Rafer Alston News: Pro Sports Daily

Magic beat winless New Jersey Nets in last Rashard-less game

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November 14

Orlando Sentinel

"The Orlando Magic now hope to officially join the NBA season, already in progress. They have played 10 games, but the Magic look to start their campaign in earnest with their next outing. On Monday night, the Magic expect to have their whole active roster together for the first time since the preseason, providing Brandon Bass can keep his Cheerios down. And the news can't come fast enough. Case in point: On Friday night, the Magic (7-3) struggled in an 88-72 victory against the winless New Jersey Nets, who were missing four starters. Were it not for Dwight Howard finally playing like, well, Dwight Howard?. and Vince Carter showing up just in time? and Jason Williams scoring all the bench ..."

A look back at Rafer Alston, Tony Battie and Courtney Lee's time with Orlando

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October 30

Orlando Sentinel

"Some highlights from the Magic tenures of Rafer Alston, Tony Battie and Courtney Lee: Alston • Hello, Magic: Alston was traded to Orlando from Houston on Feb. 19, 2009, as part of a three-team deal. • Take that, Cavs: He scores 11 points and dishes out 10 assists in a 116-87 win over Cleveland on April 3, 2009 • One step closer: With 26 points on 10-of-17 shooting, Alston sparks the Magic to a 116-114 overtime victory over Cleveland in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals on May 26. Battie • Farewell, Cleveland: Battie comes to Orlando on July 23, 2004, in a trade with the Cavaliers."

New Jersey Nets' needs point to veteran guard Rafer Alston

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October 16

New York Daily News

"One of the Nets' offseason goals was finding a point guard to back up Devin Harris and Keyon Dooling, preferably one with experience. In Rafer Alston, they got more than that. "He's run the gamut in terms of the different experiences you can have as a player," said Lawrence Frank, "from street ball legend, to playing in the D-League, to playing on the Bucks and the end of the bench to starting for the last six years on high, high-level teams. He knows how to run a team." That's the good news for the Nets. The bad news? That Alston may actually have to run their team more than they'd like. Harris has been injured three times already this preseason and will miss tonight's game against the ..."

Alston starting to Net play time

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October 16

New York Post

"The Nets signed Rafer Alston to back up Devin Harris, as insurance in case their all-star guard got hurt. Looks like that policy is already paying off, with Harris (groin) and Keyon Dooling out, former New York streetball legend Skip To My Lou starts tonight in the Garden vs. the Knicks. "I'm getting a lot of work right now. I thought those guys would be here, all of us would be here pushing each other. But injuries are part of the game and you just have to go with the guys you have until they get better," said Alston, who insists he isn't worried about playing time upon Harris' expected return next week. "I don't know, that remains to be seen. It's hard to just take away an All-Star ..."

Alston feels right at home

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October 8

New York Post

"Rafer Alston went from a title contender, the Magic, who were in the Finals, to a fixer-upper, the Nets, who were in the lottery. Now, he's going to want to play, and though he's behind starter Devin Harris on the point-guard depth chart, there is one factor that can ease all the negatives. Alston is pretty much home. "I'm excited just by the opportunity to play in this league and then the opportunity to play close to home. It should be fun," the Queens product said. "Everything else, the minutes, playing time, coaches take care of that. I know I am ready. But I'm excited. Family, friends, everybody that's followed my journey through basketball will get an opportunity to watch me play at ..."

In blockbuster deal, Shaquille O'Neal shipped to Cleveland Cavaliers

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June 26

Palm Beach Post

"Call him The Big Pirogi. Label the season "The King and I." Shaquille O'Neal is now in Cleveland, where he'll combine with superstar forward LeBron "King" James to give the town formerly known as "The Mistake by the Lake" the most high-profile 1-2 punch in the NBA. Cleveland General Manager Danny Ferry hopes the LeBron-Shaq pairing wins the city its first championship in any sport since 1964. "Our goals are aligned with what our players want, including LeBron, and that's to win a championship and win it next year," Ferry said of Thursday's trade that sent O'Neal to the Cleveland from Phoenix in exchange for a package that included center Ben Wallace and guard Sasha Pavlovic. "I was elated ..."

