According to a radio source, the Raptors have signed Chris Duhon to an offer sheet and this signing makes Rafer Alson expendable. Raptors Forum How about Rafer Alston as a solution to the Rocket's backcourt depth? - Positives - Still young at only 28 years old. Has playoff experience with the Miami Heat. Cheap contract around $4M per season. 3 to 1 Ast/To ratio last season. Capable of starting or providing energy off the bench. Willing to defer to the superstars on the team. Career 36.4% field goal from 3pt range. - Negatives - Defense needs work. Can become a locker room distraction if he feels unappreciated. He's not the perfect guard, but considering some of the other players still out in the free agent market, Alston gives the Rockets "bang for the buck." He's a decent PG, and the Rockets would not have to give up much to attain him. It might only take an expiring contract like Spoon or Wesley to get a deal done. The Rockets might also be able to grab Aaron Williams or Eric Williams in the deal as well. Neither want to play in Toronto, but both have been tough role players for post-season teams. Possible trade ... Weatherspoon for Aaron Williams & Rafer Alston.
Add to the positives that he is good at taking care of the ball. If Duhon signs with the Raptors, I think Babcock would be more than happy with Weatherspoon for Alston and Williams.
I like Rafer a lot. But his Skip-to-my-Lou tatics might not go well with JVG. His t locker-room presence isn't the nicest of ones either, but if you throw Eric Williams into the mix, I make that trade with my eyes closed. Rafer is one of those guys who looks like he needs some inspiration, and then he could really perform on the court. It's good speculation, but until something concrete appears on the two parties, I wouldn't see it as a possibility.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting magnomonkey:</div><div class="quote_post">I like Rafer a lot. But his Skip-to-my-Lou tatics might not go well with JVG. His t locker-room presence isn't the nicest of ones either, but if you throw Eric Williams into the mix, I make that trade with my eyes closed. Rafer is one of those guys who looks like he needs some inspiration, and then he could really perform on the court. It's good speculation, but until something concrete appears on the two parties, I wouldn't see it as a possibility.</div> I posted about something similar to this topic in the beginning of this summer. Alston for Wesley or Weatherspoon would be great. I really like this guy. He as amazing handles, can pop the tre, and brings that back court speed we need badly in houston or in JBB. Well everyone bashed me because I was a noob. Everyone said that Rafer was a hot head, and that JVG would not accept him or something like that when I posted about this a while back. They the mods closed the thread for not being credible. I think he can change for Houston. Just like Tmac.
If im not mistaken Rafer Alston had one of the top assist to turnover ratios in the NBA last year. The only thing that worries me is how well he can get along with JVG.
A lot was made of his outbursts in Toronto, but a lot of it had to do with all the losing the Raptors experienced. When he was with the Heat and they were pushing to make the playoffs, he had no problem playing within his role. The Rockets have a chance to get deep in the playoffs this year after adding Swift, and another year of T-Mac & Yao together. I think JVG can discipline Alston, he once did wonders with John Stark.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">A lot was made of his outbursts in Toronto, but a lot of it had to do with all the losing the Raptors experienced. When he was with the Heat and they were pushing to make the playoffs, he had no problem playing within his role. The Rockets have a chance to get deep in the playoffs this year after adding Swift, and another year of T-Mac & Yao together. I think JVG can discipline Alston, he once did wonders with John Stark.</div> I agree. Sam Mitchell has no control over Rafer and I'd bet Jeff Van Gundy could turn him around and I'm sure JVG's brother would likely assist in this since he did coach him 2 years ago. I would definitely think the Raps will push to trade Rafer this season...if not now, then surely before the All-Star Break.
I understand trying for Alston, but why would Rockets try for one of the williams guys.they are way to overpaid. Also they are old. What the Rockets need is more young guys, thats why they got Swift.
Weatherspoon is valuable as an expiring contract, i thin kwe should go for more if we lose him.. Especialy if we want to add Wesley to the mic (since we have so much backvcourt players) and possibly Ward, we could maybe get an even better deal that involves Rafer. I havn't looked at the Raps salaraies, but is there anyone that could come in with Rafer if we traded Spoon Ward and Wesley?
