[Erie Times News] In the paint with ... Rafer Alston of the Houston Rockets

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In the paint with ... Rafer Alston of the Houston Rockets

Published: February 20. 2008 6:00AM


In a continuing series of one-on-one interviews, Times-News staff writer Duane Rankin talked Tuesday night with Houston starting point guard Rafer Alston before the Rockets played at Cleveland.

In his ninth season, Alston came into Tuesday's game averaging 12 points, 3.3 rebounds and 5.5 assists. The former Fresno State star, nicknamed "Skip to my Lou," is considered a playground basketball legend in his hometown of Queens, N.Y.

Rankin and Alston talked about how star teammate Tracy McGrady is sharing the ball more, how his past battles have helped him change for the better and how tough the Western Conference is.

Q: This team entered the All-Star break on an eight-game winning streak. How did it feel to go into the break on a roll like that?


A: It was great. We're playing with tons of confidence. Not only ourselves individually, but in each other. The good thing is we're playing defense. We're defending the basketball. We're one of the best in the league in field-goal percentage defense (third in the NBA at 43.7 percent). We're rebounding the ball. Offensively, we're up there every night in assists (11th in NBA in assists at 21.6). We're getting like 24 assists a game.

Q: It seems to me that the last couple of games I saw on television before the All-Star break, Tracy McGrady is in more of a facilitator mode. Explain that.

(McGrady is averaging 5.4 assists, which is more than his career average of 4.6)

A: He understands a lot of us have it going right now, especially from the time he was out (with injury) and has come back. The thing he understands is when he doesn't have it going that night, he's been able to be a facilitator. He's an All-Star guy and a superstar player in this league. He understands the game. He understands he doesn't have to force shots with the caliber of players we have on our team and the depth we have this year.

Q: For you personally, to have the kind of season you're having and being on a team that's having a successful year, what does it mean to you?


A: You always want to be on a team where one, you want to play and contribute and then there are times in the stretch of the season that you're counted on more than your normal role. I've answered the call when key guys have been out. When Tracy missed a couple of games, Bonzi (Wells) or Yao (Ming) had to go out, I've been able to step up and put more points on the board to help us win. Also doing other things. Defended the ball. Pushed the ball. Came up with some steals and some deflections. Just playing an all-around game. I think I've always wanted to be that. I never wanted to be a scoring point guard or just a guy who hands out assists. I wanted to be able to do a lot of things on both sides of the ball.

Q: Obviously you're so well known for the And 1 (Street ball games) and all those things. For you to have the kind of career you've had, how do you feel now about the experiences you had back then and maybe how that's helped you become the player and person you are today.

A: I credit all the good times I've had on the playground and I also credit a lot of the troubles and things I may have gotten myself in and end up on the wrong road.

(In August of last year, Alston got in trouble twice. Was charged with stabbing a man at a Manhattan nightspot and misdemeanor assault and public intoxication in Houston).

It has shaped and molded me to who I am today on the court and off the court. I've learned from some situations and I'm able to continue to do the things I'm capable of and good at. Some people can't credit the bad things sometimes, but I credit the bad because you learn from them and you grow.


Q: Two last things. You guys are 32-20 and are battling to stay in the Western Conference race. (The Rockets came into Tuesday's game as one of three times tied for seventh in the conference). If you guys were in the Eastern Conference, you'd be third. When you see that, what do you think?

A: It's tough. They traded some guys to the East this year. You have Rashard Lewis go to Orlando. You had two guys go to Boston in Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett. You thought some of the balance would shift to the East. Well, in the middle of the season, you have teams trading back to the West so the balance of power is back in the West."

(The Phoenix Suns got Shaquille O'Neal, the Los Angeles Lakers got Pau Gasol and the Dallas Mavericks got Jason Kidd in trades).

The West is tough, man. You look at those standings, nine teams have 30-plus wins. You look on this side (the East), only three teams have 30-plus wins, and the rest of the conference is struggling. It just shows you how good and the parity in the West is. I really feel Portland is going to win 50 games this year. I think there are going to be two teams with 50 wins that's not going to make the playoffs. It's going to hurt.

Q: The last thing I'll ask is, how does this team approach the rest of the season? Is it almost like you can't afford to lose?


A: You don't want to lose. We have 30 games. I think we have to go out with the mindset that we have to win all 30 because it could down to that situation where it's the last game of the season. It could very well come down to that.

Q: Thanks Rafer. Good luck the rest of the season.

A: Thank you.