"Everywhere I looked, I had a weapon to pass it to,'' - Rafer Alston

It's a perfect situation for him.

He's the main playmaker but the last option on offense when he's on the court. The only person on the court who can't hit a long jumper is Dwight and he can lob it up to him for a dunk. The rockets did him a favor.

 

10 pts 9 assists so far in 2nd game vs heat. 4-9

wade has 40 pts and rest of his team has 26 combined

 

That is way better than Lowry's numbers. Our team would have been better if we decided to let Brooks start and Rafer be the backup.

 

Yeah just judge the trade from 2 games, real intuitive there buddy...

 

You really don't need a single game to tell this trade doesn't help us now, like Morey suggested. This trade was clearly for the future, but it would be a PR nightmare if Morey said that.

 

It helps us now by getting AB acclimated to the starter position sooner then later. It was inevitable that AB would inherit the starter position, DM just accelerated the process.

As far as Rafer coming off the bench, I really don't see the positive of benching a 32 yr old who's used to being the starter and no ceiling for improvement. DM and Adelman did the right thing by trading the incumbent so there's no tension or confusion.

BTW, it wasn't mentioned that Rafer got those stats today with starter minutes.

 

EXACTLY!!

 

which suits him perfectly, b/c he has no weapons of his own.

he was like a helpless mouse running the rockets.. can't finish his own layups and you can only shoot so many 3s until people start realizing you suck at layups and floaters

 

Some high praises for Rafer in the AP recap of the Magic-Heat game:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap;_ylt=AqbtmG8sX01fpLdzXeV1qL6QvLYF?gid=2009022219

 

I wish Skip well. We're a better team after the trade, but the guy poured his sweat and tears out for this team. You always hate to see a guy like that go, especially when they exhibit the swagger that Skip brought to this team. The guy always had his teammates back and didn't take crap from anyone ever.

This is the one play from the streak that sticks out most in my mind. It exemplified just how high of an emotional wave these guys were on as it stretched on:

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The legend: Rafer Alston

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I also wish Skip the best, but to those thinking this puts Orlando over the top or something...it doesn't. They were still under-performing Boston, Cleveland and the Lakers before Jameer got hurt. Rafer clearly does not equal Jameer Nelson.

But he's definitely a good stop-gap for that team, and no reason they shouldn't make it out of the first round and be a great 2nd round matchup for either Cleveland or Boston.

Their problem will come down to 3 point shooting. When they're on, they are pretty close to unbeatable. When they're off, they struggle to win at all. And that can be a dangerous thing to rely on come playoff time.

The Rockets also have to work on being less 3 point dependent at times.

 

Last year when the rockets won 22 in a row, SKip was going off big time! Rockets seem to sway one way or another depending on skip. Skip shooting 15 times or more a game is ridiculous when you have Yao. Good riddance.

 

this isnt a video game

i dont think Rafer would take kindly to being benched after being the starter for the past 3-4 years on this team. It wasnt like he got any worse since he first came here, problem is that he hasnt gotten any better.


Rafer is doing well (in terms of assists) in orlando but that is expected he doesnt have another person on the team there that could average 5-6 assists per game unlike here in houston. his 5-18 combined shooting in the two games so far sound very rafer-esque to me.


sometimes you have to make a trade because if you dont do anything you aren't helping yourself and the PG position has been an area of weakness for the rockets since Francis left.


The rockets are 2-0 since Rafer was traded the magic are 2-0 the Rockets have faced a better team (mavs) than the Magic have (heat) and they both whupped the bobcats. It seems like a win-win for both teams.


The real issue will arise next year when Rafer goes back to being on the bench when Nelson comes back.

 

we still kill the magic anyway, we match up well against them

 

If Rafer shot better he'd still be here. Fact is, he is a liability with a wide open shot.

 

If Hedo opts out they might need to make salary space to stay under LT...

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dime-090222

 

miami?

 

No. LBJ should count as 4 people. All three refs will wear Cavs jerseys when they are in the playoffs.

 

so what's Lowry's stats??

 

Rafer Alston = band aid

Anyone else get nervous hearing a quote from Rafer about seeing weapons everywhere he looks? Orlando valet parking attendants are sleeping a little less peaceful tonight.