June 18
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist Jeff Schultz
"
There is a point guard who just started for a team that reached the NBA finals - and he's available. He also comes with a contract considered Atlanta Spirit budget-friendly. Hello? The Hawks shouldn't re-sign Mike Bibby. They should trade for Orlando's Rafer Alston. He requires less of an investment than Bibby and might get them further in the playoffs. Look what he just did for the Magic? I know. The Hawks finally got good again. The last thing you want to do is blow things up. But this isn't a razing as much as it's a needed remodel. (See ajc.com photo gallery.) There's a pretty good chance that we've seen as far as this Hawks team can go. They survived a seven-game series with Miami in ..."
August 13
Houston Chronicle
columnist Richard Justice
"
Wouldn’t it be refreshing if the Rockets had enough guts to take a stand with Rafer Alston? Don’t hold your breath. Hell will freeze over before a professional sports team holds an athlete accountable for bad behavior. Yes, the Chicago Bears waived Cedric Benson after his second arrest this year, but the fact Benson had been a bust on the field surely made it easier for them to take action regarding his behavior off it. Maybe teams don’t care what kind of people they have in uniform because they know you don’t care. Artest faces scrutiny The Rockets were widely praised for obtaining a guy with baggage ranging from domestic violence to animal cruelty to an assortment of suspensions, fines ..."