Swift Back With More Bulk, And Tattoos

Discussion in 'Oklahoma City Thunder' started by Shapecity, Oct 2, 2007.

  1. Shapecity

    Shapecity S2/JBB Teamster Staff Member Administrator

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'></p>

    Given all that Robert Swift has been through &mdash; the torn right knee ligament that caused him to miss the 2006-07 season, the broken nose in '05-06 and the sprained thumb as a rookie &mdash; it's understandable why the Sonics are taking a wait-and-see approach before committing any more millions into someone once tabbed as the center of the future.</p>

    According to an NBA source, Swift's agent, Arn Tellem, had preliminary talks with the team about a long-term contract extension, but was essentially told the Sonics want to see him play this season before brokering a deal.</p>

    It's also unlikely Seattle will give a $3.6 million qualifying offer to Swift before the Oct. 31 deadline.</p>

    "I'm not thinking about that right now," said Swift, who will earn $2.6 million in the fourth year of his rookie contract. "If I worry about that, then I'll have something else on my mind when I'm playing. I'm going to go out in the preseason just trying to get ready for the season.</p>

    "The business side of things will take care of itself if I go out and do what I'm supposed to do."</p>

    It can be argued that even if much-hyped rookies Kevin Durant and Jeff Green fulfill their promise, and if new coach P.J. Carlesimo discovers a dependable point guard and power forward, Seattle won't return to prominence until it solves its decades-old mystery at center.</p>

    Taken 12th overall in the 2004 draft out of Bakersfield High School, Swift was supposed to develop into the next Jack Sikma under the guidance of Sikma.</p>

    As an 18-year-old rookie, Swift was woefully underdeveloped and played in just 16 games.</p>

    He made significant strides in his second year, averaging 6.4 points and 5.6 rebounds, and was slated to start last season before tearing his right ACL in the final exhibition game.</p>

    Swift underwent surgery Nov. 22.</p>

    "Robert is like Kevin, Jeff and perhaps like the team in that the expectations [are] there, but the timetable is not there," Carlesimo said. "I expect Robert to be good, but I don't know whether that's going to be in November or January or next year.</p>

    "... He may not play like somebody who has been out of basketball for a year and hit the floor running, or he may very well do what usually happens with young players when they don't play for a year and they're coming back from major injury. You may have to go very slowly at the beginning. [If] he's ready to play, he's going to get big minutes right from the beginning. If he's not, then other guys are going to get a chance and later on Robert will catch up."</div></p>

    Source: Seattle Times</p>
     
  2. bbwSwish

    bbwSwish Harder. Better. Faster. Stronger.

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  3. Shapecity

    Shapecity S2/JBB Teamster Staff Member Administrator

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    He's looking more and more like Cherokee Parks.</p>
     
  4. Dark Defender

    Dark Defender The Dark Passenger

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    Shame what happened to him last year.</p>

    I'm rooting for him, last year I thought he would have a breakout season after all the work he put in.</p>
     
  5. pegs

    pegs My future wife.

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GM3)</div><div class='quotemain'></p>

    Shame what happened to him last year.</p>

    I'm rooting for him, last year I thought he would have a breakout season after all the work he put in.</p>

    </div></p>

    </p>

    It seemed like he was on the rise last year, up until the injury. I'm pulling for him, I wanna see Sonics rule the west some day</p>
     
  6. Shapecity

    Shapecity S2/JBB Teamster Staff Member Administrator

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    What are you talking about? He didn't play any games last season for the Sonics.</p>
     
  7. Dark Defender

    Dark Defender The Dark Passenger

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (shapecity)</div><div class='quotemain'></p>

    What are you talking about? He didn't play any games last season for the Sonics.</p>

    </div></p>

    Never said he did.</p>

    He had a very productive rookie season, he just needed some muscle and he did that last offseason.</p>

    </p>

    </p>
     
  8. Casual

    Casual JBB First Team

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    So what are the chances he's way too slow and bulky to be effective, causing him to have a bad season and leave the Sonics, only to come back slimmed down for another team next year and turn into a fairly good player? I say 95%.</p>
     
  9. psheehy

    psheehy Beaten down by the "MAN"

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (shapecity)</div><div class='quotemain'></p>

    He's looking more and more like Cherokee Parks.</p>

    </div></p>

    As long as he doesn't play like him.</p>

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (shapecity)</div><div class='quotemain'></p>

    What are you talking about? He didn't play any games last season for the Sonics.</p>

    </div></p>

    He looked pretty good in preseason. I was talking to the fans around me at the arena about how quick and focused he was on defense, chasing every loose ball right when he tore the ACL.</p>

    </p>

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (casual)</div><div class='quotemain'></p>

    So what are the chances he's way too slow and bulky to be effective, causing him to have a bad season and leave the Sonics, only to come back slimmed down for another team next year and turn into a fairly good player? I say 95%</p>

    </div></p>

    He appeared a little slow and bulky in practice yesterday. So did Nene for a few months after he came back. They aren't likely to give Robert and extension before the Oct. 31 deadline. He appears very motivated to earn his next contract. All word has been that he is focused and dedicated to his rehab and that is what he needs to come back healthy and contribute. We will have to wait and see. PJ said we might see the benefits now or in January. Sounds like they are giving him a few months to warm up .</p>

    </p>
     
  10. cpawfan

    cpawfan Monsters do exist

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    I'd really like to see him reach 14 & 10 for the last months of the season.</p>
     
  11. Shapecity

    Shapecity S2/JBB Teamster Staff Member Administrator

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    Report from Day 1 of practice:</p>

    Swift working hard</p>

    In his first practice since having reconstructive knee surgery just before the season last year, 7-foot center Robert Swift labored getting up and down the court at the end of practice.</p>

    That&rsquo;s somewhat expected for Swift, who put on 40 pounds of bulk during the offseason to bring his weight up to 280 pounds.</p>

    &ldquo;I hope we didn&rsquo;t play him too much,&rdquo; Carlesimo said. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think we did. But he was sore.&rdquo;</p>

    Carlesimo went on to say the coaches and trainers will closely monitor Swift throughout the week.</p>

    </p>
     
  12. Iron Shiek

    Iron Shiek Maintain and Hold It Down

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    I'm not excited about the fact that he gained 40 pounds. To be honest in his second year I didn't see too many frontcourt players physically dominate him. He seemed to be able to hold his own in the paint before his injury. I liked that he was mobile, could run the floor, and seemed to be a good leaper. I don't want to see a plodding big that can only score on open jump shots and duck in post feeds. Hopefully he can shed some of that weight so his conditioning can improve.</p>

    To be honest he won't be at his best until January. The question is will P.J. live with his ups and downs when there is so much competition for his minutes (Thomas, Collison, Petro, and Sene). I haven't heard a word mentioned about Sene since camp has started. I imagine that he would be doing something to garner the attention of the coaching staff. I don't think that he is as bad as everyone makes him out to be...probably since I saw his best game at the Hoop Summit.</p>
     
  13. speeds

    speeds $2.50 highball, $1.50 beer Staff Member Administrator GFX Team

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (shapecity)</div><div class='quotemain'></p>

    He's looking more and more like Cherokee Parks.</p>

    </div></p>

    I'm glad somebody else remembers Parks.</p>

    To think he made about $12M off of his NBA contracts. Must be nice to be born tall.</p>

    </p>
     
  14. o.iatlhawksfan

    o.iatlhawksfan ROFLMFAO!!!!

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    I think he'll bounce back from last season, before last season, he was really producing, and coming along. I say he'll start off slow, but will average 10pts 7-8reb.</p>
     

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