Even trade in my opinion. The result is basically that we have upgraded a player from bench to the starting lineup. It makes our starting lineup look strong with PG: Rafer Alston SG: David Wesley ( I prefer wesley because of his D, and his game suits our star players better) SF: Tracy Mcgrady PF: Swift C: Yao By doing this trade our bench stays strong and thats without Sura Derek Anderson (PG, SG) Jon Barry (PG, SG) Mutombo ( C) Juwan Howard ( PF) Ryan Bowen (SF) Lonny Baxter (SF, PF) Luther Head (SG, PG) Moochie, Baker IR: Sura
I love this trade, if only because we now actually have a true PG. With Sura's injury, we were looking at a Wesley/Anderson/Barry/James rotation in the backcourt. None of them are any good at distributing the ball. I know with our offensive system and T-Mac, it's possible to get away with not having a true point. But doing so would (A)expand T-Mac's energy unnecessarily as a Point-Forward, and (B)could bog down the offense when T-Mac's not on the court.
James, although good at what he does, doesnt bring us a ball handler, a true pg. so this trade, we got a starting PG a quality one at that for a backup 2 in a pg body. good trade, this is going to be fun watch Rafer throw Alley hoops to Stro, TMac, and on occassion Yao.
I think TMac didn't like James. He was always dribbling and shooting We'll cut Baker and sign Glover or Hayes. After that the team is ready.
I think it's a great trade for both teams, but Rockets get the best player. Alston and Sam Mitchell had some probs last year and it's better for him to get out of Toronto. He's a skilled player and is a good addition to the already great Rockets team. Mike James was a good player too, but I think Alston is more spectacular and he's a real PG.
And the T-MAC Trade gets better. this is virtualy gaines for Alston. remember we traded gaines for james. lol
hope this looks good in reality as on paper. if rafer can gel with the team well we definitely have an upgrade at the point.
HERE IS AN ARTICLE THIS MORNING FROM THE TORONTO STAR NEWSPAPER !!! http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Co...256&call_pageid=969907729483&col=970081562040 Raptors find the solution to Rafer madness Mercurial guard dealt to Houston Well-regarded James T.O.-bound DOUG SMITH SPORTS REPORTER ST. CATHARINES—A calm descended on the Raptors yesterday, even as bedlam was breaking out. The sudden trade of point guard Rafer Alston, after a single season of mutinous clashes with teammates and coaches, might have created an astonishing buzz on the opening day of training camp, but the long-term calming effect it will have will be welcomed by all connected with the team. In moving Alston, 29, to the Houston Rockets for well-travelled veteran guard Mike James, general manager Rob Babcock not only eased long-term financial burdens and cleared the way for a new wave of point guard, he also removed the possibility of season-ruining flareups between Alston, coach Sam Mitchell and the rest of the team. Stopping short of admitting that signing the mercurial Alston to a six-year contract was a mistake, Babcock said hindsight played a role in yesterday's deal. "You have to take that whole year and evaluate things and when you do that, you have to be willing to tweak and readjust things," he said. "And we felt this is an adjustment that's going to help our team in the future." James, 30, will be joining his sixth NBA team after stops in Houston, Milwaukee, Detroit, Boston and Miami. The 6-foot-2 veteran is known as a solid citizen and a good teammate; he is renowned for his defensive abilities and has averaged 9.2 points and 3.5 assists in 248 regular-season games. But, more important, he's not Alston, who last season threatened to quit after a clash with Mitchell in December, was suspended for two games a bit later after storming out of practice in a snit, had to be escorted from Cleveland's arena by security guards after a locker-room confrontation and was in an open feud with Jalen Rose late in the season. Mitchell refused to admit he'd won a battle of wills. "We're in the business of trying to do things to help us improve as a team," the coach said. "Mike James is a positive