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#1
10-04-05, 12:16 PM
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Raptors Acquire Mike James In Exchange for Alston (October 5, 2005) -- The Toronto Raptors announced Tuesday they have acquired guard Mike James from the Houston Rockets in exchange for guard Rafer Alston. James, 6-foot-2, 188 pounds, owns NBA career averages of 9.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 23.8 minutes in 248 games, splitting time with Miami, Boston, Detroit, Milwaukee and Houston. During the 2004-05 campaign, he averaged 11.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 25.1 minutes in 74 contests with Milwaukee and Houston. He appeared in seven playoff games with the Rockets, averaging 11.6 points, 2.3 assists and 24.4 minutes. James was acquired by Houston on February 24, 2005 with forward/centre Zendon Hamilton for guard Reece Gaines and two second-round draft picks. While with Houston, he netted career bests of 28 points, including eight triples, February 8 versus Boston. With the Bucks, James registered a career-high 11 assists November 23, 2004 at the Los Angeles Lakers. Not drafted by an NBA franchise, James spent one season in Austria (1998-99) and two seasons in France (1999-2001) before playing for the Rockford Lightning (CBA) during the 2001-02 campaign. He was signed by Miami on December 18, 2001 and played 92 games for the Heat over the course of the next two seasons, averaging 7.0 points and 2.8 assists. He split time with Boston and Detroit during the 2003-04 campaign. James, a native of Amityville, New York, attended Duquesne (pronounced DU-CANE) University (Pittsburgh) where he played 111 games for the Dukes, averaging 12.7 points and 2.8 assists. Alston played 80 games for Toronto during the 2004-05 season, averaging 14.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.48 steals. He signed as a free agent July 14, 2004. Alston also played for the Raptors in 2002-03, averaging 7.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 20.9 minutes in 47 games. http://www.nba.com/raptors/news/PR_j...or_alston.html      |
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#2
10-04-05, 12:17 PM
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Wow. Good move for Houston. Alston's not great, but with Sura out he's 10x better than anything they had. He does have a long contract though. A lot of money to shell out, but they desparately needed a PG.
Last edited by coyotes_geek; 10-04-05 at 12:19 PM. |
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#5
10-04-05, 12:21 PM
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I wonder how he'll play along side with McGrady? Alston seems like a shoot first type of point guard.
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#6
10-04-05, 12:23 PM
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#7
10-04-05, 12:25 PM
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They have a good starting PG now, so McGrady doesn't have to bring the ball up all the time. But they did lose their punch off the bench in Mike James to get Alston. AG should have some insights about Alston....
__________________ Whatcha gonna do when Huxamania runs wild on you?!! |
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#8
10-04-05, 12:28 PM
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#9
10-04-05, 12:28 PM
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How many clashes did they have last season? Sorry....don't bring up the "it's Toronto" excuse.....I won't buy it! |
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#10
10-04-05, 12:30 PM
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last year he threatened to retire, stormed out of practice causing suspension, left the arena after being pulled in the first half, demanded a public apology for being benched in a game, and his act caused Eric Williams to publicly ask to be traded, even to the point where Williams said he'd rather play with the Hornets. |
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#11
10-04-05, 12:30 PM
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If memory serves Alston almost got in a fight with the head coach and threatened to quit on the team. He is a bit of a risk in that sense, but it's hard to tell if it was just him, or the losing.
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#12
10-04-05, 12:38 PM
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Does this trade make the Rockets more a challenge/treat for the Spurs?
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#13
10-04-05, 12:46 PM
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__________________ "If you don't invest very much, then defeat doesn't hurt very much and winning is not very exciting." - Dick Vermeil |
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#14
10-04-05, 12:49 PM
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#15
10-04-05, 12:50 PM
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Alston played for Stan Van Gundy. He probably gave JVG his recommendation. This is kind of strange after JVG said they would not take on anymore knuckleheads, so maybe he really trusts Stan's judgement?
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#16
10-04-05, 12:57 PM
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Overall this should be a very nice pickup for Houston. He's a great passer/good handles, and playing on a team with better finishers I wouldn't be surprised to see a jump in his apg.
