Stro Swift was backing up Gasol and not Wright. And this was a huge acquisition for the Rockets. McGrady and JVGundy wont allow Stro to be an underachiever. Don't be surprised to see Rockets take the Southwest (over Dallas and San Antontio) 2005 BOLD PREDICTION </div>

Sorry, but I have watched just about every single Memphis Grizzly game in team history, and you, my friend, are in the wrong. For the majority of the season, Stromile Swift was Lorenzen Wright's backup at Center, whereas Brian Cardinal was Pau Gasol's backup at the four. Jeff Van Gundy won't allow Stromile to be an underachiever? How do you figure? Hubie Brown and Mike Fratello couldn't get him to do anything, so what makes you think Van Gundy will?

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Voodoo Child:</div><div class="quote_post">Sorry, but I have watched just about every single Memphis Grizzly game in team history, and you, my friend, are in the wrong. For the majority of the season, Stromile Swift was Lorenzen Wright's backup at Center, whereas Brian Cardinal was Pau Gasol's backup at the four. Jeff Van Gundy won't allow Stromile to be an underachiever? How do you figure? Hubie Brown and Mike Fratello couldn't get him to do anything, so what makes you think Van Gundy will?</div>

you're correct on many levels, and facts and stats support your reasoning behind swift...however, he did only play 21 minutes due to the depth at the 4/5 spot...he'll be seeing 30+ in Houston in all likelihood...in those 21 minutes, Swift posted 9 ppg and 5 rpg, which is pretty productive, IMO...now, do it based on what may happen in 40+ minutes, and those numbers jump to 18 and 10...not too shabby at all...point is, the Rockets needed a few pieces this offseason in order to make that next jump...they needed an athletic, young PF who can run, jump, and block shots...enter swift...which is why the signing is huge, because he addresses the need perfectly...I still dont feel memphis has an identity, and while gasol is a great talent, hes not a franchise player, IMO...therefore its very possible that swift felt gasol didnt necessarily deserve all those minutes...on the other hand, he's coming to a houston franchise that has a reputation of winning and has established its two superstars in Yao and TMac...plus he sees that he'll have every possibility to start, whereas in Memphis, he KNEW he'd be coming off the bench...no way would memphis start him over gasol, and playing the 5 spot is not where stromile is best suited...so yes, voodoo, I see your reasoning and you have very legit points...however, the fact that swift saw few minutes leads me to believe that the potential of this guy may push him to be the missing piece that the Rockets have needed...

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Shooter:</div><div class="quote_post">you're correct on many levels, and facts and stats support your reasoning behind swift...however, he did only play 21 minutes due to the depth at the 4/5 spot...he'll be seeing 30+ in Houston in all likelihood...in those 21 minutes, Swift posted 9 ppg and 5 rpg, which is pretty productive, IMO...now, do it based on what may happen in 40+ minutes, and those numbers jump to 18 and 10...not too shabby at all...point is, the Rockets needed a few pieces this offseason in order to make that next jump...they needed an athletic, young PF who can run, jump, and block shots...enter swift...which is why the signing is huge, because he addresses the need perfectly...I still dont feel memphis has an identity, and while gasol is a great talent, hes not a franchise player, IMO...therefore its very possible that swift felt gasol didnt necessarily deserve all those minutes...on the other hand, he's coming to a houston franchise that has a reputation of winning and has established its two superstars in Yao and TMac...plus he sees that he'll have every possibility to start, whereas in Memphis, he KNEW he'd be coming off the bench...no way would memphis start him over gasol, and playing the 5 spot is not where stromile is best suited...so yes, voodoo, I see your reasoning and you have very legit points...however, the fact that swift saw few minutes leads me to believe that the potential of this guy may push him to be the missing piece that the Rockets have needed...</div>

Don't you think you're being a little too optimistic? If Swift could realistically put up 18/10, the Grizzlies would have started him, no doubt. You can't just look at per minute statistics. I could just as easily tell you Lee Nailon and Marc Jackson could get 23 + ppg if they had the minutes, or that Reggie Evans could pull down 19 rpg. Besides, Swift's minutes will be limited by Howard's, not to the extent that his minutes were limited in Memphis, but they will be none the less. I don't think Swift's numbers in 21 mpg are impressive at all, especially considering how inconsistent he was. You also have to realize that Swift has been in almost every role with the team. He has started and benched, as well as played both the Center and Power Forward positions, so your point that he just hasn't had the chance to prove himself yet doesn't make much sense. I don't see how Pau Gasol has anything to do with this anyway. Like I just said, Swift was a backup for Lorenzen Wright the last two years. And how is Gasol not a franchise player?