person, a positive player, he's got some playoff experience, he's played for some good coaches. We look forward to bringing him in." The long-term financial ramifications of the trade are significant. James has this season and next left on his contract and will make about $900,000 (all figures U.S.) less than Alston over that time. And when James's contract is up, Alston's will have three years (only two of which are fully guaranteed) left at more than $13 million in total. That, combined with the contracts of Rose and Morris Peterson, who both are done after the 2006-07 season, will save Babcock big money at a time when he'll have to re-sign Chris Bosh and sign guard Roko Ukic. "Rafer would have still been a good fit for our team but we feel this is a better fit and it certainly gives us more flexibility down the road regarding the cap," the GM said. Who will fill Alston's role on the court is another matter. Despite his clashes, he did average career highs in points (14.2) and assists (6.4, 11th in the NBA) with Toronto last season and was an integral part of the offence, even if he tried to dominate it to the detriment of his teammates. Mitchell is unable to say who the team's starting point guard might be, but with only the unproven rookie Jose Calderon and a trio of training camp invitees able to handle the job, it would seem to be James's to lose. "I just think with this trade, it's going to open up things as far as the position of point guard goes," he said. "It's wide open; what we're trying to do is better our basketball team." None of Alston's former Raptor teammates did anything but wish him well after he left. "He's a good dude, he's just emotional," Alvin Williams said. Bosh, admitting it would take some time to adjust to a new point guard, said he had expected to see a change in Alston. "Skip always had the great intentions; sometimes they tended to not come out right and he was working on that," Bosh said. "They made a move what they think is best for the team." Mitchell said easing a new point guard into the system won't be difficult, given James's nature. "It's natural when you bring in a new guy you've got to worry about guys fitting in but Mike's a good guy," Mitchell said. "He's never had any problems. I know Larry Brown (who coached James in Detroit); Larry thinks the world of him. He hasn't had any problems anywhere he's played. "We hope it improves our chemistry." Additional articles by Doug Smith
Actually Baker will be gone soon (http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/3381054). Rockets are trying to buy out his contract. So we might have a roster spot open for someone....Clutch, Doc, yaomania, etc., any news of this? Plus, I know this is hidden w/ all the James/Skip to my Lou talk, but... http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/3382821 The end for Ward There were no tearful news conference, no long farewell. But Charlie Ward confirmed Tuesday that his playing career is over. "It's a transition from playing to coaching, but I still get an opportunity to be around the guys and be able to impart wisdom," said Ward, who began working as a Rockets assistant coach Tuesday. "I could have tried it, but it's a good career move." The move ends a unique playing career that brought Ward from Heisman Trophy winner to a fixture with the Knicks before he signed with the Rockets last season. The damage in his right knee became too severe for him to come back again. "I think he should be very, very proud of what he accomplished in his career, because he helped a lot of teams overachieve because of his toughness," Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "He's always underestimated because he didn't have the And1 breakdown game and was very, very humble. "But one of the toughest competitors you would ever compete against. We always said Charlie would rip your heart out on the floor and then pray for you after. That's the kind of guy you want to surround yourself with."
are you saying we should put more plodders around yao? why would any coach/gm put slow/unathletic people in the roster if its an obvious weakness? and can't faster/athletic players slow down if needed?
