Skip needs to be more of a coach while on this team. He has been to the Finals as a starter at PG. DH should be Rafers shadow. Brook should be talking to Rafer too. Rafer has won games with the 2 best centers in the NBA. Rafer needs to focused too….

Thats a shot at the coaching. Its been this way for 5 yrs now. All arrows point to frank and the coaching staff.

yes, he should be on the floor in crunch time with Dharris.

Alston’s own performance needs to greatly improve first. Lead by example? I think the younger players would respect him for it. We’ll see tomorrow if Alston’s leadership abilities come to fore in Devin’s absence. Here’s hoping HE plays better.

Hes right. This team has lacked focus for years now. They are always outworked and out hustled, even in this pre season. Making average players look good because they out work Nets players. The Nets need a player who will constantly be on these young guys to get them to focus and play hard EVERY play. it starts with the coach though.

what the team really needs is a power forward..

GREAT APPROACH BY ALSTON,that is a sign of leadership

If that’s a sign of leadership… what does that make his horrid shooting % and bad pass ratio?? Bad luck?

Rafer is right ofcourse, he is the veteran and nets to talk to the team. This team was under the leadership of VC who said “give me the ball and if we are down we give up” Rafer isnt use to losing he has made the playoffs every year for the past 5 years! Harris needs to step up and be a leader something he has never done so I assume has a lot of pressure on his back.

@rubenp… spot ON! Even if he isn’t nailing all of his shots or turning the ball over too much or WHATEVER, I appreciate that he is acting like a leader and actually focusing on seemingly insignificant and unfamiliar details like LEARNING HOW TO WIN!

It’s about time that SOMEBODY showed some sense of urgency. I like it.

Please….Everybody stop judging pre-season stats. Thank you.

Who is judging preseason stats? Surely you cant mean me?

He only shot in the .400% range 3 out of his 11 years as a pro, and one of them was in the .200’s!!!

If Dooling were healthy, we would already have turned Alston into someone or something we really need, like a real power forward. This guy still has a couple of high level years left, and there are teams, or WILL BE TEAMS where he SHOULD be the starting PG. Rondo or Parker go down, those GMs are on the phone to KIKI. I am surprised that Riley thinks so highly of Chalmers and that free agent they just signed in Miami, to pass on a deal for Alston. Who’s the backup PG in Orlando? How about Alston to Orlando, even up for Anderson? It seems unfair to Alston to keep him on a non-playoff team, as second to third string in a contract year. But life is unfair and Devin is already injured. SO maybe it is good that he is still here? He certainly has a nice game.

“superb Says:
October 15th, 2009 at 7:25 pm

Thats a shot at the coaching. Its been this way for 5 yrs now. All arrows point to frank and the coaching staff."

This is 100% correct. Although Alston’s play has been poor so far.

rafer is a very talented player that give leadership to the Nets young squad..Hopefully they work as a unit in order to improve and make the playoffs..gudluck nets…

Rafer has been given extended PT so far and he looks horrible right now. The guy’s shooting a putrid .261 from the field.

I’d trade him, Najera and Battie for a can of soda.

Since when was Rafer a Superstar, expecting him to play better is waste of time. Lead by example! What are you guys expecting from him. Jason Kidd stats. Come on.

As for his statements, he is right on. This team lacks a voice. Harris is good but he doesnt really seem to have that leadership character. Even though Alston is here to stay, someone has to step up.

This team is a work in progress. We have to get used to this transition process. No one player on this team can make us or break us at this point in time. As long as the team plays hard
and the young players learn we should not be concerned with wins and loses. Picking up bit players thru trades just to change the furniture around is pointless. On the other hand if a deal comes up that makes sense short and long term, go for it. In other words don’t trade Simmons, Hayes, Alston, Dooling etc. just to trade them. Wait for the right deal. Thorn is usually good at this. Every rose has its Thorn…

“SIC Says:
October 16th, 2009 at 10:42 am

Since when was Rafer a Superstar, expecting him to play better is waste of time. "

Some people tried to spin things on here by saying that because he was “one half of the starting backcourt for the eastern conference champions” he actually has some value.

Very telling when a new veteran questions the teams motivation after 4 preseason games. He senses the poison. He will win the coach over by trying to be the cure but it’s a lost cause. I wonder if he will be the same after Dooling comes back.

Andres:
“I’d trade him, Najera and Battie for a can of soda.”

No doubt. but you know Najera is likely staying. My crystal ball says he retires a Net and becomes an Asst Coach. I have no evidence for this. It’s just my “gut” LOL

I hope that out of the expiring junk pile of Alston, Battie, Simmons, Hassel (of whom maybe Alston has some value) the Nets can somehow get a young rotation worthy PF along with the 2nd rounder and other expring junk they are likely to retreive with those players, to push Yi and S. Willliam at the 4. Until Yi gets something going on a consistent basis, he is a major weak link (I am rooting for him so chill) and S. Williams, same thing, but he can’t even earn a good enough chance apparently. Boone is a 10 minute player to grab boards – I like him, but he is nothing special. But at least he might improve.

@ Dolla Bills – Yeah but he isnt a Star. He wasnt the top 5 offensive options on that team. I consider him a vet. Now he is showing some leadership. Now all of a sudden the guy has to hit every shot and be Jason Kidd. Lets step back. Clearly the guy is seeing something he doesnt like. He has played for several teams and should I say for several coaches.

Of course, He has some value. He is a vet that played on a Finals team. Whether he was the main guy or the last on the totem pole he still has value. Dont forget he also is an expiring contract.

The amount of overreacting from a few preseason games is stunning. Its’ as if most people who post here are judging players completely on the one or two games they have seen so far. This player needs to retire. his player is garbage. This player is making the all star team. CHILL OUT.

Unless Rafer’s skills have dropped of a cliff from last year, he will be fine.