PG Solution

[cody]

As I type, I'm thinking of a title to get the rest of ROX fans to read this.

Rafer Alston, is addicted to turning over the ball. Steve Franchise, is addicted to pouting and being a b!atch on the sidelines. I live in Alexandria, VA now and aside from catching the Rox once a year in Washington, I live vicariously through the NBA package. Do you think this could help out the Alston/James/Francis/Brooks situation?

Alston - he makes some of the worst decisions a point guard could make. watching him hoist 3's and pull up jumpers on fast breaks just kill me. it hurts me even more when he does something stupid, like he did numerous of times last night, and then "something good comes out of another dumb decision". it's like, he'll jack a 3 and i'll sit there in discuss that he even shot it, then i goes in, then he'll come back and hit another and i'm quiet for a while. BUT low and behold he'll bring me back to reality with a turnover that is nobody's fault but his. we're not even going to mention his defense, because it's self explanitory. in conclusion, he's not our answer at pg, but he's not moochie norris either..

francis - i don't know what kinda shape he's in physically or mentally, but the one thing i don't want to happen to him is what happened to bonzi last year. If he crawls any further in adelman's dog house, he'll be another unhappy rocket that will never be able to play up to his potential because of outside factors. why not let him start? i mean, rafer is doing as bad as any starting pg could do. i don't want RA to try to work stevie in the game by giving him 5 to 7 minutes a game. he'll never get in a groove and he'll be BONZI'ed. i say, let him start, he'll be motivated by the minutes, gain confidence with the 1st unit and could possibly help this team. Hell, if nothing else, he can guard the bigger point guards that ABUSE rafer every night. If not go back to Rafer..

james - thus far he's solidified that he'll get the bulk of the pg minutes. but i don't think RA will ever start him, simply because he and bonzi bring that spark off the bench. he'll get the most minutes, and probably be in, in the 4th qt., as he should.

brooks - with the clutter, he probably wont come up for air this season. Even if he is playing better than Stevie, and Rafer and MJ are struggling, I can't see RA reaching to brooks before at least giving Stevie a chance. It would only furthur send francis into b!@tch mode.

In conclusion, while Rafer is stinking it up, at least give Stevie a chance to stink it up as well. MJ will eat up the minutes and be the savior for both of them anyway and Brooks got drafted to the wrong team if he's planning on seeing minutes this season. We don't want to send Stevie into distraction mode if he can truly help this team. Last year Bonzi became a complete distraction, but we also knew it was no way he could help this team anyway, given his mental and physical state.

Rafer sucks, but is servicable. Steve could help but we don't know. MJ is above both. Brooks is caught in the politics..

[Noely1984]

Clap!~~~

[A_3PO]

I think you are wrong about AB. He won't play meaningful minutes until Adelman thinks he is ready. It won't depend on the political implications of putting him in over SF. In fact, if SF doesn't start progressing after a while, I expect he'll be de-activated on game days.

My preferred solution is for SF to get it going and replace Rafer as starter. I know it seems like a pipedream right now.

[durvasa]

Alston's had some questionable decision making the first couple games. He looked great against preseason opponents, but against quality competition the mediocrity shines through.

Still, I think Alston's defense is underrated by a lot of fans. He's great at getting deflections, and he communicates well with others on that end. He isn't a physical defender, but overall I think he's effective.

On offense, I trust his decision making a hell of a lot more than I trust Steve's, even though he's looked somewhat shaky. Last year, Alston's play really frustrated since we didn't have an adequate backup and we were stuck with mediocre play for 40 mpg. Now, he doesn't have to play more than 25-30 mpg, because James is a quality backup.

For now, I'm fine with those two at PG. It's a real upgrade over the last couple seasons, certainly.

[mag]

Everybody is making the assumption that SF is the same player he was 4 or 5 years ago.
It has been a long time since he has played well in any team so why are thinking that just giving him minutes is going to be good for the team?

In the few minutes he played in pre-season, he did not show anything to get the minutes people is demanding for him.

Let's be realistic and accept that he is not the same player.

[rofflesaurus]

another "bench rafer and play steve" thread. really guys this is getting old. steve is the 11th man (snyder is in front of him).

and plus

Adelman knows more than you.

[Big Shot Bob]

another "bench rafer and play steve" thread. really guys this is getting old. steve is the 11th man (snyder is in front of him).

and plus

Adelman knows more than you.

Amen, clutchfans would be the only place where people bitch about rafer after 2 WINS to start the season.

