Rafer Alston wanted to play for the Celtics

[Drucci]

Interesting article from Jessica Camerato :

Earlier this season there was speculation that the Celtics could make a move to acquire Rafer Alston after he was bought out by the Nets. The theory was that he could be a veteran back up to Rajon Rondo, the same role the Celtics had filled with Sam Cassell and Stephon Marbury the previous two seasons.

Turns out, it was actually the other way around. Rather than the Celtics going after Alston, Alston told his camp after the buyout that he would like to play in Boston. He is “pretty sure” the Celtics knew of his interest, but never had a conversation with the organization.

“I think it was my interest,” he told WEEI.com. “But I don’t think Doc (Rivers) would have opposed it knowing that you can grab a guy that can give you minutes at backup point for this team, and who’s a willing passer and just a natural point guard. Then understand, I played for (assistant coach Tom) Thibodeau before in Houston. So I’d always had them on my mind before I came here.”

The 33-year-old didn’t lose any time holding out for the C’s, though. The Heat scooped him up almost immediately after he cleared waivers in early January. Alston could not turn down the opportunity to start for a playoff contender, nor could he stress enough how happy he is on his new team — “I got blown away by coming here with the immediate option to play instead of waiting it out.”

There is an element of surprise in Alston’s interest in the Celtics, though. He has been involved in some heated moments at the TD Garden. Last season he slapped Eddie House in the head during the Eastern Conference Semifinals as a member of the Magic. Just Wednesday night, he was issued a technical foul in the Celtics - Heat game.

But Alston says that has nothing to do with ill will. It’s about the competition.

“I enjoy watching them on League Pass,” he admitted. “Playing against them, I know it’s going to be a competitive game. We always chat at each other, but deep down I always care about each of the players in this league. So even if I did come, I hope they wouldn’t have taken the chatter back and forth that we all do against each other personally. Again, I have a great respect for the level of competition that they bring.”

Alston also has a good understanding of the Celtics. He has faced them enough times over his career to see where he could have fit in. While he believes Rondo is more than qualified to run the floor himself – “He’s an All-Star,” he said. “He’s having a wonderful career.” – Alston thinks having a true point guard on the bench could have had its benefits, too.

“Not back up but just compliment, maybe get him (Rondo) some much needed rest,” he explained. “Sometimes there are nights that he’s out there giving 40 minutes, and get him some rest. And also, you’d help the second unit guys. You can keep some guys in their natural positions. You can keep (Eddie) House in his natural position; you can keep (Marquis) Daniels in his natural position, guys that are flirting between playing shooting guard.

“That’s one thing that I learned in this game. If you can keep everyone at their natural and most comfortable position, them succeeding is a better percentage.”

It's quite surprising that the interest was from Alston for the Celtics and not the other way around. Strange that Danny didn't even call him after he got bought out, especially since Lester Hudson got waived at the same time, if my me memory serves me right?

I would have loved to have Alston as a backup PG for Rondo.

[thebirdman]

I would definitely take Alston as a back up PG for the vet minimum...

[JIMTONIK]

He could be a perfect backup for PG position.
Unfortunately Danny have not the same idea.
In my opinion Hinrich is not better than him, expecially as a backup.
"Skip to my lou" is aggressive, can defend, and most importan, he can shoot.

[GranTur]

Those are some cool things Alston said. Thanks for the link!

[Fafnir]

I'm not surprised Danny stayed away from him, I don't think he'd be the best locker room guy when he's a backup.

[Drucci]

I'm not surprised Danny stayed away from him, I don't think he'd be the best locker room guy when he's a backup.

When you take a risk with Marbury, I think it's safe to say you can sign Rafer Alston.

It looks like Rafer was really eager to play for us and had no problems with the playoffs series of last year and his slap to Eddie, so he probably wouldn't have caused any chemistry problems.

[PerksMissingSmile]

Let's not forget....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llSCSyvPtEs

[Fafnir]

I'm not surprised Danny stayed away from him, I don't think he'd be the best locker room guy when he's a backup.

When you take a risk with Marbury, I think it's safe to say you can sign Rafer Alston.

It looks like Rafer was really eager to play for us and had no problems with the playoffs series of last year and his slap to Eddie, so he probably wouldn't have caused any chemistry problems.

He caused problems in Orlando and in Houston, why wouldn't he cause them here?

Besides the Marbury signing didn't work did it? I recall several quotes saying that he was a distraction in the locker room a couple of times and Doc had to say something to him.

[Drucci]

I'm not surprised Danny stayed away from him, I don't think he'd be the best locker room guy when he's a backup.

When you take a risk with Marbury, I think it's safe to say you can sign Rafer Alston.

It looks like Rafer was really eager to play for us and had no problems with the playoffs series of last year and his slap to Eddie, so he probably wouldn't have caused any chemistry problems.

He caused problems in Orlando and in Houston, why wouldn't he cause them here?

Besides the Marbury signing didn't work did it? I recall several quotes saying that he was a distraction in the locker room a couple of times and Doc had to say something to him.

What problems did Alston cause in Houston? I'm not aware of it but if I recall the Rockets decided to take a gamble and make Brooks their starting point guard by shipping Alston out of town. The gamble worked pretty well!

As for Orlando, I remember Alston creating controversy during the Finals but Van Gundy did a terrible management of his point guards by playing Nelson when he was getting back from injury and totally out of rythm with his team, and to the detriment of Alston. It basically cost the Magic the Finals, so I can't blame Alston for criticizing his coach about it.

