Quadzilla99
07-01-2006, 09:02 AM
Swift reportedly not so thrilled
David J. Phillip/Associated Press
As a Houston Rocket in 2005-06, Stromile Swift had his worst NBA season since his rookie campaign, averaging 8.9 points and 4.4 rebounds. Now he's been traded back to the Grizzlies, where he was a fan favorite for his spectacular dunks.Story Tools
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By Ronald Tillery
Contact
July 1, 2006
News that he'd been traded back to the Grizzlies where his career began, never skyrocketed and ended on a sour note hit Stromile Swift hard.
Swift still is trying to comprehend the move and lift his spirits, according to people close to the power forward/center.
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In fact, Swift immediately became speechless upon learning of the draft-day deal that sent him and the rights to Rudy Gay (the eighth overall pick) from Houston to Memphis for Shane Battier.
It's not the city. It's the situation that apparently concerns Swift.
Teams are prohibited from discussing the trade before July 12 when it becomes official. The Grizzlies, though, are ready to welcome back Swift because of his athleticism and shot-blocking ability.
He also comes at a reasonable price -- a contract that pays $5.4 million for the 2006-07 season. Swift left Memphis last summer after five seasons partly because he sought a six-year contract averaging $10 million per season. The Griz had offered an incentive-laden deal worth $48 million before Swift entered his final season in Memphis.
Attempts to reach Swift were unsuccessful.
His agent, Andy Miller, said it was too soon to predict how Swift will react.
"It's a little shocking for him clearly," Miller said. "It's a business. We'll deal with it, and hopefully make this work."
Swift still owns a home in Memphis. Former teammate Lorenzen Wright and his family are renting the property.
By the time of his departure, Swift perceived that the organization had given up on his talent. Swift dealt with fluctuating playing time, an ankle injury and the team's mandate to be fiscally responsible as his Memphis days concluded.
"I didn't have conversations with them but there wasn't much to discuss," Miller said of the summer Swift departed. "I do believe Memphis was done with him at that point."
In his brief stint with the Rockets, Swift completed his worst season since his rookie campaign of 2000. He averaged 8.9 points and 4.4 rebounds after quickly falling out of favor with Houston coach Jeff Van Gundy.
His best seasons have come in Memphis where Swift averaged 10 points and five rebounds off the bench over five years. Swift's best season was 2001-02 when he averaged 12 points and six rebounds.
Still, Swift has yet to return calls to the Grizzlies.
Battier, meanwhile, already has engaged Houston.
The former face of the Grizzlies responded to criticism of his acquisition in the Houston Chronicle.
"It's completely understandable for fans," Battier said. "The nice, shiny-red fire engine looks better than the old, shabby teddy bear that's been around the block a few times. But I'm going to do everything I can to earn the city of Houston's respect, to earn Rockets fans' respect. It's going to end up a pretty good deal."
The question now is will Swift ever be convinced?
-- Ronald Tillery: 529-2353
http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/grizzlies/article/0,1426,MCA_475_4815916,00.html
David J. Phillip/Associated Press
As a Houston Rocket in 2005-06, Stromile Swift had his worst NBA season since his rookie campaign, averaging 8.9 points and 4.4 rebounds. Now he's been traded back to the Grizzlies, where he was a fan favorite for his spectacular dunks.Story Tools
E-mail this story | Print
By Ronald Tillery
Contact
July 1, 2006
News that he'd been traded back to the Grizzlies where his career began, never skyrocketed and ended on a sour note hit Stromile Swift hard.
Swift still is trying to comprehend the move and lift his spirits, according to people close to the power forward/center.
Advertisement
In fact, Swift immediately became speechless upon learning of the draft-day deal that sent him and the rights to Rudy Gay (the eighth overall pick) from Houston to Memphis for Shane Battier.
It's not the city. It's the situation that apparently concerns Swift.
Teams are prohibited from discussing the trade before July 12 when it becomes official. The Grizzlies, though, are ready to welcome back Swift because of his athleticism and shot-blocking ability.
He also comes at a reasonable price -- a contract that pays $5.4 million for the 2006-07 season. Swift left Memphis last summer after five seasons partly because he sought a six-year contract averaging $10 million per season. The Griz had offered an incentive-laden deal worth $48 million before Swift entered his final season in Memphis.
Attempts to reach Swift were unsuccessful.
His agent, Andy Miller, said it was too soon to predict how Swift will react.
"It's a little shocking for him clearly," Miller said. "It's a business. We'll deal with it, and hopefully make this work."
Swift still owns a home in Memphis. Former teammate Lorenzen Wright and his family are renting the property.
By the time of his departure, Swift perceived that the organization had given up on his talent. Swift dealt with fluctuating playing time, an ankle injury and the team's mandate to be fiscally responsible as his Memphis days concluded.
"I didn't have conversations with them but there wasn't much to discuss," Miller said of the summer Swift departed. "I do believe Memphis was done with him at that point."
In his brief stint with the Rockets, Swift completed his worst season since his rookie campaign of 2000. He averaged 8.9 points and 4.4 rebounds after quickly falling out of favor with Houston coach Jeff Van Gundy.
His best seasons have come in Memphis where Swift averaged 10 points and five rebounds off the bench over five years. Swift's best season was 2001-02 when he averaged 12 points and six rebounds.
Still, Swift has yet to return calls to the Grizzlies.
Battier, meanwhile, already has engaged Houston.
The former face of the Grizzlies responded to criticism of his acquisition in the Houston Chronicle.
"It's completely understandable for fans," Battier said. "The nice, shiny-red fire engine looks better than the old, shabby teddy bear that's been around the block a few times. But I'm going to do everything I can to earn the city of Houston's respect, to earn Rockets fans' respect. It's going to end up a pretty good deal."
The question now is will Swift ever be convinced?
-- Ronald Tillery: 529-2353
http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/grizzlies/article/0,1426,MCA_475_4815916,00.html