Grizzlies Counting on Swift to be Mr. Potential

[The White T-mac]

http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/grizzl...5000006,00.html

His middle name still is potential.

There are moments when Stromile P. Swift performs with great promise. Then there are times when his skills seem to perish.

The bottom line for the Grizzlies is that -- this time -- the P. stands for perpetrator, someone who finally will do unto the game what the game's talent evaluators have long expected based on those God-given tools.

In perhaps one of the NBA's most extreme cases of deja vu, Swift is about two weeks away from beginning a second stint with the Grizzlies.

Swift also must ready himself for arguably the biggest encore of his career.

All-Star forward Pau Gasol is hurt -- lost for about four months because of left foot surgery.

Circumstances again make it easy for Swift to play the hero -- with only a starting job and sweet opportunity as pylons along a road toward redemption following his one-year, forgetful hiatus with the Houston Rockets.

The issue this season, similar to Swift's five previous with the Grizzlies, is not what he can do, but how often he will do it.

This time, the Griz aren't looking for flashes. They need flavor at power forward and the organization is counting on more than a pinch of Swift. The organization is counting on Swift to appear seasoned his seventh time around the NBA block if it has a chance to remain afloat in the Western Conference without Gasol.

"Everyone looks at him and says here's a guy who has been around (six seasons), but look at his age. That's the intriguing thing," Griz president Jerry West said. "He gets stronger every year. When he was here with us the first time, I saw a player that's versatile.

"At times you wanted him to do more because of the potential. But in reality he did what he did. He helped us win games a lot of the time. You'd be surprised at how may people would like to have him (in a trade)."

The Griz re-acquired Swift when they shipped Shane Battier to Houston and also received the rights to eighth overall pick Rudy Gay. West made clear his resolve to hold onto Swift recently, emphasizing a couple conversations he's had with the 6-9 jumping jack over the past month.

Despite his critics, Swift returns with the nightly ability to score in the lane, grab double-digit rebounds and protect the basket with his athleticism and length.

"We had two really nice talks," West said. "In my talks with him, he seemed to be excited to be back. I talked about the opportunity for him to have the ball in his hands. I told him how important it was to come and be ready to start the season strong. He's going to get a lot of touches, so I would think he'd have to feel good about that."

Swift's agent, Andy Miller, sounded equally as optimistic and characterized Swift's mindset as constructive.

"Since the initial shock of being traded, any conversation I've had with Stro has been very positive," Miller said. "There aren't any negative feelings. It's a good opportunity for him to re-establish himself. We thought that before Gasol's injury. That won't change his approach. The second time around with the Grizzlies and the familiarity should make it a better transition."

The Rockets quickly stamped return to sender on Swift after signing him to a five-year, $30 million free-agent deal last summer. He showed little improvement from his first five NBA seasons. For much of the season, Swift was in and out of the lineup because of various injuries and ailments. When he was healthy, he didn't contribute as much as the Rockets hoped he would when they signed him.

A Dec. 21, 2005, Houston Chronicle headline read: "It's time for Swift to shine." Just two days later, Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy summed up Swift with a familiar tone.

"He's had a careerlong battle, like a lot of players in this league, to be an everyday player versus a sometimes player," Van Gundy said. "I don't think starting or coming off the bench will impact that. Like most guys, if they want to make a break-through, they have to make a conscious decision about their intensity, preparation and focus. I think he's going to try to do that."

Swift went to the Rockets hoping that a chance with a second team would allow him to take his play to a greater level. But he wasn't reliable.

Beyond the numbers, he reportedly fought bouts of inattentiveness, switching too late defensively or moving too late to get to loose balls. On other occasions, when he is more alert and energetic, his quickness was an asset.

Now, the hope in Memphis is that asset becomes Swift's middle name.

"How many players can change the course of a game?," West said. "When Stro is playing at the top of his game, he affects the game. He'll block shots. He'll get the crowd going with a dunk when you least expect it. Getting Stro back is important for us."

[Scooby Dooby Doo]

Swift has only that.... potential.

[KG-MVP21]

Memphis need Stro to explote himself...Gasol will be the first one-two months out so he has to be a dominant piece...who more have Grizzlies inside? Tsakalidis....