<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Houston Chronicle - Houston Rockets All-Star swingman Tracy McGrady would love for the team to grab a good contributer with it's Mid-Level Exception. One possibilty he really likes is Memphis Grizzlies forward Stromile Swift. "He has unbelievable talent, and he's young," McGrady said Thursday. "That's a guy I can grow with. With his athleticism and power out there at the four position and his ability to play the five, it creates mismatch problems on the opposing end." "He's still looking," Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson said. "I think he's got it narrowed down to two or three teams, and he says we're in great shape. But you never know. Money means so much in this business, and we're limited with what we can do. If everything's equal, I think we're in pretty good shape." McGrady also likes Portland TrailBlazers guard Damon Stoudamire, who played with him for part of his rookie year in Toronto. "He was Mighty Mouse then," McGrady said. "He's toward the end of his career where he just wants to win. It's not about being the man. "When it's all said and done, everyone wants to win a championship. I think that's the attitude of everyone on this team. A lot of sacrifices need to be made, because we're definitely trying to put together a hell of a team. Some guys are going to be without minutes, and some guys are going to have to sacrifice their games. But to be that team that we want to be, we're going to have to be willing to do that." </div> Source
If the Rockets end up with both Swift and Stoudamire, I'll be one happy Rocketeer ...I'm assuming if Swift ends up here, it'll likely be through sign-and-trade, correct?...which means Wesley and/or Sura are likely gone...I would love to see Wesley traded and for us to somehow keep Sura, and I think Stoudamire would make a capable starting guard who can penetrate and shoot, although I'm concerned about his defensive tenacity...does anyone know what it would take through a sign-and-trade deal to get Swift over here?...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Shooter:</div><div class="quote_post">does anyone know what it would take through a sign-and-trade deal to get Swift over here?...</div> We're going to have to give up either Mike James or Bob Sura. Memphis is desperately lacking a point guard since both their point guards are expected to leave this offseason. With half the good powerforwards out of the market, I think it might be time to target Swift. I'm still not too high on him, but if it comes down to him as the last quality powerforward choice, he's my pick. Hey, maybe McGrady can bust Swift's butt enough to get him motivated. If it doesn't work, well we're screwed. If its going to turn out to be a sign and trade, its definitely a risk.
I;d t rade James over Sura, like I've said many times before. They are almost the same age, so you can't really say James is much younger. And with a player like Head, we could do without James. If we lose Sura we lose alot more. He's a bigger player who can pass and rebound much better, plus he is one of the main reasons why our chemistry was so good late in the season. I too am not overly thrilled about Swift, but he is still a quality PF that can make a difference. I'm not too sure on Damon, but if he is determined to win a title, then he might be greaqt for us. I still think we need a quality backup SF too.
Its good that mcgradys looking for people to improve his team. It shows he cares about his squad and wants them to excell. Some people think not but i believe just like Mcgrady, that Swift would indeed help out the Rockets.
I also really think that swift would be HUGE for us. He can play the 5 if needed, and he's a decent rebounder/defender, plus he can score. I really want both him and Mighty Mouse...but I'd rather have Stromile anyway
[quote name='dakeem1']I;d t rade James over Sura, like I've said many times before. They are almost the same age, so you can't really say James is much younger. And with a player like Head, we could do without James. If we lose Sura we lose alot more. He's a bigger player who can pass and rebound much better, plus he is one of the main reasons why our chemistry was so good late in the season. i really agree with this. Sura gives us alot more toughness than james. Anybody remember the open field tackle sura did on josh howard?! I believe Head will replace james nicely.
I love Sura and James, but honestly I'd take James over Sura anyday of the week.....sura is probably better for the starting position, but we need to keep James to have some fire power off the bench.....if we trade James, we'd have one of the worst benches in the NBA
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting THE DREAM:</div><div class="quote_post">I love Sura and James, but honestly I'd take James over Sura anyday of the week.....sura is probably better for the starting position, but we need to keep James to have some fire power off the bench.....if we trade James, we'd have one of the worst benches in the NBA</div> Like I've said a BILLION times, we have Head! We shouldn't have to of the eact same kind of player. Head is more talented than James and younger so we don't need James here. Head is our firepower off the bench, not James. Through trade, if we acquire a PF, or even a big SF (to shift T-Mac back to SG), We will have either Howard or Wesley on the bench, so we do not lose our depth. I agree that we still need a solid backup SF and possibly a center, but its a good start for us. If Mutombo comes back, and we DON'T trade James our bench could look like this: Mutombo, Head, James, Bowen, Padgett (if he comes back). Now thats a weak bench. If we trade James, our bench would be the same, but with Howard or Wesley on the bench and James gone. I think thats an improvment, and assuming we can sign a starting PG, Sura would beo n the bench too. All that wold leave is a player to back up the SF position.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Like I've said a BILLION times, we have Head! We shouldn't have to of the eact same kind of player. Head is more talented than James and younger so we don't need James here. Head is our firepower off the bench, not James.</div> True, but we don't exactly know if Head is that talented now do we? He's only had success at the college level and until we know if his game can translate into the NBA, I don't think we should take the risk of trading away James just yet. For all we know, Head can be a bust (he had six points against Pacers Friday in 20 some minutes) and then our bench would be completely weakened without James.
Is Yao really going to want to play with the guy who so dis-respected him on court...you all remember.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Lamont:</div><div class="quote_post">Is Yao really going to want to play with the guy who so dis-respected him on court...you all remember.</div> When Swift dunked on Yao you mean? I doubt Yao is going to hold that against him. Getting dunked on is just a part of the game for some centers lol.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting miamiballa12:</div><div class="quote_post">When Swift dunked on Yao you mean? I doubt Yao is going to hold that against him. Getting dunked on is just a part of the game for some centers lol.</div> Yeah, didn't T-Mac dunk on Yao once as well? Not sure so don't quote me on that...
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">True, but we don't exactly know if Head is that talented now do we? He's only had success at the college level and until we know if his game can translate into the NBA, I don't think we should take the risk of trading away James just yet. For all we know, Head can be a bust (he had six points against Pacers Friday in 20 some minutes) and then our bench would be completely weakened without James. </div> I think you summed up my thoughts perfectly....for some odd reason people act like Head is the 2nd coming or something......we still have to see what he can offer first.
Yeah, until he shows me what he can do on the court in a real NBA game, I wont comment on how good he is. He had a good college career but that sometimes doesnt translate to a successful NBA career. Plus the summer league games wont really show much of what he has to offer. I'm just gonna wait till the season kicks off and cross my fingers that he is the player I've been hearing good things about.
Tmac is feeling the pressure. He knows we need a bigman, also I think Stoudamire would be great pick up, but we still are overstocked at the guard position.
