<div class="quote_poster">Quoting bplld:</div><div class="quote_post">Dang, you guys really overate Howard, Sura, James and underrate Swift, Anderson, and Alston. I dont know why yall think that Swift is trash. He is an allstar calaber player, it isnt his fault the top two players on the Grizzlies played the same position. Why do yall underate him so much? I dont get it.</div> Swift was Memphis's second best player last year? Grizzlies fans would tell you otherwise. Actually, Swift spent most of his time at center last year, backing up Lorenzen Wright, while Brian Cardinal backed up Gasol at power forward. The fact that Swift couldn't even beat out the un-impressive Wright for the start at center last year is already telling in terms of his capability. Not to mention you're saying that Swift was better than the likes of Mike Miller, James Posey, and Bonzi Wells last year? Stromile might be playing well this offseason and is looking like we got a bargain, but saying he's an All-Star calibre player is totally overrating him. All-Star calibre players average 20-10, while Swift didn't even get half of that last year.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AznxBaller:</div><div class="quote_post">Because the majority of the points he got last season were from put backs or dunks off of rebounds or scrap points. He has next to none low post game at all and really can't back his man down into the paint. The best things going for him offensively are athleticism and his mid range shot which he can hit from time to time. He certainly can break out this season, I'm not saying he won't, but history has shown that it isn't the player that everyone here seem to make him out to be.</div> Swift does have a post game. I wouldnt say it is non existent. And in the preseason, he has really been showing it. Whats wrong with putbacks, if you can get 20 points off putbacks in just 40 minutes, that is really impressive. Most guys who score on putbacks can rarely give you double digits in 40 min.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AznxBaller:</div><div class="quote_post">Because the majority of the points he got last season were from put backs or dunks off of rebounds or scrap points. He has next to none low post game at all and really can't back his man down into the paint. The best things going for him offensively are athleticism and his mid range shot which he can hit from time to time. He certainly can break out this season, I'm not saying he won't, but history has shown that it isn't the player that everyone here seem to make him out to be.</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Locke:</div><div class="quote_post">Swift was Memphis's second best player last year? Grizzlies fans would tell you otherwise. Actually, Swift spent most of his time at center last year, backing up Lorenzen Wright, while Brian Cardinal backed up Gasol at power forward. The fact that Swift couldn't even beat out the un-impressive Wright for the start at center last year is already telling in terms of his capability. Not to mention you're saying that Swift was better than the likes of Mike Miller, James Posey, and Bonzi Wells last year? Stromile might be playing well this offseason and is looking like we got a bargain, but saying he's an All-Star calibre player is totally overrating him. All-Star calibre players average 20-10, while Swift didn't even get half of that last year.</div> Swift does have a post game, and he sure has been showing in the preseason. Even if Swift scores on putbacks, 20 points of just that in 35 minutes is impressive. Most guys who score like that would be lucky for double digit points in 35 minutes. Swift couldnt play center because he is 6-9. Putting him at center would be a real bad mismatch, infact, that is a big reason why he had trouble on the grizzlies. They still made him play center so often. You just proved my point, thanks. All stars score 20-10 in 40 minutes a game. Swift plays half of that time and without a bad season last year, has averaged above that. So if we give him big minutes, what do you know, he will average all star numbers.
Stromile played out of position his whole time at Memphis. He's a slender 6'9, don't know why they'd play him at center. But at PF, he's a beast. He may not quite be a 20-10 guy, but he's definitley at 17-10 guy with the right minutes.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rock4life:</div><div class="quote_post">Stromile played out of position his whole time at Memphis. He's a slender 6'9, don't know why they'd play him at center. But at PF, he's a beast. He may not quite be a 20-10 guy, but he's definitley at 17-10 guy with the right minutes.</div> you people are seriously hyping swift too much, he doesn't have much of an offensive game, not to mention he's not a volume rebounder. He's good for a few putbacks and blocked shots, its debatable whether or not he'll start for the rox over juan.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Esco416:</div><div class="quote_post">you people are seriously hyping swift too much, he doesn't have much of an offensive game, not to mention he's not a volume rebounder. He's good for a few putbacks and blocked shots, its debatable whether or not he'll start for the rox over juan.</div> No Offensive game? Have you watched the preseason at all? With the time swift has benn given he has averaged around 14 points a game and 7-8 rebounds. I'm extremely happy with that. Put that with Howard coming off the bench and knocking those 15 footers and we have a team with a front court that can average 60 pts a game (20 yao, 20 tmac, 14 swift, 9 howard). Of course, tmac will score more and swift might drop to 10-12 pts but still...
I think you guys are over rating the pre-season a little bit here. Stro may be playing really good, but I dont think anyone would seriously argue that the pre-season is a great indicator. If that were true, then we would expect to see Araujo averaging 20 ppg in 40 min for the raps. You guys are really excited for this season (and with good reason), but it's leading to a little too much confidence in Stro. I think Grizzlies fans who watched him last season would probably give us the best idea of what to expect.
I believe Swift was unhappy in Memphis because of lack of minutes and the fluctuating playing time...however, he worked his butt off this offseason and its shown...I've watched 6 of the 8 preseason games three times each, and the man has improved immensely offensively...not only can he jump outta the gym, he has a nice right-hand jump hook, and maneuvers inside very well...he's strong with the ball and doesnt take long to make his move...the only flaw I've seen with him so far is his knack for fouls, which he averaged 3.7 this preseason, which is also why he'll be coming off the bench...but he's shown a nice work ethic, and paired that with his immense potential, he does have the ability to one day be an all-star...