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#17
10-04-05, 12:58 PM
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Alston's more than servicable... He's probably a little more trigger happy than you'd like in a PG but he's got good handles and can hit the 3 ball. Overall, it's a good pick up. I would say that the risk he presents is minor more than anything. It's almost understandable that someone would get frustrated playing for a struggling organization. If anything I would see him putting up some unwarranted shots here and there that would get pretty frustrating for JVG. Anyone know anything about his d? |
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#18
10-04-05, 12:59 PM
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#20
10-04-05, 01:57 PM
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 He was ranked 3rd on the team in shots per game once Prince Vince left. He was also the team's leader in assists and 11th in the league. Once Vince left, I'd imagine he was encouraged to be more aggressive offensively. IN TORONTO, someone needs to score. He did just fine in Miami. If you think Alston is a shoot-first, then how do you describe Parker who takes 2 more shots per game with the league's best player and the league's most creative player on offense WITHOUT averagin' as many assists? |
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#21
10-04-05, 02:12 PM
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 If Van Gundy can get them playing hard defense for 48 minutes and Yao, Stromile Swift and T-Mac shine as expected - this group will win 55-60 games for the first time since Hakeem Olajuwon ruled Houston. Their roster is not perfect - but it's as formidable as any other in the Western Conference - with the exception of San Antonio. |
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#22
10-04-05, 02:19 PM
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#23
10-04-05, 02:21 PM
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I still expect the Suns and Spurs to meet in the WCF. Im not sold on Houston being Finals contenders....yet Second Round...yes The biggest challenge to the Spurs is themselves...if their playing Spurs ball with the talent they have...no one can take them out in a 7 game series IMO |
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#24
10-04-05, 02:23 PM
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#25
10-04-05, 02:27 PM
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someone also explain to me how alston is an upgrade from james? |
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#26
10-04-05, 02:34 PM
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 I agree with your take on the Spurs chances however. Last year I felt the only team that could beat them was Detroit - and although the came very close, they themselves fell in 7 games as well. As for Phoenix, I think they took some steps back from what they were last year - although they did add some inside muscle - they also reduced their quality of talent IMO.They're trying to play better defensively - without changing their style of play, and I'm not sure they have the personel to do that. Houston took a step forward with the addition of Swift who gives them some inside depth and quality talent. If he can average 11-13 PPG and 7-9 RPG, this team will scare people. I'm no fan of Anderson - but if he's healthy, he will help. Houston is a player or so away from being able to really challenge the whole thing - but I do feel they're closer than Phoenix. |
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#27
10-04-05, 03:07 PM
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looking at the rockets roster i see no depth..their starting five might be one of the best in the league but outside of that i see nobody coming off the bench strong for them 'cept maybe howard and sura if hthey both ever get healthy..
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#28
10-04-05, 03:16 PM
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As for the Suns, they've yet to prove they can be a better defensive team than Houston. Any team coached by JVG WILL defend. Houston has been one of the better teams in the league at that for the past few years. Even when they couldn't score. Now the Suns offense is still potent but a lil' of the edge is off in the absence of their two best 3 pt shooters durin' the season. Plus, JJ was a very efficient scorer. Houston's bench is also deeper this season. Houston murdered the SUns in the latter part of the season when your team is supposed to be fully adapted last season also didn't they? It's not unfathomable to think that the Suns will have problems against the Rockets next season. Quote:
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#29
10-04-05, 03:25 PM
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Their starting 5 is now younger, with Alston taking over from Sura, Swift taking over from Howard and DA taking over from Wesley. All their veterans (experienced but slower) are now on the bench, where they can play all out without worrying about losing steam. That addresses their primary weakness from last season, which was perimeter quickness. And as the Chronicle article I posted elsewhere indicates, TMac is in the best physical shape of his career. If they can get the starters to mesh, this is now a very dangerous team.
__________________ Whatcha gonna do when Huxamania runs wild on you?!! |
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#30
10-04-05, 03:52 PM
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Gotta believe that his attitude will be a whole lot better playing in htown with Mcgrady and Yao, then the frozen north with a franchise that is a disaster....this is a nice pickup for the rockettes.....
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#31
10-04-05, 03:56 PM
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Rockets did beat the suns in the later part of the year but the suns also beat them too. Suns may have some problems with houston in the season but in a 7 game series you have to back the suns. I think getting to the conference finals was a big thing for their future experience. Quote:
put it this way James is a good guy in the locker room. Alston is a cancer. James has a nice contract. Alston's is long and cumbersome. James is a great defender. Alston is a good defender. Last edited by SPURSMANIA300; 10-04-05 at 03:58 PM. |
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#33
10-04-05, 04:46 PM
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Damn,I thought Mike James was going to be the Rockets PG of the future.Oh well if Alston doesn't cause any problems Houston might even be more dangerous than expected.
