Well, as all you know, the Rockets now have 3 starting-caliber PG's in Alston/James/Francis, and then a standout SL rookie in Aaron Brooks. I have seen many, many people say that keeping all of these guys would be the best. Many other say that trading one of them would be best.I will state my opinion later on, but I want to hear what others think first.
Not a big Rockets fan, but a lot of people say that Alston just hasn't done the job for the team. They seem to like James since they traded their starting power forward for him and of course they now have Franchise back. On top of that, Aaron Brooks is an emerging player and could be a very nice option off the bench and probably is the "truest" point guard on the roster. I just think that Alston's time has run out and that the team is clearly looking for a change there, and we might see him gone sometime soon.
Trade Alston, the writings already on the wall he knows it, management knows it...just get it done already. Let Francis and James run the point sure neither are a pure pg but its the only situation thats gonna make sense as Rafers gonna be complaining about playing time jsut do whats best for the team and for Alston. Francis needs time to get into the flow of the game anyway he needs to command minutes to be effective, James should come off the bench and be an instant igniter.
Ok, well now that I have heard some opinions...I think it is absolutely crazy to keep all 4 PG's. One of them must god, and it must be one from the trio of starting caliber PG's. Franchise and James are both better players than Alston, and both just signed and trading them would give the Rockets a bad image (and if James was traded by the Rockets AGAIN, he'd shoot up the Toyota Center on opening night). Here is why it wouldn't work keeping all of them...1) The theory that Francic or James can play at SG. First of all this could never work as T-Mac starts at SG, and you can't move him to SF as Battier (team's best defender and 2nd best 3pt shooter) would have to sit the bench. Not to mention you take lots of playing time away from guys like Bonzi, which in turn would really hurt team chemistry. But even if it COULD happen, it still wouldn't work as if you put Francis or James at SG, you must have a TRUE playmaking PG alongside of him. Rafer, while the best passer of the 3 players, is not a playmaking PG, looking for his shot first and not fully capable of running an offense. Not to mention you take all PT whatsoever away from a potentially really good player in Brooks.2) The theory that keeping Rafer would be insurance in case Francis goes down or whatever. If anyone thinks Rafer would be willing to be a 3rd string backup or James and francis will agree to play only 15min a game, you are crazy. If they kept all 3, there is bound to be lots of disputes. Not to mention if you keep him as a 3rd string PG, his trade value will go way down if the Rockets need another player at the trade deadline. Right now his trade value is probably at an all time high.3) Rockets still NEED a PF. Hayes is a good defender and rebounder, but too small and weak for guys like Duncan and Brand, and he is an offensive liability. Scola has nice potential and Rockets got him for nothing, but he hasn't played a single minute in the NBA and he hasn't shown totally exceptional rebounding or defense in his euro-league. With teams like Miami on verge of desperation for PG and Rockets having Rafer and other trading chips, they should jump on an oppertunity to get a guy like Udonis Haslem. Great defender, strong, very good rebounder, reliable, doesn't demand shots, like Battier will do the dirty work at his position, pretty athletic, and can hit the midrange jumper and finish at rim.I am still shocked that anyone would think that keeping Alston/Francis/James on the same team is a good idea.
I too believe Alston should be traded, he just is not the type of player that can run this offense and be successful where as Francis will thrive in the up-tempo system that Adelman has put in place. Francis gives them more points and is a better leader than Rafer. Mike James is the perfect backup with Aaron Brooks getting limited minutes while he develops. I just don't see Alson being much help this year.
