The Story Behind Rafer 'Skip' Alston For those of you who aren't really into streetball and don't follow it, you will definitely enjoy this article about Rafer Alston and be able to appreciate his game a lot more. At every game I go to, his ball handling ability is just amazing and you can really see how it traces back to his street ball days. If you have never seen Rafer Alston play in person before, then I highly suggest you go to a Heat home game, he really puts on a great show. Here is the article: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sport...iew/7099313.htm
Rafer Alston steps up in Dwyane Wade's absence <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">In Dwyane Wade's absence, Rafer Alston has busted out of his backup role to rescue the Heat at point guard. This weekend, he'll learn how he fares against the NBA's best. The New Jersey Nets' Jason Kidd brings his point-guard wizardry to AmericanAirlines Arena tonight. On Saturday, the Heat will pay a visit to the Knicks and newly acquired point guard Stephon Marbury, who ranks second in the NBA in assists -- behind Kidd. And the Heat will counter two of the game's best floor generals with Rafer Alston? When you consider the extent of Alston's thin NBA r?sum? before being picked up by the Heat last summer -- he started just 13 games and averaged 13.8 minutes in his four previous seasons -- this weekend's pair of point-guard matchups would seem thoroughly one-sided. Though the two established stars still hold a clear advantage, the former journeyman Alston can no longer be overlooked after becoming a more-than-adequate answer to the Heat's point-guard quandary. Since taking over for rookie guard Dwyane Wade -- who injured his wrist -- Alston has come to the Heat's rescue on a team devoid of depth at a critical position. And while the New York playground legend might never be confused with Magic or Isiah, he has narrowed the gulf between himself and some of the league's current top point guards.</div> More: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sport...all/7775935.htm
Also, there is ANOTHER article about Skip's life, and this one in my opinion is the best and really gives you the best insight into who he is: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">MIAMI ? The tricks he performed on the basketball court made him seem like a street magician. His spin moves on New York playgrounds were so fast that the audience thought he disappeared. His no-look passes seemed like they were pulled from a hat, and his crossover dribbles sawed defenders in half. For those who don't know Heat guard Rafer Alston, these are some of his greatest tricks. For those closer, they are nowhere near his best magic. "The best trick he's ever done hasn't even been with a basketball," said Michael Bell, one of Alston's youth coaches. "It's no move he's done with a ball in hand, nothing in the point column. The best trick for him has been his maturity, his growing up." Alston has gone from the next failed playground legend to celebrated streetballer to steady NBA point guard, all while cleaning up his once negative image. The troubled high school career is a memory, as is the jail time while at Fresno State, and he's working on the stereotype of playground basketball players. "A lot of that stuff in my [early] life was embarrassing," Alston said. "Not just to me, but to my family, my team. I'm just glad I got through it." Rafer Alston has been a showman with the basketball for as long as anyone can remember. Even the day he was born, he hit the family with a hesitation move. His mother, Geraldine, went into labor and expected to deliver a baby. A few minutes after daughter Racine was born, along came her twin, Rafer. It stunned everyone.</div> More here: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/basketb...fla-sports-heat
He's alright...definitely has NBA game, as 8 ppg and 4 apg can attest...but i think he's far from starting quality...he'd make a nice backup, but has some glaring weaknesses, such as turnover-prone and shooting....
Im all for skip the way i see, street ballers owe him there life and hes definitely nba material. He is starting quality toronto should have kept him. Skip is a magician, if he wanted to he could mess the best of the best up with his cross, easy.
I loved Skip when he was in Toronto. I thought he had a good future there and wished he would stay. He is a solid player regardless of his handle....but watching him handle the ball and run the break is a thing of beauty
oh yea i forgot this he has the tightest name from anybody else on the court and he can do the harlem shake better than everybody on the court(except maybe shammond willimas).
Yeah, it would be nice to see him finally get some security in his life and sign a long term deal. It's nice to see him pull out the "moves" every now and then on the hardwood
Just to show how incredibly dominant Skip has been over the last 3 games, he held Starbury, Steve Francis, and Jason Kidd to a combined 8 of 39 shooting.
Rafer had 23 and 5 assists, and he started alongside Wade, who had 27, 10, and 5. They are definitely nice compliments to each other, and this shows that Rafer's career is finally really picking up.
There is a reason Rafer is in the NBA and the rest of the AND1 players are not... his ball handling skills are just... sic. Edit: Not to say the the other And1 Players dont have sick handles... but Rafer just seems to be above and beyond with it... he clearly is a solid backup...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Crossover:</div><div class="quote_post">He's a starter, now. Alongside Wade.</div> My fault... clearly a solid, effiecent starter.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting choppa22:</div><div class="quote_post">he had a good game when the played the magic he had 19 points</div> everybody has a good game against the Magic nowadays...them cats play zero defense.
Rafer Alston is just amazing, his ball handling and his real NBA style balling skills. Rafer is averaging 9.6ppg2.5rpg4.4apg1.13spg, this guy deserves to start instead of eddie jones who is paid to much and isnt as efficient as Rafer + he is getting old and out of it(ej). Alston is off the charts in my book for the best point gaurd ever, and yes i know what im saying.
I would never go as far to say that Skip is the best point guard ever, but he has definitely proven that he can hang with (and dominate) all of the top PG's in the league.
Man, how can you not think skip is the best point gaurd?? The guy can take it street and NBA style, he knows he can cross anybody up when he wants and how he wants, but no this guy got class and he dont embarass other cats in games.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting L.Sooch:</div><div class="quote_post">Man, how can you not think skip is the best point gaurd?? The guy can take it street and NBA style, he knows he can cross anybody up when he wants and how he wants, but no this guy got class and he dont embarass other cats in games.</div> You really think Skip is better than Magic Johnson..or even a guy like Baron Davis? Don't take this personal, but you're out of your mind if you say yes....I love Skip but he's just a solid backup and spot-starter point guard...
