I think I agree (though we'll have to see how Landry vs. Big Baby plays out). Alston really should have been dealt before we signed Francis, but off-the-court problems or not, they weren't going to get anything pretty by trading Rafer alone. Here's what bothers me -- no one will touch Rafer, in large part because of the three years remaining and now even moreso because of the problems he's having. What does that say about the Rockets trade to get him two years ago when he had FIVE years remaining and threw punches with his COACH? The Rockets gave up a player who a) played the same position, b) was a superior talent and c) had an expiring contract. Terrible trade.
Don't know if this has been mentioned already, if so, disregard: On 610 this morning, Barry Warner (longtime sports radio guy in Houston) was guest-hosting along with Fizz, and Warner happened to mention something about Rafer I had not heard. He said that 'the thing about Rafer is this: Ever since Adelman was hired, he has been trying to get in touch with Rafer, and Rafer has never returned his calls.' He was pretty much talking about the same thing that people on the board here are talking about, in that it was was never going to be all that easy to trade Rafer for anything of value anyway, and now it has been made even that much more difficult. However, I had not heard this about Rafer not returning Adelman's calls before (maybe I just missed it). Anyway, just thought it was worth passing along. Has anyone else heard anything like this? Is it true, or was Warner just making things up?
that's nothing new, rafer has been shutting out everyone from the rocket's organization. players have been working out in the tc gym and shooting hoops, but rafer has chose to stay away. he knows the rockets were going to get rid of him so i guess he felt why even bother.
I had hoped that he would not leave, but now I really think there's no necessity to keep him. Too disappointing.
No doubt about it...... If the Rockets can't get anything for Rafer like a 2nd round pick or an expiring contract, they should just negotiate a buy out, and let him go. Start fresh this year, don't leave any pieces hanging out there that might hurt what could be a special season. DD
lol its pretty obvious he's calling to tell rafer he wont get much pt, might as well ask to be traded. I wouldnt pick that call up either
I haven't read all of the threads so I'm not sure if anyone else brought this up, but just as a conspiracy theory. Could it be that Rafer is pushing the Rockets into buying out his contract by acting like a semi-villain? That way after the buyout, he can act convincingly hurt and tell people how he was the actual victim and that he's been working on his game the entire time. Then find a home somewhere else and basically get double the cash.
I really doubt Rick would call up a player to say that - that's just mean. And any time a player asks to be traded, that lowers his value. More than likely he's calling him to say he has the same shot as any pg on the team to start - which he does. If he shows up and outplays James, Francis, Brooks, etc, why wouldn't he start? The problem is Rafer doesn't want to hear Rick's spiel because he knows he won't beat them out. If he knew he could beat them out, he'd pick up the phone and hear what his new boss has to say. Plus Rafer could tell him how he plans on executing Rick's plan to the best of his abilities and he is going to work hard to keep his starting spot. What coach wouldn't want to hear that and give him a fair shot?
Well at this point its obvious rafer is innocent of these allegations http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/b...bridget_moynahan_to_tom_brady_take_a_hik.html Even though he is innocent, his trade value took another hit from all the negative publicity.
And it's a shame too......what's worse is that his name was ran through the mud. Being called a thug, punk and other foul names and all he was probably guilty of was buying a bottle of Cris at 3am
I don't think he takes that much of a hit. It was on ESPN for like 10 seconds. I bet most owners in the league probably haven't heard of this happening. Alston isn't Kobe Bryant or Micheal Vick. When **** like this happens to Bryant or Vick, it gets more notice. But a guy like Alston? It only would've been news if there was any chance of him being guilty. It was pretty obvious from day one that this was a bogus charge. Same with the other arrest. I wouldn't worry about Alston's image.
actually it does because gms will use it to their advantage and make it seem like they are doing the rockets a favor and will want to dump a player they don't need or ask for another player to sweeten the deal, like luther.
First....Kobe was guilty of adultery and that's was bad enough but should not be group with people like Mike Vick. Pretty obvious is pushing it......people all over the country, this city and especially this site hung him up and label him with the thug, punk and loser tag. I can't wait to see ESPN post another story about him being innocent
exactly. But most of the chumps that bashed him have some other axe to grind and just whatever cheap shot they can. As for the part about morey should have traded alston sooner...I dont think there has to be an immediate rush to get rid of him. although there are several PG type players, those guys are more like SGs in nature. Its just seems like the prudent thing to do, i.e. keep him around for now and his value would certainly be higher midseason if a team felt it needed a pg to get to the playoffs, more so than a team at the beginning of the year that may have "hope" in its cast. plus, We dont know how francis will play and i dont overly trust either MJ or francis to play for the majority of minutes and for the offense to actually be smooth. Also, francis may not be back here next year and if that happens you are stuck with MJ and brooks (who looks good but he's still a question mark) at PG. And if brooks cant hack it, then you basically have MJ. no rush. relax.
i dont understand how the cops can charge a man without evidence ? it just doesnt happen that way. if that was the case, then anybody can just call the cops and make up a story and get someone they dont like in trouble. and by trouble I dont mean being found guilty, I mean as in charges filed,thus getting fired from job, family and friends getting mad. and so forth all because of he said-he said.... it doesnt work that way..ive been charged before based on he said-he said but they had witnesses and such to get me in trouble....this story with alston,if he is innocent, and there are NO witnesses, then do you really think the cops will charge felony charges on someone just based on some made up story by a guy trying to get money? I dont think so. Obviously Alston was drunk thus he was charged with DIPublic. ..when the cops showed up at the scene they had to have some witnesses to say "alston did the stabbing" in order to file charges.
ding*ding*ding Give this man the door prize for common sense THANK YOU Rafer ran a 52 win team and did his job. A pure point guard that got the team in position in a fast and efficient manor, people have selective memory. Think back when he was out for that game where all hell broke loose because we had NO ball handlers that could handle a simple press....I appreciate him for doing his job and trying to handle the 3rd scoring option even though he wasn't brought here for that. If you're upset that Rafer was shooting bad, that's fine.....just be upset equally upset with CD for not getting Mike James here sooner and playing hard ball until he signed with the Puppies. I love Steve Francis to death and think he will be a great addition to the team, but there aren't any guarantees that he will be here after next year and Rafer (bless his heart lol) is our only PURE point guard. I for one would love to keep him at least until the deadline...then the Rockets can evaluate the guard situation and Rafer stock could have had a shot in the right direction be then.
