Why did Rafer slow it down? I was at the game..., and I was yelling to go to the basket. He would slow down and wait for Yao. If Yao is trailing... try to use that 4-5 seconds to get an easy basket instead of just pulling out. Williams is Williams. When he's on... no one can stop him. Add that to the pick and roll with Boozer/Okur it reminds you of the young T-Mac/Yao pick and roll.
Same as the Russell Westbrook argument. If George Hill can blow by Aaron, he can blow by Rafer. Perimeter defense is overrated with the no hand-checking rule. Team defense is what matters and can be learned. Good shooting technique, after you turn 30, can not be learned.
I agree so that would mean that Deron Williams blowing by Rafer wasn't all his fault, you blame Rafer and the interior defense for not helping. Of course Adelman had Yao out the game which made going to the hole a lot easier for Williams. In OT he tried to go to the hole and Yao rejected him.
Look guys, this is the ultimate question: Does Alston's net value (offensive/defensive strengths - offensive/defensive weaknesses) outweigh Brooks' net value? I don't see that much advantage, if any, that Rafer has defensively. The majority of any discrepancy here can be learned since team defense is much more important than one-on-one perimeter defense with the recent rule change. I also don't think Alston's offensive strengths outweigh Brooks'. Most of Alston's offensive strengths are fairly intangible. Brooks' are very tangible. It's kind of like trying to argue that Battier is a better offensive player than Artest.
Brooks don't bother, anyone that still thinks Rafer is better than Brooks has the basketball understanding of a turnip. DD
I will say one thing, I think Brooks is turning into a solid defender. I can't point to anything he does in particular, but I don't think there has been a game where Brooks has been burned. I'm thinking Brooks can guard penetration better while Alston can guard the jumpshot better (obviously). But this is yet another reason to start Alston. With Yao in the game you aren't going to get that many people penetrating to the basket. With Yao out tho, there is no one threatening enough to make them think twice about going inside. I say you start Alston but play Brooks 30 minutes.
Yes, I do agree and that is my precise point. There is not much any individual PG can do defensively to stop a PG that can penetrate. Therefore, Rafer's defensive advantage over Brooks is a myth. It doesn't exist. Certainly not to the extent that some people try to argue. If a PG's defense is less important than it once was with the no hand-checking rule, then offense becomes weighted more heavily when comparing PGs. I think you see where I'm going with this...
Based on this season so far Brooks should get more minutes and play down the stretch unless Rafer is hot that game. Last 2 games Brooks should of finished over him. I don't have a problem with Rafer starting over Brooks, but Brooks should get more minutes.
Then I truly hope that Adelman doesn't think Rafer is better. I don't want a turnip head for a coach.
I would be ok with that style, but for some odd reason Adelman keeps running Rafer out there at about a 2-1 minutes ratio clip. Brooks should be getting the majority of the run, UNLESS....Rafer is hitting that game...about 2 out of 10 games. DD
Brooksball, you are right <br> Although, there is no sense in trying to argue it, because the mass majority of people here cannot comprehend it for some reason. It's probably because they keep listening to that trash that Bill, Clyde, and Bullard keep repeating. <br> Rafer is so good at managing this team. Rafer is so good at driving through the lane Rafer is such a good three point shooter Rafer is the best entry passer to Yao Rafer plays such tough D Rafer is a warrior <br> AGHHHHH
Especially in todays game. Yao was tired and couldn't do anything on offense. Rafer isn't a guy who can consistently create for himself on offense, he can make the clutch 3 pointers but Brooks can also do that and Brooks can also get to the hoop and finish strong. Hopefully Rick will realize that Brooks should get more minutes than Rafer. Brooks defense has been pretty good this year and he also forces the other PG to expand energy guarding his quickness.
My only problem with the "just let Brooks get more minutes and finish games" argument is that I think we are underdeveloping Brooks by doing that. I think it's important to give him the confidence and experience that you get as a starter. It's very much like the young Tony Parker scenario that leebigez brings up from time to time. That was a great comparison. I'm not saying Brooks is the next Parker but nobody knew Parker was the next Parker back then, either.
Also people lets stop with the Rafer sets up the offense better theory. Brooks does a good job of setting up the offense also. Lately he's been passing the ball to Yao in the post without turning it over. His overall game is getting better. Sure he may make a bad pass here and there but so does Rafer and a lot of players on the team.
That argument is mainly because Rafer coming off the bench may not be a good thing for this team. It has less to do with Brooks but more to do with Rafer becoming less effective off the bench. But Rafer could do okay off the bench since we have Artest coming off the bench with him.
Look, I agree, he should start, but I think there is some validity to Rafer being absolutely even WORSE garbage off the bench. Aaron Brooks should be playing 36+ minutes a night.....Rafer should be playing around 12. DD
I disagree. You overstate the value of starting to AB and the Rockets. A slow transition that allows the team to gradually adapt is best. Remember, you don't win or lose games in the 1st quarter. Not starting will have no effect on AB's development. The most intense part of the game is the 4th quarter when it's close. This is where AB has the most to learn and grow from.
I agree with this and the "rafer would be a garbage bench player" arguments. a lot of sense being spoken in this thread. mid next year brooks should be ready to start.