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Voodoo Child:</div><div class="quote_post">Don't you think you're being a little too optimistic? If Swift could realistically put up 18/10, the Grizzlies would have started him, no doubt. You can't just look at per minute statistics. I could just as easily tell you Lee Nailon and Marc Jackson could get 23 + ppg if they had the minutes, or that Reggie Evans could pull down 19 rpg. Besides, Swift's minutes will be limited by Howard's, not to the extent that his minutes were limited in Memphis, but they will be none the less. I don't think Swift's numbers in 21 mpg are impressive at all, especially considering how inconsistent he was. You also have to realize that Swift has been in almost every role with the team. He has started and benched, as well as played both the Center and Power Forward positions, so your point that he just hasn't had the chance to prove himself yet doesn't make much sense. I don't see how Pau Gasol has anything to do with this anyway. Like I just said, Swift was a backup for Lorenzen Wright the last two years. And how is Gasol not a franchise player?</div>
18/10 might be reaching the first year, but 13/10 wouldn't be. I think your opinion might be a little slanted because he played for a Memphis team who like Shooter said doesn't really have an identity. He and many other players on that team were uninspired and ready to be traded. It's one thing to be a bad seed, but when you have 2 or 3 bad seeds on a team, then it might be fair to put some of the blame on the coaching staff or front office. Swift coming to Houston is similar to Cato coming to Houston from Portland. If Van Gundy could have Cato playin like that, I know he can make Swift into a hell of a player. Swift already has the tools, but bein on a winning team where he knows he can grow, and contribute without being "The Man" will help alot more. Plus, the looks he'll get are going to be as wide open as the shots he gets in practice. I gurantee you'll see a different Swift, like you saw a different Mcgrady last year.

Miami is the only team that might have had a better offseason than the Rockets. I might argue that because we haven't given up anything, and still have had great aquisitions. Cleveland had some key signings too, and Washington definitley made up for losing Hughes by getting Butler. I still think the Rockets and Miami had the best offseasons.

 

True that Swift may have been lazy or apathetic in the past...what I like is that we have a more than capable backup/starter in Juwan Howard still...not only that, but Swift will be around some demanding personalities and a demanding organization- McGrady, Van Gundy, Sura, etc...people said how McGrady was selfish and lazy before last season, and his whole game turned around in one year under van gundy...he started becoming more aggressive on defense and had a lot better shot selection...if Van gundy can get mcgrady to play defense and work hard, im sure he can get swift to do the same...

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rock4life:</div><div class="quote_post">18/10 might be reaching the first year, but 13/10 wouldn't be. I think your opinion might be a little slanted because he played for a Memphis team who like Shooter said doesn't really have an identity. He and many other players on that team were uninspired and ready to be traded. It's one thing to be a bad seed, but when you have 2 or 3 bad seeds on a team, then it might be fair to put some of the blame on the coaching staff or front office. Swift coming to Houston is similar to Cato coming to Houston from Portland. If Van Gundy could have Cato playin like that, I know he can make Swift into a hell of a player. Swift already has the tools, but bein on a winning team where he knows he can grow, and contribute without being "The Man" will help alot more. Plus, the looks he'll get are going to be as wide open as the shots he gets in practice. I gurantee you'll see a different Swift, like you saw a different Mcgrady last year.</div>

13/10 is still a stretch, because he's not going to get 10 rpg; no way in hell. He's known for his offense, not his defense. 13/7 is more realistic (and would still be a career season for the kid). I think that you and Shooter put way too much emphasis on the situation that he was in with the Grizzlies. You guys do realize that he played for the Grizzlies for five years, right? It seems to me like you guys are just narrowing down Stromile Swift's career to last season. The Grizzlies didn't have any problems with "bad seeds" until the end of the season when every selfish player on the team became more concerned about their financial situation than the team's situation. However, look back at his whole career as a Grizzly. He was on two playoff teams, one being a fifty win team. He was a starter, a backup, a main option, and a role player. He played everything from SF to C. There were times when the teams spirit was just as high as any team in the league and the players were genuinely having fun playing basketball. So I don't think you can put any blame on Swift's situation or the Grizzlies coaching staff for his lack of productivity.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Miami is the only team that might have had a better offseason than the Rockets. I might argue that because we haven't given up anything, and still have had great aquisitions. Cleveland had some key signings too, and Washington definitley made up for losing Hughes by getting Butler. I still think the Rockets and Miami had the best offseasons.</div>

