October 15, 2009

Skip Set to Sub in Any Role

There's an adjustment involved here, in the transition from NBA Finals starter to substitute on a team often projected to finish toward the bottom of the Eastern Conference, and Rafer Alston acknowledges that.

But he frames the adjustment as one of routine, not of attitude. Alston knows the pecking order exists for legitimate reason: He and Keyon Dooling can't argue that they were All-Stars last year, a claim that can be made by the man ahead of them on the depth chart, Devin Harris.

"It’s not like he’s just a starting point guard on a team," Alston said. "He had an All-Star year, and unless they don’t pick him again, he’s an All-Star point guard. It’s going to be tough, as far as being on the floor an extended period of time. But whatever minutes we’re given, we’ve got to go out there and try to make it work. That’s the only thing you can do."

For all his streetball notoriety, the 10th-year point guard remains confident in his ability to pick up an offense as fast as anyone in the league. That talent was on full display a season ago, when Alston seamlessly replaced injured All-Star Jameer Nelson in Orlando after joining the Magic midseason in a three-way trade with Houston and Memphis. Averaging 12.0 points, 5.1 assists and 1.8 steals in 29 regular-season games, Alston helmed the Magic's upset run through the East.

Now working in Lawrence Frank's "Wildcat" offense, Alston describes the point guard's role as one of setting the tone and the pace, and requiring the player to run on both ends of the floor. It's demanding, and the injuries to Harris (tweaked ankles, strained groin) and Dooling have resulted in Alston seeing the most practice minutes at point.

At 33 years old, Alston remains a commanding, vocal on-court presence, and has no qualms about directing the Nets' younger players. He finds himself enjoying this early stab at coaching, encouraged by the receptive audience and a coach who reaps the results of Alston's once-winding career path.

"Rafer you feel very, very good about," Frank said. "Not only does he know how to run a team, but Rafer also has leadership ability. The guys respect Rafer, he’s out here every rep in practice, he’s a full-time player, he’s obviously been around several high-level teams."

That experience has molded Alston into the rounded veteran able to handle the substitute shift, and you won't hear him espouse anything else. He sees value in the new role, his basketball mind churning out an opportunity to thrive.

"You always need a guy to come in and spell the starter, but also have the second unit going," Alston said. "I think every team needs that, and I think on this team that’s me. Not necessarily a guy to come in and put up a lot of points, but a guy to control the game and keep the offense flowing and really give the starters some time to rest. Rest is going to be needed for those guys to make a push for the playoffs, and if you make the playoffs you want them to be relatively fresh."

Hayes Sidelined with Stress Reaction
Jarvis Hayes will be out at least a week with a stress reaction in his right shin, which could lead to a stress fracture if it were untreated. He'll be re-evaluated then, perhaps returning in time for the Knicks game on Oct. 21.

Eduardo Najera left practice with a sore back, Tony Battie completed half of practice before exiting with shoulder and knee discomfort. Yi Jianlian (right shoulder strain) completed the entire practice, and should play tomorrow in New York.

Bobby Going Big
With the forward rotations still undetermined, one player shuffling to a different role this season is Bobby Simmons, who opened last year as the starting small forward. Frank indicated Simmons is likely to find his best opportunity at power forward.

"If he deserves to play wing above other guys, then he will," Frank said. "But then look at the 4 candidates: Do you settle in on one guy? Is it a platoon system in terms of a starter and a backup, or is it a situational thing? If another team has a real big 4, another team may play small, or maybe you feel like you don’t have an advantage either way, and we want to make them adjust to us. That’s not the easiest situation for a player or coach. Ideally, you’d say 'Hey, look, you’re the backup. These are the minutes you’re going to get by and large.' But I don’t think we’re there."