Stromile Swift disappointing; Luther Head Shining

Everyone was hyped up about Stromile Swift coming to Houston, thinking that he would provide much needed youth, athleticism, rebounding, blocking, and low post scoring. However, he has been pretty disappointing so far, averaging only the 5 rebounds he had in Memphis and a mere 5 points a game, not to mention his blocks have come down too. Just look at his stats in the games:

Sacremento - 6 points, 2 boards, 5 fouls
New Orleans/Oklahoma City - 7 pts on 2-8 shooting, 6 rebounds, 5 fouls
Orlando - 2 blocks (finally), 2 steals, 8 points, 5 boards, but only 3-9 shooting
Miami - 12 points, 5 boards, 5-12 shooting, 5 fouls
New Jersey - 2 points on 1-3 shooting, 3 fouls, 3 turnovers


Then again, Stromile Swift hasn't really had a chance to shine yet. He's been chosen to play behind Juwan Howard, a smarter, much, much mre consistent player who will bring you 10 points on efficient shooting day in and day out. Also, I've heard he was extremely nervous in his first few home games. Maybe JVG will start Swift at PF when the Rockets play the Spurs cause I can't see Howard defending Duncan and maybe then Swift will have his finest hour. Sorry if I criticized Swift too much or expected too much out of Swift. Really hope he improves his stats throughout the season.

Meanwhile, Luther Head is a shining light in a team of slow, aging veterans, he has a consistent 3 point shot, he is also pretty athletic, and I have also heard that he can defend pretty well too.

Look at his solid, efficient efforts off the bench:

New Orleans/Oklahoma city - 5 points on 2-4 shooting, 1-3 threes, 2 assists
Orlando - 7 points on 2-4 shooting, 1-2 threes, 2-2 free throws, 2 assists
Miami - 5 points on 2-4 shooting, 2 assists
New Jersey - 9 points on 3-10 shooting, 3-6 threes, 3 assists

Well I don't know about you, but Head totally exceeded my expectations.

 

I'm a big fan of Luther Head, and I'm glad that Van Gundy is rewarding him by playing him big minutes early in the season. Part of the reason is that the veterans are struggling, but Head has shown that he's a very intelligent, poised young player. I think he'll have a great career, hopefully in Houston.

And Swift has definitely been dissapointing, particularly after a pretty strong showing in the preseason. He seems to fumble the ball a lot, has been a weak rebounder and team defender, and has shown very little offensive touch around the basket. I know he's better than this, though, and hopefully as the season progresses he'll grow more comfortable and play better.

 

I think its because we expected him to play next to Tracy and Yao, but has rarely played next to Yao, and not much w/ T-Mac. Howard is in with Yao, and Swift is our second option when Howard needs rest (by then Yao has foul trouble and is resting).

I still believe if he gets to start next to T-Mac and Yao, he would begin to shine. I dont see that happening with the way Howards been playing. Howard really missed playing basketball, and it seems he really has been playing his hardest lately.

I should have never expected Howard to lose his starting spot to Swift (even though I believed either that virus might have ended his career, or caused him to fall off his game). I now strongly believe we would have made it to the WCF if we had him last season.

 

Swift looks lost a lot on offense and just fumbles the ball or takes wild steps towards the basketall whenever he gets the rock. He will get better. I think it would help though if he got a little stronger or gets some sort of offensive game other than being set up by others and dunking the ball.

I'm so happy for Luther and what he has accomplished. He use to live right down the street from me in an University apartment complex. It's just great to see him do well especially since he was close to being off the Illini basketball team. Good thing coach didn't quit on him and let Luther quit like he offered to do.

Luther is a smart player, he will make the right decisions when playing. He is also a great defender. He always guarded the toughest player each night for the Illini. With a little more experience I hope he can get a steady dose of minutes. He definately will be more lively than some of the aging veterans.

 

Yeah, Stro looks lackadaisical and apathetic on the court...I dont understand what his problem is- I'm guessing he has no understanding of the offensive and defensive schemes yet...Head looks excellent out there...he's a clutch shooter, is confident in his abilities, and just seems to be much further ahead than I expected him to be at this point...