Nets trade Vince Carter to Orlando

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June 26

Bergen Record

"Vince Carter won't get a chance to lead the Nets back to the playoffs, but they hope his departure will help them land a superstar next summer. The Nets traded Carter, their best and most popular player, and young forward Ryan Anderson to the Orlando Magic for guards Courtney Lee and Rafer Alston and veteran big man Tony Battie on Thursday. The Nets also received trade exceptions worth $3.7 million and $1.2 million that they have one year to use. Getting rid of Carter could mean a third straight season without postseason basketball. But cutting his salary - $33.6 million guaranteed for the next two seasons - opens up about $17.5 million next summer when LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris ..."

Hawks need to get the point - and it's Rafer Alston

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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 ..."

Alston brushes off controversy

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June 15

Orlando Sentinel

"To understand just how divisive the Orlando Magic's NBA Finals point guard controversy became, know this: A smattering of boos greeted usual fan-favorite Jameer Nelson when he entered Game 5 with 1:40 remaining in the first quarter. And now that the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Magic 99-86 Sunday and captured the championship by winning four of five Finals games, whether Nelson should've played against the Lakers at all after missing four months due to injury likely will remain a point of contention. But on Sunday night alone, it was tough to blame the Magic's loss on Nelson. Starter Rafer Alston — not Nelson — was in the game for Los Angeles' entire 16-0 second-quarter run, which saw ..."

Irate Alston says friends are ready to 'wring Van Gundy's neck'

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June 14

Toronto Star

"Rafer Alston, the Magic point guard whose benching for the entirety of Game 4's fourth quarter and overtime raised eyebrows, hasn't exactly shown public respect for the decision by coach Stan Van Gundy. Yesterday, Alston said he has friends who "were ready to fly in and wring (Van Gundy's) neck." And when the former Raptor was asked if he had met with Van Gundy in the aftermath, Alston shook his head. "I'm not good at having a one-on-one meeting, because then I might blow up. "He might tell me something that might not make any sense to me, and I may not like that," Alston said."

Magic PG Rafer Alston can drive the lane, just not to the game

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June 11

Orlando Sentinel

"Magic PG Rafer Alston wasn't being chauffeured around Orlando in a limo just because he had a big game Tuesday night against the Lakers. Alston has used a car service every day since he arrived in town from Houston. He said his Florida driver's license was suspended after he was nabbed for speeding in New Jersey, bound for Atlantic City, and forgot to pay the ticket. "I have three licenses. My Canadian license, my California license and my Florida license. My Florida license is suspended so they said I can not drive in Florida," he said. If it's there ... Alston once again finds himself being left open by the Lakers, a common theme for him throughout the postseason. "It's almost ..."

Magic's Alston finds his shot and his flair

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June 11

San Francisco Chronicle

"Rafer Alston had waited long enough, as long as the emotions and confidence welling inside him would allow. The time had come for Alston to step aside and for Skip to My Lou to take charge. Alston flashed a 360-degree spin to swim past Derek Fisher. He slowed for a hesitation dribble to surge past Lamar Odom. He leaped and reached around Pau Gasol, then flipped his drive in off the glass as if instead of playing the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals, he was back at the playground. The Orlando Magic had arrived in the Finals, their offensive revival epitomized by the point guard who went from atrocious to on fire. "After the first one, Dwight (Howard) ... was like, 'Do it again, do it ..."

Skipping between Lou and Rafer

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June 11

Houston Chronicle

"Rafer Alston had waited long enough, as long as the emotions and confidence welling up inside him would allow. The time had come for Rafer to step aside and for Skip to My Lou to take over. Alston flashed a 360-degree spin to swim past Derek Fisher. He slowed for a hesitation dribble to surge past Lamar Odom. He leaped and reached around Pau Gasol, then flipped his drive in off the glass, as if, instead of playing the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals, he was back at Rucker Park. The Orlando Magic had arrived in the Finals, their offensive revival epitomized by the point guard who went from atrocious to on fire. "After the first one, Dwight (Howard) … was like, 'Do it again, do it ..."

PG Alston brings the rain

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June 10

Orlando Sentinel

"When his teammates needed him most, point guard Rafer Alston reminded the Orlando Magic why they traded for him back in February. Alston, whose horrid shooting and erratic playmaking in Games 1 and 2 of the NBA Finals hamstrung the Magic offense, rediscovered his game Tuesday night, keying the Magic to a 108-104 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3. Alston scored 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting --- a stark contrast to his performance earlier in the series. In the Finals' first two games, he scored a total of just 10 points and made just 17.6 percent of his shots from the field. "I was a little more aggressive than I was in Games 1 and 2," Alston said. "My teammates and coaches --- ..."

