Alston is the true point guard Rocket fans have coveted for years

two things:

First, I agree with you. I was excited when we traded for Alston and my optimism has waned very little since. I know he struggled at first and then was injured, but I felt like he'd eventually get healthy and adjust and that by next season, when Mike James is playing for a different team and we've still got Alston locked for years to come, the nay sayers would be singing a different tune (or more likely, just not mentioning it anymore)

Second, was Sam Cassell ever running the show? I remember him coming off our bench behind Kenny Smith. I feel pretty certain that he never did get to be a full time starter, but then, it's been some years. I suppose it's possible he was briefly our starting point guard until he was included in the trade for Barkley.

 

During the stretch that Rafer was on the bench, Rocket's offense is static and quickly loose the 9 point lead. Jeff has to bring back Rafer. Not all his contribution is shown in the stat sheets. People always talk about the impact of injury of Yao and Tracy to the team, and they omit Alston was out for quite a long time as well.

 

Read any one of the 7 zillion threads on it for information on both sides.

...assuming that he would have left (not an ironclad issue by any means) - you really think people would cry that much? We acquired him and 1.5 years of his services for cheap wages for Reece Gaines and some 2nd round picks - you think we could have parlayed that package into much else? The guy paid for himself last year, as far as I'm concerned.

 

I love the way Skip push the ball. Now, if only we can get his teammates to run fastbreak with him...

 

a little bit off topic, but what does "skip to my lou" mean?

 

rafer is the man! i dont want to hear any of this trade rafer business unless its for al harrington or another scoring option.

 

Loved the trade then, loving it now. I would like to see him penetrate a little more, he seems to back off a bit too much for my liking.

 

Its just a nickname picked up from his And-1 streetball days.

 

what? trade the rocket's only point guard for an inknown forward? not smart.

 

You never heard the kid song Skip to My Lou?



Skip, skip, skip to my Lou,
Skip, skip, skip to my Lou,
Skip, skip, skip to my Lou,
Skip to my Lou, my darlin'.

Fly's in the buttermilk,
Shoo, fly, shoo,
Fly's in the buttermilk,
Shoo, fly, shoo,
Fly's in the buttermilk,
Shoo, fly, shoo,
Skip to my Lou, my darlin'.

Skip, skip, skip to my Lou,
Skip, skip, skip to my Lou,
Skip, skip, skip to my Lou,
Skip to my Lou, my darlin'.

Cows in the cornfield,
What'll I do?
Cows in the cornfield,
What'll I do?
Cows in the cornfield,
What'll I do?
Skip to my Lou, my darlin'.

Skip, skip, skip to my Lou,
Skip, skip, skip to my Lou,
Skip, skip, skip to my Lou,
Skip to my Lou, my darlin'.

There's a little red wagon,
Paint it blue
There’s a little red wagon,
Paint it blue
There’s a little red wagon,
Paint it blue
Skip to my Lou, my darlin'.

Skip, skip, skip to my Lou,
Skip, skip, skip to my Lou,
Skip, skip, skip to my Lou,
Skip to my Lou, my darlin'

 

I love it. When Rafer has a good game, half of the board come out and say, "Mike who? I told you the trade was good." When Rafer has a bad game, the other half of the board come out and say, "Look at how Mike James tear it up in Toronto."

 

i love skip but i hate it when they play that skip to my lou singing crap when he scores at TC. not cool.

 

Exactly. I don't care whether you like Alston or not. You do not move him without getting a point guard in return.

 

Does anyone possess some Ralfer's streetball vedio clips? or know where to find some? Thanks in advance

 

He is a true PG, just wish he could shoot like Steve Nash.

 

When Sam Cassell played for us he wasn'ta good playmaker. infact he didn't pass the ball nearly as much as his team would have liked him to.

 

I agree...

but I've been on the Skip bandwagon from day 1...I love how he runs the team, plays D, and is truly unselfish...him, Yao and TMac are gonna be a solid core...

 

Well, Rafer has been looking MUCH better with the return of Yao. Coincidence? I think not. I like Rafer, and his ability to feed the ball to exactly where it's need and exactly when.