[Y!] Rafer Alston getting buyout (Update: Going to Miami)

Meh, Rafer is pretty good, we just all hate him because of his terrible shooting.

 

I don't understand...

 

He's better than Derek Fisher. I know the Lakers would never do it but if they picked him up and gave him an honest chance he would be playing more minutes than Fisher within two months.

That doesn't illustrate how good Rafer is but how bad Fisher is.

 

I actually looked and it's worse than I thought for D. Fish. Playing off of Kobe, Gasol and Bynum is arguable the best situation for any SF or PG in the league. If Fisher can only muster 7 points and less than 3 assists a game on 37% shooting in 27 minutes a night I imagine Rafer could do much better. As it stands now, Rafer is putting up slightly better numbers.

Fisher
7.2 PPG
2.8 APG
2.5 RPG
.373 FG %
27 MPG

Alston
9.7 PPG
3.9 APG
2.8 RPG
.343 FG %
28.4 MPG

 

Exactly, which is actually weird why he gets so much hate on this board, when many people love Lowry for the same thing. The only real difference between the two besides age and height is that Lowry goes to the FT line more.

 

Definitely one of the biggest myths in the NBA. Yes, he can run an offense but he's definitely a shoot first pg. The guy was our 3rd biggest FG taker even when Artest arrived, and he became the Magic's 2nd highest FG taker when even if everyone on their roster was a better shooter than him. At the end of the day, Alston is a shoot first pg who can't shoot straight and has a big mouth that doesn't equate to his skillset. Definitely grateful that he put 100% effort during his time here, but he caused us to lose so many games during his tenure.

 

Fisher is by far the worst defensive point guard in the league. He is probably the only one weakness on that entire overpowered team.

 

Lowry
MPG 25.1
FG% 0.397
RPG 3.7
APG 4.7
TO 1.7
PPG 8.6

Alston
MPG 28.4
FG% 0.343
RPG 2.8
APG 3.9
TO 2.3
PPG 9.7

 

The difference is Lowry isn't an offensive liability even if his shot needs work. Lowry doesn't just get to the FT, he can drive to the hoop and finish. This means the opponent can't leave him alone, and the attention he commands allows him to create for others (notably Mandry and Hayes).

On the other hand Rafer can also drive to the hoop, but he can't draw FTs and ends up resorting to his 20% accuracy teardrop shot. He can create when opponents haven't figured him out yet, but when they do, they can just roll out the surefire Anti-Rafer plan:

1. Play zone
2. Double team the team's best player
3. Leave Rafer alone at the 3 pt line

^This ensures that the team's offense will always be Rafer taking the open 3, which he will be more than happy to do. Of course the attempt will miss, and the opponent will rebound the ball and have another possession. Rafer will end up with 3-12 FG, and yet he'll come away thinking all the shots he took were "good ones" anyway.

Besides Yao Ming, I've never seen anyone with such a blatant, obvious way to be taken out of the game.

 

Also Rafer was a starter who jacked up outside shots. He also had a bad temper. Lowry is a team first kinda guy who knows his limitations.

 

thanks for the laugh

 

No, not at all

People hated Rafer because he was a terrible shooter, yet he continued shooting at a high volume.

Lowry knows he can't hit from the outside and only takes a 3 if he is wide open. He rarely forces shots that he knows are not within his capabilities. Rafer on the other hand had no conscience. His shots were as good as turnovers, Lowry's are not.

 

Rafer wants to play alongside the great Luther Head once again.

 

It's because of the system he was in. Lowry right now is playing in a totally different system than Rafer did when he was in Houston. Under JVG and Adelman, the idea was to give the ball to Yao or T-Mac and let them create. Everyone else was supposed to stand around and wait for an open look and then take it.

Lowry wouldn't be effective in that situation either.

 

+1

 

even in JVG's system Lowry won't be forced to take the shot if he knows its not going in anyway.. he still has his other other options: move the ball around some more, or drive and make an easy layup, or dish in the paint, or draw contact... Lowry is simply a smarter player than Rafer..

 

When is he coming back to Houston? :grin:

 

The Cavs goes after anyone. I won't be surprise that they'll go after Luther Head if he gets release.

 

Good luck Rafer....I enjoyed your contributions while you were here...


I cant find the clip anywhere but my favorite moment was when you dove for the ball against Chris Paul when they were trying to roll it up the court. You weren't having it!

I believe this game happened in our 22 game streak, right after we traded Bonzi and James for Bobby Jackson

 

y hate on rafer lol he was decent