Alston still the starting point guard for the Magic, and says he has no beef with Van Gundy

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June 7

Orlando Sentinel

"Orlando Magic point guard Rafer Alston, irked that he sat while some of his playing time had gone to Jameer Nelson in Game 1, softened his stance Saturday. He said he has no problem with Coach Stan Van Gundy. Alston said after Thursday night's 100-75 loss to the Lakers that he was affected by Nelson relieving him and playing the entire second quarter. Van Gundy said Alston was making an excuse for his subpar play, to which Alston responded, "I'll give you a good excuse. I sat 12 minutes real game-time. I sat about 30 minutes real-life time. There's your excuse. It's different. I don't care who it is." On Saturday, Alston laughed off the exchange with Van Gundy. "That's Coach. But I'm not ..."

Alston ready to play role, play nice for Orlando

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June 6

Houston Chronicle

"Rafer Alston on Thursday said his second-half struggles were in part from sitting out the second quarter while Jameer Nelson played point guard, his first playing time since February. He softened his stance Friday. "It was odd. I mean, I think everyone can see that," Alston said. "That's unusual to start the game and then you don't even touch the court in the second quarter. But there's no pouting, there's no getting mad, there's going to be no coach and Alston meeting about it. I'm going to go out here and get ready for Game 2 and prepare myself like I have been all playoffs." Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said he left Nelson on the court for too long, but that it should not have impacted ..."

'Skip to My Lou' Still Magic

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June 3

Washington Post

columnist Mike Wise

"Ron Naclerio still talks about the time a short, skinny kid levitated in midair at a summer tournament, trying to sneak a right-handed layup underneath the long arm of a 7-footer. And how, in one motion, that kid let the ball roll down his right arm, stopping at his shoulder. How, before his feet came down, the ball dropped straight down his back and, "he just flicked it with the back of his left hand to the guy for the dunk," said Naclerio, the basketball coach at Benjamin Cardozo High School in Queens, N.Y. The Rucker league bleachers shook, people falling all over each other in Harlem that day, a continuous "Ohhhhhhhh!" encircling the court. "No one believes it, but I was there, I saw ..."

TV pundits tick off Orlando Magic point guard Rafer Alston

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April 16

Orlando Sentinel

"Watching the pundits on TNT and ESPN disregard the Magic's title chances has helped Orlando PG Rafer Alston get into a playoff mind-set. Much like the beginning of the season, the Magic are again an afterthought when the talking heads handicap the title contenders. "I've been watching, and every night they're overlooking us," he said. "They're saying that teams can't wait to play us. I take that personally." From the day Alston arrived in Orlando back in February he has beamed about the opportunity to play for a title-contending team. "Not only do we have a shot at a ring, but it might be my last shot," the 32-year-old Alston said. "You never know what happens during the summer months ..."

Alston keeps conversation lively

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April 7

Houston Chronicle

"The Rockets are not sure when they will hear the running dialogue from Orlando's Rafer Alston to announce his return to Toyota Center. Aaron Brooks imagines Alston will be heard from the opening tip to final buzzer but did not rule out pregame warmups. Shane Battier figures Alston will make his presence heard when the door to the Magic bus opens. Alston made no predictions. "When is Ra not talking?" Brooks said. "He's always talking at me. "I'm sure there will be a lot of talking back and forth, especially if I score some points." Alston tonight will face the Rockets for the first time since the trade-deadline deal that sent him to the Magic on Feb. 19, elevating Brooks to starting point ..."

Rafer Alston's wild rise from the streets of New York to the Orlando Magic

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March 6

Orlando Sentinel

"If nothing else, Orlando Magic point guard Rafer Alston's journey to this point in his NBA career is a study of evolution. A New York-area street basketball legend, "Skip to my Lou" first dropped sneakers on the national basketball landscape via his starring role in the first And1 mixtape tour in the late 1990s. How Alston has transformed those playful playground skills into becoming a solid NBA point guard during his decade in the league likely dictates how far the Magic go this season. The Magic obtained him from the Houston Rockets just before the trade deadline to plug the hole created by Jameer Nelson's season-ending shoulder surgery. Alston's traveled from Queens to college out west ..."

