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>From: freewheel_99 <no_reply@yahoogroups.com>
>Reply-To: rappak@yahoogroups.com
>To: rappak@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [Rap Pak] Rafer out....Mike James in
>Date: Tue, 04 Oct 2005 19:00:14 -0000
>
>The Raps traded problem child Rafer Alston to the Houston Rockets for
>eratic but less volatile Mike James on the first day of training
>camp. Weird timing since Alston already addressed the press about
>being a Raptor this season, but whatever.
>
>Right it looks like a wash to me. James shoots a little better and
>usually plays 5-10 minutes less, but Alston can pass better and has
>more talent. Niether guy rebounds worth a damn. I'd say that if they
>had both played the same minutes last season their stats would have
>been almost identical. Defence will be interesting. Alston got a lot
>of steals with his quickness by playing the passing lanes but
>couldn't play one on one. James is a bit bigger, but can he do any
>better?
>
>I suspect the Raps liked the fact that James plays less minutes (20-
>25) without complaint. Certainly his higher shooting percentage is
>attractive. The trade should make Mitchell's coaching job easier
>because it not only gets rid of someone he had trouble with, but also
>Jalen wont be butting heads with Alston either.
>
>The thing about Alston is that I'll miss what he could have been, not
>what he was. He could have been three times the player James will
>ever be, but he can't handle the responsibility of leadership.
>Luckily for Houston he wont have to since McGrady and Yao get the
>ball before anyone else even thinks about shooting. Alston will
>probably be effective in Houston and a whole lot quieter.
>
>What will make this trade really work for the Raptors is whether
>Calderon or possibly even Alvin can pick up the slack. There is now a
>significant chunk of minutes (20-25) for someone to earn. Backup PG
>just became a very important part of the 2005-06 Raptor season.
>
>
>

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