Watching Rafer play this season for the Rockets/Magic and now in the playoffs it seems that , even though we got a decent backup PG in Lowery, we didn't get enought for Rafer in the trade. As it is decent veteran PGs are hard to come by, the Magic were desperate after their start PG was out for the season. Without Rafer the Magic would have had a much tougher time with the Cavs. Rafer adds balance and leadership to that team, and yes some old Rocket's toughness. So again, did Morey short changed himself? Could we have gotten more in return? At least a low number one pick or a high number 2 on top of Lowery? Help me out here guys, what do you guys think?
I think you're going to get flamed. Most people here are of the opinion Kyle Lowry is cheaper, better and younger. He is, at least, undeniably cheaper and younger. Personally, I think we robbed everybody in that trade and I liked Rafer Alston.
Lowry alone is better than Alston, not to mention a decade younger. Anthony Johnson outplayed Rafer in a number of games this postseason. They take Rafer out at times late in games to let Hedo run the point. He shot 3s well in one game when they left him unguarded in the 1st half. His stats are practically identical as a Magic to what they were as a Rocket. The Magic would be much more dangerous with Jameer in the lineup. Rafer will be a backup or on another team by this time next season. Howard, Hedo, Rashard and even Pietrus are largely responsible for the Magic's success this postseason. Rafer has been a steady stopgap solution and had one hot shooting performance. Rafer is the 5th option in that offense.
Our front office has been high on Lowry for awhile. They really like his long term potential. Plus we got a more movable contract back in BCook. Its a win win for both sides.
the only thing worse than a "wow rafer is so much better now" thread is a "rafer was better than we though so we should have got more" thread....sorry man, rafer alone wasn't that great that he would have pulled in more, we got a good deal for him and also cook's epxiring contract this year.
Yeah .. I figured I might get flamed, but that's why I am asking for help on some clarity on the subject. Plus, when a team is desperate for a position player like PG, usually you can get more than he is worth.
I think we've could've done a little better just because the Orlando Magics were desparate for a PG. Not only did we give them a PG, we also took Brian Cook's awful contract off their roster.
And for anybody that thinks Rafer magically (no pun intended) improved his jumpshot since joining the Magic, you're wrong and probably haven't been watching many Magic games since he left. He still has that same quirky, right-to-left-to-right across his body sweeping motion shooting technique where he releases the ball from the left side of his head. Nothing has changed. He's the same guy that has been shipped from team to team around the league over his career. He still has the same strengths and weaknesses which all added up make him a very average NBA PG, at best. We made out like champs in that trade. Lowry is an upgrade. Rafer was not putting us over the hump in that L.A. series. We may have even done worse since Artest would have inevitably been taking more shots. Rafer's game management and lower turnover rate likely would have been at least offset by his inability to score enough and his inability to score efficiently.
I remain quizzically interested in why Griz didn't 'demand' Dorsey in the deal. reportedly they really wanted him. Did Memphis fall asleep at the wheel, have they decided he is valueless, or did DM the GM say 'NO WAY' to his inclusion?
name me 5 starting point guards who are not on a rookie contract and earn less than rafer. also, it always depends on what you need at that position. if you want a floor general with low turnovers and good assist numbers you'll have a hard time naming me 5 starters who are better than him. the bottom line is you are delusional if you think that the rockets couldn't have used rafer alston in the playoffs when brooks didn't do much because he couldn't hit his shots and lowry was out of control trying to force things. reality is that the rockets should have already gotten lowry in the gay trade so that rafer could still be a rocket and the rockets would be a better team. but since we can't change the past i'm happy with the rafer trade especially since i know that morey did it to make the rockets better in the future. also i'm happy for rafer because he's going to the finals.
http://www.nba.com/playerfile/rafer_alston/head2head.html http://www.nba.com/playerfile/kyle_lowry/head2head.html
Rafer should be playing a role similar to the one Brevin Knight played for the Jazz this season. Sooner than later, he will be doing just that. Probably as soon as his current contract expires. He's a fine backup.
That is probably the reason the Rockets got more in return in that midseason trade rather than wait until the offseason to trade him. Two years ago, can everyone recall what some teams were offering in return for Rafer during that offseason (2007)? A guy like Michael Doleac, of all people?
No one really knows if they really wanted him. They got 2 expiring contracts in Foyle and Wilks in addition to a 1st round 2009 pick. Joey has another guaranteed year after the end of the current season.
