<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Rafer Alston entered free agency looking for long-term security and a little money. He got plenty of both from the Toronto Raptors. Alston signed a six-year contract reportedly worth $29 million Wednesday, giving the Raptors an improving point guard ready to step in as a starter. Last season, the 6-2 Alston averaged 10.2 points, 4.8 assists and 2.8 rebounds in 82 games - all career highs - with the Miami Heat. Having bounced around in his first four seasons, Alston merely was looking for a multi-year deal from the Heat. However, the Raptors were looking for a complement to point guard Alvin Williams, who has been injury-prone and erratic over the last two seasons. They may have overpaid a bit for Alston, 27, who begins his second stint in Toronto. "We are very excited to bring Rafer back to Toronto," Raptors general manager Rob Babcock said. "Rafer was terrific last season with Miami and I look forward to seeing him become a valuable member of the Raptors."</div> <div align="center">Link</div>
I'd start him over Alvin anyday, I always wanted to have him back as a Raptors, I can't believe it actually happened. Rafer about to attract more fans into ACC now... and I can finally cop that jersey for good this time! No refund! He's coming off 2nd consecutive year as a solid bench player... not to mention his undisputed best year ever. Lookin forward to wonderful things happening in Toronto. YESSSS!!! I can picture SLAM lickin Skip all over his nutsag during next season. :mrgreen: *THE CHAMP IS HERE* SKIP SKIP SKIP SKIP!
I stil think that this is a pretty good signing for the Raptors. Rafer strikes me as someone that can lead a team and push the ball. His defence ain't so bad either. Should Rafer start over Alvin this season? Most definitely. We don't even know how health Alvin will be next season so that shouldn't even be a question IMO.
6 years? That's pushing it, but Alston wouldn't of signed if he didn't get the money and that amount of years. We shouldn't of even considered him when deciding our starting point guard. Yeah, he was great off the bench for Miami, but since when was he proven to be effective as a starter?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Chungster:</div><div class="quote_post">6 years? That's pushing it, but Alston wouldn't of signed if he didn't get the money and that amount of years. We shouldn't of even considered him when deciding our starting point guard. Yeah, he was great off the bench for Miami, but since when was he proven to be effective as a starter?</div> He started 28 games last season for Miami because of Dwyane Wade's injury. I would give him about 30 minutes a game, that way if Alvin's healthy he can play the 2 (or go off), or Jalen can go off or something like that. I wouldn't give him any less than what he received in Miami.
Well everyones getting long term deals this offseason. 4, 5, 6 years; so to get him at 6 years and 29 Million is somewhat of a bargain in this years market. It makes me wonder whos going to overpay Derek Fisher and what contract hes gonna get. I'll definitly start Alston over Alvin as of now, unless Alvin goes crazy in Pre Season and shows that he can start the point (doubt it).
its funny how y'all bad mouth alvin. i think he is more talented than rafer. his problem is his injuries. nevertheless, i have a feeling that he will play really well this year and surprise everybody. hopefully, my feeling comes true
I would start him...Alston made a huge mistake. He should have got like a 3 year deal for 20 Mil. and start instead of benching him on a long term deal.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Skip:</div><div class="quote_post">I'd start him over Alvin anyday, I always wanted to have him back as a Raptors, I can't believe it actually happened. Rafer about to attract more fans into ACC now... and I can finally cop that jersey for good this time! No refund! He's coming off 2nd consecutive year as a solid bench player... not to mention his undisputed best year ever. Lookin forward to wonderful things happening in Toronto. YESSSS!!! I can picture SLAM lickin Skip all over his nutsag during next season. :mrgreen: *THE CHAMP IS HERE* SKIP SKIP SKIP SKIP! </div> I totally agree, if Vince stays, the Raptors can make a decent run in the east this year. (Too bad that skip is wearing 11 this year though)
We need Alvin, if he's healthy I would start him over Rafer anyday. Alvin is undoubtedly our best perimeter defender and our best defender period. When he was healthy, he always had the job of guarding the best perimeter player on the other team. His jump shot is also better than Alston's too from what I've seen. And we can't forget that Alvin is one our best clutch players, he's made huge shots for us in the 4th quarter. Hopefully, his knees will heal properly so he can play up to his full level again. I remember reading an interview with him in the Toronto Star and how he was willing to sacrifice his health in the future just so he could play basketball even if it meant not being able to walk when he was older. That's the type of dedication that all basketball players should have.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting sactomofo:</div><div class="quote_post">I totally agree, if Vince stays, the Raptors can make a decent run in the east this year. (Too bad that skip is wearing 11 this year though)</div> why its too bad if hes wearing 11?