The reason behind Skip's departure from the Heat is revealed, via ESPN.com's Ric Bucher: Rafer Alston is content with his decision to leave the Miami Heat, because it wasn't about losing his starting job. It was about being told he was no longer going to play and deciding that looking after a twin sister who tried to take her life just a few days earlier was more important. "The way I handled it was wrong," Alston said Tuesday in his first public comments since leaving the team last Friday. "I didn't really tell [team officials] why I was leaving." He said he texted team officials that he was going to Texas to be with his family rather than call or meet face to face out of fear his emotions would get the better of him. He was already coping with his twin sister Racine's attempted suicide when coach Erik Spoelstra pulled him aside and said he was being dropped not only from the starting lineup but also from playing altogether. "There was no argument or anything like that," Alston said. "I've never been a quitter and I still want to go back and tell them face to face. But after I had a little time to think about the fact that I wouldn't be playing any more, I felt the best thing was for me to be with my loved one. I just knew if I'd gotten on the phone and they said the wrong thing, voices would've been raised. I know myself. It would get bad." Full article here: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4980995 Good for him, for admitting he went about things wrongly but going back to be with his sister. I'm interested in whether he still would have left had he been a starter and not had his PT taken away. And sucks for Miami and Spoelstra. Why have your best PG on the bench? Just one more reason why Wade won't be in Miami next year.
I really believed he would still be playing in Miami. I mean I have always heard he was a good team-mate. A little bit of a loud mouth loon but he's from NY. But really horrible timing to have both incidents happening. And really to SirCharlesFan- that's not cool.
I still don't get it. Why would a coach suddenly tell his starting PG that he not only would not start but would not play? And it's not like his backup is some serious young talent that needs to be developed.
Even when Rafer was on the Rockets, I always liked him - he had a ton of heart and he never quit. Sure he was inconsistent, but he played with fire and passion. I hope he does well in the future and that his twin sister is okay as well. Eventually, some team will pick him up again - I don't doubt it.
Cant really blame him. You tend to not think when someone you care about, especially a twin sibbling, is in danger. He manned up to it, admitted he didn't go about it the right way, and he'll move on. Im a little curious though, by Texas he means Houston right? He still lives here?
Hey, Brian Cook found a gig. It's going to work out. But seriously, Rafer is a bit on the crazy side, but he's not a bad guy. The whole "you're not getting any more playing time" doesn't make a ton of sense. Best wishes to him and his sister.
Rafer at a half million was a great deal. What the hell is Miami thinking?! If Lowry is going to miss anymore games (please don't) I'd MUCH rather sign Rafer on the cheap than to use Conroy or Temple again, but I doubt we'd have the chance. Lakers will probably pick him up.
It's about as believable as McGrady not playing in the Nets game because it was his son's birthday. I'm sorry about his personal struggles, but he quit the team because they took him out of the rotation.
" It was about being told he was no longer going to play and deciding that looking after a twin sister who tried to take her life just a few days earlier was more important."
Probably doing him a favor. I'm sure players would rather be told than have to wonder if they were going to get in the game or not or wonder why they weren't playing.
What I meant was, why would the coach render a player from starter status to DNP in just one game? Normally, if you are not playing well, you GRADUALLY lose your PT.
I have been wondering this myself. It just seems like there is more to the story than we are hearing. And being curious (read nosy), I would love to hear what is going on.
