Sooo, I'm guessing the thread starter thought the thread name was clever but nahhhhh. But yeah, Rafer is going crazy.
Rafer is officially averaging 6.6 assists a game w/ 9 assists per game during the last 8 games!!! Rafer haters, eat crow. This is why we got Rafer. He distributes the ball and doesn't think he's option 1A on offense.
I really appreciate how Rafer have been playing recently. He is the point guard we have all been waiting for for many years.
We need to run more with Rafer playing the 1. In order to do that in the long run, we need to get some young legs.
Let's tell the whole truth, Alston has looked like crap for most of the season. Before he got hurt and after he got hurt. Couldn't hit the side of a barn; could barely get the ball over the timeline in less than 10 or 12 seconds. Then, he would dribble aimlessly around the top of the key looking totally lost. The last few games he has looked much better, BUT, tonight he looked like the second coming of Isaiah Thomas! If he keeps this up, I will stop comparing him to Mike James. But, then again, the whole team looked like the Showtime Lakers. IF they play this way for the rest of the season, they will knock off the Spurs for the Western Div Title, then beat the Pistons to win it all. And I am not kidding. I am with Bill Worrell, is this an aberration or is this for real?
When Rafer played like crap the first go around it was only three games or so and then out with injury. It was the beginning of the season and he just got here. In preseason I saw what he could be for the team after given time on the floor. when he came back from injury, his shot wasn't falling but he was still doing well in assists and keeping the ball in the hands of Rockets instead of the opponent. Now he has had a little bit of time and isn't as scared to do his thang. JVG obviously likes him alot and I can see why. The guy plays with passion and does some things that are downright scary. Every once in a while it gets him in trouble on offense but overall he plays a smart game and can pass with the best of them. His antics on the court kind of turned me off a bit at first but now I can't help but crack up watching him. The dollar bill he handed to the ref with the basketball... After Yao missed the free throw last night he checks over the ball really well before handing it back to the ref for free throw number two. The dude cracks me up. He actually reminds me of Sam in a few ways. If we find a way to make the playoffs this year it is gonna' be a fun one. Either way I'm happy that he is going to be with us for a while.
True that- even if Nash couldn't score, he would still be the best PG in the league. Loving what Alston brings to the table...finally, a TRUE PG for the Rox!
see this is one of the few times it is good to bring up a 2 month old thread. nice call brock...i was certainly a doubter.
If Alston can maintain/semi-maintain his level of plays for the next few years, his contract would be the second greatest bargain in the NBA only next to Ben Wallace's.
Just had to say how pleased I am that Rafer is shooting well. And not just well, but lights out. Here's to hoping he keeps it up through the season and a tip of the hat for the hard work and ribbing he's had to go through during the off season. Go Skip!
what's it to ya'? especially considering I've contributed tens of dollars to help out around here and you have yet to feed the tipjar. again, GO SKIP! His preseason stats through 7 games Min per game = 25.1 FG% = .500 3PT% = .522 FT% = .800 Rebounds = 3.9 Assists = 3.7 SPG = .57 TO = 2.29 PF = 1.3 PPG = 9.7
It won't be the last time we see this. Lots of folks will need to eat some crow around here for bashing Rafer. He was asked to do something he isn't capable of last season. This season, he's poised to have a break-out season because: 1. He's in the prime of his career 2. He is now fully adjusted to JVG's system 3. He now has Yao and TMac plus other decent teammates I've said all along that we need to give the Rafer/Mike James trade one more year before the final tally. Rafer was strapped with an unhealthy team and Mike James was playing in a contract year.
Glad to see that Alston's game is improving, it can only be benificial to the over all performance of our team. However I do hope that his assists to Yao Ming also show a big improvement over last season. It find it difficult to comprehend why such a good assist player as Alston. in the past, has had such difficulties with Mr Big.
I can see you saying that for the two preseason games Yao has played, but overall I think Alston is one of the best at getting the ball into the post. This team is better at it overall actually... I think that was as important as the additional shooting we picked up. Alston passing into the post isn't a concern of mine anymore. He knows what his roll is and he isn't bad at it. Not nearly as bad as people on this board made it sound in the MJ aftermaths part one and two. Regards, Brock
