The Heat have suspended Rafer Alston indefinitely, the team said in a release on Saturday. The reason given for the suspension was that after being replaced in the starting lineup by Carlos Arroyo for Thursday's win over the Lakers, Alston has been unavailable to the team except via text message. And he didn't even show up for the Heat's game on Saturday against the Hawks."We will have no further comment until we are able to communicate with Rafer," the release concluded.
This whole thing is a bit bizarre, because initially, Alston seemed to be fine with the coach's decision.
"It happens. It's the NBA and nothing surprises you. Just when you think you've seen it all, something else comes your way in this league and that's just the way it's gone," said Alston, who similarly had fallen to third string with the New Jersey Nets earlier this season, before arranging a buyout from the NBA's cellar-dwellers.
"At times, it's how you handle it that defines you. I've been able to overcome plenty of obstacles. I don't really see this one as one. I think this one is just us searching for a better rhythm, especially going down the stretch here."
Things obviously have changed since then in Alston's eyes, and according to an ESPN report, he is now considering retirement.
Playing the point guard spot for the Heat is no easy task, mainly because Dwyane Wade dominates the basketball on so many of the team's possessions. And honestly, it hasn't mattered who Miami has started at the position: as Ira Winderman noted, the team is basically .500 whether Alston, Arroyo, or Mario Chalmers has gotten the start at the position.
It's also worth noting that it's been quite a week for Arroyo. While he regained his starting spot and helped his team to a nationally televised, overtime win over the Lakers on Thursday, he was arrested during a traffic stop by the Miami police just six days earlier.
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