Madison Square Garden never gets old for New York native Rafer Alston

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February 26

Orlando Sentinel

"Magic PG Rafer Alston grew up in Bayside, N.Y., and became a playground legend in Queens. Coming back to play in Madison Square Garden is always special because he had wanted to be a New York Knick since he was a kid. "That's where it starts for everybody that's from New York City," Alston said. "Our dream was to one day play in this building. We all grew up as big-time Knicks fans. It was everyone's life-long dream to put on that Knick uniform." Alston said he still gets goosebumps returning to the storied Garden. "Each time I come back it kind of feels like the first. It's an amazing accomplishment to make it to this point and play in this building. So much has gone on here — not just ..."

Alston probably starts for Orlando against Miami

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February 22

Orlando Sentinel

"His Orlando Magic teammates already are calling him by his legendary streetball name of "Skip." Dwight Howard, 23, remembers being in middle school and watching Rafer Alston on the And 1 Mix video-tapes, marveling at his Harlem Globetrotter-esque style and jaw-dropping moves. "I wanted to be like 'Skip To My Lou,'" Howard laughed. "Now we're on the same team." Alston, who arrived in a trade last Thursday from the Houston Rockets, just shakes his head about the old days. "Yeah, Dwight told me that. That he watched the And 1 stuff," Alston said. "It makes me feel old." It has been a long time since Alston earned his nickname by hop-skipping as he dribbled the ball on New York City's famed ..."

Magic starting point guard job now on the shoulders of Rafer Alston

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February 20

Orlando Sentinel

"At the same time their incumbent all-star point guard was undergoing season-ending surgery on Thursday, the Orlando Magic were making a move to fill Jameer Nelson's sneakers, acquiring 10-year veteran Rafer Alston from the Houston Rockets. The Magic are hoping that Alston can revive a balky offense and restore their status as Eastern Conference contenders for a playoff run. Nelson underwent surgery in Birmingham, Ala., to repair his dislocated right shoulder and torn labrum sustained Feb. 2 against the Dallas Mavericks. The club said the procedure, performed by Dr. James Andrews — the renowned surgeon to the sports stars — was successful and rehabilitation is estimated at four-to-six ..."

Magic trade for veteran point guard Alston

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February 19

Florida Today

"An Orlando Magic team still reeling from the injury loss of Jameer Nelson added another point guard on Thursday when it dealt for Houston's Rafer Alston in a three-team trade, according to a source close to the negotiations. The Magic sent seldom-used power forward Brian Cook to the Houston Rockets, and dealt their first round pick for the 2009 NBA Draft to the Memphis Grizzlies in order to get Alston. The teams are still pitching the final details of the deal to the NBA lawyers in New York. Today at 3 p.m. was the NBA's trade deadline. The Magic traded for veteran point guard Tyronn Lue two weeks ago in a deal involving Keith Bogans. Alston, 32, could soon be the Magic's starter at point ..."

Rockets trade point guard Alston to Magic

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February 19

Houston Chronicle

"The Rockets reached an agreement to trade point guard Rafer Alston to the Orlando Magic, an individual with knowledge of the deal said Thursday. The Rockets will receive forward Brian Cook from Orlando and guard Kyle Lowry from the Memphis Grizzlies in the trade. Rockets officials would not comment until the deal was approved by the NBA and made official."

Alston not worried about rotation change

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February 5

Houston Chronicle

"Follow the leader Aaron Brooks, rather than starter Rafer Alston, finished the Rockets past two home wins, but Alston said he was unconcerned with a change in the Rockets’ rotation and that there was no need for Rockets coach Rick Adelman to discuss it with him. “You just go with what’s going to help us win,” Alston said. “Everybody is a competitor. But if something is going to help us win, you got to stick with it. “Rick, he’s been coaching so long, you don’t question anything like that. You go with it and understand that he knows what he’s doing, especially the way the game was going and the situation.” Adelman said he would determine the rotation to close out games based on a variety of ..."

It might not look pretty, but Alston getting it done

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January 22

Houston Chronicle

columnist Jerome Solomon

"When Rafer Alston takes on one of the top point guards in the NBA, Rockets fans dream of just how good this team would be with one of those top point guards. It’s a “grass is greener,” “Halle is prettier,” “Deron Williams is better” kind of thing. On Wednesday night, Williams was better. But Alston’s team won. And Alston pulled the final rug out from under the Utah Jazz, sneaking up from behind Williams to steal the ball with 1:11 left in the Rockets’ 108-99 victory at Toyota Center. Williams (32 points and 11 assists) might have been better, but Alston (23 points and eight assists) was very good. Alston rarely is mentioned as one of the top point guards in the league, but he isn’t afraid ..."

