http://www.newsday.com/sports/columnists/ny-spberg105532264jan10,0,4564641.column "They have some good guards, but they need a floor general," Alston said last night before the Rockets beat the Knicks, 101-92. ". . . It's like us. We play inside-out, so now what better shot do you have? Instead of your guards going one-on-one all the time, now your guards get wide-open looks from the double-team. I think they're not understanding that." Every guard the Knicks put on the floor is a score-first guard, with the exception of Mardy Collins, who is a never-scores guard. Alston, who was certain he was getting traded last summer only to impress Rockets coach Rick Adelman in training camp, seemed eager to show the Knicks what a point guard is supposed to do. "Each night you see the Knicks' box score and the guards only have two or three assists," Alston said. "... Where's the ball going?"
"A lot of teams have had success with score-first guards," Alston said. "But I think a lot of coaches are starting to see that they need that old throwback point guard, a guy who's going to come in and run your show. "People overlook the importance of a guy like Mark Jackson or Avery Johnson. A lot of kids don't look at those players. They don't stand out to them. But they help you win games in this league." "You can't throw the ball to Zach Randolph 28 feet from the basket," Alston said. "You've got to understand who you're playing with. You can't run a catch-and-shoot with Jared Jeffries. You just can't do that. You've got to understand what's going on." "A lot of teams have had success with score-first guards," Alston said. "But I think a lot of coaches are starting to see that they need that old throwback point guard, a guy who's going to come in and run your show. "People overlook the importance of a guy like Mark Jackson or Avery Johnson. A lot of kids don't look at those players. They don't stand out to them. But they help you win games in this league.", Rafer Alston
Definately glad the rockets didn't get rid of skip last summer. Maybe there is a basketball god after all.
Wow, Rafer became more vocal recently I have to admit that I came in because I thought the title was 'Rafer Alston kisses Knicks Guauds'...
Yes he is playing great, so is Yao, Scola, Brooks, the team .. But you know what when T-mac gets back that will kill the chemistry the Rockets have going for them right now. Not because Tracy is a bad guy or a distraction on the court but because he needs the Ball in his hands to be effective. Let me replay in your mind what happens.. Rafer runs down the court only to find out that he has to wait for T-mac to get there. When T-mac finally arrives at the top of the key Rafers job is pretty much done.. T-mac is a damn point guard at the point. He doesn't move well without the ball and likes to stay at the perimeter. how can there be movement when T-mac doesn't move? How can you keep swinging the ball when T-mac needs at least 20+ shots a night? Our only hope is that T-mac can be agressive from the get go and not rely on his jumper so much. And that if he doesn't have the ball in his hands that he MOVES!!!!! I hated that damn OP on espn that kept saying is T-mac a point forward but you know what he is F%^%# right. T-mac is a volume shooter = needs plenty of shots a night with plenty of touches. You take those two traits away and he is non-reliable.
Its true, with the exception of David Lee the Knicks are a bunch of me-first "Gotta get mine" individuals. Crawford is probably the only one who can get away with it because he's the 2 guard and can actually shoot. But man that team is so bad I feel wrong calling them a team.
Actually it seems he said it before the game... "They have some good guards, but they need a floor general," Alston said last night before the Rockets beat the Knicks, 101-92.
The problem with the Knicks going "inside out" is the "out" part. Withe Eddy and Zach, generally, when the ball goes in, it's not coming out.
the article says he made the comments before the game. i dont think it was a "diss" either - he didnt insult them - he spoke the truth.
So all of the sudden Rafer is God's gift to the point guard position? Wasn't it a month ago that everyone was calling for his head?
