i think that our starting lineup had the highest +/- in the league last year... at least for most of the season. i wouldn't mess with it just yet. i'd keep rafer as the starter for now. let james be a spark off the bench when we need offense. he can backup the 1/2 while bonzi backs up the 2/3. that would give us nice scoring punch off the bench.
No he really does not know the offense not under Adelnam and Adelman did a good job with Bibby who is a shoot first point guard.
I like James starting for the sake of his confidence as a starter and ego, but Rafer often needed to fire up a few shots before he hit his rythym beyond the arc which wouldn't make him good coming off the bench for instant scoring. Which leads me to believe that since Rafer's handle is better, the offensive ball movement is more fluid when he's in the game, he is not erratic with his control or coordination of the offense, it may be better to start Rafer like Rudy did with Kenny Smith until the team needed a spark and then he brought in Cassell (who would be Mike James) to finish and get the majority or minutes. Either way, MJ should get much more PT than Rafer which would force Rafer to work on his midrange jumpers within the arc, learn to play some defense, and it would give the team much better penetration from the 1 (breaking down the D). For the record I think the team should keep Rafer but reduce his FGA's as he's be a decent 2nd or 3rd PG for the Rox. The only problem with MJ starting is the dropoff in scoring when he needs a breather but the offense would run smoother which might make shot distribution better while MJ is on the bench.
james is MUCH better off the bench. he's a scorer, and with yao and t-mac on the floor starting, why do you need him to be shooting? also, rafer is a better ball handler, passer, and floor leader. james and bonzi off the bench would solve a lot of our scoring issues when yao and t-mac are resting.
Its interesting how more people are voting for james but, in the board mostly everyone is going for rafer. I would rather have mike james at the point because we need a third scorer on the starting line up. We don't really need a play making point guard because T-mac usually runs the point during the intense moments of the game. But, after hearing what other people are about when the rockets rest there starters they have rafer coming of the bench who isn't a consistent scorer. Having Mike James come of the bench for scoring is a huge upgrade from head. I'm still undecided on who should start.
Depends on who starts at the two forward spots. If it's Battier and another defensive minded power forward with limited offensive skills (ie. Hayes), Mike James should be starting. The team needs at least 3 players on the floor at all times that can create their own shot. If you put Alston on the floor with two other non-creators on offense, you're stuck with the exact same problems on offense you had last season.
as much as i dont want him to, i think rafer should start only so we can have a spark off the bench in mike james. Basically, reefer should be in when yao is in for most the time and mike james should be in when rafer is just flat out doin horrible or when mike james is just on fire, but i guess that is obvious
i agree..mike james coming off the bench would be a great engery boost..kind of like ginobli or bobby jackson used to be..i say star rafeer...bcuz he is not all that bad people
I like James coming off the bench for about 15 minutes at point and 15 minutes at the 2 so we have some instant offense when needed. From a passing and running the offense point Rafer is better.
I really liked Rafer's game when he came off the bench, I thought he was pretty productive that way, like when he played for the Heat. I would prefer to start James. Bonzi can come off the bench and add offense. And they still have their MLE to use on another decent scorer.
But Mike James has been a much better off the ball shooter for his career. It is a lot easier to cheat off Alston and get away with it. Right now I would say start Alston, bring in James for heavy minutes, and close with the hot hand. With minutes spread close to 24-24. Basically I am uncertain at this point, leave it open competition. Regardless having two servicable NBA PGs is a major improvement. Oh I also think Rafer is better when the Rockets have to do bread and butter things to win, but to beat a team that makes the 4th and 5th option beat you--that has to be James. James gives us a better shot versus the great teams. So yeah, maybe start Rafer, but when struggling against a good team, don't hesitate to run James the majority of the game.
i think we should probally start bonzi alston yao tracy and any pf. and use shane , mike and chuck to back up all the positions. we are one away from having a solid eight man rotation. syder should get some spot minutes too. maybe we can get a second rounder to get hill/davis to get spot center minutes.
i'd rather never ever see Rafer Alston in a Rockets jersey ever again. He's pissed me off too many times to ever get my respect back