 

Stro is in the same situation as wesley in that hes lost his confidence. When the team starts winning again with Tmac back. Look for Stro to bring his game up because to continue winning will be his motivation. This guy is comming off the bench and didn't even play in the first half of last nights game. I think JVG wants him to progress on defense a little more. Every rebound he got was uncontested because this guy can soar and bring it down without being stripped. He played 21 minutes last night with 6 rebounds. That is amazing for a guy coming off the bench. He isnt gonna be a Shawn Marion and average 14 in 43 minutes. Even though their ratios are really close. With the time given Stro is doing well. If you listen to bill worell and even on the radio they will say at least 4 times a game "Looks like Stro altered his shot."

Yes his offense needs work but once his confidence comes back look for high flying dunks, and mid range jumpers. I predict 12/7 by the end of the year

 

Stro will be okay before the season's over with....the most important thing for him to do is to play d, hustle, and rebound.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting THE DREAM:</div><div class="quote_post">Stro will be okay before the season's over with....the most important thing for him to do is to play d, hustle, and rebound.</div>


Yea Stro will be aiight,he was put on da team to come off da bech and get like 12-14 pts and like 6-7 boards,so he will get on track soon.Luther Head is so good and im glad to see him get minutes,he will get better and better as the season goes on,and i expect to see him hitting some game winning 3 pointers this year as well

 

Well, Stromile Swift will probably do better than Kwame Brown in the long run.

 

I hate to say I told you so about Stromile Swift, but nobody wanted to listen to me when I told everyone on this forum in the offseason how horrible he was. His game isn't horrible; his attitude is what's really horrible. He's a lazy player with no work ethic who almost always plays unmotivated. I don't see why Houston fans seem to think that he's lost confidence or that he'll suddenly wake up one day and suddenly play with motivation, because in the five years he was with the Grizzlies, it never happened. Stromile was even once quoted of saying that some nights he just doesn't feel like playing, so he doesn't play as hard. It shows. He's the kind of player who can give you 20 points and 10 rebounds on any given night but will then averaged 4 ppg and 2 rpg for a week. He makes a lot of statement plays - highlight reel dunks and blocks, and so I think that a lot of fans who don't get a chance to see him on a nightly basis see the highlights and assume that he plays with that ferocity through the entire game, but as you Rockets fans are finding out, that's not true at all. He's destined to be a backup in the NBA. If he couldn't start over Lorenzen Wright, howcome you guys expected him to start over Juwon Howard?

 

What I still like about STRO is with his length, and leaping ability he makes plays that NO other Rocket can. Things as little as a tipped ball over a couple other players to keep it alive. He is far from a polished pro, but with our lack of youth and athletiscism last year, I still say he is a good fit. This is the team that signed Mo Taylor to a huge contract. I'll take Stro over him everyday of the week.

Time to gel is the key. There have been a couple times that allys to STRO would have been an easy two but the chemistry and familiarness just aint there.
I really wanna see as an experiment: Head, TMAC, STRO, Howard, Yao
Dont think it has happend.

 

i actually think stro isn't too bad. his positioning on defense isn't good and he doesn't box out but he does give us athleticism. He just has to find his game. whether it be offensive boards, second chance points, or spark off the bench. He just has to get more familiar also.

 

stro isnt that bad.. hes a streak player, even in grizzlies he had like streaks when he would play really consistent and well. Once he learns his role and gets used to the rockets offense+defense he will be great for the team. The last few games against boston 17 pts, and today 4-6 shooting 10 points was pretty good. He got 4 fouls in 17 minutes though.. faster than yao! ..

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting aznkillabeez:</div><div class="quote_post">stro isnt that bad.. hes a streak player, even in grizzlies he had like streaks when he would play really consistent and well. Once he learns his role and gets used to the rockets offense+defense he will be great for the team. The last few games against boston 17 pts, and today 4-6 shooting 10 points was pretty good. He got 4 fouls in 17 minutes though.. faster than yao! ..</div>

He's able to do some nice things offensively, but I'd like to see a more consistent effort from him on the boards. And his performance defensively is pretty pitiful right now as well.

