Good evidence, and I believe Alston was spoiled by coaches, we should have a strong bentch who can get his minutes anytime to creat a more competitive sitution to push him improve and work harder.
Ranks #9 in the NBA in Steals Per Game(1.63) Ranks #5 in the NBA in Three-Point Field Goals Made(132.0) Ranks #4 in the NBA in Three-Point Field Goal Attempts(358.0) If he could improve his mid-range jumper and floater... I will be very happy with him
That's managements fault. If this, what we have right now is CD's vision then he needs to retire now. If this is assistant coach's vision then he needs to go. It's flawed to the core.
If you compare Smith's 93-94 season to Rafer last year I would take Rafer. If you compare Smith's 94-95 season to Rafer last year it's about even, maybe slight edge to Smith. Overall, though, these guys are actually quite similar. http://www.basketball-reference.com...1:Rafer+Alston&y2=2006&s=r&t=m&submit=Compare http://www.basketball-reference.com...1:Rafer+Alston&y2=2006&s=r&t=m&submit=Compare
I'll take that 38% shooting Vernon Maxwell in 1994 anyday over Rafer. I'm happy Vernon took his 38% shooting to the Suns and the Knicks! At least you know if Vernon makes 3 three pointers in a row, he can go NBA JAM on any team. Vernon Maxwell=NBA JAM Rafer=Double Dribble
Yes sirrrrrrrrrrrr I think it's funny how people said all rafer had to do was hit his 3s...which he's been doing, at above the average clip...now they want him to be some great 2-point shooter, since we all know his job is to hit from inside the 3 what was the ideal PG before we acquired rafer? someone who could hit his fair amount of 3s at a decent % (the fact that he's making shooting a high amount makes his production and effectiveness better, not worse), someone who can run a team without turning the ball over, and someone who can run the break and pressure the ball. 3/3. NOW, along with that, people are asking for 50% FG shooting, slam dunks, and they want Rafer to go ahead and get a quadruple-double every now and then. Like I said, it's ALWAYS easiest to blame the PG. Let's completely ignore the fact that one-dimensional stiffs such as Head, Hayes, Lucas, and Wells hurt our team a million times more than Rafer's. It won't be Rafer that does us in the playoffs. It'll be a lack of frontcourt production, no depth and a lack of athleticism/versatility. A lotta blind mice seem to running around on this site.
What??? Kenny could outshoot Rafer and do the TNT show at the same time. Lets not forget Kenny had to share time with this Cassell dude. The reason Rafer is called "SKIP TO MY LOU" is because he SKIPS PASSING THE BALL and the ball SKIPS AROUND THE RIM.
I don't think anyone here said that.. even stretching what each person posted to sarcasm I don't think anyone here said that. For everyone on our team there is room for improvement... especially after a couple of poor performances. I just thought (as did Clutch I am sure) that it was frightening that Rafer has shot more times at a lower rate than anyone in Rockets history.
Rockets111 will now explain to you the insignificance of this feat. "We don't need Rafer to be anything better than worst in Rockets' history."
Not really a significant fact.. but Larry "Mr. Mean" Smith shot 24% from the free throw line in 1991 (12-50) in 81 games. Found that kinda funny...
Your getting confused. If all people wanted Rafer to do was hit his 3 point shots, then what he's doing is not that. Yes, he is hitting his 3 point shots at an average rate, but that's not all he's doing. He's also shooting, and missing, way too many 2 point shots. Which is the problem. I can see where you're going....which is that Rafer shoudl be able to be a very competent starting PG for us. I disagree with your opinion on his defense. His man-on-man defense is average, and he tends to reach in at very stupid times once or twice a game to foul a shooter. And while I think he definitely can run a decent fast break, he doesn't push it enough to try and do so - but it does keep turnovers down, so not a problem with me. You're right in that he hits his 3 pointers at an average rate, controls tempo, and keeps turnovers down. But he has 1 enormous, huge glaring weakness that is hampering the team to the extent it negates all his positives. And that's the fact that he can't score from inside the arc (or create for that matter), yet continues to try and do so.
I wish there were a statistic for "Floater %". I'm sure his would be around 10-15%. The best way to raise his FG%, fine him for every missed floater. Rafer repeatedly taking out of control layups/floaters would be equivalent to Deke repeatedly taking 3's. If it's not a good shot for you, don't take that shot.
as we all know statistics can help support whatever story you want to tell. i suspect if we were looking at adjusted field goal percentage, this thread wouldn't exist (if for no other reason than tmac's adj. fg% was worse than rafer's last year) if the point is that rafer is the most prolific 2-pt brick layer the team has ever known, then to that i would agree and say...*yawn* perhaps his 2007 nba championship ring will improve his accuracy next year. you know, act as a counter-balance or something.
Absolutely correct. If you investigate his eFG% (around 46) even his relative "marksmanship" from range doesn't do much to ameliorate his craptastic 2 point shooting. His eFG% is about the same as Kirk Snyder's, and lower than McGrady, Battier, Yao, Head, Hayes Mutumbo, Howard....etc. In fact, of the regulars only Bonzi has a lower eFG% (44%) - yet Alston is the second most prolfic shot-taker on the team. (I imagine the TS% numbers look even worse) There's nothing that anybody can say to spin this into a good thing.
eFG% doesn't work for the number of fast breaks points that the opponent gets off a miss. Every time, I see the opponnent go on a fast break from a missed shot, it always seems to be from Rafer. There should be a eTO stat that takes into account, turnovers and missed shots that lead to a turnover.
