I can't believe this thread has swelled up as much as it has. I'm thinking that there's a chance that at some time before this season is over, he'll find himself wearing another uniform because I think that a playoff-contending team might trade for him if one of their pgs gets seriously injured before the trading deadline. I'm only thinking that maybe, the Nets might look into such an opportunity if they see such a team lose a pg due to injury just for the sake of getting something in return since he becomes an UFA at season's end. Hey, any thread about Rafer that I start will be on the NBA Dish as long as he is playing elsewhere in the league.
38? Seriously dude? It was like 29 or 30. And that was normal rafer time 100 just for that given day.
Alston played hard, played some good defense and occasionally had a good night offensively. The Rockets won a lot of games with him. Yes, it was a good move letting him go and yes, Brooks and Lowry are better. Yes, we get your repeated "Airballston" references. Why sit here and bash Alston or people who didn't like that move now? He's long gone. What's your point?
I'm so thankful this guy isn't on the Rockets anymore. It was hilarious and pathetic at the same time to see people defending him until the very end with the same lame arguments that they now use to justify Battier's poor play: "Leadership," "he plays hard," he knows his role on offense, Rafer "runs the team well", Battier is spacing the floor by just standing in the corner, etc...
Can drive and pick up fouls better, is younger, and even though he's not a great shooter, doesn't chuck up 10 or so shots a game that aren't going in that could have gone to someone else. That's what.
Rafer was rarely ever defended on the forum. People accepted him for what he was. He also couldnt lock down D.Will, Battier can.
You're wrong as usual. His supporters defended him until the very end. Many, as the original poster alluded to, have either gone into hiding or are desperately doing damage control. You were probably a Rafer defender, although I'm sure you'll deny it. Last, a question for you: Have you ever criticized Battier for anything or is he infallible in your eyes? I have given him praise when he's played well. Unfortunately for the Rockets and us fans, it doesn't happen to often.
Who is going into damage control or hiding. People stopped talking about him because he is no longer a rocket. I dont think there was anyone defending Rafer at all since the trade until this random thread popped up months after he left the team. Hell he isnt even on the team we traded him to anymore. No one thought Rafer was an all star. No one thought he was the future of the Rockets. Its the idiots who compared him to Nash, Williams, Paul, Kidd etc... that caused the whole debate. Look at those guys salaries and where they were drafted compared to Rafer. He was an average player who had to try to score because of injuries. He is no more or less a part of Rockets history as Mike James or Moochie Norris were. As for Battier, the problem you have is you only focus on the box score. You only think he plays well if he has 15 points and 8 boards. Thats not how he impacts the game. I will be the first to admit his offense is very limited and outside of his three point shooting he offers little on that end. However, he is our perimeter version of Chuck Hayes. The defense is far better with him on the court even if he isnt getting a steal or block. Now you will come back and say Kobe lights us up and all that, but even Kobe will say Battier is one of the toughest defenders he has to face.
