Rafer Alston News: Pro Sports Daily

Heat's Alston suspended for season, removed from roster

Comment

March 13

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Rafer Alston's sudden departure from the Miami Heat took another twist Friday night, when the veteran point guard was placed on the NBA's Suspended List, and therefore suspended for the balance of the season without the possibility of a return. Alston left the team a week ago after being demoted from his starting role. His only contact with the team since has been a text message to a team trainer that he would not be reporting. He since has mentioned a recent suicide attempt by his twin sister as a contributing factor to his departure. "While we are aware, through media reports, of the personal issue that Rafer is going through, we still have not heard from him," Heat President Pat Riley ..."

Heat still has not heard from suspended Alston

Comment

March 11

Miami Herald

"Although suspended point guard Rafer Alston recently explained to ESPN his reasons for abruptly leaving the Heat, he continues to give his team the silent treatment. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Wednesday that Alston still has not responded to the team's attempts to reach him since he left Miami on Friday to tend to a family matter. Alston told ESPN.com on Tuesday that he went to Houston to be with his twin sister, Racine, after she reportedly attempted suicide. His departure also coincided with him losing the starting point guard job to Carlos Arroyo. Alston also told ESPN.com that he left, in part, because he was told he was no longer in the playing rotation. Spoelstra expressed ..."

Heat stance remains firm on Rafer Alston suspension

Comment

March 11

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Despite word that personal turmoil contributed to Rafer Alston's departure from the Miami Heat last week, coach Erik Spoelstra said Wednesday that "our stance is the same" when it comes to the guard's indefinite suspension without pay. In breaking his silence about a departure that came a day after he was stripped of his starting role last Thursday, Alston told ESPN.com that his abrupt exit from the team came amid the emotional strain of his twin sister Racine's recent attempted suicide. Spoelstra said the Heat still has yet to hear from the veteran guard beyond a single text message last Friday informing the team's trainer of his departure. "My thoughts and prayers are with him and his ..."

Alston: Sister's suicide attempt contributed to departure

Comment

March 10

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"For the first time since Rafer Alston left the Miami Heat without explanation, clarity is being shed on the matter. According to ESPN.com, Alston decided to leave the team in the wake of last week's benching amid the emotional strain of his twin sister Racine's attempted suicide. Alston told the website his sister had attempted to take her life just days before he was relieved of his starting job. "The way I handled it was wrong," Alston told ESPN.com. "I didn't really tell [team officials] why I was leaving." The Heat said it only received a text from Alston the morning after he was benched during last Thursday's home victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, offering no details about his ..."

Heat views Alston absence as just another hurdle to overcome

Comment

March 9

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"At the conclusion of Monday's practice at AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami Heat officials still weren't certain what would become of Rafer Alston, the dethroned starting point guard who is now indefinitely suspended because he did not show up at Friday's practice or Saturday's 100-94 victory over the Atlanta Hawks. Regardless, Heat players were moving forward. "It's very important to have the locker room in good order," guard Dwyane Wade said. "Even when we were losing, it wasn't in bad order. But as we've worked our way our of our slump, you can see guys coming together even more, so we just want to keep that up." To that end, the Heat went about its business Monday as a team riding a ..."

Rafer Alston void prompts options for Miami Heat

Comment

March 9

Miami Herald

"With Rafer Alston's exile extending into a fourth day, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said the team is looking into free agent options to bolster its backcourt depth. Spoelstra confirmed Monday he has not spoken with Alston, who was suspended indefinitely without pay after he failed to show up for Saturday's game against Atlanta. Alston did not attend Monday's practice and was not on the team flight for Tuesday's game against Charlotte. With the exception of a text message, the Heat claims Alston has not communicated with the team since Friday morning, just before he skipped that day's practice. Alston has not been with the team since Thursday's victory against the Los Angeles Lakers, when he ..."

Rafer Alston remains away from Miami Heat

Comment

March 8

Miami Herald

"Suspended point guard Rafer Alston remained away from the team Sunday, when he was the only player on the roster to not attend the Heat's Family Festival. The Heat suspended Alston indefinitely without pay just after midnight Sunday when he failed to show up for Saturday's home victory against Atlanta. Alston also skipped Friday morning's practice, and the team claims he has been unresponsive, with the exception of a text message, to attempts to communicate with him in three days. Team officials said Sunday afternoon that there was no change in Alston's status and declined further comment until the matter is resolved. Alston had been mired in a shooting slump since he was signed Jan. 7, ..."