Are you kidding me? The Rockets had a below average draft and picked up two role players through Free Agency. What about a team like Milwaukee that had an amazing draft and then went out and signed Michael Redd, Bobby Simmons, and Dan Gadzuric? What about a team like Sacramento who brought in Bonzi Wells and Shareef Abdur-Rahim for practically nothing in return? The Rockets didn't have a top ten offseason; not close.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">True that Swift may have been lazy or apathetic in the past...what I like is that we have a more than capable backup/starter in Juwan Howard still...not only that, but Swift will be around some demanding personalities and a demanding organization- McGrady, Van Gundy, Sura, etc...people said how McGrady was selfish and lazy before last season, and his whole game turned around in one year under van gundy...he started becoming more aggressive on defense and had a lot better shot selection...if Van gundy can get mcgrady to play defense and work hard, im sure he can get swift to do the same...</div>

Laziness is not a trate that just disappears overnight. A good work ethic is almost unteachable. There's also the suggestion that Stromile's "laziness" is a direct result of a certain substance (I really don't feel like starting up a "Stromile's on weed" debate/rumor though). I'm also sick of this notion that Van Gundy is a miracle worker. Stromile has had five or six different coaches as a Grizzly, including Hubie Brown and Mike Fratello. What makes JVG any more special than those two legends? Stromile Swift wouldn't listen to Hubie Brown (who gave him the opportunity to start, but he blew it), yet you think he'll listen to Jeff Van Gundy. You mention the McGrady turnaround, but the guy went from a 30 + ppg scorer to a 25 + ppg scorer. Give him the Most Improved Player award. How is that staff any more demanding than the Memphis staff? It just seems like you're being biased in that regard. "Houston is a winner. Our staff is amazing. We'll motivate him. He just needs a chance." Well, guess what. These last two years Memphis has been just as good as Houston has, and our coaching staff has been better (arguable). And I don't know how many ways I can say that he's had plenty of chances to prove himself.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Voodoo Child:</div><div class="quote_post">Are you kidding me? The Rockets had a below average draft and picked up two role players through Free Agency. What about a team like Milwaukee that had an amazing draft and then went out and signed Michael Redd, Bobby Simmons, and Dan Gadzuric? What about a team like Sacramento who brought in Bonzi Wells and Shareef Abdur-Rahim for practically nothing in return? The Rockets didn't have a top ten offseason; not close..</div>
Bobby Simmons and Dan Gadzuric (who?)...........Bobby Simmons is a role player, and Dan Gadzuric is somebody who I've never heard of. The Rockets added role players, but both players can score and are athletic. Something that we didn't have last year. Miami added alot of people, but I think they may have hurt themselves adding Walker. Besides Miami, we definitley have had the best offseason.

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Voodoo Child:</div><div class="quote_post">Laziness is not a trate that just disappears overnight. A good work ethic is almost unteachable. There's also the suggestion that Stromile's "laziness" is a direct result of a certain substance (I really don't feel like starting up a "Stromile's on weed" debate/rumor though). I'm also sick of this notion that Van Gundy is a miracle worker. Stromile has had five or six different coaches as a Grizzly, including Hubie Brown and Mike Fratello..</div>
This is the "Tracy Mcgrady Effect" I'm getting used to. You do realize everything you claim Swift is, is what we heard from Orlando before Tracy got here. Tracy was called "Lazy", had a "bad work ethic", played "No D", "Wasn't a good leader". Then we he came to Houston, a great organization, great coach, and great city, and all of sudden he turned into a great leader, with a great work ethic, with great defense, and was anything BUT lazy. Hubie was a GREAT coach, but Swift and other players on the team were unhappy. I gurantee he'll have a good season.