A nice blog by Jonathan Feigen. He makes some points about Rafer Alston I haven't read from him before, but it make sense. And he's very complimentary about Lowry, especially his defense. It's unusual for Feigen to speak so highly of a young player's defense, so I think that's a good sign. http://blogs.chron.com/nba/ [rquoter]Don't it always seem to go, you don't know what you got 'til it's gone." -- Joni Mitchell What, did you think Fran is the only guy that listened to music in the '70s? In the biggest transformation of the trade deadline, Rafer Alston has apparently gone from trash to treasure, irredeemable to irreplaceable. Until Tracy McGrady hobbled his way from games to doctors' appointments, Rafer Alston was public enemy No. 1 around here. Now, all of a sudden, the Rockets can't live without him? Maybe at long last people did look past his spotty outside shooting and that horrendous teardrop and saw all that he did do well for the Rockets. And to think that it only took most of four seasons. Still, it is understandable that there were doubts about trading a guy that was so often ripped to get Kyle Lowry. No matter what the public often thought of Alston, he was the Rockets' starter for four seasons. Lowry was coming off the bench for one of the league's worst teams. Yet the more you look at the deal, the more it makes sense. That does not mean it will prove to be a good deal. The Rockets are not trading their veteran for a guy that has been around long enough that there is no upside left. Whether this deal proves to be the right move will depend on how Aaron Brooks and Lowry develop with their new jobs. And they better do that growing pretty quickly, as in what is left of this season. But it is not difficult to understand the logic. To do that, however, it is worth considering the Rockets' scouting report on Lowry and more about the team he is joining than just the player he is replacing. "He's a player we thought could fit well here and really contribute," Daryl Morey said. "He's a really good defender; good rebounder on both ends; can attack the hoop in the halfcourt or in transition, gets to the line - one of the top 10 guys in the league getting to the line; kicks it out to shooters; knows his role, someone who will know he needs to get the ball to Yao (Ming); someone who is really going to do what coach (Rick) Adelman will ask him to do. "We feel like he is a young player who can help us now and who we can build around in the future." Pretty glowing stuff. He did not mention that Lowry is not a strong 3-point shooter and that range shooting is particularly valuable when playing with Yao Ming. But there is more there than just Lowry's skills. With McGrady so dramatically slowed, the Rockets are pretty lousy at drawing fouls. They turned into a terrific free throw shooting team this season and will get even better with Brooks getting more playing time. They have sorely lacked someone off the bench to get opponents in the bonus before Yao returns to the floor. Lowry is an outstanding on-the-ball defender, something that is a key to every top defense. Rafer is much better than people understood in that area, but Lowry is better, particularly at drawing charges. Though smaller, he is thicker. (He had better be because relying on Brooks in a playoff series against, let's say Deron Williams, seems dicey.) Lowry is not a strong 3-point shooter, but he is a much better drive-and-kick point guard than Alston or Brooks, something the Rockets lack with McGrady unable to get separation at the top of the circle and now apparently out. Surround Lowry with shooters and he does not have to be a perimeter shooter himself. Most of all, though, the Rockets were already transitioning toward Brooks rather than Alston. Brooks had already begun finishing games. Alston would not become a headache over that, but when Brooks' minutes increased and the Rockets encouraged him to look for more shots, Alston tended to more often look for his shots, too, especially with McGrady out. This is not a good thing and did not bode well. Alston really has been playing well, lately. He usually responds well to responsibility. But if he is not going to be the full-time point guard, he did not seem well-suited to the job of an understudy. All that said, Brooks and Lowry both have to live up to the Rockets' expectations. Neither is a rookie, but Lowry is just 22 (23 next month), Brooks 24. The Rockets, relying on scouting and analysis, are betting on what Brooks and Lowry will become. And the Rockets want that growth to come immediately. They want their kid guards to improve this team, this season. Like most moves, particularly involving young players, this one relies on projections. Lowry moves to a different team; Brooks to a different role. Even if Brooks brings all the Rockets expect, the deal will only be viewed as a success if Lowry does, too, because finally Alston has apparently become appreciated on the way out the door. Rafer was, if nothing else, a known commodity. Brooks and Lowry have a lot to prove, but they do seem capable of becoming more. If nothing else, besides all that, maybe the Rockets can let Lowry keep wearing his No. 1. It's not like anyone else is using it.[/rquoter]
Well damn... I'm actually even more excited to see what Lowry can do now. This game against the Mavericks can not come soon enough.
