Alston traded to Houston

[LyXo]

Raptors deal Alston to Rockets

Tuesday, October 4, 2005
Posted at 12:45 PM EDT

Canadian Press

The Toronto Raptors traded temperamental point guard Rafer Alston to the Houston Rockets in exchange for guard Mike James on Tuesday.

Alston, 29, was involved in several controversies last season. He threatened to quit the team and the NBA after a Dec. 3 game in Boston and was suspended by the Raptors for two games for conduct detrimental to the club after he walked out during a practice.

Source | The Globe and Mail

Damn, what a steal for Houston. Now they boast one of the best starting 5 in the league. They're serious contenders to compete with SAS for the top of the Southwest division.

Yao Ming
Stromile Swift
Tracy McGrady
Derek Anderson
Rafer Alston

 

[PIP]

I liked Mike James personally... He seemed to play clutch in the big games...

 

[cdt]

He was a good veteran, he shot well passed efficiently and managed games well, maybe my opinion but there isn't much heart in that starting lineup. Tmac may have some but Rafer and Stro are flashy highlight reel players imo.

 

[James]

wow, thats a hell of a trade. Houston is stacked and had almost as good of an off-season as us. Toronto has officially entered the "rebuilding era" back to having a team with a record that rivals an expansion team.

 

[Rimage]

I think they are stacked in popularity but I don't see how this makes them a better team. Alston...yet another headcase. There is a reason teams are letting guys like Curry and Alston go. They don't want to just get rid of quality guys. They have their upside, but they also have there downside.

Mike James: Good attitude, hard worker, good defender, clutch shooter

Rafer Alston: Good shooter, good ballhandler, mediocre at everything else, selfish, can be an off court problem

Why people will think this is better for Houston: SKIP TO MY LOU...he is streetball legend!!! That is it. I won't say that he is worse or better than Mike James, but it sure doesn't look like a clear cut steal for Houston.

 

[Mac]

I think this is a GREAT move.

Sura did well at the point, but he wasnt too good at creating or pushing the rock.

Alston is going to do GREAT in Houston, this will help Houston A LOT.

A++ move.

 

[Rimage]

Houston is contender probably. This trade doesn't change much in that respect. However, they also have that look of being a fun team but also one that you really worry if they have the pieces to get it done.

Stro and Alston, from what I have seen of them, are high quality bench players. They are flashy and fun, but I there are definitely at least 20 other players at those positions I would rather have start for me.

 

[cdt]

I also heard Bob Sura may be forced to retire after going through knee surgery or something. It'd be sad to see him retire he was one of my favorite all time Cavaliers

 

[Karma]

I dont see why Houston will be too excited. Alston fails to play to a system and to me that will do Van Gundy's head in. Rafer has been a trouble maker often in his career, but playing in this veteran environment he'll have to change his selfish ways. This move could work for Houston, but at worst they have depth to bury Rafer deep on the bench. Low risk move by both teams.

 

[TruBuckeye22]

all the negative things said about Alston are true, but that was on a losing team that gave up around the all-star break. the Rockets will be in this thing to the end and Alston will be just fin because winning cures all.

 

[NarlCavs]

It was clear Alston and Toronto weren't going to work. It's a bit of an upgrade for Houston but they take on a long contract.
Alston is a decent player but is far from a perfect PG. His D is average at best and he's only a 40% shooter.
Toronto is a mess but at least they get rid of a headache and get back a true pro who won't cause problems in James.

 

[Karma]

Toronto is rebuilding, so losing a mediocre player with a long contrect is a win. I dont believe their win loss will be effected by this move, but they lose the contract of a cancer. The Raptors are looking for a high draft pick in next summers draft.

 

[CleveRocks]

I don't think you can put too much stock in attitude problems with the Raps or the Clips. Consider Vince, Consider Spree both attitude issues, until they got a chance to play for a team that cares..

Rafer was a steal, I wish we could have figured it out in Cleveland..