Rafer Alston to pal Stephon Marbury: Some blame is on you

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January 11

New York Daily News

"Rafer Alston says that his childhood friend Stephon Marbury must accept some of the responsibility for the Knicks' decision to ban him from the team. "It hurts to see him in that predicament but he also has to understand that it is a situation where he has to take some of the blame for it as well," the Rockets' guard said. "He can't look at it as the Knicks are doing him wrong. He has to look at himself in the mirror and say, 'Some of this is on me as well.'" Marbury was banished from the Knicks with pay on Dec. 1. The Knicks could trade Marbury, release him or simply let him sit home until his contract expires at the end of the season. "I've always hoped for the best for both parties, ..."

Childish Alston's matured after tantrums with Raptors

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January 3

Toronto Star

columnist Dave Feschuk

"So this is what happens when you build a double-digit lead and actually protect it. This is what happens when three of your starters are out with injuries and you overcome the odds with a victory against a theoretically formidable Western Conference opponent. If you're the Raptors and you blew out the Houston Rockets last night, 94-73, you pat your collective self on the keister, breathe a sigh of relief and say: Phew! Never mind the trade talks, we're right back on pace for a 32-win season! It's hard to imagine it'll end quite that badly on nights like last night at the Air Canada Centre, when the home team is playing sharp-toothed defence, Andrea Bargnani is looking like a salvageable ..."

Rafer Alston to return tonight

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December 23

Houston Chronicle

"Guard Rafer Alston is set to return tonight in Cleveland, just four games after going out with a strained left hamstring . “I wanted to go tonight (Monday), but the big man (Rockets athletic trainer Keith Jones) said (Tuesday) was better,” Alston said. “ He just felt one more day of rest would be a good thing for me.” In many ways, Alston could feel relieved . “When it happened,” he said, “I knew it was not as severe as it was before the playoffs. I knew I could turn it around and come back with some rest and treatment. The last couple days I was able to get in the gym and do some work on it.”"

Head fills in nicely for Alston

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December 22

Houston Chronicle

"Rarely used most of the season, Luther Head got a chance when Tracy McGrady went out with his sore left knee, and for one game, Head made the most of it. He had 21 points as the Rockets knocked off the Spurs, but Head had not done much since. He played 19 minutes off the bench at Minnesota, made six of seven shots and had 16 points, collecting three assists without a turnover. This time, he hopes, the solid game will start a trend, rather than stand out as an aberration. Brooks gets early gift Late in Saturday’s game, Aaron Brooks knew he was close to double-figures in rebounds, territory he had never reached before. With a long rebound coming his way, he talked his way into rebound No. ..."

Rockets notes: Injury wheel lands on Alston

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December 15

Houston Chronicle

"In what has become part of a familiar pattern , just as the Rockets are expected to get a starter back, another likely will go out. Ron Artest could be back to play Tuesday against the Nuggets, but Rafer Alston strained his left hamstring Saturday and said he doubted he would be able to play Tuesday. He is day-to-day. “I strained it,” Alston said. “I felt it pull, felt like a twinge. It wasn’t like the pull before the playoffs last year. I’m not worried, but I might be forced to let it heal, let it rest. I don’t think I’ll make it Tuesday. I don’t know how long I’ll have to let it rest. I don’t know that yet, and that’s the concern. But I know it’s not as bad as last time. We’ll see how it ..."

Alston’s range returns

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December 7

Houston Chronicle

"Before the Rockets’ injury-filled season began, there was one comeback that seemed more unpredictable, more disconcerting than the rest. Eventually, Shane Battier would be forced to miss all of training camp, the preseason and the first 15 games of the regular season to let his sore left foot heal. Yao Ming would head into the season determined to reduce stress on his right foot. Tracy McGrady would be on and off the court before shutting it down for several weeks because of a sore left knee. Ron Artest would pick up a sprained ankle. Brent Barry would tear a leg muscle. But the player and condition that inspired the Rockets’ greatest concern was none of the above. Rafer Alston had ..."

