Man, I'm so tired of reading about how Rafer was a bust and that we shouldn't have traded Mike James. Rafer is injured. He's not in the doghouse. I assure you that Van Gundy would very much like to have him back. I can assure you that I very much want to have him back on the court as watching Wesley play point is a painful experience. Give the guy the benefit of the doubt and let's pass judgement on him after he's played a dozen games or so for the Rox. And for all the Mike James lovers, remember a few things about Mike James: he basically stated that when this season is over he is going to the highest bidder and that would not have been the Rockets. We would have lost him for nothing so at least this way we got ourselves a decent point gaurd. He was excellent as a scoring option off of the bench, but the wrong person to run the offense with the starting crew (as is Wesley *cringes*). Our bench scoring is not our problem this year. Anyways, lay it on me... I'm not afraid.
OK, lol Rafer sucked big time when he wasn't hurt .323 FG% .28 from 3 The only thing I'll give him is he was pretty good on the boards for a PG and his 4 apg is the better than anyone else running the point save Tmac
Lay it on you?, I actually agree with you. I just think we are all frustrated given the lofty expectations coming into this season. Rest assurred, this team will make a few tweaks here and there, and we'll eventually come around. Also, why is everyone bashing Les for being a cheap owner? If i'm not mistaken, this guy is always trying his best to put a winning product on the floor. The Rocket's payroll is right around the 64 million mark, just a tad shy of the luxury tax threshold. Anyone who thinks Les should incur a dollar for dollar luxury tax needs to have their head examined. Keep the faith.
I agree. I think we need Rafer back. It's obvious that Wesley can't run this club. If we are gonna make a trade for a guard, I would bet we move Wesley and possibly Moochie for a shooter/defender at the 2, then give the PG minutes to Head and Rafer.
First everything is Yao's fault, now it's Rafer Alston. I agreed with you, we need to have just a little more patience and see what happen. Remember people, Rome is not built in one day.
You forgot to mention that Rafer's TO's were very low esp. considering he was running point on a new team in a new system. Hard to knock his assist # when the ENTIRE team was shooting <40% from the field. His shooting % was well below his career avg., IIRC. Obviously he was in a slump. That happens to the best of 'em. Cut him some slack.
That was also at the beginning of the season when they were all sucking... as opposed to now when they are all... well OK. I'll give you that one. I watched all the preseason games though, and I can see that Rafer has the ability and simply wasn't out on the floor for enough games to get things situated. Even when he gets back I expect a few weeks of some not very impressive offensive coordination; but at the same time our point gaurd won't be flirting with double digits in turnovers either. Rafer's passing into Yao is light years beyond Wesley's and his speed on defense is what is so lacking at our point position right now. turnovers on one end and an open door on the other. No way to start possessions on defense or offense if you want to win games.
I guess I'm also one of the few people that think Alston will be okay once given more time on the floor with everyone. He's never been this bad on any team before, the learning curve seems to be tough on this team for everyone...man, people need to have patience, we'll be aight.
Boy, it seems to happen with every player that comes to the Rockets in the past 2-3 years...... I wonder what they has to do with?.......
I sometimes wonder what they has to do with too... My point is that I keep reading these sports writers saying that CD got taken on this deal and I simply don't see that. When they lose Mike James for nothing at the end of the season, and we still have a viable point gaurd next year, will they pull their thumb from between their buttocks and find a way to include a paragraphical compliment for the Rox organization amidst thier one finger monkey typing? I doubt it. As for every player that comes to the rockets missing shots over the last two or three years, I have to respectfully disagree. for instance, that rediculously ugly and unsuccessful jump hook of Deke's is exactly the same as it has always been. I will refrain from mentioning Yao, T-mac, Luther, Howard, JJ, Barry, and James as a few of those players during that time period who are fairly consistent in regards to their field goal percentages.
one last thing... I was a little harsh on Wesley in regards to his ability to play the point. I mean, last game he wasn't that bad in the turnover department only racking up a few. and he did manage an assist.
Really? Then how did we move up to the 5th seed after a flurry of trades? Maybe you are mistaken and every player hasn't slumped. back at ya.
Interesting time for this thread. Rafer is having a straight monster game. Jason Kidd like type of game.
This is kind interesting. On offense end, he seems to be a different player as the one in the beginning of the season. Very loose and creative, kind like play street ball with discipline. Although I'd like to see him improving his defense and 3pts shooting.
If Rafer had played like this all year the team would be above .500....he is playing with major confidence right now. And the team is following his lead. DD
UH, He had 6 steals tonight. What part of the defense do you want him to improve? This is after he shut down Allen Iverson of all people, he follows that up by playing Sam Cassell so well that Sam gets ejected from the game. And he is hitting his threes. Just admit that you can't stop hating on Rafer, even though he is probably one of the 3 best pgs in the west right now.
In your world, it is either black or white. I can't say one negative thing about Rafer otherwise it is just hatred. One of the 3 best PGs in the west? Nash, Parker, Bibby and Baron Davis, just name a few to show you are one who over-stretch a little bit after Rafer had several good games. Although I have to admit I didn't expect he play this well and I am very happy and hope he can keep it going.
That's why I said "right now". He's at the peak of his game and he's playing just as good as any of those guys. Sure Bibby and Davis are better shooters, but even those two would have to show some respect for the way Alston runs offense. It's not all about ppg, you know.