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#35
10-04-05, 05:05 PM
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James had a nice contract but was a streaky shooter and IS NOT better at takin' care of the ball nor did he have more assists than Alston. I like James. I think he is a solid player overall but the deal makes sense for both parties. Houston needs a steady guy who can get the ball to TMac and Yao and Toronto needs more scorin'. Furthermore, was Alston really all that much of a "cancer". I suppose you were in the lockerroom. i tend to fall somewhere in the middle on this. MORE than one player chafed under the harsh tactics of Sam Mitchell. He has CONFRONTED many more players than ALston. Fault Alston for not handlin' it maturely but don't overlook that fact. As for the Suns/Rockets comparison, you'll hear more from me on that when I get time. Suns had problems with the Rocks last season. Why should you expect any different next season? |
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#36
10-04-05, 05:08 PM
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I think it's a solid move, in that it strengthens the starting backcourt (since Sura may be done). Mike James wasn't planning on staying anyway, I believe he was going to opt out at the end of his contract for more money. Houston may very well be in the WCF next year.
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#37
10-04-05, 05:18 PM
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bottom line. you put rafer on a good team, it makes him that much better. Same thing for James ( he didn't look so hot up in Milwaulkee before he was traded last year). He is a better player all around than james is. end of discussion.
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#38
10-04-05, 05:19 PM
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I think Alston will play well, back under a Gundy.
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#39
10-04-05, 05:30 PM
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#40
10-04-05, 05:58 PM
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That's a good trade for Houston. Mike James was solid, but nothing special. Alston has the talent to be an above average starter at PG. The only question is will Alston behave? I think it won't be a big problem for them, since they'll be winning a lot of games. The Rockets will now have a very athletic starting 5 that should be able to play dominating defense. I think they're a legit threat to the Spurs. |
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#41
10-04-05, 06:34 PM
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#42
10-04-05, 08:26 PM
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Alston´s a true point guard with a good three point shot with a spring in his step and he´s just lucked into a great situation. This is a good move for the Rockets. They are more dangerous now than they were yesterday. |
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#43
10-04-05, 08:29 PM
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I just don't think someone from the AND1 team and that frame of basketball mind can be good for a team that just needs a serviceable PG that will set up plays and just manage the team. As has been stated by many posters already, he tends to have issues with authority. Think about it, he is at his best one on one, freestyling, doing his own thing, just like the AND1 tour. If he can't do that, which is going to be true for any NBA team, then he gets down. Sure he seemingly had good numbers the last two years, but in Miami he shot 37%, which means he took alot of shots to get the 10pts he averaged. Then last year, he averaged 14pts a game, but still only shot 41%, and he was on a horrible team which tends to increase your pts a game.
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#44
10-04-05, 08:37 PM
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JVG usually did pretty well with Spree, I think he can get Rafer to buy into the system.
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#46
10-04-05, 09:57 PM
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Agree to disagree I guess. But people are making it seem like SVG had this long standing relationship with Alston. He was there for only a year. Then Miami let him go. He signed with Toronto, 6yrs for 26million which is pretty steep for a player of his caliber. Apparently Miami thought so too. Plus, you can't forget that the year he was with Miami, there was no Shaq, and the offense was more freewheeling. Who knows how he would have done just basically handing the ball to Wade and Shaq. And now he will have to hand it either Tmac or Yao. And they can barely get anybody to give the ball to Yao as it is. Hey, if he does well, I eat crow. So what. It's just my opinion. Either way, they won't beat the Spurs. |
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#47
10-04-05, 10:00 PM
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I like the D of Mike James. I think it's a mistake on Rockets part.
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#48
10-04-05, 10:32 PM
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#49
10-04-05, 10:36 PM
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To answer spursfan9's question, the Raptors aren't going ANYWHERE this year in terms of winning so why continue to pay a malcontent like Alston big money when they don't expect to win. They are continuing their rebuilding theme and flexible contracts are always the first step in doing that to build around your main pieces. I doubt James' contract is longer then a year or two years. Now, I don't think Alston is a bad guy or anything but he is a big competitor and was frustrated with all the losing in Toronto. His actions and attitude weren't professional or the best course of action, but in the end, it helped him get to a team that has winning now as more of a priority. So I can't knock the guy. Again, a good upgrade considering Sura may never play basketball again. |
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#50
10-04-05, 10:54 PM
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As for why Alston is an upgrade over James, it is because he fits the Rockets most glaring need of a true point guard, yet can still score when needed. AND because he plays better defense and much more under control, essential elements of playing for JVG. |
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