Sam Mitchell is the worst coach in the NBA. His star players will ALWAYS tune him out, Bosh will do it this year, you just wait
As much as i like CD and appreciated what his done, man! this is all Van Gundy he is really biulding this team for the future. Major props to JVG and rockets
Ok, we have already dumped Baker, and bought out Charlie.. so, with the signing of Baxter, we now have a full roster, correct? So how much of a shot does Glover have then? Depends on whether it turns out to be worth keeping Mooch around or not.. he IS a PG after all, and with Sura hurt, I suspect that there is zero chance that Mooch is going anywhere at all now, at least until Sura returns, or Head grows up really fast. In other words, Baxter, you're in kid. Glover, you have to hang out in the DL for a few months, we'll call you.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/serv...ry/LAC/20051005/RAPTORS05/TPSports/Basketball By ROBERT MACLEOD Wednesday, October 5, 2005 Page S7 BASKETBALL REPORTER ST. CATHARINES, ONT. -- His final moments as a member of the Toronto Raptors were spent pedalling a stationary bicycle on the sidelines as the rest of his teammates were on the court during the opening day of the team's National Basketball Association training camp. Somehow, it is a fitting final recollection of Rafer Alston, the emotional starting point guard who was felt by many to be spinning his wheels with an organization that desperately wanted to see him gone. Yesterday morning, as the Raptors gathered for the first time this season on the court for practice at Brock University, general manager Rob Babcock trumpeted the news -- the 29-year-old Alston, who just over a year ago was being hailed as Toronto's point guard of the future, had been dealt to the Houston Rockets for journeyman guard Mike James. "Twelve years, nothing surprises me," veteran Toronto forward Jalen Rose said when asked if he was shocked by the unexpected turn of events. "I got traded going to shoot-around one day on the day of the game, gone to Chicago and played that night, without taking a physical, without meeting the team. Advertisements "So nothing surprises me in this league." In one deft move, Babcock rid himself of a problem that was his own making, shipping off a player whose presence in the Raptors locker room last season was a persistent annoyance for rookie head coach Sam Mitchell. Babcock also saved the organization millions of dollars in the process. While James has only two more years and $7.1-million (all figures U.S.) left on his contract, Alston has five more on his lucrative six-year, $27-million pact. The savings to Toronto over the final three years of Alston's deal amounts to about $14.6-million. James, who is to earn $3.4-million this year and $3.7-million the next, has an opt-out clause in his contract after this season. If he chooses to walk away from Toronto after one year, the savings to the Raptors would be even greater. "What we're really doing, we feel this is a basketball trade that addresses our needs for the future and our plan for moving forward," an effusive Babcock told reporters. Alston was not around to answer questions by the time reporters were allowed into yesterday's practice. He was gone, making plans to get to Houston. "Obviously he's leaving with mixed feelings," said Jeff Nadel, Alston's Los Angeles-based agent who said he had spoken to the player shortly after the trade was made. "He loved playing in Toronto, loved his teammates. But obviously he also believes this is a great opportunity for him as a player. His words to me were, 'This is a mixed blessing.' " Nadel said he did not believe Alston is in any way upset with how he was treated in Toronto. "It wasn't the perfect situation for him but . . . the fans were so incredibly supportive in Toronto that that's kind of what he's taking away from there," Nadel said. "He really felt like he had a home there. The fans always embraced him. "Obviously it would have been nicer if it were a smoother transition for him, but it wasn't. But he's a professional. He was ready to give it all for his team this year. Now he's got another team to work for and that's what he's going to do." The signing of Alston, a free agent who was coming off a solid year with the Miami Heat, was Babcock's first big move after he took control of the Raptors last June. But the move never really panned out as Alston, in his first starting NBA role, failed to live up to expectations and his dubious decision-making on offence did not earn him many converts in the Toronto locker room, Mitchell in particular. Alston's number's were decent -- 14.2 points, 6.4 assists and 3.5 rebounds a game -- but the Queen's, N.Y., native appeared to wilt trying to cope with the daily pressure of being the starting point guard on a bad team that struggled to a 33-49 regular-season record. He was at loggerheads all season with Mitchell. The temperamental Alston threatened to quit the team and the NBA on Dec. 3 after a game in Boston against the Celtics. He was later suspended for two games for