yep rafer played awesome today! except that if he missed that one 3 or that pull up transition deep 2, we would be on his ass again. as always, his defence was awesome (keeping dwill to 15/7/7 is very good IMO), and no crazy stupid TOs. He had 3, but i dont think any were in crunch time.
Rafer never really turns the ball over. I felt like his defense went up two notches against Deron Williams. And his pull up jumper was an aggressive move and fortunately it paid off. But even if it hadn't, we as a team played the pick-n-roll much better partly because of Rafer's solid defense.
I know, I get frustrated with him guarding Williams but man did you see how many picks they put on him last night. I can't stand all of those picks and I don't know how he does it. It is virtually impossible to guard any of the elite point guards because of this couple with their quickness and ball handling. The thread starter is right about Rafer needing some flair in his game in order to elevate his game. Even if it is a spin move dribble or between the legs dribble by someone. Those kinds of things give him confidence in his whole game. When he hugged Luther it was like he was relieved he was playing decent. I do like his personality so far, energetic after a good play but still serious(no smiling). Hopefully he can keep it up in Utah!
honestly i like rafer and i feel bad for him that he has to play so damn long every game- he probably is tired and that adds to his horrible shooting....but STOP taking so many threes ! i actually like his 18 footer in transition..i think most three point shooters have that shot down, and its a good back up when their legs are tired
THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH RAFER. LUTHER HEAD IS THE PROBLEM. If Luther can't hit his shots he is WORTHLESS.
Rafer did amazing me, driving to the basket and being willing to take the contact on more than one occasion. It was very un Rafer like, but it was what the Rockets needed. I was very happy.
if there is one guy i wish i can pattern my ballhandling after in the history of the NBA, it's rafer when he has the ball during games, i just feel safe, he's so good at handling the ball, between the legs, behind the back, all so carefree and effortless. at the same time, he can trick you up and bring flare and style whenever he wants. he's a tamed tiger, and that nastiness can get unleashed anytime check out this youtube video of him doing his thang in nyc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za8WK9h1PnY
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Rafer has one aspect that's iffy right now, and that's obviously his shooting. Everything else he does on the court is so essential and valuable. His play-making, his defense (the random steals and being a nuisance to Deron Williams), his energy; now he just needs to make his threes (like everyone else).
wont matter too much as they typically have a day off between games and 2 days off when switching arenas.
rafer still sucks. he is seriously the worst shooter that's a guard in the NBA. he shoots it from the left side of his body and has zero rotation on the ball. it's just a horrible shot and it's luck whenever it goes in.
I thought Rafer did a great job all night containing Deron's penetration. Deron shot outside jumpers all day, and I can only remember one instance in which he beat Rafer on a fast break and got to the rim for a layup.
Rafer is playing incredible right now. He is averaging like 40 MPG and he doesn't look tired at all after the game. I hope he can keep this up because we need him every night.
I already know I'll get blasted for this ... but did you guys watch a different game than I did? Yeah that was a nice mid-range jumper and the 3-point play over Deron was very surprising, but 3-9 shooting (1-6 from long range) and everyone is calling this "solid" offensively? Rafer's airball-to-made-shot ratio has <I>got</I> to be closing in on 1:1 in this series. He's at 30% from the field the past 2 games and 25% from long range (on 8 threes a night!) and I think this might have actually <I>increased</I> his career playoff averages. I've done plenty of ripping of Rafer and not trying to do that now because I thought he did some other things well this game, but come on -- when did the bar get set this low? I know some out there see no problems as long as we win (and label criticism as "reactionary" if we lose), but Rafer's 2 games in this series have come far short of proving wrong those who point out his offensive deficiencies. He has looked very much like an offensive liability. I admit it's only 2 games and hopefully he'll do better... but I still don't think this is a championship team unless he starts knocking down the wide open shots he's taking. If we played 2 games against Dallas and Phoenix -- even in the Toyota Center -- shooting from long range the way we did here, what do you think the series score would be right now?
Rafer played his ass off last night. His 3-9 was on par for the bad shooting night that T-Mac/Yao/rest of the team had. They ran him through screen after screen and pick after pick and Rafer did not lose focus as he was able to run the show for 45 min and keep a very good player in Williams under controll. Props to Rafer Clutch your whipping boy should be Luther for his terrible play on both sides of the ball.
Rafer is an offensive liability and always will be. That being said, he played decently the first two games this series. Almost got a triple double in game 1. In game 2 he played solid defense limiting deron williams and made a couple of big shots. He needs to shoot better from 3 pt land especially since he is WIDE FREAKING OPEN. If he doesn't hit those our offense will suffer because we are playing 4 on 5. On the other hand, Juwan(old and unathletic) and Luther(1 dimensional, no defense) are looking like complete busts while Battier needs to hit his open shots too. Hard to believe we are up 2-0, but I'll take it hehe.
Rafer dosnet turn the ball over while dribbling... as long as he plays within himself on offense... and 110% on defense.... we should be okay... right now there is no other option but Rafer... and he is doing just fine... atleast he is no AK
