The News Tribune LAREDO, Texas ? Seattle SuperSonics second-year center Robert Swift had been disappointingly ineffective through the Sonics? first two exhibition games, so coach Bob Weiss turned to rookie Johan Petro against the Houston Rockets on Monday night. The Sonics lost the game, 93-85, when they relinquished a seven-point lead in the fourth quarter and faltered in the final minutes, but Petro was more than a little uplifting for a team that is winless in the exhibition season. No matter that his first name is pronounced Joe-han and virtually everybody in America calls the French rookie Yo-han, he still impressed enough to get them to bring up his name. ?He looks like he belonged,? Weiss said. ?He didn?t look like he is scared.? Petro totaled four points and five rebounds, plus he pinned a dunk attempt by Dikembe Mutombo against the glass that drew oohs and ahhs from the bench. ?My English is not so good,? Petro said sheepishly before being interviewed. ?But it was a good game for me. When somebody starts somebody, then that is good for me.? He was out of place on several occasions, looking lost in the new atmosphere of the NBA. But for the most part, Petro?s athletic ability compensated for his lack of knowledge. Of the Mutombo block, Petro said, ?When you are in the game, you don?t think about (being intimidated by him). I block his shot, he blocks somebody else?s shot, that is the game.? The most disappointing thing for Weiss was that Petro did not have the opportunity to play against Yao Ming, who sat out with a sore toe. ?Yao contracted the Petro flu,? Weiss joked before the game. ?It was unfortunate because I wanted (Petro) to play against him.? Tracy McGrady also did not play because Houston coach Jeff Van Gundy wanted to give Derek Anderson more minutes. That the Sonics lost their third consecutive game even without Houston?s two All-Stars playing was of little concern to Weiss. Source
I really wasnt thinkin much about him for this season after his foul filled summer but so far hes clearly outplayed the disappointing Swift and with our big men still not in good health we may end up seeing him on opening night.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">?Yao contracted the Petro flu,? Weiss joked before the game. ?It was unfortunate because I wanted (Petro) to play against him.?</div> If nothing else we'll get some funnier quips from our coach this year Back on topic, It's good to see Petro coming along. Maybe Swifty is more of a 4 than a 5. I can't see him bulking up to, say, Brad Miller size. Unless he starts poking
yeah...swifty is just toooo freakin lanky. I think petro would definitely be a better choice...Its just sad....we coulda picked Al Jefferson instead of Robert Swift....
Another article on Johan from supersonics.com... Source Other players seem impressed with his development - Fortson went as far as to say he's more physical than he thought he would be. Good signs from this years pick, now only if Swift would give us something to talk about besides a stat line that looks like it belongs on a search engine...gooooooooooogle
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting M_Cage89:</div><div class="quote_post">Another article on Johan from supersonics.com... Source Other players seem impressed with his development - Fortson went as far as to say he's more physical than he thought he would be. Good signs from this years pick, now only if Swift would give us something to talk about besides a stat line that looks like it belongs on a search engine...gooooooooooogle </div> Didn't realise you'd posted this, I put it in a fresh thread Either way, from the sounds of things he is really making a big impression on the players and coaching staff. He also has what Swift never had when he came into the league - a developed body.
Sounds great. It'd be nice if he could get consistent minutes during the season, especially with Swift turning out how he is.
I really like him, really happy to see him and the other 2 from Gwada get drafted to the NBA. His name is pronounce like "Joan" (variation of jean/jehan) in Creole and in Standard French btw. He's got alot of potential but he's really raw and very foul prone and there was this one game where he like threw a tantrum lol. (missed a dunk and then got charged w/ an offensive foul). He is a quick learner and very respectful. In Guadeloupe and in France to a lesser extent, a lot of news concerning the NBA has to do with Johan right now (he gives alot of interviews). I'm really sad you guys didn't get Gelabale over, he is alot better than most people think.
Yesssssssss..I knew Petro would be our guy..Hopefully he gets more minutes than Swift..I cant wait to see Petro play!..Hurrrrrrry up season.
I don't think there's much of a difference between Petro and Swifty besides the fact that Petro is super-athletic and Ronald McDonald Jr. ain't. Once Sikma makes RoboSwift (I've got a million of 'em, folks) run suicides all season I suspect we'll see a difference Freckle Face showing up in training camp for 2006.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Casual:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't think there's much of a difference between Petro and Swifty besides the fact that Petro is super-athletic and Ronald McDonald Jr. ain't. Once Sikma makes RoboSwift (I've got a million of 'em, folks) run suicides all season I suspect we'll see a difference Freckle Face showing up in training camp for 2006.</div> Lmao. Owned.
lets start the chants...JO-HAN, JO-HAN, JO-HAN.....I saw some videos from the french leagues...he doesnt move like a 7 footer. as everyone knows by now....he's extremely athletic...swift got jacked...haha.
"Him (Petro) and Robert, man, they're the twin towers of the future. These are guys that if they develop the right way, the way they should, could be pretty scary down low in the future." - D. Fortson
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Drake Remoray:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm really sad you guys didn't get Gelabale over, he is alot better than most people think.</div> The situation with Gelabale has worked it quite well. This season we're stacked for swingmen and the minutes wouldn't be there for him, so he can continue to develop on one of Europe's strongest teams in Real Madrid. In a season or two's time, who knows what the roster will look like. Vlad may be gone, Flip may be gone and there may be minutes opening up at the 2/3, and we can bring him over. He's starting to really establish himself in the national team too and the World Champs next year should be excellent for him. San Antonio left Manu overseas for two or three seasons after drafting him from memory, and then when they lost Sean Elliot and Derek Anderson they brought him over. Look how that has turned out.