Spurs baffle Yao; Wafer shines

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November 16

Houston Chronicle

"Yao Ming, stuck in the Spurs’ double teams, took just nine shots Friday, with two of those coming off offensive rebounds. He had 13 points in the loss, in keeping with the early-season trend. Going into Saturday’s game, he had averaged 20 points in wins, 11.6 in losses. “I’ve think I got nine shots before — my rookie year,” Yao said. “I cannot only be concerned about the number of shots I took. Maybe we have a difficult time to bring me the ball, or they pressed, or maybe the fronting (defenses). We don’t have practice at this time. We need to watch the film and see why our opponent can’t force us like that.” With the Rockets playing the second half of a back-to-back, Yao said he mostly ..."

Rockets' Alston to miss 2 games because of fight

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November 15

Houston Chronicle

"Rockets guard Rafer Alston received a two-game suspension on Friday for his role in the scuffle in the third quarter of Wednesday’s game in Phoenix, forcing him to miss tonight’s game against the Spurs and Saturday’s against the New Orleans Hornets. Alston went after Suns forward Matt Barnes after Barnes hit him while Alston set a screen for Tracy McGrady. Both were ejected from the game. Barnes also received a two-game suspension. Suns point guard Steve Nash was suspended for one game for his role in the shoving that followed the confrontation. Suns center Shaquille O’Neal was fined $35,000 and McGrady received a $25,000 fine. O’Neal, Nash and McGrady received technical fouls. "Rafer and ..."

Rockets Notes: Alston fighting shooting slump

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November 8

Houston Chronicle

"Rafer Alston got off to a terrible shooting start to the season. But Alston has over the years learned how to deal with a shooting slump. Alston said the key for him is to make sure he does not let the other parts of his game suffer, especially with the Rockets needing him for defense and to direct the offense much more than for his shooting. The next step, he said, is to remain confident. In the first four games of the season, he was making just 20.7 percent of his shots, but also was taking much fewer than in the past, averaging just 7.3 shots per game. He averaged four assists and 1.5 turnovers in those games. In the season’s fifth game, Thursday in Portland, he made 3 of 5 shots, ..."

Rockets Notes: Alston fighting shooting slump

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November 8

Houston Chronicle

"Rafer Alston got off to a terrible shooting start to the season. But Alston has over the years learned how to deal with a shooting slump. Alston said the key for him is to make sure he does not let the other parts of his game suffer, especially with the Rockets needing him for defense and to direct the offense much more than for his shooting. The next step, he said, is to remain confident. In the first four games of the season, he was making just 20.7 percent of his shots, but also was taking much fewer than in the past, averaging just 7.3 shots per game. He averaged four assists and 1.5 turnovers in those games. In the season’s fifth game, Thursday in Portland, he made 3 of 5 shots, ..."

Rockets' Alston back with team after DWI trial

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October 26

Houston Chronicle

"Aaron Brooks, pestering Rafer Alston with unusual levels of full-court pressure, poked the ball from Alston once and then again, knocking it out of bounds and adding the sort of trash talk Alston could appreciate. Alston, back at Rockets practice Saturday after three days spent in a courtroom for his DWI trial, went back at Brooks happily, with a carefree reminder of his days on the playgrounds. He indulged in a few “Skip to my Lou” moments, with a flash of AND1 sleight of hand ball-handling, and with that, Alston felt back at home after a most trying of weeks. “He seemed,” Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said, “to have a little Skip in his step.” Alston had to skip the Rockets’ trip ..."

Rocket Alston found not guilty of DWI

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October 25

Houston Chronicle

"It took a Houston jury almost an hour Friday to find Houston Rocket Rafer Alston not guilty of driving while intoxicated in a two-day trial dominated by video footage of Alston being interviewed and arrested by police. The point guard hugged his attorney, Rusty Hardin, after the verdict was read by Harris County Court at Law Judge Jean Spradling Hughes. Alston was arrested about 3 a.m. on Aug. 7 after a Houston Police officer noticed he also was driving without his headlights on. He was stopped in the 3000 block of Washington. Initial police reports also indicated that Alston, 32, made an erratic lane change, but police officers testified that Alston was not driving unusually. Valet turned ..."

