Why do you think Tracy McGrady likes Rafer so much?

I certainly agree.

I think that T-Mac likes teaming with Rafer on the court because he's most confortable with him than any one of the other PGs on the team. I find it interesting to see how Aaron Brooks would do if he ever got the chance to be out on the floor with T-Mac and Yao. I think that Aaron could potentially keep opposing defenses honest and not allow defenders to get away with not guarding him unlike Rafer, Chuck, or Shane.

I also think the same way about Steve Novak as well. I think that he's plenty ready to be called up from what I've seen of him in the D-League games (just by looking at his stats). With his ability to shoot the ball well from the perimeter, defenders won't have as much freedom to just not guard him and load up on T-Mac and Yao.

 

he likes rafer cuz rafer is the best pg on team and can help us win...but if steve could play point like rafer, i doubt mac would like steve.

 

what the heck do u mean by that? u think t-mac hates steve? well he DID sit in his special chair

 

I am generally a Rafer hater, but only because I know he's not enough at PG to win it all. You have to acknowledge this though. When Francis brings the ball up the court, it takes until 14 secs are left on the shot clock before anyone else gets the ball. When Rafer brings it up, there is usually more like 18 secs left. 4 secs makes a big difference in finding a good shot. Now when that extra 4 secs results in a Rafer heave from the 3 point line we have a problem . Mike James usually gets the ball up at around the same speed as Rafer, but he has tunnel vision on offense and is only suited for the second unit.

We need a starting PG that can have the offense started with >=18 secs left on the shot clock, can shoot the ball at >=45%, and doesn't constantly look for his own shot. Most of the guys that do this are too expensive for us, but I think we might be able to find someone that is a good fit for us at not too outrageous of a price. In fact, our very own Brooks might fit the bill. Maybe we will find out tonight.

 

Despite T-Mac's public rhetoric, he does not want to defer to anybody in the slightest. It's all about him and Rafer gladly makes sure this happens, because it ensures that T-Mac remains happy (despite what the outcome is for the Rockets) and Alston keeps his job. T-Mac has to be able to sacrifice for the greater good of this team. Yao needs more shot attempts and others have to take the scoring burden of T-Mac or else his body might break down.

 

True, but watch more than that. Watch where the passes are caught, and watch how Rafer's waving people around to setup the offense.

 

Ditto! Damn, only if I could put it this well!