 

Strom disappointing? Now that's a surprise.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Voodoo Child:</div><div class="quote_post">I hate to say I told you so about Stromile Swift, but nobody wanted to listen to me when I told everyone on this forum in the offseason how horrible he was. His game isn't horrible; his attitude is what's really horrible. He's a lazy player with no work ethic who almost always plays unmotivated. I don't see why Houston fans seem to think that he's lost confidence or that he'll suddenly wake up one day and suddenly play with motivation, because in the five years he was with the Grizzlies, it never happened. Stromile was even once quoted of saying that some nights he just doesn't feel like playing, so he doesn't play as hard. It shows. He's the kind of player who can give you 20 points and 10 rebounds on any given night but will then averaged 4 ppg and 2 rpg for a week. He makes a lot of statement plays - highlight reel dunks and blocks, and so I think that a lot of fans who don't get a chance to see him on a nightly basis see the highlights and assume that he plays with that ferocity through the entire game, but as you Rockets fans are finding out, that's not true at all. He's destined to be a backup in the NBA. If he couldn't start over Lorenzen Wright, howcome you guys expected him to start over Juwon Howard?</div>
Actually, last night was by far his best game. He was been progressing and I've been impressed with his energy. I don't see him being "lazy" like some of the fans on his "other" team claim. He just seems to be gradually learning the system just like DA & Alston are. I think the first mistake the Grizzlies made was stubbornly playing him at Center, that's why his numbers weren't as consistent. But as the season goes on, Stro will just get better and better. But when his numbers go up, I don't expect to hear from you anytime soon.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Voodoo Child:</div><div class="quote_post">I hate to say I told you so about Stromile Swift, but nobody wanted to listen to me when I told everyone on this forum in the offseason how horrible he was. His game isn't horrible; his attitude is what's really horrible. He's a lazy player with no work ethic who almost always plays unmotivated. I don't see why Houston fans seem to think that he's lost confidence or that he'll suddenly wake up one day and suddenly play with motivation, because in the five years he was with the Grizzlies, it never happened. Stromile was even once quoted of saying that some nights he just doesn't feel like playing, so he doesn't play as hard. It shows. He's the kind of player who can give you 20 points and 10 rebounds on any given night but will then averaged 4 ppg and 2 rpg for a week. He makes a lot of statement plays - highlight reel dunks and blocks, and so I think that a lot of fans who don't get a chance to see him on a nightly basis see the highlights and assume that he plays with that ferocity through the entire game, but as you Rockets fans are finding out, that's not true at all. He's destined to be a backup in the NBA. If he couldn't start over Lorenzen Wright, howcome you guys expected him to start over Juwon Howard?</div>

yea you have a point he might not be that consistent . Personally i never expected him to be a superstar and i dont think most houston fans expected him to be 1 either..... As long as theirs tmac and yao on the team he'll always be a sidekick. As long as he puts up decent numbers on the boards and points and helps the team win... He;ll be a nice purchase. I dont think its his work ethic thats to blame.. Some people dont have the skill to progress to the next level.. hes just not as gifted as other players.. But once he gets used to the rox offense/defense .. you grizzle fans would wish to have him back. Its lonely to only have pau gashole on your team

 

Swift doesn't have the skill and is not as gifted as others? C'mon man, talent is the only thing Swift has to his favor. Dude's potential is crazy, and he has had a somewhat stellar NBA career so far only because of that talent and athleticism of his. He has all the tools to be the next Garnett or Kenyon Martin, it's just that dude's lazy ass isn't willing to work to get there.

 

I wouldn't say he has the tools that KG has (there aren't too many that do), Martin is a better comparison.....Swift has a lot of athletic ability and that's what this team needs.........I thought he played great last night and I think he'll only continue to improve, once he gets more comfortable.

 

Garnett - STRO = passion and hustle every game.

There is no sub for passion and hustle. Physically they are similar. KG made himself into a good shooter and passer. STRO has the tools, he has worked on his midrange game, but that extra effort and will to win just doesn't seem to be there all the time.
He brings what the Rockets needed though. He is inconsistant, but other than ALL STARS what player doesn't have the same problem. What upsets people is that many dont understand how such a gifted player doesn't perform better. He doesn't have to be a star on this team though.