Rafer has the physical talent and ability to be a legit 13-14 point scorer without relying on the 3's. Besides his many 3 point attempts he gets as quality a shot as anyone else does, just simply frustratingly doesnt make em. Its like the basket is moving around like pop-a-shot when he's shooting but stationary for everyone else.
Jeff made those comments for one very simple reason. He is trying to take all the pressure off Rafer by assuring him that it doesn't matter about his shooting. It's just a little psychological ploy to hopefully get Rafer to quit pressing on the shot and to be able to relax when he fires the ball. I don't think it will work. In fact, I look for teams to come out and play off Rafer and double onto Tracy and dare Rafer to beat them. If I was the opposing coach, that's what I'd do. I'd play off Rafer so far, I'd give him 25 shots if I could.
For as bad as Rafer has been playing, we are still winning. He has to shoot all the shots he is because they are mostly good shots. He would be hurting the team by passing on shots. Also, although he is not hitting shots right now he is still a team leader, runs the offense great, is a smart player, creates for others, knows where to be on offense and defense, helps his teammates know where they need to be, and plays good team defense. So he is helping the team in other aspects.
Whoa I like this from JVG, sure Alston sucks. Everyone knows it, JVG knows it, Rafer knows it. But what kind of coach is going to say "hey that guy sucks im going to play someone else" the pg position is a very sensative position, the fact of the matter is the rockets dont have a better option and i dont think they will this season. Just like the texans did with car, they want to instill a positive attitude so that rafer wont feel like the weakest link, which he is. It fits rafers personality, with howard jvg told him he wasnt going to play, howards attitude was work his way back, rafers attitude might be screw this i give up. being a coach is like being a psychologist. Good job by jVG.
I guess most people here hate that Alston shot way too much for a PG. If he manages to shoot no more than 10 each game, there won't be as much criticises.
Watching Rafer is painful at times. But look at our record... he could improve... but as long as we keep winning... I would have a hard time advocating a change. Rafer and Luther make a nice combo for what they are. Small, quick guards who can... on occasion... light it up from outside. That is what we need.
Rafer Alston is just I can't even describe how awful he is shooting the ball. He went 0-7 tonight inside the 3 pt line and 2-14 overall. At this point, the only reason he is starting over Head is his ballhanding/passing skills. And yes, morey/CD better find a competent starter in the trade market asap.
At Marquette Diener was second (behind Novak) in all time 3p made and second in all time assists made. When Nelson was out he was the 4th quarter guy at point for the Magic. He's back to collecting DNP's. Problem is he's not worth giving up even a 2nd pick because of his contract situation and Padgett, Lucas, and Novak are the only bargaining chips Rockets can use for a straight up swap.
It is so obvious this is what JVG is doing. It's also obviously the right thing to do. But JVG did mention that Rafer is shooting too many runners and certainly he is "counseling" Rafer in private about things. I think at some point Rafer's shooting % will improve. He cannot continue to shoot this abysmally. But opponents will continue to bait him until he finally makes better decisions.
alston is struggling with his shot, but despite contrary belief, ripping him a new one and calling for his head isnt going to help. he is the starter, and will be, no matter how much people gripe
The lay ups he's missing are painful to watch but his D has picked up. Currently, we don't have a better option. Rafer's shooting will pick up, esp. once those lay ups start dropping again
are you kidding? look at how Gordon playing over RA in 4th quarter. for god sakes,JVG made a switch in the last several mins.
Rafer couldn't have played him too much better (edit: without fouling him more), it is BG we are talking about. The guy is a straight up balla.
Which, yes, that move decided the game. However, Gordon is just going to do that to teams. That's what kind of player he is, and outside of Battier, Quentin Ross, Bruce Bowen, or Trenton Hassell-type perimeter defender, he's going to do that to the opposing team's defense. The guy can just fill it up when he gets hot. I don't think you should sink Rafer because he couldn't contain Gordon in the 4th. You should sink him because of his abysmal shooting percentage. I swear, if he had prolonged his drought any further than the 0-21 he had going dating back to the T-Wolves game, I was going to start calling him "0-for" Alston.
IF a player has natural talent - a la McGrady then you can shoot yourself out of slumps. Let us not make Rafer a Tiger yet- a Good shot is only good, if there is a reasonable expectation it will be made- not when you are CONSISTENTLY clanking it. As others have pointed out- there is a damn good reason why these shots are there in the first place. In JVG's system- offense has to be efficient, every shot Rafer takes and misses, is a shot that Yao or Tmac dont take- and 5-6 crucial shots is where games are decided.
One of the greatest mysteries of the earth: Rafer Alston shoots a horrible percentage, doesn't assist much, and rockets win. Seriously, I think the only reason why the Rockets are winning is because of T-Mac. If Alston actually made half of his shots, the points that come would simply augment the team's lead over the opponent. But he isn't, and somehow we still have leads and wins. Oh yeah, and I'm wondering why so many people are commenting on Alston's 'improved' defence. When I watced the Jazz game, every time Deron Williams shot, Alston contested it, and the shot went in. But apart from that, he seems to be more steady on defence, staying with his man and contesting jumpshots.
