source: http://torontosun.com/Sports/Basketball/20...324868-sun.html <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">There have also been reports Alston has had at least one run-in with Houston Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy and was booted out of a practice. </div>
Why did I see this coming? Hope they solve their problems unlike Alston's situation with Mitchell. It will be a huge blow to the team if this escalates into something worse- now that would be rock bottom.
This guy can't play without doing problems! He had problems with Sam M Raptors coach, i thought that with Jeff VG it will be different...
OMFG i dont believe this. Toronto is reporting this "rumor lie" to make it sound like they got the better end of the trade. When the truthe is we both benefited from it. Guys do you honestly believe this crap? They are not even taking credit for it, they just say that their have been reports, and don't you think Houston would be the first city to know? The media lies get used to it.
Who knows. Maybe the leg injury that Alston reportedly has was made up because Van Gundy has benched Alston. I remember last year, Mo Taylor supposedly had fever or something for like 2 weeks. It was pretty obvious then that he was just out of the rotation. But Van Gundy seems to like Alston. He spoke very positively of him after the Minnesota game. I haven't seen him do that with any other player this year. Of course, we've lost every game since then.
Its tough on the players because the team is losing, and shots aren't going down. Give them some time.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting igotask8board:</div><div class="quote_post">OMFG i dont believe this. Toronto is reporting this "rumor lie" to make it sound like they got the better end of the trade. When the truthe is we both benefited from it. Guys do you honestly believe this crap? They are not even taking credit for it, they just say that their have been reports, and don't you think Houston would be the first city to know? The media lies get used to it.</div> Given that Van Gundy spoke charmingly of Van Gundy when we first acquired him, it's not likely that the two would have a run-in so early in the season, even if losing can get to the best of the players and coaches. But I doubt that this report was fabricated just to make it seem like Toronto got the better end of the deal. Mike James is doing way better than Alston ever did in Toronto while the Rockets have gotten off to a terrible start, and Alston hasn't been impressive. Right now, the deal's tilted in Toronto's favor.
^^^^^ agreed. Alston isn't making much noise in Houston right now, and Mike James has broken his career high in points in 2 games straight. I think its in Raptors favour right now. but we'll see as the season goes on.
I wouldn't be surprised with this, since Alston is a very troubled player and also a high maintenance player...heck, I wouldn't be surprised if he moved around from team to team every year.
Don't know if the report is true or not, but am I allowed to change my mind about the trade again??????.........When we got rid of James, I had a fear that we might be giving up too much offense......I mean James brought a lot guts,energy,defense, and clutch play to this team.....I always thought he was the type of guy you needed to win a championship....at first I hated the trade, but Alston seemed to be doing okay running the point....right now the trade looks horrible.
players and coaches argue all the time.. i'm sure it wasn't a big deal but the toronto media wants to use the incident to prove their point.
Of course, the Toronto Press knows all about it, yet the Houston or National Press says nothing? The Chronicle might be biased, but they aren't dumb. ESPN, CBS, no-one, has anything? I just can't believe it. That being said I am starting to wonder if this "fractured fibula" is his pass to the dog-house. I don't know why people expected him to put up Nash numbers, but he wasn't doing bad, 9 and 7 isn't bad for a new system. It would be sad, because Van Gundy, CD, and McGrady all had high hopes for the guy..
You guys act as if this is how they will both play for the rest of the season and even career. I remember when James came to Houston and he wanted to prove his play and showed us he can score, then he just became a role player. In Toronto's offense, they want him to take a lot of the shots. I do admit as of now we got the lower end of the trade, but shiz happens in the NBA. I like Rafer to much to pick James over him. I have seen his play in Toronto, and it is really nice when he gets it going, though he has his slumps like every NBA player he wont let that bother him. He was really confident to shoot the ball last season (even though the coach didn't like it at times) and this year he has been somewhat shy. He WILL come around.
It's not surprising, Rafer Alston has always complained when he's on a losing team. It's not necessarily a bad thing, because the guy wants to win and wants to play a role in helping the team win. He just lacks communication skills and wears his emotions on his sleeve. However, what I've respected about Alston, is he will admit when he's wrong and take blame for when he's playing poorly. A lot of players in the league whine and complain and come up with 101 excuses why they aren't playing well. He's not in that group of players, he's just passionate about winning. I'm sure JVG knows all about Alston's personality since his brother coached him successfully in Miami. I'm sure Alston had some ideas on how he could be more effective within the offense, and don't be surprised to see JVG experiment with those ideas. In return Alston better put more energy into his defense.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">A GM getting owned by Rob Babcock? Never thought I'd see the day.</div> Ah yes, Mike James was very instrumental in the 1 victory for the Raptors. Go Mike! I really don't expect him to be resigned after this season, and he could possibly be traded before the deadline. He's not part of the Raptors future and Jose Calderon is a cheaper solution. He can hold down the PG minutes until Roko Ukic comes over. So far both teams appear to be worse off with the trade.
Are you kidding? Getting rid of Alston was huge, because he was a constant distraction and he had a pretty lengthy contract. He always ignored Bosh and would bring the ball up without passing to anybody and just shoot an ill advised 3. It's obvious James is not in the Raptors' future plans, but he is great trade bait and a much better player than Alston.
