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4th October, 2005 - 12:54 pm

TSN.ca - The Toronto Raptors have traded troubled point guard Rafer Alston to the Houston Rockets for point guard Mike James.

Alston, who signed a six-year deal with the Raptors before last season, was involved in several controversies last season. He threatened to quit the team and the NBA after a Dec. 3 game in Boston and was suspended by the Raptors for two games for conduct detrimental to the club after he walked out during a practice.

Alston averaged 14.2 points and 6.4 assists in 34 minutes per game last year.

The defensive-minded James has just two years remaining on his contract. Though not as electric on the court as Alston, James has some scoring punch and was a big part of the Rockets playoff push last year.

James averaged 12.4 points and 2.9 assists in 25.6 minutes per game with the Rockets last year after being acquired from Milwaukee Bucks . He also shot a solid 39.3% from three-point range. [READ]

Houston is going to be very very good.

I agree Allenfan20. Mike James was great for the Rockets. Played good D and could score when needed. Toronto got the better end of the deal there.

Posted by crzymdups:

I think the rockets have enough D up front with Yao, Stro and Tmac to cover up for Alston's short comings. But defense is all effort and if Van Gundy can get through to Alston - he's clearly far more talented than James.

exactly. there are a ton of mike james like players around the league. he's nothing special

Van Gundy will make him play d.

I don't like it for Houston.

Skip has like 5 years left on his deal.

James only has 2....last time I checked.

James brings savvy D. Skip doesn't.

If they were gonna make a move for a real starting PG, they should've saved up for someone else...

[Edited by - bobs3304 on 10-04-2005 3:31 PM]

It's not even the defense. Yes, Rafer has more talent, but James just plays better and more consistent and unselfishly. And he works his arse off on D. If you ask me, I'll take that over the talented head case who never lives up to his capabilities b/c of his ego any day.

I think skip will pass the rock to tmac and yao or atleast help Swift make it on espn twice or thrice a week
because he knows this cast is the real deal. I think houston made the trade becaue skip can really dribble and penetrate.
They already have enough scorers but other than tmac last year they didn't have anyone that could penetrate.

Now you have Skip at 1 Anderson at the 2 and Tmac who are all good ball handlers.

James' contract has an opt out clause at the end of the year and he's clearly looking for more money so Toronto is a good place for him to show case his skills.

I think it's a good trade for both teams. Skip just turned 29 and his salary is justified by. the way he played last year for toronto after carter was traded. James is a year older but he doesn't nearly have the sme speed as skip has onthe fast break.

Cd is making all the right moves.