And it begins... Alston wants out.

[jerseyjac]

Alston Reportedly Wants Out

Camp doesn’t start for another four days, but Rafer Alston is already unhappy with his role. ESPN 1050’s Jon Rothstein quotes a source who says that Alston “can’t play in a contract year in New Jersey behind Devin Harris and Keyon Dooling.” The veteran point guard would rather be in New York or Miami, the source says.

http://www.netsdaily.com


at those who thought Alston would be fine with the limited role..

not me...

[vincecarter4pres]

I don'thave the link, but he is now saying the story didn't come from him and that he contacted Kiki about it as soon as the story broke, and that it didn't come from him.
Thing is he isn't denying that he wants out.
I saw this coming, but I think we have to give him a little more credit as a professional. I think he knows Thorn will get him out if he wants as long as he plays hard and behaves. I imagine this was a private conversation that either someone overheard or was said off the record, but the reporter doesn't understand boundaries and ssnaked him and published it.
I doubt he is a problem, but I fully expect him gone within 3 weeks of Dooling's return.

I'll find the link and post it.

[vincecarter4pres]

http://www.nj.com/nets/index.ssf/2009/0 ... day_1.html

Rafer Alston knows all about the online item that claims he allegedly wants out -- which may be entirely accurate, but doesn’t mean it should appear in somebody’s blog blather before the player that is accused of lacking professionalism gets a chance to address it.

So he addressed it: “You didn’t hear a quote come from me,” Skippy said today. “It was a weird story. For somebody to put that out there right before camp, I immediately called in (to Kiki) and told them that the story didn’t come from me.”

He went on for a while about how he’s never demanded a trade anywhere (actually, in Feb. of ’05, he asked Pete Babcock to get him out of Toronto during those weeks he and Sam Mitchell were bashing each other over the head every day), and how he’s “one of the most grateful guys” just to be in the league.

It will be a challenging year for him, everyone knows that. He’ll start out as the backup point for a month, and once Keyon returns from his hip surgery, probably fall into the third-string spot. And somewhere along the way his agent will probably ask the Nets to find him a place where he can play regularly.

But that doesn’t mean you should be prejudge him on this alleged desire to get out. Unless, of course, it turns out he was the source of the original item -- then you can boo him all you want

[deviljets7]

I believe Rafer on this one. Past history has shown that being a good soldier will help him improve his chances of getting bought out and landing with a contender around the trade deadline.

With Rafer's age and past history, Another blowup like he had in Toronto would be pretty damaging to his long-term future in the league.

[Jersey Generals]

Trade him to the Magic for Mr. Anderson. Oh, wait...

[halfHAVOC]

oh my god i want udonis that'd be sick such a professional player, would be a nice fit with lopez

but im sure we all had to expect rafer would get traded because theres no way him and keyon would be able to split minutes, and since keyon is younger and has been in the system longer he would obviously be the one to stay unless a great offer came.

[jerseyjac]

so it wasnt a direct quote...(I'm actually a Alston fan)...but the truth is, its a contract year and he personally cant afford being a 3rd string pg...so he will have to be moved and the Nets will most likely keep him for as long as they need him...it has nothing to with demanding...its the reality of things and if the Nets can get something done, they'll consider helping Alston if it can help us...including a nice buyout!