Videos show footage of Rocket's DWI arrest

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October 24

Houston Chronicle

"As the DWI trial of Houston Rocket point guard Rafer Alston continued Thursday, jurors saw two police videotapes in which the athlete argues with officers and denies being intoxicated. The first video, taken from the arresting officer's patrol car, shows Alston stepping out of his Aston Martin, talking to the Houston police officer, then turning around and presenting his hands to be handcuffed. "You're just going to take me in anyway," Alston says. Jurors also saw a second video, of Alston refusing to take a breath test or any field sobriety tests. "I had a few drinks; I'm not drunk," Alston can be heard saying in the second video. "It's stupid." Alston is accused of driving drunk on ..."

DWI trial of Rockets guard Alston to begin today

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October 22

Houston Chronicle

"A Houston Rocket with a history of legal problems is scheduled to return to court Wednesday when his driving while intoxicated trial begins. Point guard Rafer Alston will appear before Harris County Court at Law Judge Jean Spradling Hughes as a jury is picked to hear allegations that the basketball star was driving drunk about 3 a.m. Aug. 7. Alston, 32, was arrested after a Houston police officer noticed his car making an erratic lane change, police have said. He also was driving without his headlights on. Alston's attorney, Rusty Hardin, said Alston was not intoxicated, and he looks forward to a jury hearing the case. "I'm also glad we're getting though this before the [basketball] season ..."

Alston here to stay, like him or not

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October 6

Houston Chronicle

columnist Steve Campbell

"Face it: Rafer Alston isn’t merely the Rockets’ starting point guard again this season. He’s here to stay. Don’t be fooled just because Alston’s contract with the Rockets runs only through the 2009-10 season. When there is famine and pestilence, when locusts cut a swath across the land, Alston will still be wearing his No. 12 jersey. When the meek have inherited the Earth, they will watch with raised eyebrows as Alston does the Skip To My Lou up the court. When cockroaches have emerged as the planet’s master species, Alston will still be hoisting up 3-point shots with the same old corkscrew motion. Roaches no doubt will have learned to scream in horror by then. “I can take these things ..."

Rockets guard Alston set for October DWI trial

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September 11

Houston Chronicle

"Houston Rockets point guard Rafer Alston will stand trial next month on a charge of driving while intoxicated, a judge ruled today. County Court at Law Judge Jean Spradling Hughes set an Oct. 22 trial for Alston, 32, after a brief discussion with attorneys. "We just wanted to get it done soon," defense attorney Rusty Hardin said, adding that he expects the trial to take about two days. A Houston police officer spotted Alston driving without headlights in the 3000 block of Washington about 3 a.m. on Aug. 7. Alston, who was driving a 2008 Aston Martin, also is accused of making an unlawful turn, which the officer cited as the reason for pulling him over. The officer said Alston had bloodshot ..."

Bad athletes are tolerated if they win

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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 ..."

Rockets’ Alston charged with DWI

Comment

August 13

Houston Chronicle

"Rockets point guard Rafer Alston is scheduled to appear in court Thursday after being arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated last week. Alston, 32, was arrested Thursday after a Houston police officer noticed a car make an erratic lane change in the 3000 block of Washington about 2:55 a.m. Alston also was traveling without his headlights on, police spokesman Victor Senties said. Alston is scheduled to make his first court appearance before Harris County Court at Law Judge Jean Spradling Hughes on Thursday morning. Alston remains free on $500 bond. The charge against Alston is considered a misdemeanor because it would be his first offense. “We are aware of the situation and are ..."

Rockets' Alston faces drunken driving charge

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August 12

USA Today

"Houston Rockets point guard Rafer Alston is due in court Thursday for an arraignment on a misdemeanor drunken driving charge.Alston, 32, was arrested about 2:30 a.m. last Thursday and released on a $500 bond, police records show. A call to his agent, Dan Fegan, was not immediately returned Tuesday. The Rockets had no immediate comment, team spokesman Nelson Luis said. The arrest was first reported by KRIV-TV in Houston."

During the offseason, just call Alston 'coach'

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July 17

Houston Chronicle

"The 6-2 Alston, a nine-year NBA veteran, could be spending his summer doing just about anything. Traveling. Sitting by the pool. Relaxing with family and friends. Instead, Alston, who turns 32 next week, is spending evenings and weekends in crowded, humid gymnasiums across the Northeast and elsewhere teaching young men from his old neighborhood the finer points of the game he loves. He chose to coach the 16-and-under New York Panthers grassroots basketball team and guided it to the Reebok Summer Classic East championship last weekend at Rider University."