Heat suspends Rafer Alston after his two-day disappearing act

Comment

March 7

Palm Beach Post

"Rafter Alston's comeback with the Miami Heat apparently has come to an end. The veteran point guard was suspended indefinitely without pay Saturday after failing to make himself available to the team. Alston failed to report for practice Friday, which the team did not initially disclose, and then did not appear at Saturday's victory over the Atlanta Hawks. According to the team, as of early Sunday morning Alston had not made himself available other than by text message. His abrupt departure from the team came a day after he was demoted from his starting role in Thursday's overtime victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Alston, who was signed Jan. 7 to add punch to a shaky rotation at point ..."

Rafer Alston suspended by Heat, parting likely imminent

Comment

March 7

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Rafter Alston's comeback with the Miami Heat apparently has come to an end. The veteran point guard was suspended indefinitely without pay Saturday after failing to make himself available to the team. Alston failed to report for practice Friday, which the team did not initially disclose, and then did not appear at Saturday's victory over the Atlanta Hawks. According to the team, as of early Sunday morning Alston had not made himself available other than by text message. His abrupt departure from the team came a day after he was demoted from his starting role in Thursday's overtime victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Alston, who was signed Jan. 7 to add punch to a shaky rotation at point ..."

Miami Heat suspends guard Rafer Alston indefinitely

Comment

March 7

Miami Herald

"Apparently, Heat point guard Rafer Alston didn't take losing his starting job as well as he figured he would. The Heat suspended Alston indefinitely without pay after he failed to show up for Saturday's home game against the Atlanta Hawks. Alston was placed on the inactive list for Saturday's game. The team issued a release late Saturday night in which it claims Alston has not responded to repeated attempts to reach him over two days. Alston had been mired in a shooting slump since he was signed on Jan. 7, and was replaced as the starter by Carlos Arroyo before Thursday's victory against the L.A. Lakers. Alston did not play in that game and was also benched for the final three quarters of ..."

Rafer Alston out, Carlos Arroyo in as Heat starting point guard

Comment

March 5

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"The Miami Heat's swinging door at point guard has again swung in Carlos Arroyo's direction. Replaced as the team's starting point guard upon Rafer Alston's free-agent arrival on Jan. 8, Arroyo was back in the starting lineup Thursday night against the Los Angeles Lakers at AmericanAirlines Arena, his 15th start of the season and first since a Jan. 6 home loss to the Boston Celtics. Alston had started in all 25 of his appearances prior to Thursday. "It happens. It's the NBA and nothing surprises you. Just when you think you've seen it all, something else comes your way in this league and that's just the way it's gone," said Alston, who similarly had fallen to third string with the New ..."

Miami Heat shakes up lineup, starts Arroyo over Alston

Comment

March 5

Miami Herald

"Displeased with the Heat's slow starts, coach Erik Spoelstra shook up the lineup for Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Rafer Alston is out as the starting point guard. Carlos Arroyo is in. That is the case at least for now. Alston, the starter since he was signed Jan. 7, was informed hours before the game he would come off the bench behind Arroyo. ``It's the NBA. Nothing surprises you,'' Alston said. ``It's how you handle it that defines you. We'll see how it goes.'' Spoelstra shifted gears in earnest during Tuesday's 110-106 win against Golden State. Alston started but played only seven minutes. He missed his first two shots and had two turnovers before he was replaced by ..."

Alston grateful Nets let him go

Comment

February 18

New York Post

"It was a familiar scene for Rafer Alston. The point guard jogged onto the Izod Center floor last night for the 17th time this season and received a half-hearted welcome from the half-empty crowd. He watched the Nets lose their league-leading 49th game, falling 87-84 to the Heat, but at the end of the night, he had the rare thrill of leaving the building on the winning side. A member of the Heat since being signed on Jan. 7, after clearing waivers, Alston suffered with the Nets as they opened the season with an NBA-record 18 straight losses. Less than a year removed from playing in the NBA Finals for the Orlando Magic, Alston remained with the Nets as their record hit 3-30. The indignity ..."

