Rafer's presence closing games has proven to be correlated with more wins then losses. Now, I realize Mac and Yao may be more responsible for that, but the point guard is pretty integral to the system and you shouldn't change that based on one or two games. Yes, if this proves to be a trend, if the Rockets start embarking on a long losing streak, then "viable options" should be pursued. But Adelman made the right choice in sticking to the guys that have helped him win so many games. In the long run, this will lead to more wins then losses, unless something is fundamentally wrong with this setup...which previous seasons have not given evidence to.
Just because Rafer has been the only presence at the point guard for the Rockets the past few years, dose not make it proven, that you win more games with him on the court than off, i mean who are you comparing him with to say that... I'm not a Rafer hater i think he has a more good games than bad ones, but he was a role player having an off game tonight and should have been benched down the strech.... (somewhat off topic but with my same mindset i would have had Landry instead of Scola to finish the game because he was having a better night offensively).
Good call.... When you have as many players as the Rocs, you go with the players that are hot... Now back to the OP ques.... I have no ideal why he put Rafer back in the game and I don't believe in that past crap. That's like saying a player should go to the Allstar game because they were there last year. Right now, Brooks has proven he needs to start, he's earned it with his play this year... The team was really flowing when Rafer was out. T_Mac and Brooks had a nice tag team combination going. T_Mac ran the half court offense and Brooks ran the fast break.
<br> A) Im so sorry for not writing in a more formal manner on the internet. I will get right on that so I can form a pseudo opinion that my viewpoint and knowledge is greater than others... OH and uhh, I'm not exactly sure what my posting style has to do with this discussion, but anywho... C) Yes, those 5 games that he started were very crucial in gaining experience, and made him look like a more balanced, complete player. Not to mention that most competitive sports are based on small frames of reference. Last time I checked that's how athletes are recruited anyways. D) I don't understand the argument that Rafer is the reason we have had multiple 50+ win seasons. What you are basically saying is that Rafer is the reason we win. Because trust me, we didn't have a 50+ win season with Bob Sura. Rafer is a role player, don't elevate his status to anything above that. I understand that he has had his moments, but you pretend like other players (i.e. Brooks) aren't capable of the same. We aren't talking about Magic Johnson here. We are talking about Rafer freaking Alston. He is a below average starting point guard and that is all. Aaron Brooks has a better shot, is quicker, has equal ball handling and passing, has more talent, and causes more problems for the opposing team. As far as defense goes, the difference is negligible due to the team oriented D that we play. You say Rafer is clutch and can hit threes. So what? He misses those same threes just as much as he hits them. Oh and btw, that shouldn't equate to anything anyways, because Luther "I was a proven clutch player and three point shooter during the JVG era" Head is busy occupying one of the last seats on the bench (since you like bringing up a player's previous history so much). E) I'm sure it had nothing to do with the fact that he couldn't hit a shot or make a play.
<br> Exactly!!! <br< That's the same redundant spazz that people regurgitate when talking about Steve Francis. He was an all star, so he must still be good! Noooo!! It doesn't work like that. If Rafer is playing like trash, punish him by benching him or significantly decreasing his PT. Make him more efficient in fear of his rotation spot. If Brooks has a bad stretch, decrease his PT. Don't just play a player because you are scared to deviate from the ordinary routine. Adjust and adapt to the situation at hand!
Alston 31 minutes AB 17 Who won the last time that we played New Orleans, and who was the starter. Rafer is better when injured, it helps the team. DD
<br> You tell em Big dude!! <br> Preach on! <br> And im gonna keep on using excessive exclamation marks!!
I know I'm going to get flame. But, HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA........ are you serious or just pulling our legs? CP3 is having a field day out there, the offense is bad, Tmac feel most comfortable on the bench, battier/barry is making as good as a post pass to yao, his shooting is killing the team (air ball a floater..), he cant buy a busket today, his +/- is nothing to shout out, and any player on the rocket roster is a dark horse for the All-Star game.
The sarcasm meter just blew apart! The Rockets mindless devotion to Rafer is amazing, he must have incriminating evidence on the Rocket's principals, maybe even pictures. He would be so gone if I had anything to do with it.
I'll say it again. Adelman is an idiot for putting Rafer back in. The repetitive play call to Yao was the problem with the offense, not AB. Of course, that becomes very obvious shortly thereafter.