conduct detrimental to the club after he stalked out of a practice in anger. About a week after rejoining the team, Alston had to be escorted by security guards to the team bus after a blowup with Mitchell during halftime of a game in Cleveland. Publicly, both Babcock and Mitchell said last year's outbursts had nothing to do with the decision to move the point guard. "Things didn't go as well as we would have hoped last year," Babcock said, as close as he would come to admitting the Alston signing was a mistake in the first place. "But I was very optimistic that that would be turned around based on all of our discussions and the way things were going with our workouts and so forth. "So, no. This is just a matter of the plan changed a little bit when you evaluate the whole year." Privately, others in the Toronto organization are saying the trading of Alston was inevitable. "Rafer can play real well, but you just don't know which Rafer is going to show up," said one. "Everything seems fine right now, but history tells us that with him, you never know." Mitchell, who was consulted by Babcock before the general manager completed the deal with Houston late Monday night, bristled at the suggestion that his uneasy relationship last season with Alston was a major factor behind the trade. "Nope," Mitchell said. "We're moving forward. We appreciate everything Rafer did for us. He worked hard, he's a good guy, we wish him well. But we're in the business of trying to do things that's going to help us improve as a team. "And Mike James is a quality person, a quality player. He's got playoff experience. He's played for some good coaches and we're looking forward
http://www.torontosun.com/Sports/Basketball/2005/10/05/1249152-sun.html ST. CATHARINES -- Raptors training camp opened with a bang yesterday, as general manager Rob Babcock pulled the trigger on a major trade in shipping the volatile Rafer Alston to Houston. Alston, who was Toronto's starting point guard last season, has tremendous talent, but also has been known to suffer the occasional emotional meltdown, as when he threatened to quit last year after an early season loss in Boston. However, Babcock insisted yesterday the trade to the Houston Rockets for guard Mike James was orchestrated not out of concern over Alston's volatility, but to add some defence to a squad that finished sixth from the bottom in points-against per game last season (101.4). Alston, reached by Rogers Sportsnet, took the trade in stride, but was sad about leaving Toronto. "I love being in Toronto," he said. "Fabulous fans, fabulous city. It reminds me of New York. (But) now I'm a Rocket and I have to be prepared for that test and that battle (down) there. "I had no clue (when asked about the trade). I got up early (yesterday), excited, at 6:30. Practice didn't start until 9. I was in the gym by 8. Out of nowhere this came about." James also gives Babcock more flexibility in terms of salary cap. Alston is entering the second year of a six-year deal which will pay him $23 million US during the next five seasons. James only has two years left on a contract that will pay him $3.4 million this season and $3.7 million next. PLANNING AHEAD "Rafer's attitude has been terrific," said Babcock, who informed Alston of the trade just prior to the start of practice yesterday. "We feel this is a basketball trade that addresses our needs for the future and our plan of moving forward." Babcock also is sending out the message he expects European point guards Jose Calderon, new to the Raptors this season, and 2005 second-round draft pick Roko Ukic, who will play for Tau Ceramica in the Spanish Elite league this year, to be the team's top point guards for the 2007-08 season after James' contract expires. "We have a lot of faith in them," Babcock said. "We're building for the future of this team and we think it's a very bright future." As for James, the 30-year-old will get a chance to become a starting point guard in the NBA for the first time in his career. The 6-foot-2, 188-pound veteran owns NBA career averages of 9.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 23.8 minutes in 248 games, splitting time with Miami, Boston, Detroit, Milwaukee and Houston. During the 2004-05 campaign, he averaged 11.8 points and 3.6 assists. He also shot 37% from three-point range. The Raps lost two of its best three-point shooters in Donyell Marshall and Lamond Murray this season. Alston played 80 games for Toronto last season, averaging 14.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.48 steals
^ I thought Alston would be a little more excited about the opportunity to play w/ Yao/TMac/Swift/DA.
This is a great trade, it made Rockets a more complete team! Off to Texas two by two, skip to my Lou, baby!
"He's a great guy" - Toronto Star comment on Mike James (translation - glad he's coming) "He's a decent guy" - Toronto Sun comment on Rafer Alston (translation - glad he's gone) "I concur" - Dr. Richard Robert Richardson III comment on anything (translation - just glad evreyone is where they should be)
