Reefer is one lucky b*stard to be playing on this team. He's like Matt Maloney. Lucky to be playing w/ All-Stars and sucks as a PG. I'm pretty sure the whole NBA is wondering why the Rockets have a crappy starting PG. We should try getting one of the PGs from Memphis to run this squad. Or groom AB to take over this team. At least he can hit the shot when needed. I have disapproved of Reefer on this team since he came here.
Rafer's shooting problem has been with the Rockets for 4 seasons, now. I'm sure if there was a trade that upgraded the PG spot while making the Rockets a better overall team, Morey would have been all over it by now. It looks like the Rockets are stuck with Alston unless Brooks can step up. What’s the point of killing yourself every time Rafer jacks up a three?
Alston's defense is really underrated. His shooting can improve with practice. That's IF he practices, and that's something we can't control. So hopefully he puts in the work for it... if not, then whenever opposing team's starting PG's are in, let Rafer play, once they're off, bring in Brooks or Barry for the offense, they should stand their own ground against 2nd unit PG's. If only we managed to get Calderon...
Defense? You talking about Rafer and Defense? This team has been known for leaking points for years at the guard positions - which includes Rafer. I have watched from my seat at TC and seen countless guards blow past Rafer at will. His best defensive move has seemed to be grabbing the jersey or getting a touch foul as he lamely drags his fingers across the shoulder of his quickly departing opponent. I am convinced that AB could never be any worse than Rafer at Defense. So if he can improve his shooting, running the offense and passing, he should be a vast improvement over Rafer. Hopefully fully trained by this year's playoffs.
I don't have to scream it out.......the entire league knows it....you know how I know? They leave him wide open.....ON PURPOSE.... Rafer sucks.......True...true... DD
You're probably talking about the 1 on 1 defense. In those cases, Rafer's a gambler, going for the steal most of the time which allows the defender to fly by. And his weak fouls aren't a plus. But as a team defender, he's great a closing the lanes and adding a little double team here and there.
He is good enough. He protects the ball and is a good defender. He doesn't need to shoot that well for the Rockets to be successful. Certainly, 28% won't get it done but he will be fine once he settles in as will the rest of the team. Take a look at Ron's shooting percentage. He is hasn't found his shot yet either. The Spurs won a Championship with Avery Johnson starting so to say the Rockets can't win with Rafer is incorrect.
I agree, Rafer is a heady smart player.....he is just a poor shooter, and though he is decent at setting up teamates, he only does it on the perimeter, never hits the cutting man....only the perimeter people...the safe pass.... Rafer is a crutch for this team, and the sooner they move on without him, the better chance they have of being something special. DD
And to add to my post, Aaron can be an insane team defender because of his height. Coming in to double the big from behind with his speed and quickness can result in a TO for the opposition, or a foul. He just has to learn how to do it properly. Notice how Yao gets his TO's like that? That's just because he's relatively taller than most C's in the game at 7"6, and people shorter are generally quicker than he is.
Oh come on, we've all seen Yao "out-quick" some C's in the league with his post moves. What I meant was that the people coming in for the double (The PG's usually, which leaves Rafer wide open ) are faster & quicker. If Yao notices the threat coming, either by teammates calling it our for him or by seeing it with his own eyes, those pesky guards will be no threat for him
I think Rafer should take some responsibilities for Yao and Tmac's health. Since he joined the rockets, Yao and Tmac became injury prone players. I don't think this is just a coincidence. His playmaking is not good, and cannot create easy basket for them. Moreover, his bad shooting always allow opponents double Yao or Tmac. Of course, this is not Rafer's fault. He did his best, but his ability is limited. The problem is why the rockets use a low level pg like him?!
The Rockets never make cuts to the basket. I wish Adelman took a page out of Sloan's offense. Hard cuts turn into easy buckets which are vital in the playoffs.
Only thing good I see from raf so far is his assist going up if he can average a tiny bit more (say 10) and keep the shooting percentage I can live with it
Umm hello you do realize this is why we picked up Ron? duh.. all the while we cant learn Adelmans offense and yet were pushing more on his plate, lets just wait till we are comfortable with RA's books please. want this want that, damn
Stop your whining. If you believe Rafer sucks, that is fine, just dont expect everyone else to agree with you. You still cant admit Vspan sucks, even now that he is gone. You throw all this BS about him not getting a fair shake and having to play out of position. He was bad at just about every aspect of the game when he played in games. So you know what, he sucked. Do you have to admit that? No, so stop caring so much that some people think Rafer is okay. No one is calling him CP3. As for Brooks, he has looked great at times this year coming off the bench. But do you honestly think that he would be able to contain Baron Davis on defense. And who exactly, do you think the Rockets can bring in without giving up a major piece of their team that is gonna be leaps and bounds ahead of Rafer?
