While the off-season saw a myriad of blockbuster trades and free-agent acquisitions, the Toronto Raptors were able to quietly go about their business and nab point guard Rafer Alston from the Miami Heat, signing the former playground legend and Fresno State product to a six-year, $29 million contract.  

 Alston?s signing was met initially with much cynicism from Raptors fans, who felt the organization reached somewhat by handing the relatively unproven 28-year-old journeyman- who averaged a modest 10.2 points and 4.5 assists per game last season as a reserve for the Heat- such a lucrative long-term deal.  Yet another blunder by an organization known to commit a gaffe or two (or three), especially when the man they call ?Skip to my Lou? in street-ball circles was Toronto?s only significant off-season addition.

 But while Shaq is soaking the rays down in South Beach and Kobe is adjusting to life as ?the man? and T-Mac is adjusting to life as Yao?s sidekick, Alston might just quietly be one of the off-season?s best transactions, as evidenced by his performance in the Raptors? 95-88 victory over the Houston Rockets Wednesday night in Toronto.

 In 36 minutes of action, Alston scored 15 points and added a game-high 8 assists and 7 rebounds, but more importantly seems to be a perfect floor general for the type of up-tempo offense first-year head coach Sam Mitchell is looking to implement.  

 With talented scorers Vince Carter, Jalen Rose- last year?s starting point guard who will now move over to shooting guard, his best-suited position- and Donyell Marshall, along with budding young star Chris Bosh, Alston?s role will be to get out on the run and look to set up his teammates- something he did to perfection in Wednesday?s opener.

 ?I really looked to get my teammates involved first and foremost,?  said Alston.  ?We wanted to get out and run on these guys and I thought we were able to do that by playing great defense and getting our transition game going.?

 ?I have a lot of respect for Rafer,? Mitchell added.  Everything he has, he deserves.   We didn?t give Rafer a contract, he earned it.  We weren?t the only team who wanted him.  We feel fortunate to have been able to sign him.?

 Alston, who is now on his second go-around with the Raptors after a brief stint during the ?02-?03 season, has played for seven teams in the span of seven seasons, including stops in Idaho and Mobile, Alabama, in the CBA and NBDL respectively.  He hopes to have finally found a permanent home north of the border with Toronto.

 ?This is where I want to be.  This is where I want to play the rest of my career.?

 If his performance Wednesday night is any indication, Alston will most surely get his wish.  

 In any event, it most certainly appears as if Raptors rookie GM Rob Babcock has found himself a diamond in the rough?  

 Wednesday?s game also marked Carter?s first regular-season appearance since going public with his desire to be traded in the off-season.  

 Carter didn?t look like someone who was unhappy on this evening, often seen smiling and enjoying himself.  After the game, Carter saluted the fans in victory despite receiving a smattering of boos during player introductions.

 ?What?s done is done,? Carter said, who finished with 16 points and 6 assists on 7-of-13 shooting in 37 minutes.  ?I love playing basketball, I love being here.  I don?t dislike the fans, or dislike Canada or Toronto.  I just want to win and create a little excitement around here.?