I was just reading Clutch's recap on the pre-season game where Cato had 12 blocks against Cleveland. I can remember coming to this site the day of the game and thinking "wow" a guy who can get 12 blocks...this guy will be HUGE for us. I then remember thinking "was it a one off?" and convincing myself that he had been hidden on Portlands bench and that's why he'd not been able to show something like that before. I knew he wouldn't get 12 a game odviously...but I did think we had the "new Mutumbo"...a guy who would get us 3 to 4 a game and scare the hell out of opposing players wanting to come into the paint. Retrospectively, it hasn't worked out...we all know that. One VITAL thing when looking back on 'that' game (and let's face it, that game got him his contract) is that nearly all of those blocks were on Shawn Kemp. (I think it was 7or 8 of them) Kemp arrived for that pre season WAY out of shape...and had no elevation at all. He also had a bad attitude problem. Unlike other players who'd had a couple rejected, Kemp kept putting up any old crap...and thus Cato's DRAMATICALLY inflated blocking statistic. I read an article once when Cleveland traded Kemp where their people said he was one of the most blocked guys in the league due to his lack of condition and attitude... I still keep thinking of that game and that line...12 blocks...and think one day he's going to bust out. Realistically however, that game seems more attritubable to Kemp not trying....as opposed to Cato's prowess. ------------------
Speaking of Cato, where has he been the last 2 games? Am I missing somethin? Is he injured? ------------------ PrEsident of The Danforth Langhford FAN CLUB... He IS our future All-Star Small Forward
I got to the game early and watched Cato and Langhi playing one on one against each other. Langhi couldn't get past him except for 2 times in about 15 attempts. Cato's lateral movement seemed ok. He came out with an ice pack or some type of huge bandage around his knee, but quickly took that off before playing the one-on-one game with Langhi. Those 2 seemed pretty tight out there... Cato was about as expressionless as I've ever seen a human. ------------------ "I was arrested for sexual assault involving an elderly man and I was out in 35 minutes." -- Achebe - programmer by day, geriatric ass grabber by night. As(s?) a side note, he did state he was cleared of charges.
I have to be fair to Cato...I recall he also had a great defesive series for Portland on Malone in the playoffs two seasons back. That makes about 4 good games in three years Seriuosly though...he is so frustrating as he has so much potential to be a great big man defender, which is EXACTLY what we need in this team. ------------------
I saw Cato play several games in College, specifically in the NCAA Tournament.....in almost every game I saw he literally dominated the paint....frustrating the opposing team's offense altogether and pulling down key rebounds. I remember one specific game against Shareef Abdur-Rahim.....Shareef was completely shut down and didn't even score in double figures - mostly attributable to Cato's D. I just wish he could get back to that motivation level. ------------------
I never knew most of his blocks were on Kemp in that game ScreamingRocketJet. That Shawn Kemp!!! Beats our team up when he's in-shape in Seattle and even does it in an even crazier way out of shape! Thanks Shawn for turning into a 400 lb out-of-shape wrecking crew. Thanks Alot!
That might be being a BIT hard on Cato - he still is a good shot-blocker, it's just that he needs to learn some discresion about which shots to try and block. I remember watching him in his 1st or 2nd season in a game against the Jazz, he got matched up with Malone and just kept on blocking him. I THINK he played about 20 minutes and he blocked big Karl Malone 7 times. Karl just kept trying different things; fadeaway *blocked* layup *blocked* jumper *blocked* - and Cato didn't get even get 2 blocks in a single possession, it was mostly when Malone posted him up. Anyway, ever since that game I've had some respect for Cato as a shot-blocker, but more importanatly aws a man who showed Malone no respect! ------------------
