Ra-diculous
by erivera7 on May 27, 2009 8:00 PM EDT
in Analysis
23 comments
Given that the Orlando Magic are up 3-1 in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, there hasn't been a lot of talk surrounding a player noticeably absent from the matchup between the two East powers - Jameer Nelson.
His 'replacement', Rafer Alston, has done an admirable job of filling in for the All-Star point guard throughout the regular season and the postseason. Everyone knows that Nelson and Alston are two different players with two different skill sets. To put the comparison in simplistic terms, one is a facilitator (Alston) and one is a scorer (Nelson).
However, in last night's game, Alston channeled his inner-Nelson for all to see ...
Look at the shot chart and remove Alston's name. Reminds you of Nelson, right? I want to make it clear that I'm not comparing the two individuals in value.
Just to put in perspective how bonkers Alston was last night, I wanted to compare his production in the postseason versus his production in Game 4 against Cleveland.
| Playoffs | PPG (13.3) | FG (4.9) | FGA (12.3) | TS% (50.2%) | eFG% (47.7%) |
| Game 4 vs. Cavs | 26 points | 10 FG | 17 FGA | TS% (76.5%) | eFG% (76.5%) |
There's only word I can think of when taking a look at the numbers - ridiculous.
Alston will surely regress to the mean in tomorrow's game (and beyond) for the Magic, but for one magical night (pun intended), he performed like he was back in the streets of New York and also, played like a certain All-Star point guard for Orlando.
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The way I see it . . .
Rafer’s ridiculous game was about as likely as Lebron’s miracle shot so I’m not so bothered by “the shot” so anymore. Either way, we’d still be up 3-1 at this point. Soooo . . .it’s all good!
No Way!!!
Got a lot of love for Rafer right now, but seriously, Jameer can make a lay-up…sorry Rafer, but I damn sure have a lot more gray hair because of you and your missed layups!
Heck, I get a gray hair every time he shoots it
Like what somebody commented in another thread, with Rafer in the process of shooting the ball, it’s like, “No, no, no . . . Yes!” or “No, no, no . . . dammit Rafer!”
Even though the Hippopotamus lacks a stinger for a tail, a truly wise man would rather be sat on by a bee. ~ Banacek
Hah.
Sad, but true.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
Well, Jameer was #1 on the team in lay-up percentages.
As for Rafer, well .. he wasn’t.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
Im not trying to be this guy buttttt
it should be 10 makes, 17 shots, not 10 shots, 17 makes. Also, alston’s game was probably 2 standard deviations above the norm. career 25% 3 shooter etc….. id guess this has about a 3% chance of happening on any given night.
Ah, thanks for the catch.
You’re right, the chance of Rafer repeating his performance last night in the playoffs again would be low. That’s why I explicitly stated that Alston will regress to the mean in Game 5 (and beyond, of course).
.. he just had one of those nights. Simple as that.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
I just hope...
That the new Magic game plan isn’t to have Rashard take three quarters off and let Rafer shoot 17 shots…On the subject of Rafer, I sure wish he would get us some assists, drive and dish, alley oop to Dwight kind of plays. He won’t make the shot consistently, but I am pretty sure he is still labeled a point guard, where did the passing touch go?
Cleveland is forcing Rafer to beat them by shooting, not passing.
Alston doesn’t appear to have that type of chemistry with Howard to go for alley oops, etc.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
Strangely enough...
His performance last night made me miss Jameer more, not less. It just reminded me how great our team is when he is in and attacking. But then again, this is just part of how resilient and tough our team is. Everyone is clutch and steps up when needed. Kudos to Rafer for stepping up when no one else on the team could get it going!
Well said, for the most part.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
At one point last night
I seriously turned to my friend and was like, “Dude. I think Jameer & Rafer pulled a Freaky Friday and switched bodies.” That stat line is AMAZING. And I for one would like to say “Thanks Skip!”
But I’m a sucker for Players Stepping the Heck Up storylines for sure. Love the playoffs because you never know who it will be, but to get this far, SOMEONE has to.
Shut up, Mo.
by Stan in a Van (Down by the River) on May 27, 2009 10:36 PM EDT reply actions
Yeah, it was crazy how Rafer played last night. Definitely the type of production seen with Jameer.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
Good post.
Clearly, the similarities to Jameer are purely by the box score and not by style of play (most of Jameer’s jumpers are unassisted and off the dribble), but it was refreshing to have a point guard who can make a jumper, that’s for sure.
http://www.orlandomagicdaily.com
Thanks, Zach.
Yeah, it was refreshing to have a point who could burn a team from the perimeter. Odes of Nelson
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
Rafer and Johnson... on passing
Is it just me, or is Johnson ignoring Lee AND Gortat when they are playing?
It seems to me that Johnson goes left EVERY SINGLE TIME, completely ignoring a flailing, ungarded Lee on the right side. Same with Gortat, who only finds offensive plays from Redick, Lee and Turk. It’s annoying and frustrating, to say the least!
Even Rafer prefers Lewis, Turk or Howard over 90% of the time.
I wonder who they'll leave open again tonight?
They have to double on Dwight or he’ll just destroy Z/Flopsy down low. I doubt they leave Rafe open after the last game.
I think they may sag off of Courtney this time. Which will be a massive mistake but I see Brown pulling that kind of thing since he’s got nothing else to go to.
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oh I hope they do
and Lee makes them pay
I'm a girl.
by TheGiantSquid on May 28, 2009 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Mike Brown will opt to leave Rafer open, again.
It’s the best strategy because you have to play the percentages.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
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