How soon we forget; Rafer has two or three of these streaks each season. Unfortunately, it won't last.
I don't think that we will even try to trade Rafer, so it was just a comment. I still dont think he will do it for us in the playoffs. The quicker and better point guards like Parker, Nash, Harris/Terry, Paul, Davis, Deron, Fisher, etc. will all eat his lunch and burp it out. So I would rather we look for different options, although I think if we make the playoffs, if, we will be depending on Rafer again at that spot. Brooks defensive liabilities are other than his size, which will always be an issue. He has quicker hands and gets more steals than Rafer per minute, and he has quicker feet and gets more charges than Rafer per minute. Anyone that can post him up, also posts up Rafer...so no big deal. Rafer has never stopped anyone on defensive IMHO. But at least Rafer isn't playing like trash right now, so I give him his credit where it is due.
Most of those guards eat everyone in the league up including each other so I'm not sure what you expect from Rafer. The reality is Yao is supposed to dominate the opposing center to make up for the opposing PG dominating Rafer, and Tmac is supposed to dominate the opposing shooting guard to make up for Hayes getting out classed at his position. The rest is made up by bench production or one of our players stepping up and having an above average game. It obviously doesn't always happen, but even the Spurs don't dominate the opponent at every position. That doesn't appear to be even close to true, considering Rafer averages over twice as many steals at 1.63 steals per 48 minutes, compared to Brooks .75 steals per 48 minutes according to http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/teams...8&order=true&season=2&seasonYear=2008&split=0 Charges I have no idea, but suggesting that Brooks is a better defender than Rafer at this point is something I doubt any NBA coach would agree with you on.
maybe, just maybe this is the new Rafer where the freedom of the motion offense that RA is employing works wonders for him. I really do hope that is the case. Hopefully his "streak" would not run out at the next few games.
I think JVG didn't mind him taking it, but his role was different. Whomever said that it was basically confidence, where you get to handle the ball more often and that creates confidence nailed it. With Tmac in there, so often you get the ball late in the shot clock when Tmac has run out of options. This offense is better suited for everyone to touch the ball.....if Tmac joins in...the team is going to fly. DD
if Rafer can consistently hit that floater in the lane then he is definitely a sold starter in the NBA.....I've never really been hard on Rafer until earlier this season, but lately he's been running the show and has shown that he is better and more valuable to this team than Stevie and James.............
Rafer has been setting up players very well as of late. I agree Brooks looks like he is doing a better job at getting teammates open looks but in no way is Rafer sub-par when it comes to passing. Coach A is finally using Rafer on the wing with Yao to throw entry passes and he is easily the best entry passer on the team especially on a repost. Brooks has allowed Coach A to play them both at the same time which is what I have been hoping for ever since Brooks started getting minutes. I am glad it is working and hope it continues because we will see Alston's assist numbers go up if Coach keeps allowing him to penetrate and dish or go to the basket.
Maybe so, but at least this hot streak is coming at a really good time. The Rockets would have been really screwed over the last 5 games with normal Rafer.
I always said if rafer was cut loose, he would be better. Rafer can get to the rack against anyone. In the playoffs, he was blowing by william at will. The problem he has had was finishing. Getting to the hole opens up rebounds for the rox because players are out of position. I'm not going to say I don't care if he finishes, but getting there really cause the defense to break down. Now that Tracy is out, he's stepping up. This can only bode well for when Tracy comes back. Bonzi playing behind tarcy and shane is going to be helpful also. I just wish scola was starting.
I don't know which coaches you're referring to. I don't recall JVG ever criticizing Rafer for taking it to the basket to often. Actually, I remember JVG saying he wished Rafer would take one more step on drives to get a good layup rather than pulling up so soon for the teardrop. Other than his improved shooting, this is the one thing that's most stood out about his play in the last few games. He's being much more aggressive about how close he gets to the basket before laying it up. Hopefully, this is something he can continue to build on when TMac comes back.
i think this is a quote that's better attributed to players like Brooks and Scola than Rafer. Problem with rafer is, he HAS the ability to finish around the rim. He can drive as well. He's just AFRAID to do it. There were times where the lane is wide open and the shot blocker is probably a few feet from the rim. If he had gone to it with full speed and made contact, at worst he would've gotten 2 FT out of it. I think he's afraid of being physical and in the last few games, he drove the lane. If he does that, he can contribute. If he only shoots outside jumpers and tear drops, he's done.
Well this streak is a little different. Past streaks meant he went 4 of 6 behind the arc. This year Rafer has continually gotten better with his floaters and now he is actually efective with them. At no point last season could Rafer hit a floater to save his life.
He had the same period last year, when T-Mac was apsent. I still really don't want to rely on Rafer when it comes to playoff time, rather to see as I said Mike James or Steve Francis coming off the bench,
Exactly. Do it when the cards are on the table. Sorry to be negative, but I just don't see it. He's not a good shooter and every other team knows it, if he can get to the basket like he's doing it should help his game tremendously. Layups promote confidence.