[ima_drummer2k]

This is another cleverly disguised 'play Steve' thread.

I don't understand it. We're off to our best start in years and we're not even hitting on all cylinders yet. We just whipped the team that knocked us out of the playoffs last year and we did it in their own house.

How about we leave everything as is until we actually lose a few games?

Lighten up, Rocket fans.

Everything is proceeding as I have foreseen.

http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/130/009_422-034~Star-Wars-Posters.jpg

[cody]

Amen, clutchfans would be the only place where people bitch about rafer after 2 WINS to start the season.

this isn't a bash rafer session. because what rafer does have that steve and to a certain extent MJ don't, is heart. he does a lot of wrong, and his defense is suspect, but he goes HARD doing it. which is why i think he impressed RA so much in camp and preseason. also, i don't think SF is the same player he once was, but at least give the fans a glimpse to see if he helps or hurts this team.

which is why i compared his state to bonzi's last year. As fans when we heard bonzi wasn't in good terms with JVG and then he wasn't getting in games when he did dress, we all BARKED at JVG for not giving bonzi a chance, based on the bonzi we knew from sacramento and portland. then when bonzi did get on the court, we realized he just wasn't in a position to help the team. I just don't want that to happen to SF, if in fact he can help the team

[GRENDEL]

another "bench rafer and play steve" thread. really guys this is getting old. steve is the 11th man (snyder is in front of him).

and plus

Adelman knows more than you.
I know what you mean.

guess SF3 is going to become the boards new Vspan, Boki.....etc


I think SF3 will work his way into the rotation at some point but damn people just give it some time and just enjoy the Rockets good start!

[DCkid]

As I type, I'm thinking of a title to get the rest of ROX fans to read this.

Rafer Alston, is addicted to turning over the ball.

I love how this inaccuracy keeps popping up in anti-Rafer posts. Folks, Rafer does not have a history of being a turnover machine. Of all the point guards in the NBA last season he ranked 30th in turnovers per 48 minutes.

He's had two games where he made some uncharacteristically bad passes and people are acting like he's Steve Francis.

[buzz1701]

I think the PG rotation is perfect. Look we don't have Kidd or any of the top point guards, all we have is what we have. Alston is a pass first - set up the offense kinda point guard and James is more of a scorer. I think starting Alston and bringing in James makes the most sense. Kind of like Kenny Smith and then Cassell. Steve Francis is a scrub who will most likely be waived before he sees any playing time. Give it up on SF3!!!!!

[Hayesfan]

Point Guard by committee.... during the Jazz game

6-12 FG
2-5 3pt
9-12 FT
8 Assists
1 Reb
2 TO
4 Steals
23 Pts

Not bad next to two superstars if you ask me. I wouldn't say we have a point guard problem... but that's just me.

[Cohen]

As I type, I'm thinking of a title to get the rest of ROX fans to read this.

Rafer Alston, is addicted to turning over the ball. ...


Alston is addicted to t/os? :confused:

[Cohen]

another "bench rafer and play steve" thread. really guys this is getting old. steve is the 11th man (snyder is in front of him).

and plus

Adelman knows more than you.



So did JVG.

Two top-tier coaches.

[daddy cool]

With two stars the rockets don't need a proto-typical point guard. The point guard position played by committte.

[WNBA]

agree on everything except

"Rafer sucks, but is servicable."

I don't think Rafer is servicable for any elite team if Rockets want to be one.

Our bench PG, Mike James, is on elite (bench) level, no doubt.

We need a starting PG. We need SF to revive or trade someone servicable.

right now, our PG position is actually thin:

starter: (none).
bench: MJ

DNPs: SF , Brooks.

[Kwame]

If you want the Rockets to go far in the playoffs, you don't wanna see Rafer Alston play.

[Barkley]

If you want the Rockets to go far in the playoffs, you don't wanna see Rafer Alston play.

Agre but damn, we just have to play him right now. He's hurtin' the team as a shooter, we know.

The only idea is to trade him for another playmaker.

[DudeWah]

I think the PG rotation is perfect. Look we don't have Kidd or any of the top point guards, all we have is what we have. Alston is a pass first - set up the offense kinda point guard and James is more of a scorer. I think starting Alston and bringing in James makes the most sense. Kind of like Kenny Smith and then Cassell. Steve Francis is a scrub who will most likely be waived before he sees any playing time. Give it up on SF3!!!!!
<br>
if being a pass first point guard means handing the ball to T-Mac and standing around to brick a three or *gasp* throw up an ugly teardrop....then yeah rafer can do that
<br>
if you want a real team rafer needs to be benched.....which will soon happen

[topfive]

Man, that was an awful lot of verbiage to disguise a point suggested in a bazillion other threads.

