Alston May Quit the league?

[SkipToMy_Lou]

Toronto Raptors coach Sam Mitchell benched Loren Woods and Rafer Alston after each was charged with technical fouls against the Boston Celtics on Friday night, and Alston said he might not want to come back at all.
"We were playing well, moving the ball, and we had semi-control of the game. Then two of our players' immaturity showed up," Mitchell said after the 91-89 loss at Boston. "I didn't even want to look at them. It was inexcusable how they conducted themselves."

Toronto led by nine points at the start of the third, but Boston had cut it to six when Woods was called for two quick fouls in the final two minutes of the quarter. Alston objected by throwing the ball downcourt, resulting in the first technical.

Woods chimed in and got a technical of his own. Paul Pierce made just one of the technical foul shots, but Boston continued to close the gap and took the lead early in the fourth, with Alston and Woods out of the game.

"We could have used them both, but I wasn't going to let either one of them back in the game," Mitchell said. "These guys cannot conduct themselves like that in front of 19,000 people and get rewarded by playing. You cannot do your coaches and teammates like that."

Woods was repentant, saying, "I let the emotions get the best of me. I lost it, and I lost the game for us."

But Alston said he wanted to take some time to think about his career.

"It's tough right now for me," he said. "I'm going to talk to Sam and (general manager Rob Babcock). I think it's time. I'm tired of getting into it with my teammates and my coaches. I don't know if I'm a good fit for this team and I don't know if I'm a good fit for this league.

"I'm going to take some time off. I might not even play the rest of the season."

Mitchell said neither would start Saturday's game against Cleveland, "without a doubt."

"I don't know when they will be back in," the coach said. "We are supposed to be professionals. Nobody has the right to do that in a close game. They embarrassed themselves and the Toronto Raptors."

Link: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketba ... done_x.htm

[J@3]

"I'm going to take some time off. I might not even play the rest of the season."

Now I feel sorry for Matthew, who traded Dwyane Wade to me in the NLSC Fantasy League because he wanted to open up a roster spot for Rafer Alston who was playing so well.

[NNpF]

Wow....

I think Rafer is overreacting, he deserves what he got, you can't just leave the league everytime you are punished, Sam Mitchell is setting a good example and he's being a good coach.

[#12]

He doesnt know hes lucky to be in the NBA....and he throws it away

[Riot]

I wasn't expecting to hear this.

Him and VC should be traded together. Both could use a new change in scenery (even though Alston just got there).

[Alcoholic]

I think he'll stay... remember what Gary Payton said? He stayed.

[Donatello]

wow..........that's seriously immature. i knew he was a goofy bastard, but that's just nuts.


nnpf- nice new sig

[NNpF]

wow..........that's seriously immature. i knew he was a goofy bastard, but that's just nuts.


nnpf- nice new sig

Thanks

I have an avatar to go with it but it doesn't seem to work.

[Micchy_boy]

trade alston to Lakers.....

[Jeffx]

Wow....

I think Rafer is overreacting, he deserves what he got, you can't just leave the league everytime you are punished, Sam Mitchell is setting a good example and he's being a good coach.

Thank you! Someone needs to slap Rafer back to reality. It's a PRIVILEGE to be in the NBA(or any pro sports league). You're part of a select few.

[paradizecityz]

trade alston to Lakers.....

naw, Houston should get him

[Steve04]

Did Alston take some Ron Artest Pills?

Go cry like a baby because you can't get your way.

[Riot]

pills?

Maybe he just has the same disability as him.

[fgrep15]

Frustration talk, he's not going anywhere people, calm down...

[Jowe]

played 33 minutes today .
Was just an overreation, as if he would give up all those millions of dollars.