I as much as anyone have always thought Rafer was getting an unfair lump of the blame for the teams struggles since he has been here, but at the same time I don't expect him to keep playing at the current level indefinitely either. It's more likely he is temporarily playing over what can reasonably be expected just like Deke did for that stretch when Yao was out last year. He is a streaky shooter. Earlier in the year he was way below his career average, and now he is way above it, which over all brings him back around his career average. I am encouraged by his penetrating drives though and finishing around the paint. Those are things that I think he can do consistently from here on out. His out side shot is likely to always be streaky though. But if he can find ways to contribute scoring wise when his outside shot is off that will only help the Rockets. There is always the slight chance that this is the offense that can bring his game to a new level though. Usually veteran players don't make huge strides in their game this late in their career, but Nash wasn't even an all star til his 6th season, much less someone who was ever thought to be an MVP candidate. His first year in Dallas he was booed even. Now I am not saying Rafer is going to be the next Nash, but if Nash can go from average/good PG to all star/MVP PG with the right system late in his career, it isn't out of the realm of possibility for Rafer to go from below average/average PG to good PG with the right system.
How sick would it be if Rafer became the next Nash or Tony Parker? Wowowowow. It'll be a lot of fun bashing all the Rafer-bashers then haha fanciful thinking, but a fan can dream, eh?
Just keep in mind I am not saying I expect him to be the next Nash or Parker. I am just saying that if Nash can go from above average/good to all star/MVP late in his career, then maybe rafer can go from below average/average to above average/good level.
The sentiment is correct, and I'm starting to think that the new offensive system has really helped to upgrade Rafer's play. I think Adelman has made it a point to involve Rafer much more in the offense than in the past (no more just dribble it up and hand it to T-Mac). Now that he's finishing much better around the basket, with his good handles and nice hesitation dribble he is now a threat to score or assist on the pick and roll. I think this new Rafer is for real, however ... Adelman must do a good job of re-integrating McGrady into this offense when he returns. Most importantly, McGrady is going to have to play off the ball a *lot* more -- move without the ball, come off screens and be the recipient of scoring opportunities rather than being the primary initiator of offense. McGrady also has to become option #2 behind Yao, not option #1/#1A. There's no reason he still can't flourish and even maintain his high scoring percentage while doing this. It'll also help preserve his energy so that he can exert some more on the defensive end and have enough left to execute in crunch time. We'll see how well it works out.
Rafer is so underappreciated here it's sickening. Imagine if Rafer wasn't on this team. We'd probably have Head starting at PG and Aaron backing him up. THANK YOU RAFER!!!
Man, I hate to say this cause I've done my share of Rafer bashing in the past but Rafer's new found basketball play is impressing me. He's driving and finishing. His three point shot still leaves a lot to be desired and he's a streaky shooter but if he can get into the lane and score up close, then he's a diamond in the rough in this Adelman offense.
he's been playing like an all-star the past few games. if he could be consistent and always play like that, we'd be a bigtime championship contender. biggest difference is the confidence and.... the FLOATER is working now, no idea why.
I'm normally a big Rafer Hater, but I will give credit where credit is due and admit he has seemed to have made a few adjustments to his approach, maybe some good coaching, and he seems much more productive and not such a liability on Defense. I hope he keeps improving and can help my beloved Rocks win some games.
Nobody dogged on Rafer more then I did, but the dude is playing well right now and I could not be happier. What the hell has gotten into him?!?!
I hope some coach pointed out something he was doing wrong and he fixed it, otherwise ugly Rafer is going to rear his head again eventually. Oh well, beats having head run the point.
Seriously -- I've defended Rafer a bit over the years, but man what has gotten into him lately? He has really taken his game to another level, and he's doing it consistently night in and night out (to borrow a Dexlerism).
Bingo! Morey & Adelman and his assistants are really trying to work on the players weaknesses to make them contribute.
its weird, but he kinda pulls the ball out in front of him/swings it while he's in the air and then just drops it in, almost like he puts it out there, throws it up and its good! thats what i noticed... but yeah, he's balling out of control. seeing him rip marbury was CLASSIC. that needs to be on highlights for the rest of the week.
If you guys don't remember, the coaches worked with him to fix the flaws in going to the basket and his floaters/layups. Told him to put more spin on the ball.
I gotta admit he is invaluable to the team at the present time.Playing 40 mins a night is tough. He needs help as well. I hope Brooks will be able to play with some consistency at the 1.
Yeah, *cough cough* mike james *cough* steve francis. MAN if either of those guys gave just a LITTLE contribution at just the 2 spot, we'd be really rolling.
