Don't get too carried away with the van Gundy connection. Miami has got to be worried about facing us in the Finals. Stan might be family. But he probably doesn't want to help Jeff so much on the Rockets. Oh, maybe Stan wants to screw Riley because he thinks his days as the Heat coach is numbered.
Some Raptor fan comments posted on the following URL about the trade: http://www.tsn.ca/nba/your_call.asp?messageId=735517&hubname=nba There are some 70 plus posts - I read most of them. I'd say the majority of the Raptors fans are not pleased with this trade. My impression is that Rafer played with energy and passion but had to carry too much of the scoring load. That shouldn't be an issue playing with Houston with TMac and Yao on the court. Toss out his last year with Toronto and judge him on how he played with Miami and Milwaukee.
Ok, I remember I was jumping up and down on the sofa. My bad, but pleasure is transitory, pain is eternal.
It's kind of funny to me that JVG said he won't be coaching knuckleheads and the next thing you know Mike James is traded.
One more person's input on this very valid question. It looks like JVG is trying to create a mutifaceted team that first and foremost will look to the break to get an easy basket when possible. However, should there not be a fast break available the team will be able to slow it down, wait for Yao, and set up the offense. The lineup will give us a low post threat (Yao), a low/midrange threat (Swift), 2 long range threats to spread the floor (Anderson and Alston) and an all-around playmaker (McGrady). Plus you get two or three guys who are used to distributing the ball on the floor at the same time. It also takes some of the "Got to produce or else we're in trouble" pressure off Yao. I seem to remember JVG saying something along the lines of wanting to develop a faster team that would look for the break, but that he always had to tailor his offense around the plodders he was stuck with in NY. Looks like he's getting to tailor his lineup into what he wants.
The beautiful thing about our team is that we can play up tempo ball if we want or we can slow it down and use the big man in the middle. Having a mixture of players who can run and those who do better in a half-court set is not a recipe for disaster. The problems come when you can't adapt to the various aspects that other teams will bring to the game. Houston doesn't have that problem. This is going to be a very good team this year.
EXACTLY! I like this trade, I'll miss James, but Alston is just what this team needed...great ball-handler, very good passer, decent shooter, not a dinosaur(anymore, lol). This season is going to rock!
Exactly, similar to the showtime lakers, last year's Spurs, and all previous champions. They push it when the break is there, and when it is not, they set it up and run a great half court set. Championship teams do all things well.
After further thought and research, I like this trade. It seems that Alston is just the type of player we need. He handles the ball well, is a pass first - shoot second type of player and he gets the ball up the court quickly. Also a decent free throw shooter, so when the game is on the line at the end, he can handle the ball safely and knock down his throws. Also having a true point (neither Sura or James is a true point) will take some pressure off Tmac bringing the ball up. I acted on emotion when I said I didn't like the trade. Good job Rockets!
If people are really worried about Rafer Alston's character, just remember Stan Van Gundy coached him 2 years ago. I'm pretty sure Jeff got the low down from big brother before he okayed the deal. That one thought alone makes me feel at ease. Plus Sam Mitchell is a punk! At least when he faced the Rockets in the playoffs in 1997.
Another thing that comes to mind regarding Yao and the fast break is that Yao and T-mac started having so much success with the pick 'n roll late last year. And that is an easy play to set up in a stalled fastbreak/early offense type situation. This way, Yao doesn't have to go all the way to the lowpost to set up the offense. He can catch-up and head to the perimeter, set a pick, and we could be looking to attack the defense before they really get set. And I remember early in the offseason, a report that Yao was working on the pick and pop with the training staff. IMO, that could be a very effective way to get Yao some additional open looks, and pump up his FGA. Whenever Padge and T-mac ran that, it seemed like Padge would get an open jumper every single time.
I think this is probably a good move in the end. I remember a certain media that said that TMac was lazy and had his own issues with Orlando management and he's become a model NBA player both in terms of ability and leadership. If there's one thing that is really good at correcting attitude issues, its winning. To give another analogy (albiet its football), Corey Dillon had well documented attitude issues in Cincinatti. They trade him to the patriots and boom he has a career year and is loved by everyone in Massachusetts. Alston probably wasn't happy that 1) they werent winning and 2) they had a hard-ass coach while still losing. People can put up with a disciplinarian if he has proven that he can get things done (Van Gundy) but a lot of players dont like putting up with a disciplinarian who hasnt proven anything (Sam Mitchell). In short, Rafer will learn his place eventually and will finally give us a true point guard.
ANN HEISENFELT/AP The Raptors had made a five-year commitment to guard Rafer Alston. The relationship lasted only one year. Rafer madness sent to Rockets CANADIAN PRESS ST. CATHARINES, Ont. — The Toronto Raptors have traded temperamental point guard Rafer Alston to the Houston Rockets in exchange for guard Mike James. Alston was involved in several scrapes last season. He threatened to quit the team and the NBA after a Dec. 3 game in Boston and was suspended by the Raptors for two games for conduct detrimental to the club after he walked out during practice. Alston averaged 14.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 6.4 assists last season. But Raptors general manager Rob Babcock insisted the deal had nothing to do with Alston’s attitude. "Rafer’s attitude has been terrific, and he’s worked very hard, learned a lot from last year," said Babcock. "He had a great attitude coming in here, so that has nothing to do with it at all. We feel this is a basketball trade that addresses our needs for the future and our plan moving forward." Babcock added that the trade will save the team as much as $16 million (U.S.) over next three years. "Rafer still would have been a good fit for our team, but we felt this was a better fit and certainly gives us more flexibility down the road in regards to the cap," he said. James has two years left on his contract. The Raptors signed Alston to a six-year deal (five years plus an option) in July 2004. Mitchell wouldn’t address last season’s issues with Alston. "We’re moving forward," said the coach. "We appreciate everything Rafer did for us, and he worked hard, he’s a good guy and we wish him well, but we’re in the business of trying to do things to help us improve as a team." The deal was finalized Monday night and Alston was informed today in St. Catharines, where the Raptors are holding training camp. James was expected to arrive tonight and practise tomorrow. "Mike James is a positive player," said Mitchell. "He’s got playoff experience, he’s played for some good coaches and we’re looking forward to bringing him in." The 6-foot-2, 170-pound Alston averaged 14.2 points per game in 2004-05 with 3.5 rebounds and 6.4 assists. James is a 6-foot-2, 188-pound NBA journeyman who has played in Miami, Boston, Detroit, Milwaukee and Houston. In 248 career games, the 30-year-old has averaged 9.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists.
T-Mac just made some enthusiastic comments about the trade on 610 (during the commercial break) - one of which was bringing in a passer. I'm sure that he a big part in this . .
ok,ok.,....all most posters have whined about all of season is noppgpgpgpgpgpgpgpggp...well? You don't get something for nothing ! Thanks Mike for all you did....wont see ya in the finals though....go rockets !!!
