Finally, some good news... Battier to practice soon Rockets forward Shane Battier, who has spent the preseason and first three weeks of the regular season working to rehabilitate his sore left foot, is expected to practice with the team today, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said on Monday. Battier has not practiced with the team yet, but after a demanding workout on Monday was cleared to join the team’s practices unless there is any set back after Monday’s workout. Alston returns Though the Rockets beat the Hornets and built a 14-point lead against the Spurs without him, Rockets teammates were happen to have Rafer Alston back. “It was tough,” forward Chuck Hayes said. “Since I’ve been here, if you look at the record, whenever he’s not out there on the court, we’re in a frantic. We don’t know what we’re doing on offense. We kinda just go with the flow. “He’s so underappreciated with he does for us. We know what shot we’re going to get, because Rafer’s going call the play for the shot. That’s what we missed these past two games. In this league, we’ll take 1-1 without Rafer. We’d rather be 2-0 and we’ll be happy to have him back.” In the past two seasons with Alston, the Rockets had gone 56-26, averaging 97.1 points and 21.3 assists, making 44.8 percent of their shots. They have averaged 7.4 assists in those games. In the 10 games without him, they have won five, averaging 88.5 points and 18.1 assists, making 42.3 percent of their shots. They averaged 6.5 assists in those games. “It’s leadership,” Tracy McGrady said. “Rafer’s a great floor general. He’s just solid for us.” Bad reputation? Rockets guard Rafer Alston returned from his two-game suspension unconcerned that his role in last week’s tussle in Phoenix would give him a reputation with the league. “I’m not known for this,” Alston said. “They looked to what led to it, what triggered me to run after him. I’m not saying I was right for doing it, but they saw I had a reason
We're talkin' bout practice? Not a game, no, we're talkin' bout practice. Practice. Bob Dole. I'm glad to see Batman is on his way back. If Shane is Batman, does that make Ron Robbin? I wouldn't mind calling him Robbin Boy Wonder.
maybe assist per turnover? Assist per basket? Iono the point is rockets play much better with alston than without. However, this might be just the talent dropoff from the bench when you consider that when alston goes out the bench gets thinner.
It might have something to do with this: http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=157251 or this: http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=156930 or this: http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=156710 Create discussion-worthy topics, not stuff like "Yao missed a free throw!" or "Ron allowed a layup!" or "Here is my pic in a contest I entered!".
If a team with Ron Artest, Tmac and Yao have to rely on Rafer as their leader that speaks very poorly of the big 3. The best player has to lead or the team will not go anywhere. DD
Lol that's harsh man.... On a general note I'm happy that Battier is recovering well, however I'm worried that he will be extremely rusty when he gets back. Considering he hasn't had a chance to run and stuff he must be out of shape, and that may affect his defense and stroke, rendering him useless even if he comes back.
Ron Artest should be the leader of this team. He's more vocal and capable than Yao and Tmac. The reason Ron didn't do it is because he still think Yao and Tmac as the leaders. But he forgot that they're not local leaders!!! He should step up and be that vocal leader game after game.
coincidence.. that Chuck says this.. after the NO game was one of our most active displays of ball/off the ball movement..?
Ron this season is modester,what he performs is not a beast,is gentleman,but I dont think he is our real leader,until we trade Yao and Tmac,although called big 3,indeed,we are two stars,maybe in the mid-season we can call it big 3.real big 3
