THOSE WHO SUPPORT RAFER AND THINK HE IS COMING OUT OF A NON EXISTANT SLUMP SHOULD BET THEIR NEXT PAYCHECK ON WHETHER OR NOT RAFER WILL HAVE ANOTHER GAME SIMILAR TO LAST NIGHTS DURING THE NEXT 5 GAMES [try 10 games even]. ( I don't gamble, but for those of you who do, take the best against those betting on Rafer, you will be rich! )
I don't know what it is, but the Rafer hate around here is so ugly and distasteful. He brings what he brings to the team. I think his positives which are constant every game, outweigh his bad shooting. Given, his shooting has been worse than his career averages, and that's harder to swallow, but he gives a lot of positives that we just don't have when he's not on the court. You can argue Rafer is a bad shooter. In my opinion, that's the only complaint you can really have. The only shots I don't like him taking are the teardrop (just go lay it in), and the shot after a fresh 24 shot clock. His open 3s, he better take them, hit or miss. Maybe I'm just a different breed of fan. I like all of our players. As soon as someone dons our uniform, I'm good with them and pull for them no matter what. So I give appreciation to Rafer after a good or bad game, b/c he still does good things. Much like how Yao hasn't had great games recently, but he's still doing good things and we won. Same with Tracy when he has off nights. Luther, Scola, Hayes, Francis, Snyder... Some guys though...man, they just can't get many things right at the moment (Bonzi and James are just having really bad games right now and need to contribute in other ways if they can't score right now). I've babbled enough.
I cant speak for others but this is where you and I differ. I want rockets to win championships. It does not matter who brings the rings and trophies. I cant root blindly for someone in a Rockets uniform when it is painfully apparent that they are a roadblock to that dream. So, I am not good with Rafer and his role on this team and I certainly cannot pull for him no matter what.
It seems every time he is about to be benched because there is no way any coach could play someone who is so bad, he has a game like this and buys himself more time. It is so terrible. I really want to kidnap him until June so the Rockets will win a championship. There is no excuse why he should play 40 minutes a night. I really really hate him. Really really really.
Rafer is still that Rafer. I'll appreciate him only if he shoots above 40% at the end of season. Shaq shot 90% FTs in some games but he is not good FT shooter, period. Last night I really felt sorry when Yao was in the post but deferred the shot to Rafer for 3.