Alston doesn't recognize old team, appreciates new team

Comment

January 16

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Much-traveled point guard Rafer Alston has played for five different teams in 10 seasons, including two separate stints with Toronto and Heat, so he's used to homecomings. But even Alston, who enjoyed his best statistical seasons with the Rockets from 2005 to 2009, did not recognize the up-tempo Rockets he faced in Friday's game at Toyota Center, a team without injury-prone stars Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady. Yao has been out all season with a foot injury and McGrady has been on an indefinite leave of absence since Dec. 29 after complaining about playing time to coach Rick Adelman, when he averaged 7.7 minutes in six games. McGrady played just 35 games last season before undergoing ..."

Riley says signing `is about winning'

Comment

January 10

Miami Herald

"Inconsistent play and struggles to close out games in the fourth quarter were among the factors that led to Miami acquiring veteran guard Rafer Alston, Heat president Pat Riley said Saturday. Riley said he remains confident in second-year point guard Mario Chalmers and appreciates Carlos Arroyo's stop-gap stint as a starter. But there was a need to bolster the position for a playoff run. ``This is about winning,'' Riley said after watching the Heat's practice Saturday on the UCLA campus. ``This move is about winning right now. [Alston] became available, and it would be foolish not to try to sign him.'' The decision paid off quickly. Alston signed with the Heat on Thursday, was in the ..."

Rafer Alston starts over Arroyo in first game back with Heat

Comment

January 9

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"The midseason adjustment is familiar. Rafer Alston did the same thing last year, going from the Houston Rockets to the Orlando Magic. "It's different and similar," Alston said Friday. "The difference is I was traded last year; I didn't lose any money. "It's similar in that you come in to a team that's primed for the playoffs and you come in and try to help them achieve, one, some regular-season success, and then some postseason success." Last season, it meant stepping in as a starter for sidelined Jameer Nelson and leading Orlando all the way to the NBA Finals. This season, after giving back part of his salary in exchange for a buyout from the New Jersey Nets earlier this week, it's moving ..."

Alston starts at point after one workout with Heat

Comment

January 9

Miami Herald

"Rafer Alston probably could thank Dwyane Wade for leaving the worst team in the league this season and rejoining the Heat. It's not because the two were friends and teammates in Miami during the 2003-04 season, when Wade was a rookie. Instead, it was Wade's game-winning shot as time expired in the Heat's 81-80 victory over the New Jersey Nets on Nov. 14 that might have contributed to Alston's eventual departure. Had Wade missed that attempt, the Nets would have ended their season-opening losing streak at nine games. Instead, they lost another eight, coach Lawrence Frank was fired and team set an NBA record with a 0-18 start behind a lineup ravaged by injuries. ``We think we had that game ..."

Rafer Alston out, Chris Quinn in

Comment

January 6

Bergen Record

"The Nets bought out veteran point guard Rafer Alston, who is expected to sign with the Heat when he clears waivers. In a separate move, the Nets acquired point guard Chris Quinn, a 2012 second-round pick and cash from Miami for a conditional 2010 second-round pick, protected through 50. Since the Nets will finish with one of the worst records, their second-round pick will be in the 30s so they will retain their pick. They will have to give Miami a trade exception for Quinn's contract, though. These moves save the Nets roughly $1 million — Alston will receive $4.2 million of the $5.25 million his salary calls for this season — and get them an additional draft pick. They will receive about ..."

Heat to bring back point guard Rafer Alston

Comment

January 6

Miami Herald

"Point guard Rafer Alston, a spark plug on the Heat's 2003-04 playoff team, plans to sign with Miami after agreeing to a buyout with New Jersey on Tuesday, a source close to the situation said. To avoid going further above the NBA's luxury-tax threshold, the Heat traded guard Chris Quinn to New Jersey. Point guard Carlos Arroyo's roster spot also appears at risk; his $1.1 million salary would become guaranteed for the rest of the season if he is not released by Wednesday. Alston can sign with the Heat on Thursday, assuming he passes through waivers without another team picking up the final year of a contract that is paying him $5.3 million this season. He will sign with the Heat for a ..."

Skip to my Lou? Wooo-hooo!