I wouldn't be totally against it, but I don't like it........Skip has turned into a good player, but I don't think he's mature enough to understand his role. He doesn't seem like a player that's going to embrace the system, and after getting frustrated, is going to start to drift and do things his way. I would much rather somebody more solid, a veteran, that knows his capabilties. Somebody that might not be as talented, but can deliver.
i like skip. He can come off the bench and be a mike james type spark plug. And admit it, it would be bad ass to see the plays swift, tmac, and skip could do!
I would do the Weatherspoon for Williams/Alston trade in a heartbeat...but would Toronto pull the trigger on that???
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I posted about something similar to this topic in the beginning of this summer. Alston for Wesley or Weatherspoon would be great. I really like this guy. He as amazing handles, can pop the tre, and brings that back court speed we need badly in houston or in JBB. Well everyone bashed me because I was a noob. Everyone said that Rafer was a hot head, and that JVG would not accept him or something like that when I posted about this a while back. They the mods closed the thread for not being credible.</div> No, cause I think the thread you posted was that a trade was going to go down or something. This ones slightly different since its discussing the possibility of Skip being traded to Houston. Anyway, I'd like to extend a welcome into the Rockets Forum . I used to think he was a head case then and that feeling still sort of lingers now. However, he does have a good job of distributing the ball so he can possibly be the player we need. Plus, there's always that possibility of Van Gundy being able to discipline him enough so that he won't be a negative prescence in the locker room or court. I'd pull the trigger on Weatherspoon for Alston and Eric Williams without hesitation. We'd get slightly younger with a good point guard and Williams would be able to be a backup for McGrady. Also, Williams' contract has one year left on it anyways so acquiring him wouldn't really hurt.
I say no...Alston can penetrate well and is an alright 3-ball shooter, but he is flashy and isnt exactly concerned when it comes to the defensive end...I'd rather have someone like Earl Watson or Marko Jaric than Alston...
I'll be against it. Alston has something like $25 million left on his contract and it will expire when he's 33. I watched more than half the Raptors' games last season and what impressed me about Alston is that he is incredible from three once he gets hot. However, Alston is the one who let Tyronn Lue, the same Tyronn Lue who played badly for the Rockets, score 28 points off the pick and roll. Point is, Alston is a terrible defender. He also makes a lot of bad decisions when he's mad about a no-call or a miscall on the previous possession. Alston would tend to drive into the lane right off the bat and try to draw an offensive foul, which would often turn into a turnover or a bad shot. For his money, I'm not liking this idea.
When I see Rafer Alston name the negative streetball connotation immediately jumps to my mind and that sickens me. I have never been a fan of streetball, nor am I a fan of flashy basketball. I like solid fundamental basketball and when I think of PGs, Rafer is the last one on my list. Granted, I have not seem him play last year however he still has that negative connotation. The only images of him I see are those on sportscenter when the opposing player dropped 20+ points on him or when he made a flashy move and got called for the traveling. No matter how good of a dribbler he is, if he can't play defense, he won't play in Houston. Should the Rockets actively pursue Alston? Uh, no.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Hunter:</div><div class="quote_post">When I see Rafer Alston name the negative streetball connotation immediately jumps to my mind and that sickens me. .</div> I agree that he might not be the best pick, but he is far from being the streetball player he used to be. That's a very miscalculated assumption about Alston, because he played streetball that he isn't fundamentally sound. Although he isn't the smartest player, he is a above average PG. He's definitley not as flashy as Francis was.
If its for Spoon, i think its worth it. I was hoping we could some how bring Duhon here, but he has the offer sheet with the Raps, so that sux.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rock4life:</div><div class="quote_post">I agree that he might not be the best pick, but he is far from being the streetball player he used to be. That's a very miscalculated assumption about Alston, because he played streetball that he isn't fundamentally sound. Although he isn't the smartest player, he is a above average PG. He's definitley not as flashy as Francis was.</div> It's agreeable that Alston isn't as turnover-prone as Francis, but by no means is Alston more adept at finding the open man. He is basically a Franchise-lite in the way that he always thinks first for himself. Francis plays much better defense than Alston and is better at driving to the hole. Alston might be a good shooter from three but his overall field percentage is below 40%.
