Anonymous GM: Rafer could be gone by years end

Rafer just got suspended [2 games] recently because he got in an argument with Sam Mitchell, and left the practice facility. He's also been said to argue with teammates who say he shoots too much, and that when another PG scores on him he wants to go back down the floor, and go one on one with them. It was said to have been happening for a while, and they've also had other incidents, Sam went as far as saying it was bound to happen.

He's the same guy who was kicked off his junior-college team after he, according to a 1997 report in the Los Angeles Times, dropped a weight on the groin of a sleeping teammate with whom he had argued.

He's the same guy who faced misdemeanour battery charges twice in the late 1990s, once for beating up a neighbour who complained Alston's music was too loud, another time for striking a former girlfriend outside the weight room at Fresno State University.

He's the same guy who spent a month in county jail after he refused to complete the anger-management course that was a condition of his parole in one of those cases; who spent the 1998-99 season on the NBA's suspended list because of his prolific entanglements with the justice system.

Alston's act far from a surprise

Rafer getting too emotional

Rafer's madness mounts

Now about the possible movement situation:

From Chad Ford's weekly "Good, Bad and the Upside":

We've made the bad list, largely becuase of Rafer's suspension and the subsequent turmoil. One NBA GM said that if someone is willing to swallow his contract, there's a very good chance Rafer won't end his season in Toronto. He also said that while Rafer's got the talent, he's not sure Babcock knew what he was in for (alluding to Rafer's attitude). The GM concluded by saying that if we package him with Donyell, then there's a good chance someone will bite.

It's from Chad Ford, so I don't know how much truth is in it, but from what has been happening with the Raptors, I definately don't doubt it. Maybe it's Pat Riley

Meh, Toronto is nothing special anyway. I'm sure that there are plenty of teams that could use him. The Lakers ! Skip is just probably mad because look who he has playing with him. Chris Bosh is the only bright spot. VC got shipped out and there are talks about moving Rose and/or Marshall. He's probably just pissed.

He should have hung around with Wade, Shaq, and that nice 2005 NBA Finals ring.

He better be grateful for that money Toronto's paying him

If Skip is gone i am gonna move from Toronto and live in Ottawa...

Correct me if I'm wrong, but since he was signed with the MLE, he can't be traded until the offseason.

Anyway, he will not be traded. He is a good point guard who happens to play a different style than his coach did. If Sam wants Rafer to mold his game into the way Sam used to play, he's gotta give him some more time with a consistent lineup. Rafer has never really been a true point guard, (he would probably be better off playing the 2 guard) but he has done a pretty good job so far this year.

If Rafer is dealt by the end of the season I will be one pissed off Raptors fan. He is a damn good pg. And his contract isnt even bad. He does infact though need to take less shots n not get so pissed while on the floor as he plays shittier like that.

Anyway, he will not be traded. He is a good point guard who happens to play a different style than his coach did. If Sam wants Rafer to mold his game into the way Sam used to play, he's gotta give him some more time with a consistent lineup. Rafer has never really been a true point guard, (he would probably be better off playing the 2 guard) but he has done a pretty good job so far this year.

Sam Mitchell wasn't a PG when he played, he was a SF

He still got the AND1 Mixtape mentality, that's why he's doing this. NBA players should not act like that. Just on the streets you can see something like that.

I'm actually glad. Skip is my favorite player and he deserves more than the Raptors.

i like rafer.. he's got a temper somewhat, but who doesn't? at least you know this guy has passion unlike some people we know *cough*

anyways if they move rafer they're pretty fucked. guys good on offense and makes some good decisions. the thought of milt palacio being the starting point guard just makes me want to throw up, i'd rather have matt bonner playing the 1

For players and coaches to have a healthy working relationship, I believe they must have mutual respect and meet each other half way on certain issues. As much as Alston needs to respect Mitchell's position and authority as coach, Mitchell has to understand Alston's individualism. Clashes are bound to occur when a player's approach to the game is influenced by a background in the streetball/And1 Mixtape scene, but it's obvious Skip has talents than can be put to good use in the professional game.

He's the same guy who was kicked off his junior-college team after he, according to a 1997 report in the Los Angeles Times, dropped a weight on the groin of a sleeping teammate with whom he had argued.

Rafer should goto the clippers, maybe a trade for wilcox will help both teams?

He's the same guy who was kicked off his junior-college team after he, according to a 1997 report in the Los Angeles Times, dropped a weight on the groin of a sleeping teammate with whom he had argued.

Holy Shit! That's awesome! He's my hero!

Rafer left the game today.... but the FRaptors coach said hes ok...

Why he left? Was he mad or something??

he got benched with 3 minutes left in first quarter and left by halftime i assume

Alston is just a showoff, All those And1 years poisoned his mind and made him think hes accually a good basketball player becuase he can make dribbling look cool. Bah!

oi man.. me and my friend have come to one conclusion... street ballers cant play basketball! lol

IMO, he's talented. He worked hard in his jumpshot, but, he can't play in the NBA with a mind like that. He may drop a weight in the coach's groin

Why he left? Was he mad or something??

Him and Sam got in a fight at half time, Rafer was escorted to the bus and was crying, he didn't return in the second half.

TORONTO (AP) -- Rafer Alston wants an apology and he's not sure he wants to stay with the Toronto Raptors.

The point guard and coach Sam Mitchell argued after Alston was benched in the first quarter of Tuesday's loss against Cleveland. Alston didn't come out of the dressing room for the second half and was seen crying as he was escorted to the team bus by security during the fourth quarter.

Alston had just returned to the Raptors on Thursday, following a two-game suspension the team gave him after he stormed out of practice last week.

``When I walked out of practice the other day I was man enough to apologize, man enough to say I made a mistake. Somebody better be man enough to say they made a mistake,'' Alston said before Wednesday night's game versus Milwaukee.

Link

Man, Alston is such a baby, the guy whines about everything...

Meh, Sam could make his life even more miserable if he wished, but that's not him. Hopefully it will get resolved.

LOL Crying?...crying??? OMG, I can't believe it. Raptors' coach is mean

The Toronto Raptors franchise is now officially a hostile work environment.