look at the last NBA champions, none of them had a traditional PG Derek Fisher shot the three and would take his shot, Billups is better as an attacker, parker well he tore the hell outa rafer the last time we played the spurs (which was sad i was at that game and the spurs gotta bigger ovation then the rockets did) this offseason we need to get a ligit starting SG(bogans is not the answer)
Uneducated? I have an earned doctorate from an accredited university. I played organized, refereed basketball into my early forties. I have even coached some. My friend, I totally disagree with your assessment of the Rocket's role players. Now if you are throwing in Sura, James, Barry, and Padgett, then we may be in agreement. Incidentally, I NEVER call names, not a good policy.
Again Sam, As a 2-guard, I like James. James is not a PG ...he is a 2-guard that can dribble... just like Cat Mobley. You can argue that RA should be a backup. We'll see. But MJames definately ain't a starter either, esp on a good team ...and definately not as a PG. Hell, MJames played for Detroit the year they won and he only got 10mpg. Those are scrub minutes to give the real players rest. That should be all you need to know. So stop comparring him as a "non-traditional" PG to Chauncy Billups. He definately ain't no Tony Parker either.
I don't know what happened, this thread has gone for six pages. Didn't read the whole thread so some of my points may be redundant. Sam made good points on why Rafer doesn't fit in. He can't shoot to make the defense honest, which makes Yao and T-Mac more difficult to play. He can't play defense, which weakens out strong interior defense. Reefer is a bad FT shooter this year. Rafer has one thing that fits in, his passing. His low TOs is not significant because he doesn't penetrate much. On the contrary, Mike James fits in with the Rockets in many more ways. He provides energy, heart, clutchness, defense, penetration and shooting. When his game is on his eyes beam like a little tiger. That's why he always played in the 4th quarter instead of Sura. He was one of our clutchest player. Maybe trading James was wise contract wise, but not talent wise. Out of so many teams, why CD and JVG chose Rafer? I can wait for an offseason to see if things turn around for Rafer, if not he should be shipped in the next season.
When Yao or Tmac injured, James is definitely more worthy than Alston because of scoring ability. But when both are healthy, Alston fits Rockets better because of the passing ability. Rockets need both stars healthy to have Championship hope, so stick with Alston should be good for Rockets in a long run.
Not only wasn't he a great shooter at the end of his career...he NEVER was, ever haha, the omission was to keep you from looking even less knowledgable. And just to clear this up I would love to have Mike James on the Rockets now, but not at the expense of Rafer Alston. I loved his play last year but his skills have been GROSSLY overestimated by everyone here.
It's interesting that we are complaining about the lack of shooting ability at the PG position. Look at our team. The only role player who can shoot at the swing 2-3 positions is David Wesley (maybe Head). The only role player who can shoot at our front line is Juwan Howard (and maybe Lampe). Why don't you guys go crying about the signing of Swift and Bowen and Anderson and Brunson, and the letting go of Padgett and Barry, and the trade for non-shooters like Bogans. Alston for James may or may not be wise. I didn't like it when it happened. But I understand the reasoning and let it go. But the other moves are much worse, imo. I bet a lot of people who are complaining about the James-Alston trade thought the other moves were great at that time?
Yao said our chemistry isn't good, and it's funny to say that near the end of the season. It's funny too, that we had more chemistry with a so called scoring pg than a pass first pg. Last year, Mike James was the second most talented guard next to T-Mac over Sura, Barry and Wesley. He was an integral part of last year's success. The additions of FAs are not the same with trades that involve our key players. Even when Yao and T-Mac are healthy this team still needs a third scorer, and Mike James was great at it coming off the bench. People want Sam Cassel. You know how many shots Cassel takes in 35 minutes, with strong scorers like Brand and Mobley? 14.4 shots. Now James took 10 shots in 25 minutes last year and it'd be 14 shots a game extropolated to 35 minutes. James is a better player than Rafer. He's more like Cassel than Rafer. We traded away our Cassel lite for a passer that can't shoot, can't defend and can't lead. That's why people are upset.
I liked Mike James but with the loss of Sura we needed someone who could pass the ball and start. Mike James was great coming off the bench and I actually questioned the trade at first. It is the past now though..... It is done and over with and time to move forward. If Raefer is not the answer let's look to trade him this offseason but there is no use contemplating over a player that isn't even on our pay roster anymore.
James would have carried us to more victories this year just with his scoring. He averages over 5 and a half assists so thats not bad at all actually. He shoots 48% from the field and is way better PG/basketball player. But he would have probably left after the season so it doesnt really matter. And the fact CD traded him already.
James had 31 tonight. If you think Rafer Alston fits with this team better than Mike James you have issues. Mike James can flat out shoot. Everybody says he is not a true PG but who cares. Look at the last NBA championship teams and there PG. Bulls with Ron Harper, Lakers with Ron Harper and Derek Fisher, Spurs with Tony Parker and Pistons with Billups. None of them are "true pg's". I know he will be a FA and the end of the season but he leaves in Houston so I am pretty sure we could have re-signed him with a reasonable deal. We are stuck with Rafer for 4 more years. He sucks.
Forget about Mike James. Even if CD didn't trade him, we would not have enough money to sign him at the end of this year anyway.
He's the one in control in this situation. It would be nice to have him back, but it would be awkward. I wonder how he feels about actually coming back to play on this team. I doubt he'd want to.
Mike Jame may not may not resign with Rockets, had he stayed. What's funny is people act like getting Rafer Alston is a once in a life time opportunity.
Why did you choose Tracy and not Alston, since Rafer Alston and Mike James are the ones being compared. What's the point of bringing T-Mac into this? T-Mac may not have a high shooting percentage (3's or otherwise) but I'd rather have him taking any shot in the clutch or when it counts than Mike James.