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Eclipse:</div><div class="quote_post">We need Alvin, if he's healthy I would start him over Rafer anyday. Alvin is undoubtedly our best perimeter defender and our best defender period. When he was healthy, he always had the job of guarding the best perimeter player on the other team. His jump shot is also better than Alston's too from what I've seen. And we can't forget that Alvin is one our best clutch players, he's made huge shots for us in the 4th quarter. Hopefully, his knees will heal properly so he can play up to his full level again. I remember reading an interview with him in the Toronto Star and how he was willing to sacrifice his health in the future just so he could play basketball even if it meant not being able to walk when he was older. That's the type of dedication that all basketball players should have.</div> In order to allow his injuries to heal properly, he needs to play less minutes and sacrifice his heart and passion for a tad bit.. In short term it's gonna be tough for Alvin but in the long run, it'll prolong his career and allow him to play his 'A' game.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting VinKanaddy:</div><div class="quote_post">In order to allow his injuries to heal properly, he needs to play less minutes and sacrifice his heart and passion for a tad bit.. In short term it's gonna be tough for Alvin but in the long run, it'll prolong his career and allow him to play his 'A' game.</div> yeah I agree, he also shouldn't play until he 100% healthy (or close to it), he's played hurt so many times (which i commend him for) but more often than not, it's made his injuries worse and takes him even longer to heal. I'm cheering for him to get healthy again because he embodies everything that we need in a player.
I dont know I'd most probably start Skip over Alvin, unless Alvin does something insane like hit game winning buzzer beater 3's a couple of games in a row. Skip proved him self when he was in Miami, and he's not injury proned like Alvin. But regardless of who starts they should get equal minutes because there both good.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Peja King:</div><div class="quote_post">why its too bad if hes wearing 11?</div> If the guy before said that he had an Alston jersey from the last time that he was in Toronto, he wore #12. He's wearing a different number this time.
i think a decently healthy alvin is better than alston. i prefere starting alvin but that depends on his health. anyways, who cares which of them starts, its about who plays at the end of close games. I would start alston and keep alvin on at the end of the game because he is a better defender and is more clutch. i also feel that alvin will outdo alston this season
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting boykins_381:</div><div class="quote_post">i think a decently healthy alvin is better than alston. i prefere starting alvin but that depends on his health. anyways, who cares which of them starts, its about who plays at the end of close games. I would start alston and keep alvin on at the end of the game because he is a better defender and is more clutch. i also feel that alvin will outdo alston this season</div> how many raptor games have u watched? alvin might be the poorest decision maker in the league, he's injuries physically prohibit him from guarding other point guard?s, he's too small to guard shooting guard, he can't penetrate and his shooting is horrendous. i love the guy but he sucks. altson is a much better player and healthier. what many people are forgetting about altson is that even though he's 28 he's only played one full season of basketball so he's got very few miles on him. i really think especially with the fisher signing that babcock got "the bargain" of free agency. plus, altson in my opinion has the potential to be a all star, i'm not saying he's going to be but i'm arguing that he has a lot a wiggle room to grow as a player.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting deception:</div><div class="quote_post">how many raptor games have u watched? alvin might be the poorest decision maker in the league, he's injuries physically prohibit him from guarding other point guard?s, he's too small to guard shooting guard, he can't penetrate and his shooting is horrendous. i love the guy but he sucks. altson is a much better player and healthier. what many people are forgetting about altson is that even though he's 28 he's only played one full season of basketball so he's got very few miles on him. i really think especially with the fisher signing that babcock got "the bargain" of free agency. plus, altson in my opinion has the potential to be a all star, i'm not saying he's going to be but i'm arguing that he has a lot a wiggle room to grow as a player.</div> It's funny that you asked someone how many Raptor games they've watched when you're the one saying that Alston has the potential to be an all-star. Did you watch any of the games when Alston was playing for us?.....sure his stats have improved with more playing time in Miami, but what you see is what you get with Alston. He is pretty much at his ceiling and that's what you're going to get from him.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting sactomofo:</div><div class="quote_post">If the guy before said that he had an Alston jersey from the last time that he was in Toronto, he wore #12. He's wearing a different number this time.</div> its true, hes wearing 11 now, the only reasonw e hore 12 during his stint last time was becuase it was taken. And I think its better that hes wearing 11 this year.