Also, you have to consider that Alston was totally aware of what his role and minutes would be had he signed with the Celtics, and he seemed (according to the article) genuinely OK and excited about it, so I don't see why he would have caused problems, knowing his limited role from the start, and having the will to fulfill it.

As for Marbury I didn't read anywhere that he caused problems at times, do you have some article about it? It's interesting.

Plus, the biggest difference between Alston and Marbury is that Alston is not as crazy as Marbury, and he has played in the NBA for the past few years, rarely hurt, and always contributing, so it wouldn't be as much of a gamble as bringing a guy who didn't play basketball for one year.

[Roy Hobbs]

What problems did Alston cause in Houston? I'm not aware of it but if I recall the Rockets decided to take a gamble and make Brooks their starting point guard by shipping Alston out of town. The gamble worked pretty well!

I can't remember off the top of my head if there were locker room problems, but he got arrested for the throat slashing incident, and I believe for a DUI, as well.  I can understand if a team was wary of him.

That being said, Alston is a better backup PG than anybody we have on our roster.

[Fafnir]

I just thought of another issue, what if Danny already has a handshake deal to sign and activate Lue if they have an open roster spot?

[Cman]

I'm not surprised Danny stayed away from him, I don't think he'd be the best locker room guy when he's a backup.

When you take a risk with Marbury, I think it's safe to say you can sign Rafer Alston.

Yeah, but isn't there that saying "Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me..."  In other words, if we think Danny made a mistake once, don't we want him to NOT make the same mistake twice?

That said, I think Alston would have been a great pickup.  But lets not completely slam Danny on this -- we have one side of the story, and nothing more.

[ThaPreacher]

Let's not forget....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llSCSyvPtEs

The only problem I have with "Skip to My Lou" is that he does not realize the rules of B$!ch Slapping.   You are only allowed to slap an opponent after you hit a three pointer.  It is strictly prohibited to do so, when your opponent scores on you!  And you cannot Swartz a Fliglianno, but you may Zoom one!

[Birdbrain]

Interesting article from Jessica Camerato :

Earlier this season there was speculation that the Celtics could make a move to acquire Rafer Alston after he was bought out by the Nets. The theory was that he could be a veteran back up to Rajon Rondo, the same role the Celtics had filled with Sam Cassell and Stephon Marbury the previous two seasons.

Turns out, it was actually the other way around. Rather than the Celtics going after Alston, Alston told his camp after the buyout that he would like to play in Boston. He is “pretty sure” the Celtics knew of his interest, but never had a conversation with the organization.

“I think it was my interest,” he told WEEI.com. “But I don’t think Doc (Rivers) would have opposed it knowing that you can grab a guy that can give you minutes at backup point for this team, and who’s a willing passer and just a natural point guard. Then understand, I played for (assistant coach Tom) Thibodeau before in Houston. So I’d always had them on my mind before I came here.”

The 33-year-old didn’t lose any time holding out for the C’s, though. The Heat scooped him up almost immediately after he cleared waivers in early January. Alston could not turn down the opportunity to start for a playoff contender, nor could he stress enough how happy he is on his new team — “I got blown away by coming here with the immediate option to play instead of waiting it out.”

There is an element of surprise in Alston’s interest in the Celtics, though. He has been involved in some heated moments at the TD Garden. Last season he slapped Eddie House in the head during the Eastern Conference Semifinals as a member of the Magic. Just Wednesday night, he was issued a technical foul in the Celtics - Heat game.

But Alston says that has nothing to do with ill will. It’s about the competition.

“I enjoy watching them on League Pass,” he admitted. “Playing against them, I know it’s going to be a competitive game. We always chat at each other, but deep down I always care about each of the players in this league. So even if I did come, I hope they wouldn’t have taken the chatter back and forth that we all do against each other personally. Again, I have a great respect for the level of competition that they bring.”

Alston also has a good understanding of the Celtics. He has faced them enough times over his career to see where he could have fit in. While he believes Rondo is more than qualified to run the floor himself – “He’s an All-Star,” he said. “He’s having a wonderful career.” – Alston thinks having a true point guard on the bench could have had its benefits, too.

“Not back up but just compliment, maybe get him (Rondo) some much needed rest,” he explained. “Sometimes there are nights that he’s out there giving 40 minutes, and get him some rest. And also, you’d help the second unit guys. You can keep some guys in their natural positions. You can keep (Eddie) House in his natural position; you can keep (Marquis) Daniels in his natural position, guys that are flirting between playing shooting guard.

“That’s one thing that I learned in this game. If you can keep everyone at their natural and most comfortable position, them succeeding is a better percentage.”

It's quite surprising that the interest was from Alston for the Celtics and not the other way around. Strange that Danny didn't even call him after he got bought out, especially since Lester Hudson got waived at the same time, if my me memory serves me right?

I would have loved to have Alston as a backup PG for Rondo.

I don't think it's strange at all.  I don't like my PGs thinking they are better than they are and taking shots from other players and being a cancer.  Marbury was probably proof enough that you can't polish a turd.

[Birdbrain]

He could be a perfect backup for PG position.
Unfortunately Danny have not the same idea.
In my opinion Hinrich is not better than him, expecially as a backup.
"Skip to my lou" is aggressive, can defend, and most importan, he can shoot.

Kirk is 10X the player, actually.