i guess it's legit. the raptors "GM" (if can call him that) announced it today according to the raptors official site.
Is it confirmed or just a rumor? If it's true, it's a bad trade. Even though Alston is a better pure PG, he has a long contract and has attitude problem. His value dropped considerably because of that. James is too high a price. If they wanted Moochie or Baker, I'd do it in a heart beat.
I've got mixed feelings. James was perfect as a backup. Rafer's better as a starter, but by how much? James is a better defender and shooter, two things we definitely require out of our backcourt. Rafer's a better passer, something we also needed. Essentially they're the same player. Which will be more valuable? Who knows? EDIT: At least alley oops to Tmac and Stro are a viable option now.
JVG never wanted James to be the starting PG on this team because he would take too many shots away from Yao and Tmac. I believe he liked his scoring off the bench, but not with the first unit.
Mike James refused to even look at Tracy when Tracy was calling for the ball against Dallas, after I saw that I was dreading MJ on this team. Good trade! if it all checks out.
I dont know how to feel about this trade if its actually true. James, even though he could be a ball hog was our best slasher to the basket outside of T-mac and was a good 3 point shooter as well. Additionally he was VERY cheap and his his contract expries soon. Alston on the other hand is a bit more expensive and has 5 yrs remaining on his deal. Also after hearing all the trouble Alston caused last year for the Raptors I dont know if i want him coming in here and messing with our chemestry.
I'm guessing that they only reason that JVG okay'd this deal is because his brother vouched for the guy. But I'm shocked that they did this. I know that MJ can look for his shot a little too much, but he was fearless at driving the ball, had a good jumper and could defend. I wish we could have kept him. I hope that the Raps are at least tossing in a pick considering that we took a disgruntled guy with a long-term contract off their hands. I think a 2nd rounder would be adequate compensation.
I dunno. Seems everyone has a problem playing for Toronto these days. He'll most likely enjoy the locker room atmosphere of the Rockets. Plus he's playing for a contender now. I think (hope?) he'll have his mind in the right place.
He runs a pretty clean fast break. If you pair him at times with Head in the backcourt, and TMac and Swift at the forwards, you can do a lot of damage on the break and in transition. Also, while being erratic at times, he does a pretty good job of taking care of the ball - 3:1 AST:TO ratio. Also worth noting Alston "broke out" while under Stan Van Gundy with the Heat - I'd imagine JVG consulted with his brother on Alston's demeanor. Talent wise, it's an upgrade. Contract and attitude wise, it's a little more questionable.
this is another choking trade i like both james of the bench but Alston as staring point (prepare for the ankelbrakers duo) prety good numbers YEAR TEAM G GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG 04-05 TOR 80 78 34.0 .414 .357 .740 .5 3.0 3.5 6.4 1.48 .09 2.13 2.70 14.2
Here's how this breaks down... Alston is younger and more of a playmaker than James. He has a long contract but it isn't terribly big. Sura is clearly going to miss all of preseason and probably a month of the season and the Rockets weren't convinced James would be the right fit as a distributor. JVG loves great passers and distributors of the ball. Alston also has good size and has the ability to play defense. Let's hope they did their background checks to make sure he isn't the "knucklehead" JVG swore he was through with.
This is a shocker. two things had to of happened here: 1) JVG had to of had a long talk with Rafer Alston over the phone and he hung up convinced that alston was not a knucklehead, and... 2)Mike James was not as highly valued as we may have thought, whether it was his game play, his personality, or whatever, something was just not jiving with him and his teammates or him and JVG.
I don't think JVg will put up with Alston if he wouldn't put up with SFrancis. Alston can shape up or sit the bench until he's traded again. But I am so glad to see MJames leave. He was never a point guard and he thought he=Tmac. I don't like guards icing Tmac or Yao. Barry never would do it and Sura only did it to drive the lane. MJ was not that great a defender though he was an effort guy. I can't fault his effort.
Hopefully CD and JVG's winning streak continues.....now that I have calmed down a bit...the trade seems logical.
I liked James but Rafer is a true point whom they will be able to rely on to stay healthy. I like what Bobby brings but dude is old and he really played above his level as far as point guard play last season. I was shocked how well he ran the offense.