I think you have to make a deal or two. Francis, James, Alston, Brooks, and Head is a big logjam, obviously. I personally dislike Skip a lot, and I think he's one of the worst decision makers in the league, especially over the past couple seasons as the starter. He's one of those players where you look at his numbers and you say "wow, not bad" but then you watch him multiple times and you say "wow, I can't stand him." That's my opinion, anyway. Also, I think James should start. This would give Houston a shooter that they have to respect in the first unit. T-Mac is the creator, Yao is the go-to guy inside, Battier is the spot-up man, and Hayes is the clean-up man. Starting Francis would give Houston two guys at the 1 that want to create off the dribble more often than not in T-Mac/Francis. Starting James would help spread the floor and it would also give the second unit a creator in Francis. You'd have Francis creating with the ball in his hands, you'd have Head as your shooter off the bench, and Bonzi as your slasher. I like that fit much better.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBalla32 @ Jul 23 2007, 06:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I think you have to make a deal or two. Francis, James, Alston, Brooks, and Head is a big logjam, obviously. I personally dislike Skip a lot, and I think he's one of the worst decision makers in the league, especially over the past couple seasons as the starter. He's one of those players where you look at his numbers and you say "wow, not bad" but then you watch him multiple times and you say "wow, I can't stand him." That's my opinion, anyway.Also, I think James should start. This would give Houston a shooter that they have to respect in the first unit. T-Mac is the creator, Yao is the go-to guy inside, Battier is the spot-up man, and Hayes is the clean-up man. Starting Francis would give Houston two guys at the 1 that want to create off the dribble more often than not in T-Mac/Francis.Starting James would help spread the floor and it would also give the second unit a creator in Francis. You'd have Francis creating with the ball in his hands, you'd have Head as your shooter off the bench, and Bonzi as your slasher. I like that fit much better.</div>I actually like the starting lineup of Francis/T-Mac/Battier/Scola/Yao better. With Battier and T-Mac, the Rockets don't NEED another shooter. With Adelman putting Yao in the high post this year and T-Mac doing much of the ballhandling, I feel Francis could be deadly as a cutter feeding off their passes. In the 2nd unit I would have James/Head/Wells/Hayes/Deke. James as all around scorer, Head as shooter, Wells as post up player, Hayes as energy and Deke as defensive presence.With Alston and possibly Head gone, I expect Haslem or someone of that caliber in starting lineup over Scola. And in all honesty, Francis/James are interchangable depending on opponent.
You have to trade Alston, but I don't think you will get a decent PF for him. I guess he could be traded to a team that has a point go down with an injury, and you can get like a second round pick or two back in return.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SunnyD @ Jul 23 2007, 06:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>You have to trade Alston, but I don't think you will get a decent PF for him. I guess he could be traded to a team that has a point go down with an injury, and you can get like a second round pick or two back in return.</div>Alston alone probably won't get a legit starting PF, but with Head, Novak, a bunch of expiring contracts (Sura, Snyder, Lucas, etc...), and future draft picks, the Rockets should be able to get something good in return.
it's obvious Houston Rockets' manager is not happy with the back court...thats why we get so many guard in the summer ... Steve francis for some toughness in the back - Mike James for some speed and range- Brooks for his almost 100% 3 pts and IV like speed. Luther Head and alston will definitely be my pick to trade in this summer. Head is not what we are looking for under this new coach. Trade ALston and Novak or snyder for Haslem. Trade Luther Head for another small guard who is talller like 6'7 to just in case t mac gets hurt. that way Yao/HaslemScola/HayesBattier/WellsTmac/UNknownJames/Francisthen Brooks I think in 2 years he can learn alot from all these former or present all star guards.then he will be starting then not now.
You guys just need to trade Alston for now. I'm guessing one of the other 3 guys mentioned will be playing some time at SG....and Aaron Brooks probably isn't ready to be the backup PG yet..and the other 2 were just signed, so I'm guessing they are staying.Alston is a dumb player though. He takes alot of shots even though he isn't a very good shooter, and he makes bad decisions passing wise too. He's talented, but he's not a good ball player.
The Rockets should try to shop Alston to the Pacers (even if they just got Diener) and try to get a PF like Danny Granger. Not sure if the Pacers would do this depending on if they get something else with Alston like a pick but it would be a good trade for Houston.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (wolverine30 @ Jul 26 2007, 04:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The Rockets should try to shop Alston to the Pacers (even if they just got Diener) and try to get a PF like Danny Granger. Not sure if the Pacers would do this depending on if they get something else with Alston like a pick but it would be a good trade for Houston.</div>Are you kidding? You think the Pacers would give up Danny Granger for Rafer Alston?
