This might be true if not for the fact that Rafer takes the vast majority of his shots only when there is no other option. Forcing a pass to a covered man or a doubled T-Mac because you aren't confident about your shot is not high bball IQ.
I think the " vast majority" is too generous. Many point guards are not good shooters from the outside like Andre Miller or Mark jackson during his time. But since they have good basketball IQ they do something that works or results in a better outcome for the team. I find it hard to believe that no one is rushing at him to contest his shot when he is taking it. If someone is rushing at you , an option would be to either swing the ball to another open team mate or drive past the defender approaching you. There are actually a myriad of options to an offensive player with high basketball IQ that is because he is creative.
I'm saying that Rafer does have high bball IQ because he plays within himself. He makes solid passes, sets up the offense well, and rarely does he force a pass or a shot that is not within the offense. So he's a poor finisher around the basket? Well, he has to keep penetrating to some extent to keep the defense honest. Yes, he probobly should drive and dish more, or take more layups than floaters (something I think he is improving on). That is a weakness of his, but it doesn't take away from the things he does well.
I really disagree that Rafer has high Basktball IQ. If you read that thread set up by clutch , Rafer has set a franchise record of lowest percentage after taking so many shots. He is in the unenviable position of being in the company of Eddie Griffin in the record books ( again another player with low basketball IQ) He doesn't have to finish around the basket, he can pull within midrange to shoot the jumper or he can set up his teammate, as I said there are actually a myriad of options for a player with good basketball IQ , he is creative enough to shoot a high percentage. As I said Mark jackson and Andre Miller are not good outside shooters so they shoot more midrange jumpers. I agree with you that he makes solid passes and has the potential to become an elite pointguard. But this is if he focuses more on assists. Again , the premise of my conclusion that he does not have good basketball IQ is the thread clutch about Rafer's now infamous franchise record.
This was what clutch said: " Rafer Alston, in his first ever Rocket season in 2005-06, set the franchise mark for lowest field goal percentage at this many shots or higher. That season Rafer put up 738 shots at a 37.9% clip ... at a minimum of 300 shots taken, that was the 7th worst output in franchise history but the single worst at that many shots or more. After going 5-13 last night, Rafer surpassed his own mark and is now at 744 shots at a 37.4% clip. 300 shots or more, that's the 5th worst output in franchise history but again the single worst at that many shots or more. Eddie Griffin's rookie season of 666 shots at 36.6% and Art Williams' 718 shots at 36.9% in the 1967-68 San Diego Rockets opening season -- both as 22-25 minute bench players -- are benchmarks in Rocket crapulence, but neither shot the ball enough to truly call themselves Rafer-caliber. No Rocket has ever shot this many shots and shot this poorly. Ever." Since it is a franchise record it would be pertinent to compare PGs of the past such Kenny smith, Matt Maloney , Cassell, or others in the 80s. This franchise has been in existence for quite a while and to set a franchise record just plainly reflects on basketball IQ.
I disagree. I feel it's too easy to force Rafer to try to play beyond himself, and then the whole house of cards falls down. However, when he *is* playing within himself, he does a very good job of running the team.
