Heat point guard Alston suspended indefinitely; retirement possible

PRINT EMAIL FACEBOOK DIGG TWITTER RSS SHARE

By Chris Mannix, SI.com

Rafer Alston has only averaged 5.2 points and 2.2 assists since Jan. 5, while getting approximately 21 minutes per game. Fernando Medina/NBAE Getty Images

The Miami Heat have suspended point guard Rafer Alston indefinitely after Alston failed to show up for the team practice on Friday and missed Miami's game against Atlanta on Saturday. According to the Heat, Alston has been in contact with the team via text messages but has not otherwise been available.

An NBA source told SI.com that Alston is considering retirement.

Alston, 33, was signed on Jan. 7 after being released by New Jersey to reinforce Miami's point guard position for the playoffs. He was immediately inserted into the starting lineup and scored in double figures in three of his first five games. However Alston¹s production has steadily declined with the Heat. He was benched for the final three quarters in Miami's win over Golden State on Tuesday and was replaced in the starting lineup by Carlos Arroyo in Thursday's win over the Lakers.

A second-round pick by Milwaukee in the 1998 NBA draft, Alston has averaged 10.1 points and 4.8 assists while playing for six teams in 11 seasons.