This assessment is generally true. I remember the Grizzlies annoucers saying that if you're a Memphis fan, you want that guy (Rafer Alston) shooting practically every time Rafer shot it. The Clippers need to do a better job of scouting the opposing team's players.
You honestly think Clippers are the only team that does that? You honestly think they have not scouting Alston in all his years in the league? Every team runs out against every 3 pt shooter who can hit in the mid-30s. 28 second into this highlight. Rafer made his first 3. Guy was guarding him. Maybe Stan Van Gundy's staff, which includes former Rockets assistants Steve Clifford and Patrick Ewing, also don't know **** about Rafer Alston? <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Kl0z1oN5meI&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Kl0z1oN5meI&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>
Not only is this post laughable, but this highlighted piece here. If that was the case, the Rockets are doomed for years.
My question is Rafer works hard this season to improve his runners and floaters (a couple of months of hard work), why Rafer didnt do it in last season? No coach cares to ask Rafer to work on his runners and floaters last season? That's just ridiculous.
i recall bill worell sayin rafer was working on them in practice last year but more so by himself not with a coach
Different offense with diffrent coaches. I'm sure JVG didn't tell Rafer to miss his floaters last year, but since he rarely took more than one a game, and lots of games where he took none, I'm sure it wasn't a primary focus in the limited practice time they had.
Some coaches must be more interested in graping the opponents' nuts than putting the ball into the basket.
Or, no offense. It's funny how Mark Jackson teased JVG on his offense: "You are putrid on offense." - Final Gm 4 06/07 "A lot of people believe that you (are the) coach set it (the offense) back." - Suns @ Lakers 12/25/07
I think a part of it is what he worked on in practice and another part is what the offense is set up to get. I remember Rafer talking at the beginning of last season, about working a lot on his 3 point shots-- and he improved over the previous season (from 32% to 36%, I think, on a lot of attempts). It does not seem like his focus on interior play at all. He knew his role was to chuck 3s and that's what he practiced. This year, it's a different story. Van Gundy had the offense set up for Rafer (and Battier, and Head) camping out at the arc ready to bomb 3 pointers. Rafer often penetrated when the clock is running down and there is no better option (Yao, TMac well-covered). This season, the Adelman offense actually leaves room for guys other than TMac and Yao to go to the paint with backdoor cuts, etc. Another thing I noticed was that Rick's offense actually incorporates the midrange J as a part of the game-- in Van Gundy's offense, the midrange J is a shot of last resort because he considers it a generally inefficient shot (lower expected value than either drives or 3s). Rafer has been shooting a decent clip on these midrange shots. Last season, I believe he and Luther Head (a good 3 pt shooter) were the two worst players in the league on 2 point midrange Js.
Good analysis, Carl Herrera. Here are the visual aids for everybody to see. He's definitely taking more midrange shots. It's improved from about 30% to 36-37%. It's a work in progress. WOW! Rafer can actually finish now. He went from 44.5% to 54.8%. Hopefully, his 3pt shot will come back, too. 2006-2007 2007-2008
