Update: Rafer Alston out a week (part of playoffs)

This sucks. There's only one silver lining: Rafer will have no chance to return to pre-2008 form before the offseason, which means his stock will still be at an all-time high through summer trade talks.

 

You know, it actually is what I wanted, but now that it happened, I'm really freaken scared. Not because Rafer has been doing a good job, but because Brooks seems unprepared for this. As much as I love Luther, I don't think he can play the point, but Adalmen also needs to play him and stop trying to match up with the Jazz.

 

Really creative

 

God if you're listening

MORE INJURIES PLZ

haven't had enough injuries this year. it's like the 2007-2008 is team Job from the bible

 

I dont think we are screwed, I think we are way better off. Brooks and Jackson have played way better than Alston since the streak. Brooks requires alot of attention because of his speed and Bobby Jackson has lots of playoff pressure experience. Plus he actually drives to the basket. Face it if you are the other team your strategy should be to keep Tmac out of the paint and let Rafer shoot wide open. He will have a good game of two, after that every other game will be killers.

 

theres the problem

 

you forgot the ever original band wagon fans.

 

sounds good to me

 

whatever, tmac's fault. our chance of passing first round with 2 starters out and no hca is basically 0.

 

........wow
GG

 

this is really bad news. there's a reason rafer beat out james and francis for the starting spot. it's because he's the most qualified pg, the best passer, and undoubtedly the best defender. he gets a lot of flack for his shooting but that's the only negative. the biggest thing we'll miss from rafer is his defense his ability to set up the offense the fastest. we'll see how bad we miss rafer once deron williams destroys aaron brooks every time down the court. plus bobby jackson is much more effective off the bench.

 

I know this makes me a bad person, but I'm secretly gleeful to see what Brooks will do with the opportunity. I wish all the best for Rafer, but I'm pumped.

 

It looks like we will beat Utah without our starting point guard and all-star center.

 

I have a feeling that Aaron is a big game player, fit nicely for the playoffs...even if he is a rookie

 

I'm not worried about Aaron. Midway through the season it look like he hit a wall, but that was his confidence taking a hit. His shots stopped falling, he couldn't pass without turning it over. Since he has regained his playing time in the midst of Rafer's injury the past two weeks, he looks like a second-year player already. His shot has returned, his efficiency has been great. He has a history of stepping up when the pressure is on. That's what made Adelman go for him. He's not like another backup guard who couldn't sell his soul for a three pointer in last year's playoffs. Did I mention that I'm not a Luther Head fan?

 

Ok, so I agree with this to an extent. I agree that other teams definitely gameplan to allow Rafer to shoot that shot, and Jackson will make you pay for that a lot more often than Rafer. However, Rafer has better handles and court-vision than Jackson, and let's face it.....he's younger. My only hope is that since Jackson and Brooks are both faster than Alston, Adelman will devise a plan to exploit that. The outlook isn't rosy in my opinion, but it certainly isn't dire either.

 

AB is extremely lucky...what rookie would this yr would play a MAJOR role in the playoffs....not durant..not thornton...and we are giving all of ours a taste...and OMG the jazz game pissed me off so much why does coach treat NOVAK like a dog..he cleans up all the mess and gets us to a single digit deficit..

 

well if we end up playing the suns then im happy to see brooks get more PT.

other than that i don't think it makes a difference. we're still out in the first round.

 

I do not think Rafer would have been a difference maker between winning or losing a series.

If anything, this will tell us exactly where Brooks fits in Rockets plan.

1) If he does well in playoffs, our PG problem is somewhat solved for the future.

2) If he turns out to be Luther head of playoffs, we know we need to keep looking because Rafer is definitely not the solution.

I think Brooks needs to be given green light to shoot to succeed. He is a scoring PG. Considering this team will need scoring options besides Tmac in playoffs, this might actually work out for them.

 

We'll be fine.

Rafer plays some of his worst basketball against Deron and the Jazz. If any of our starters was going to get injured for a playoff game, this is the best possible scenario.