I have looked around but didn't find this on the board. If I missed it somehow please lock it up! Alston's return surprises some http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5180095.html Rafer Alston never expected to be in Toyota Center on Monday, still a part of the Rockets' glut of point guards. But after a summer filled with acquisitions at his position and accusations against him, he was ready to be anywhere that would move him from offseason to preseason. After the Rockets picked up three players who play the position he has manned the past two seasons, Alston, 31, was arrested twice and charged with assault, charges he said again would be proved unwarranted. "I know nothing much is going to come out of it," Alston said. "I didn't do anything. "I'm not running around here stabbing people. I'm not shoving, spitting on people. It's amazing, the accusations. They had me in court (in New York), and the judge almost laughed. They told me to go home. I can't believe it. You deal with it and you move on. Used to mean streets "When you are an athlete, movie star, celebrity, anything like that, you're not innocent until proven guilty, you're guilty until proven innocent. I can understand that. I'm a strong individual. I've dealt with worse. Growing up in the mean streets of New York City is worse than being accused of a heinous crime." Even with the stunning and serious charges against him, he seemed more uncertain about his place with the Rockets. The Rockets have since traded for Mike James, signed Steve Francis and drafted Aaron Brooks. Alston said someone would be the "odd man out" and asked Rockets coach Rick Adelman and general manager Daryl Morey if that would be him. "At first, it doesn't sit well with you," Alston, 6-2, said. "When they load up, you wonder what message that sends to you. You just want to know, what's the plan. "I came in and I went to both of them, and I asked them, 'With all the acquisitions and guys, what are we doing with all of us?' They couldn't give me a clear-cut answer." Morey said the offseason arrests had "no impact" on Alston's place on the team. "After we gathered facts, we feel like (Alston's actions in) those incidents, at least based on our initial investigations, are fairly minor," Morey said. "Coach Adelman wants more talent, not less. We think Rafer is different than our other options at that position. Boost from Adelman "You have discussions about your roster all the time. I don't think we were close (to a trade)." Adelman said the guards' play would sort out the glut. But clearly the uncertainty was on Alston's mind. As James waited to follow Alston for his turn on the media day podium, Alston looked at him and called out: "Mike, booting me out already? Already? Practice didn't start yet."
Right shape? Just seeing Rafer's interview he appears to know that he will not be on the team that much longer.
I'm not as sure as you are about Rafer. For me he still has a big chance to play. I didn't cross out him. It will depend on his game I think
if it's base on paper and 15 roster spots, Rafer is certainly the odd man out. However, rockets is not going to cut someone who is making 5 mils a year for the next 3 yrs. We will get equal value back for him. They might put landry, AB, or novak in DL and cut JL3. Until they can trade away alston, sura, or reed.
I think Rafer definitely has a shot. If he can impress Adelman, he very well could win a role on the team. Frankly, I don't mind so much. This is the Rockets; we're BOUND to have injuries. (See: Wells, Bonzi) Even if he starts out on the bench, there's a good chance Rafer will at least play some for the Rockets this season. Unless he blows Adelman away, of course, they're probably still keeping an eye out for the right deal.
I finally got a chance to listen to Clutch's audios of the interviews during this Media Day. I listened to Rafer's first and I have to say if one day the Management eventually traded him away, I will be the first one to stand up, applaud and wish him all the best. He is such a classy individual and most importantly, he truly likes to be part of the Rockets.
Well we haven't seen Rafer's jumpshot since May 5 2007 so a lot of people on this board might be underestimating how bad Rafer's jumpshot really is in terms of what it does to a Rockets fans temper throughout the game.
