"Damn, I might be in trouble" - Stromile Swift remembers being impressed by Pau Gasol the first time seeing him play

Stromile Swift was drafted by the Vancouver Grizzlies second overall in the 2000 NBA Draft. A year later, the Grizzlies relocated to Memphis, bringing in a Spaniard named Pau Gasol . They played the same position, so Swift was eager to know what he was up against in the competition for minutes. It didn't take long before the former LSU Tiger found out for himself.

"When he (Pau Gasol) finally came from Spain before training camp start, and we played pickup and stuff," Swift said on The Knuckleheads podcast. "I'm like, this is supposed to be my spot. I'm supposed to be the starting power forward that year, but they bring him in, so I'm just trying to test him and see where he at. Man, when I say skill ー seven foot, can put it on the floor, right hand jump hook, left hand jump hook, mid-range. I was just like, 'Damn, I might be in trouble.'"

As far as what he could do on that basketball court, the two-time NBA champ had few peers. He was once considered the best offensive big man during his Lakers championship years. "Meal Ticket" was also an underrated passer, averaging 4.6 dimes in the 2005-06 season and 3.2 assists for his career.

Celebrating Pau's poster on KG

One of Gasol's earliest highlights was the baseline jam over three Timberwolves defenders, including Kevin Garnett . But if you think Pau was overjoyed by that play, Swift almost went crazy in celebration.

"If you watch that highlight, you probably don't see me, but I almost jumped on his back. I was so happy. Ticket (KG) was a bully, man," recalled the Stro Show.

Stro didn't actually attempt to jump on Pau's back; he almost broke it in half. He punched the air, let out a roar, and pushed Gasol. Of course, that's how you show a teammate some love in basketball. Swift was a high-flier himself, one of the Association's forgotten dunking stars , and had one of the coolest celebrations ever. However, that night, he was ecstatic that his teammate got one over the trash-talking KG.

Wasted Talent?

Because of his natural athletic gifts, Stro was built like he was born to play basketball. He was 6'9 with a 44-inch vertical, but unfortunately, he did not become anything more than a backup big man. His best season was the first one he played with Pau Gasol, averaging 11.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in less than 27 minutes. Moreover, he was out of the league after eight seasons.

Some may label Swift a wasted talent. In some ways, he might be; he never developed a post-game or a jump shot. He always went for pump fakes because he loved blocking shots, which is the main reason why he was such a poor rebounder for a man with his size and athleticism. Nevertheless, he entertained fans with some of the most violent dunks—leaving rims shaking and defenders thinking twice.

Related: "I was 12 and it changed my life" - Pau Gasol on the inspiration that propelled him to greatness in basketball