10 games played since Yao came back (@Cleveland) PPG 11.5 FG% 42.3 3P% 44.1 FGA/GM 9.7 RPG 4.4 SPG 1.6 A/TO 3.0 It looks like people's wishes have been granted - he's been shooting less, hitting more often, and doing very well on 3pointers, passing better, rebounding pretty darn well. Hopefully this continues well into our championship run this year, and we can get over this "Rafer is the worst PG in the NBA" obsession we have here.
Has Rafer "turned the corner"? ..... I think the key is the words you used when you said "since Yao came back." Bottom line, Now that Yao is back, Rafer doesn't have to be the 2nd option. Yao and Tmac take the shots. Thus Rafer is more "efficient" with his shooting. That's what we have been saying. By "default" Rafer was put in a position to be a top scoring option and he doesn't have the skillset for that. But with Yao back, it helps Rafer greatly. In fact Rafer's game last night was VERY efficient! I don't have the stats in front of me, but I think he was 5-7 FG (3-5 3ptrs) for 16 pts and some rebounds and assists. Look at the FGAs. Seven. And look at the percentage! THAT is the key. THAT is what we want from Rafer, CONSISTANTLY.
Rafer's never going to be consistent. The question is, can he be consistent enough for us to win? The answer is "yes". The only time Rafer can't get it done is if he's forced to do it all. Which we all know he can't.
Actually, if we have the same Rafer that first came to us, who deferred to everybody else, then yes, he will be the perfect pg for us. It's just when he gets mental, and decides to take it upon himself to make something happen that leads to those mental lapses.
One thing I've noticed is that while TMac has said his favorite open shooters to pass out to is Head and Battier, Yao often passes to Rafer. I don't know if he likes passing to him or it's just him noticing Rafer is open and he's programmed to pass to the first one he's sees open, I just wonder if Yao has built a list in his head on his favorite shooters to pass to.
i agree. from what i've seen, some nights his shot is on, and some nights it is not. when it is, the rockets have a really good chance of beating anybody. when its off, the rox really have to find a third scorer (usually head or howard) and hope rafer doenst keep jacking up bricks.
His defense has been suspect the last 2 games, getting lit up by Tinsley and Flip Murray, but then again, the dude is forced to log 40 minutes a night. It's no coincidence though that his solid shooting since Yao's return has not only helped them win 8 of 10, but also get the team off to great starts almost every night.
I think that may be due to the fact of positioning. Tmac drives into the lane and kicks it to one corner or the other. Yao is already in the lane looking back at his teammates and sees Rafer open at the top of the key. Just a thought.
It seems like most of the time Rafer tries to force things when the rest of the offense is stagnant, i.e. both Battier and Head are bricking 3s like crazy and Tmac is in jumpshooting mode. The cure is, of course, Yao.
this is the kind of play we need from rafer to bring home the 'ship.. i've been a 'rafer hater' all season long (pretty warranted too, i feel), but that definitely doesn't get in the way of me hoping and praying that he proves me wrong come playoff time. i think deuce said it best, now that yao and tmac are back on the court together, rafer is put in a role that he can actually fill, versus being that #2 scoring option. kokopuffs, i hope you haven't jinxed the crap outta him with this thread...
THANK YOU!!! It amazes me to no end. Yao goes out for 30games. And the Rockets needed someone to step up. Rafer was taking more shots because 1) he had too and 2) he was left wide open. He was asked to shoot more and PLAY OUT OF HIS ROLE and fans and media borderline crucify him for doing something had to do, but wasn't brought here to do. I'm happy with Rafer and the job he's done this year. The team runs smoothly when he's on the floor. I would like to get him some help next year, but I would love for him to keep running the show. If Van Gundy defends him, that ought to say enough.
I like the assessment, Rafer is a 4 option behind Battier. I would like to see him cut his minutes back to 35 minutes a game, which would help him on the defensive end. Scoring points, like, Nash, Billups, Tinsley, and Jet give him fits, which impacts his play on the offensive end. However, say it with me. Yao makes everyone's offensive game a better by drawing double teams, same as Dream doing for Vernon, Kenny, Cassell, Horry, Chucky etc...
I have not been a Rafer fan since he has been here, terrible trade. BUT, recently he has started to grow on me a bit, not alot, a bit. He has reduced his shots. That may be JVG, Yao's return, or whatever. He is taking better shots, more stationary threes. The floater last night at the end of the game could have been disastrous, fortunately, it fell. (rare) I love the way he brings the ball up, the team gets almost the whole clock to work with. Do any of you remember when Steve, Moochie, or Cuttino would almost dribble out the clock before making the first pass? Rafer initiates the action quickly, throws crisp passes, and has steel handles. Overall, he is a poor shooter, so he needs to very selective. I hate the "floaters." I bet he hits about 20% of those. Unfortunately, he is one the keys to our playoff success. If he has a good playoffs, I like our chances. But TMac must get on a hot streak. If Rafer and TMac shoot 30% during the first series, we are doomed.
It's quiet simple really. without yao there, rafer was playing out of he's wheight division. we had him playing as a second option on offense. thats not rafers game. rafer had to force things that were not there. when tracy was sitting, the burden of the offense was falling onto he's shoulders. you can force a role player like Rafer into playing an Stars role. he dosent have that ability. now with yao back, he can concentrate on playing the role he is capebale of.
I think TMac's favorite open man is Chuck Hayes. How many times have we seend Chuck doing layup after layup from T-Mac's pass.