In conclusion, while Rafer is stinking it up, at least give Stevie a chance to stink it up as well.

I have a better idea: Let RA decide when Stevie *deserves* a chance to run his offense.

[MONON]

For the 2nd year in a row, we have a new player we counted on to contribute,come to camp not in playing shape. This is not a good trend. :mad:

[topfive]

For the 2nd year in a row, we have a new player we counted on to contribute,come to camp not in playing shape. This is not a good trend. :mad:

DARYL MOREY'S NOTE TO SELF: Do not extend invitation for 2008 training camp to Shawn Kemp.

[Dave_78]

I'm no Rafer fan but come on. "Addicted to turning the ball over?"

Let's be accurate in our criticism.

[ralphabetsoup]

I wonder if Adelman has considered THIS lineup for certain games or game-situations...

TMac (dare I say it, PF - Point Forward/PG)...
Shane SG...
Chuck SF...
Scola PF...
Yao C...

I think that would work when you want to go big...

[morpheus133]

I wonder if Adelman has considered THIS lineup for certain games or game-situations...

TMac (dare I say it, PF - Point Forward/PG)...
Shane SG...
Chuck SF...
Scola PF...
Yao C...

I think that would work when you want to go big...

You do realise that Shane is shooting worse than Rafer so far this year right? Battier is 9-26 for 34.6%, compared to Alston's 8-21 for 38%. Shane's uncharacteristic bad shooting is a big contributor to our starters looking bad on offense. That isn't to say Battier's defense and other contributions haven't out weighed his poor shooting, much like Rafer does things that help the team that give him value outside of scoring.

[crimmy88]

I think you guys just hate Rafer too much..sure he shoots some bad shots but I remember him hitting a couple of clutch 3s in the Jazz series (or maybe that was just me?) plus, he also passes alot which usually results to baskets..IMO hes a pass-first PG unlike SF3 who needs to dominate the ball to be productive..

[ralphabetsoup]

My suggestion of a big lineup in CERTAIN situations doesn't mean I don't appreciate Rafe... Rafe has hit some big shots and kept the offense together in some stretches so far over 3 games... But there might come a time when we should go BIG, so Rafer wouldn't figure into that...

[Franco7]

Everybody is making the assumption that SF is the same player he was 4 or 5 years ago.
It has been a long time since he has played well in any team so why are thinking that just giving him minutes is going to be good for the team?

In the few minutes he played in pre-season, he did not show anything to get the minutes people is demanding for him.

Let's be realistic and accept that he is not the same player.

FYI:
Francis avg'd 24 PPG in his last 4 starts for the Knincks last season.

[telafab]

must suck to be a rafer hater. dude starts every game.

[Labyrinth Blues]

must suck to be a rafer hater. dude starts every game.

Unlucky too, as they will never be able appreciate or enjoy the value of players and contributions they make that don't appear on the box score, throw them a few steve francis highlights and they will be satisfied.

Our PG Combo is very solid as of now and I do not see why we need a solution when there isn't a major problem. The continued wishing of Stevie playing into the rotation will mean the injury or woeful perfomances of one of our rotational player, surely we don't want that to happen?

I love Stevie, but I'm pretty sure a 100% Steve Francis won't run the Houston Rockets offense better then Rafer. I'll assure you he will probably destroy Rafer 1v1 and is 200x the more qualified "franchise player". He'll give you 25-5-5 easy on a subpar team, but on an elite Rocket's team with his current conditioning, his better off picking up a better attitude, continued to learn and practice hard under RA's system and he MIGHT make a good penetration punch off the bench.

A PG that has the best +/- statistical rates with Yao and Mcgrady and knows the team sweet spots and RA's offensive system in and outs with solid defense and exceptional ball handling and tempo control. Team Basketball is a system and group of everything placed together (Players, coaches, admin), not the best individual talents, and right now, The Rockets definately belongs to the elite group, hence, rendering a major rotational player like Rafer "elite". Rafer Alston belongs to an "elite" Rockets Team as an outstanding fit. I don't think many PGs outside of the top tier PGs can run the Rockets team better then he does.

I'm sorry I just couldn't help stereotyping and mocking people who work as a taxi driver during the day to question and / or think they can do a better job then top tier NBA head coaches who gets paid millions per year.

_ Blues