Even though I voted yes, I agree with this point. The type of player AB is requires plenty of touches. I still think it is worth a go because Rafer just doesn't do enough. If we had any other reasonable option, then Brooks would be best served in a backup role. Unfortunately, our other options were even more disappointing this season than Rafer on a bad day.
My saying yes on this has little to do with AB being ready but, rather from the previous game a foreshadowing of PG position abuse to come if Rafer continues to get the lion's share minutes in the ball games. AB may make some rookie mistakes but consider this, he shoots better overall he makes FT's consistently, runs the offense better, makes quicker, better decisions with the basketball, provides a legit multiple threat opportunity each time down the court, knows how to run the fastbreak and knows how to finish at the basket, plus his D is improving and becoming more consistent. Lastly, how about this reason? His teammates better respond and execute when he's on the court rather than Rafer? Even the fans feel a little buzz when he's out there. It's that anticipation that something special not actually could happen but, will more consistently with AB out on the court. Face it, Rafer looked old vs D-Will on Sunday. You need AB's quckness out on the court, he's just that valuable. Again it's more of the fact IMO AB is the better choice over Rafer to start. For the record ...
Well, let's see. We are 4 games above .500 and 10th in the west and start Chuck Hayes and Rafer Alston every game so far this year. If it is not Brooks starting it should at least be somebody other than Hayes. Eventually I like Brooks and Landry starting but we're not there yet. Change the lineup already Adelman!
NO, he isnt ready. He makes lot of rookie errors. He will need a little more time to become a starting pg.
If he makes rookie errors what do we do with a 31 year old PG who can't shoot, but still jacks up 14 shots per game? DD
Brooks on Ellis is one thing. Battier on Baron Davis probably isn't a good idea. He's too quick plus that means T-Mac (or whoever, if he doesn't play) has their hands full with Steven Jackson then. Uggggghhhh.....This team is just a matchup nightmare no matter how you slice it.
2007-08 Rockets Regular Statistics Printable PLAYER AVERAGES REBOUNDS Player G GS MPG FG% 3p% FT% OFF DEF TOT APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG Rafer Alston 41 41 33.5 .393 .329 .647 .30 2.90 3.20 5.1 1.27 .17 2.17 1.70 11.6 Aaron Brooks 23 0 13.3 .435 .302 .895 .30 .70 1.00 1.9 .35 .13 1.09 1.40 5.5 Team Averages 44 0 241.1 .443 .334 .727 12.4 31.4 43.9 21.0 7.7 5.6 14.8 20.0 95.3 Opponents 44 0 241.1 .439 .364 .747 10.8 29.7 40.5 18.9 7.8 4.4 14.1 20.2 93.3created: 01/28/2008,12:52 AM Apologize for the crudeness of display tried to clean it up a bit ... from Rockets.com. AB's shooting better than Rafer, .435 to .393 FT% WAY better than Rafer .895 to .647? and the big bottom line ... In 33 min/avg., Rafer 11.6 PPG, whereas, AB in a little over 13 min/avg, has a 5.5 PPG. So, who's more efficient with the ball? The only major question is, can AB stay out of foul trouble if given more minutes on the court? PLAYER TOTALS REBOUNDS Player G GS MIN FGM-A 3PM-A FTM-A OFF DEF TOT AST STL BLK TO PF PTS Rafer Alston 41 41 1,375 181-461 69-210 44-68 12 118 130 210 52 7 89 71 475 Aaron Brooks 23 0 305 47-108 16-53 17-19 6 17 23 43 8 3 25 32 127 Team Totals 44 0 10,610 1,589-3,588 291-872 725-997 547 1,383 1,930 922 338 244 652 882 4,194 Opponents 44 0 -- 1,540-3,507 228-627 798-1,068 476 1,307 1,783 833 341 192 622 889 4,106 created: 01/28/2008,12:52 AM
True. Problem is Alston is bad enough that it may actually make sense to expedite the learning curve.
Let's get his average minutes per game up to at least 20+ coming off the bench before we talk about starting him.
Exactly. It's not that AB is necessarily the next CP3. It is just that Alston is so bad that we may improve with Brooks as our starter.
True, and it's not just for us. The Warriors often field 5 scoring threats at the same time. That can be a nightmare for any team when they get going.
Or, he can keep putting pressure on his seat on the bench. I can promise you one thing. The next time Mike James does play, he will take at least one ill-advised shot, no matter how few minutes he plays.
You got it. Imagine the heisting that would be going on with a Rafer, James, Bonzi, Francis and McGrady lineup. Obviously, it would never happen for multiple reasons. Just a funny thought.
Imagine that! An NBA basketball team whose players can shoot the basketball. Wow. I guess the Rockets haven't gotten the message yet.
I had to vote NO because he'd be overmatched against the majority of the PGs in the West. I like the kid and all but anytime you have to hand pick who he's going to start against in order to compensate for his weaknesses that in and of itself tells you that he's not starting material. I do like seeing him in the rotation and coming off the bench however and I love his speed but he gives you virtually nothing on the defensive end. Yes, Rafer does suck but let's be honest here: PG has been a problem area ever since they traded SF3. It's not like all of a sudden this year it became a glaring hole. Go back 8 years and look at who this organization has acquired to play PG and you'll understand why they are in the box they find themselves now and an undersized rookie picked in the 2nd round is not going to magically overcome all those years of neglect.
I don't think it is the time to start Brooks. I admit he has unlimited potential although,but as a rookie,he has a lot to learn,the current way(off bench)is propitious to his progress.