Comment

January 6

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Why Rafer Alston? Why not? Has he been horrendous with his shooting this season? Without a doubt. Has he done much of note with New Jersey? Uh, have you seen the Nets' record? But put aside those questions and simply address this one: Is he a better option, does he present more possibilities than Carlos Arroyo, Mario Chalmers or Chris Quinn? And, keeping with this theme of non-stop questions: Did you notice where the Magic wound up last season when he filled in for injured Jameer Nelson? No, this is not the same Skip to My Lou who so energized the Heat in 2003-04, when he played as a backup point guard to a certain rookie by the name of Dwyane Wade. And he still can take the wrong shot at ..."

Alston planning on Heat return; Chris Quinn dealt to Nets

Comment

January 6

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Rafer Alston, one of the players at the heart of the Miami Heat's playoff revival in 2003-04, said Tuesday he is planning on a South Florida encore. Alston, who had been moved out of the New Jersey Nets' rotation, completed a buyout Tuesday with the Nets, and plans to sign Thursday with the Heat. "I'm coming," he said Tuesday night. "I can't explain in words how excited I am. I'm really excited." In order to clear room for Alston in its backcourt rotation, the Heat on Tuesday traded seldom-used point guard Chris Quinn, as well as its second-round pick in the 2012 NBA Draft and cash to the Nets. In a bookkeeping matter, because something must be sent to the Heat in return in the Quinn ..."

Alston gets bought out

Comment

January 6

New York Post

"The Nets bought out and waived Rafer Alston yesterday and then quickly moved to add a third point guard by acquiring Chris Quinn plus a 2012 second-rounder from Miami, essentially giving up only a $1.2 million trade exception. Alston, in the final year of his contract, agreed to a buyout of roughly $2.1 million of the $3.1 million he has left on the $5.25 million he makes in this, the final year of his contract. Alston is expected to return to Miami once he clears waivers. He "very recently" made it clear he wanted to play elsewhere, interim coach/GM Kiki Vandeweghe said."

Practicing tough for ailing Nets

Comment

December 13

New York Post

"Kiki Vandeweghe had it all planned. He would run what he called a "Pat Riley or Van Gundy practice." Then he looked around. Players were limping, players were taped, players looked tired. "We had this great practice plan. We were going hard for like three hours," Vandeweghe, the interim coach, said as the team prepped for practice in Indianapolis before coming here. "We were going to hit each other and then, we've got nobody here." Devin Harris, who sprained his left pinky in Friday's 107-91 loss to the Pacers, was stamped "fragile" for practice, though he says he will be ready for the Hawks tonight. "It'll be all right. We'll tape it up," said Harris, who was limited to 26:21 and was ..."

After loss to Pacers, Rafer Alston, Devin Harris admit Nets are a 'divided team'

Comment

December 12

New York Daily News

"After jamming his left pinkie midway through the third quarter Friday night, Devin Harris left the game for an X-ray. That test did not reveal a fracture in Harris' finger, but the Nets' All-Star point guard said there is a definite split within the team. Following Friday night's 107-91 loss to the Pacers, Harris said the Nets are "a little divided as a team right now," a reference to comments teammate Rafer Alston made following Wednesday's home loss to the lowly Warriors. "It's a little rough right now. It's no secret," Harris said. After Wednesday's loss, Alston criticized unnamed teammates who were not pulling for each other. "That's more hurtful than anything, to not cheer your ..."

Alston puts team pride on display

Comment

November 28

New York Post

"It was time, Rafer Alston figured. Time to start piecing together the first unit. Time to strengthen the bench. Time to stop the losing. So Alston figured it made no sense to wait any longer for Devin Harris' return to the starting unit. Alston proposed the idea to coach Lawrence Frank, who accepted and had Harris starting again after three games off the bench following a 10-game absence from a groin strain. "I just took it upon myself to go to Coach and say, 'Get him back in the starting lineup,' " Alston said before the Nets lost to the Kings 109-96 last night. "Let's see if he can regain his rhythm, his confidence, that way as opposed to coming off the bench. For this team, we need him ..."

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

Comment

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

Comment

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

Comment

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

Comment

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

Comment

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

Comment

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

Comment

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

Comment

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

Comment

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'

Comment

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

Comment

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

Comment

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

Comment

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

Comment

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

Comment

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

Comment

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

Comment

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

Comment

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

Comment

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

Comment

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

Comment

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

Comment

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

Comment

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

Comment

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

Comment

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."