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debarge · 12-19-2005, 10:50 PM

I thought since we are not going to move Stromile Swift, and he will be getting even more minutes now that Yao is injured, we should have a thread to discuss his play from game to game. Also list your insights and comments on his play so far in the season.

IMO, he's been Passionless. That's the best way I can describe his play so far. He's never had a great game, but he's had a few decent ones. I'm very dissatisfied with him thus far, mostly defensively and on the glass. I can easily tolerate someone new to a team, not understanding the "new offense", or "knowing his role" and what's expected of him offensively. I cannot stomach someone refusing to rebound or guard a man that has the ball, and just give up layups

That's intolerable... what can I say about someone who has a vertical leap that he has, but is constantly out-fought for boards. I can only imagine if Yao or Dke had Stromile's athletic ability??? In Yao's case you'd have possibly the 'greatest center of all time' or the closet clone of Hakeem Olajowon ever! In Dke's case you'd have someone like Dwight Howard but 7'3", WOW.

You make the most of the skills you've got, he isn't doing that. He is habitually "unfocused" and is probably the worst weakside defender on the team. These are correctable errors, but it has been 20 + games now? He's had opportunities to show us his game....but always seems to fall short. It just may not be "in him" to succeed on this team. Let's be honest, offensively he's pretty inept, unskilled, and immature at best. His Defensive play is what concerns me the most, he's terrible. He's too light-weight to defend anybody in the post, or for that matter to post up anyone. I think the Rockets are stuck with him, because they believe in him for some reason, though we have no proof that he will get better. There's evidence to the contrary that he even has the skills to do so. I do not want to believe this but Stro's not given us any reason to think he will improve, other than the "he's still young...he's on a new team" excuse.

I hope I'm horribly wrong about him....

TracywtFacy · 12-20-2005, 12:59 AM

He is an anti-Duncan, if you like... Mr.Fundamentals is all about positioning, using his bulk and size, etc. Stro is slim and light, and has the biggest hops I've ever seen in a long time. So he will get some incredible boards, blocks, and dunks. Unless he bulks up considerably he will have trouble boxing out, holding his position, etc. His game is improving, he is still young, maybe it will take him a few seasons to mature and learn the game. Remember he never saw many minutes over his career, despite being a no.2 pick. I don't think he's passionless, i think it's team discipline that he's learning. None of the antics he showed in previous years. I'm glad we have him, I'm looking for a breakout game from him soon, it will be only a matter of time.

**Hakeem** · 12-20-2005, 01:28 AM

I wouldn't call him passionless. I think he is an interesting player, and I watch him pretty closely.

IMO, Stro's strengths:
* Contests shots -- we didn't have anyone doing that at power forward last season
* Plays with energy
* Uses his athleticism to improbably pull down some tough offensive rebounds
* Jumper isn't as bad as I thought it was
* Sometimes provides much-needed aggressiveness on offense
* Still has potential

Weaknesses:
* Inconsistent
* Very poor grasp of the game
* Poor man defender
* Terrible passer, and he never looks for Yao -- not even when he has the ball at the top of the key and Yao has planted himself under the basket with his defender stuck behind him
* Very ordinary rebounder overall
* Has no post game
* Can block shots, but falls for too many pump fakes
* Foul prone

**Yao Mania** · 12-20-2005, 01:56 AM

Interesting thread, we'll see if he answers.

What happen to T-Mac's plan of turning him into an all-star?

southeasy · 12-20-2005, 08:52 PM

stromile plays better with yao & mcgrady and he's been one of my favourite players since vancouver. he's got amazing hops & i'd really like to see him show everyone what he can do, and i hope he gets the start tommorow against us in t.o. i think we got this, but i hope stro plays great for you guys.

TManiAC · 12-20-2005, 09:39 PM

Offensive Negatives:
Swift's post moves could use some polishing. He has minimal understanding of footwork and tends to force a drive ending in an off-balanced and poorly timed hook shot. He has the athletic tools to be a good fit, but he plays like a twelve-year-old playground baller. He is slow in making his decisions and hesitates with the ball. I'm especially disgusted with how he always pulls the same fake as it's really working.

Offensive Positives:
When he makes quick decisions to shoot the ball, he is exceptionally efficient. Swift has consistently hit the 18-footer. I like when he uses his athleticism to attack offensive boards. His tip-dunk in the Sacramento game energized the team and helped the Rockets to re-gain the lead and close out the game. I also wouldn't mind if he attacked the rim for a dunk rather than backing down and using poor footwork to score the basket. Swift is also showing flashes of understanding how and when the ball should be passed. He's made some great plays by making the extra pass around the basket, you can tell TMac's passing style is really rubbing off on him.

Defensive Negatives:
Swift has poor quickness... not to be confused with speed. Swift react too slowly because most of the time he's trying to figure out what the hell he's supposed to be doing. He has poor defensive recognition and he doesn't seem to be understanding the defensive sets at all. I figure with more experience he will learn the routine of fundamental defense. He also over-commits. He over-commits on steals. I'll often see Swift try and steal the ball in transition and forget to get back to guard or slow down his assignment. He over-commits to help-defense and forgets to recover his man. He overly committed to blocking shots and easily falls for the fake and/or makes the unnecessary foul on the shooter.

Defensive Positives:
He has all the tools. There's not much else to be said here.

skykisser · 12-21-2005, 02:02 AM

this guy must step up, we need him badly now!!

**Yao Mania** · 12-21-2005, 08:09 PM

well.... comments on his performance as a starter tonight?

Krakista · 12-21-2005, 11:36 PM

2 points, 3 rebounds, 2 TOs, 14 minutes.

MM=Champions · 12-22-2005, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yao Mania

Interesting thread, we'll see if he answers.

What happen to T-Mac's plan of turning him into an all-star?

Wesley has become the candidate of the all-stars.Then T-mac is thinking:"OMG,I've not enough time to process the guy.The only choice is next year."Wesley is snickering while Swift cries just beside.

southeasy · 12-22-2005, 02:15 PM

to be honest, stromile really didn't get starters minutes, and he still played better then ryan bowen (who played 10+ minutes on stromile)

chrish bosh had stromiles number all night, literally.

Xing · 12-22-2005, 04:07 PM

He'll be better if he does not feel upset. Saw him sitting on benth in TV, and his eyesight is hesitant not like other guys who is confident.

CrackerJack · 12-22-2005, 08:42 PM

sure hes got mad hops but:

hops doesnt equal game

**Yao Mania** · 12-23-2005, 03:32 AM

Well, at least he's got the right attitude still:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/...n/3544016.html

Quote:

Swift response
Stromile Swift said he could have returned to Wednesday's game soon after he was kicked below the belt. He never did. But Swift said he was disappointed with his play in his first start at center with Yao Ming and Dikembe Mutombo out rather than Jeff Van Gundy's decision to limit him to just 14 minutes.

"It's coach's decision," said Swift, who had had three rebounds and two points. "Personally, I knew I wasn't playing well. He decided to not play me the second half. So you work hard and move on to the next game. I'll just keep working and do my job and move on from there. That's all I can do.

"There is a lot I put on myself. But I'm always like that. I didn't play well. I expect more out of myself than what I showed. I've got to pick it up."

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