Actually that was my favorite part of the article/blog. Not cause he's doggin Tracy but cause it's simple truth. Truth hurts pimpin...
Yeah... I agree. McGrady has made some mistakes and dissapointed some people, but that doesn't mean you can disrespect the guy like that.. Was kinda classless.
What Fran said is exactly on target. Rafer may have been one of the guys that everyone wanted off the team, and people got their wish, but now their looking back on their critiscm of Alston. Remember last years playoffs? He was our leader out their and it showed especially when he was not on the court. I can probably speak for 75% of the posters here who are knowledgeable fans and say that they probably dont like this trade when thinking about it. At the same time its still to early to hate on the trade. From what Fran is saying, Lowry will be a great addition to our team. I will flat out admit that I was one of the guys who hated on Alston and never liked him, but when I heard of the trade I realized that Rafer was one of my favorite players. Funny how that works out. The guy will be dearly missed and I will not hesitate to give him a standing O when he is introduced as the Magic's starting point guard when he returns to Houston this year. Hate him or Love him, your going to miss the guy and his antics. Now Rocket fans, its time to start praying that Aaron Brooks can step it up.
I hear what you're saying but it was one thing when it was only Blinebury slamming McGrady. Feigen has actually been throwing shots at him too for several weeks now which is totally unlike him. A player has to really get out of line for Feigen to knock him. Plus, wouldn't you say that some of the decisions McGrady has made recently not only disrespected the Rockets organization but us fans as well?
I didn't think that last line by Feigen was a big deal. Then again, I never understood the obsession some players/fans have with jersey numbers.
Well I think Tracy did what he did, because he feels as though he's alone... I don't blame the guy... He has almost no support. It was the wrong thing to do, but I still believe that the fans and media are being a bit TOO disrespectful.
lol it's sad...Twack won't even have his Jersey retired...I mean you don't have to be a HOF player to get that...Lowry may not deserve #1 on this team...but just playing here for several years isn't good enough. But onto the article...nicely written.
Character is often judged by how you handle yourself in difficult situations. Did you see how Rafer dealt with the media after being traded? He couldn't have been more professional. I'm not saying I completely disagree with you but I do think it's understandable that McGrady is receiving some disrespect. As an adult, especially one that lives in the limelight, you have to be responsible for your words and actions. You also have to be thinking about others, not just yourself. McGrady all too often seems to live in his own world where he is only thinking about himself instead of his teammates, fans and those he works for.
You're right. I agree with every thing you said. But some remarks tend to be a bit over the top.. That's all I'm saying.
He could if Lowry busts his tail to get to Houston and take his physical. But he is allowed reasonable time to get to his new team so I don't think we'll see him in a Rox uni Friday.
Tracy screwed up. Until he makes amends for this, he's not going to have many fans left. Maybe if he makes 10 game winners in a row late in the playoffs people will consider forgiving him. (wishful thinking)
You're probably right that it's a bit too much but that's how it goes when you're rich and famous. It happens to all those types when they get in these kinds of situations. Look at A-Rod right now! I mean, sure, he took roids and lied, or whatever, but so did tons of other players. Either way, it'll die down to a certain extent once McGrady's status for this season becomes clear.
C'mon, bro, I know. I was just messin with you. We all respect the wicked stats you drop on us all the time. It's a nice change of pace from the useless jabber that most of us toss around (starting with myself ).
