The problem is that our system usually doesn't need our PG to drive, and that's why we got ride of Mike James. That dude cannot play PG, he lacks PG 101 because he just put his head down, and goes to the hoop all the time. There is a reason he got traded away, and the Wolves did start him any more. Rafer has his problems, but people always over look his strength, which is ball control under pressure. Our system requirs the ball get into the initiator early, since our set plays usually takes 10+ seconds to finish. Remember the days when Franchise was here? People were driven crazy because he couldn't advance the ball over the half court in time. The same issue with Mike James, he was either having problem advance the ball, or just put his head down, dribble all the way to the hoop from the back court. We all want Rafer to shoot better, jump higher, move his feed quicker. The same thing can be said about any player, Yao could be quicker, lower his TO; TMac could cut down his bad shot selection, take less outside jumps. But Rafer is what he is, and does what the coach asks him to do. If you still don't appreciate him, just think back the time when the Rockets faced the full court pressure by other teams before Rafer was here? We either lost the ball, or rushed the shot. Rarely, we were able to get into the set plays when face good defense. There is a reason we don't see much pressure defense from other teams with Rafer as the PG.
When was the last time Rafer had 5 TOs?? His A/TO ratio is usually pretty good. Plus he has been really great at creating steals.(#12 or 13 in the league in SPG)
Still no response to this post. No suprise though. Once you take Rafer out of the equation no rational human being could possibly make an argument for Mike James on this team.
Yup, Rafer is actually pretty decent in all areas, except for shooting. He's no Steve Nash, but he is probably the best available on the market at the time we got him. IMO, if we can get a better PG in the off season, we should try to get one. But Rafer will do for the time being ... there are many PGs in the league that are a lot worse than him. Rocket Zoom
I can not agree more about the team needing another PG. It was painfully obvious by last season, by the summer, by the trading deadline. This is nothing new. I would take most of the players mentioned -- it doesn't have to be Mike James. But Mike James was traded for Rafer. He was pursued heavily in the offseason. The two are forever linked. We completely and totally disagree on his value to the Rockets. Knowing what I know, I believe you have taken some urban legends about Mike James and exaggerated them to make Rafer look better. I mean anyone with a pair of eyes could see Mike James on the Rockets in 04-05 was nothing like Bonzi Wells on the Rockets in 06-07, and if he was, why would Jeff Van Gundy have wanted anything to do with him again? This team has Shane Battier, Chuck Hayes, a healthy Juwan Howard, Luther Head and a much-improved Yao Ming than the 2004-05 team ... and if we lose to Dallas (which you seem to be preparing for), you want to crown Rafer? For what -- fixing an NBA loophole by facing the Jazz rather than the 58-win Spurs (which the 04-05 team would have had to do)? I mean whatever -- because of off the floor issues, the argument is totally an uphill battle for those who see James' value. Rafer is a current Rocket. James thumbed his nose at the Rockets. Rafer says the right things. James says the wrong things. But on the floor? Really not that close. You think Mike James would have helped last night when the Rockets couldn't generate a lick of offense? Furthermore, in bringing back James, you still have Rafer. So what's not to like? As for trying to discredit me because I am to James what you are to Rafer ... you sort of missed the point. As I said before, my opinions are totally based on what I see on the floor. In fact, of all the players I've ever personally interviewed, Rafer was probably the nicest. So you're welcome to investigate, but you'll find that I have no ties to Mike James or Rafer Alston. The same can not be said about yourself.
... or, heaven forbid, I'm not around for a while to post. I can't believe anyone would accuse me of NOT posting my case for Mike James.
Please read the personal email I have sent to you. You're wrong in a lot of things you mention here. We'll discuss that and then I'll reply from there.
Hmm, I do agree that we have a weak backcourt, but I dont agree that its all on Rafer. I think he has been solid so far in the playoffs along with battier and chuck. Rafer= 9pts 8rebs 6dimes a game, while playing solid D on Deron in my opinion. We need someone to help out, hes all by himself out there on the perimeter, Where are you Luther???? Tracy, Please! You are our best rebounder,shot blocker and stripper when you want to be. If you are not hitting, go get me 15 boards or dive on a loose ball for once. To me, you are coasting,though phenomenal,youre coasting. Show me the passion on D, and things will work out on O. And dont @#$%ing mention pregame jitters...
After watching my favorite team put forth one of the most pathetic efforts in playoff history, the recent posts praising Alston's play make me want to vomit for hours on end. Perhaps when Mcgrady wakes up and realizes he can, with the Rockets playing the defense they have been playing and the Jazz shooting horribly on their own, single-handedly beat Utah on offense with a combination of smart driving plays, free throws, ad assists, I will feel a little better and become more accepting of Rafer. However, I feel that it is only McGrady, Yao, Shane, and Chuck Hayes that have kept me from spamming this forum with "why is Rafer on this team? why is Rafer on this team?" etc. If I were a Nuggets fan, I would feel just fine about Steve Blake being my point guard even though it's Melo, Camby, Nene, and Iverson that are my main boys. I wish so much that we had acquired Steve Blake. If i were a Wizards fan, I would be fine with Antonio Daniels running my point despite my main guys being Gilbert, Caron and Antawn. Anyway, I've moved off the main point, which is that it is very unfortunate that we have Rafer Alston as our point guard and our best backup is JL3. I know that Luther has received quite a bit of playing time there and has shown that he can get the ball up the court, I really like having him with Shane on the semi-fast break ready to exploit space with a quick 3, and Luther can't do that as easily when he's bringing the ball up. I hope we replace Rafer next year, and keep most of the other pieces of the team. An athletic PF would also rock.
lol nice nicknames... but you can't blame Rafer for those players hitting shots (see next reply) Much of it has been Rafer's defense, but the Rockets are a team the emphasizes team defense. If it is our team defense that people contribute to Deron's poor shooting, then it is our team defense that is contributing to those open shooters.
did you guys know alston and mike actually played on the same AAU team? They can play together!! GET IT DONE CD!! uhh statguy!! GET IT DONE!! Mike James needs to make some more noise to drop his value. Say some crazy stuff like your wife is sleeping with the enemy or something.
I miss Eldridge Recasner. Seriously though, the Rockets have been searching for a starting PG for as long as I can remember, really ever since trading away Sam I Am and others in that blockbuster trade for Barkley. I was able to dig up this thread, and had a good hearty laugh or two along the way: http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=70247 Ahh...the good ol' days!
I know what you mean. I remember getting mad at passing over Jaque Vaughn for Rodrick Rhodes. Since i can remember, every draft before Steve Francis became a Rocket, i always wanted that speedy PG who could dribble and create. After Stevie was gone and we got Tmac, i just wanted a PG who can make an open shot and play good defense. I really wish Rafer would start making his shots. B/c all of the other stupid stuff he does will be eliminated if he could make his shots.
