To quote another poster from the beginning of the summer: "If Kelvin Cato is still on the team next year, something went terribly wrong." Well, the summer isn't over and there are still possibilities. (Cato, Williams -- with a contract that ends next year, and Thomas should have trade value.) Andrew DeClercq (Orlando Magic): Orlando signed Ewing and Grant, have Outlaw, and drafted Haywood and Hunter. They have more than enough front-line players. DeClerq is a solid rebounder and has a consistent perimeter game. He won't be able to stop O'Neil on his own, but the new zone defense was intended to provide weak-side help to players like DeClerq. Michael Doleac (Cleveland Cavaliers): Cleveland has Ilgauskas and Mihm and drafted DeSagana Diop. Ilgauskas is oft-injured, Mihm is better suited at PF, and Diop is un-proven. It might take both Cato and Thomas to get Doleac. Doleac and DeClerq are mirror images of one another. Brad Miller (Chicago Bulls): Chicago has Jake Voskuhl and drafted Eddy Curry. Interesting sub-plots: re-uniting Cato with Floyd and an intimidating front-line of Cato and Oakley. Chris Mihm (Cleveland Cavaliers): Okay, he is better suited at PF, but he is 7-1. Mihm has great foot-work and movement. Reminds me of an early version of Kevin McHale. University (Burnt Orange) Blue ------------------
UB, Wouldn't mind any of those choices except Doleac...dude has cement shoes. Would love Mihm, but that is longshot. DeClerq is an interesting alternative, but I think Miller is our best option and highest probability of happening. ------------------
I'm with you about Mihm, Shark44. He would be a great pickup for the Rocks. Oh well! ------------------
Well any of you guys notice something about that post? All the guys that University Blue had mentioned above, are bunch of slow, not-so athletic white player that lack the intensity level big players must have in the paint. [This message has been edited by huby_n1 (edited July 21, 2001).]
huby -- I disagree 100% about Brad Miller. The other players are more outside, finesse players, but Brad Miller is a workhorse down low. I don't think enough people have seen this guy play -- he is solid. He gives LOTS of effort, and works hard on the glass. He reminds me of Frank Brickowski, when he was in the finals against Rodman -- he worked his A$$ off, and averaged like 13 rpg. That kind of intensity every night. Miller is limited offensively, but he bangs down low, and is a great offensive rebounder. If we end up with Brad Miller at C next year (assuming Dream is not with us), we will have the center position shored up for a while. Chris Mihm is a solid player, but I haven't seen enough of his play to make a judgement on him. I've liked Doleac since he graduated from Utah -- he's got a good stroke, and he battles for rebounds. ------------------ I'm looking for a job, so hire me "And I just have to smile and say 'well, I hope so' while I'm really thinking inside how I'd like to just strangle them and take their job."
No one will pick up Cato's contract unless he shows some signs of life. Has anyone heard what Floyd thinks of Cato? He was his coach and may already know how lazy he is. How about Olden Polynice? He should come really cheap. Mark Blount in Boston is putting up good numbers in the summer leagues. He's a young talent and the Celtics won't part with him easily. I would love for Mihm to play for Houston, but rumors are stating the Cavs want to move him to PF where he'll battle it out with Tractor Traylor. ------------------
These center suggestions are bringing tears (not of joy) to my eyes. Cleveland really likes Mihm and the others mentioned are just ridiculous, they are solid NBA players but come on! I would honestly consider Rony Seikley before any of these others. I would actually prefer Cato because he would be a gauranteed 1.5 blocks with legit minutes and could be vital in a zone defense. Whoa did I just use Cato and vital in the same sentence? I take that back. Miller would be fair enough for a while but he just doesnt excite me. Lets hope we dont get so desperate for a center that we start looking at these guys. ------------------ "banging Shaq is a whole different expirience"-Pete Babcock Behold the power of quotation
Polynice is experienced and can bring some energy but who knows what he is thinking.A guy who goes around impersonating cops is not a stable person to have on our team. ------------------
Good memory. Montross (Toronto Raptors) would provide an inside presence. Wouldn't mind a motivated Montross instead of an un-inspired Cato. Interesting Note: Montross distributes courtside tickets to various children's hospitals. University (Everybody do the Montross Mash.) Blue ------------------
Interesting. If you were Cleveland, which of these front-lines would you prefer: Cato, Diop, Traylor Diop, Doleac, Traylor Doleac, Mihm, Traylor Cato, Mihm, Traylor Cato, Doleac, Traylor Doleac-Mihm-Traylor would give them twin ivory towers, but Cato-Doleac-Traylor would be a solid front-line (on offense and defense). University (Return of the Native Son) Blue ------------------
What about rookie Tyson Chandler if he doesn't do s great.Tyson has the range and he is a 7 footer.He can move well aleast better than Curry ------------------
Tyson Chandler's not supposed to do great this season. Remember he's only a high schooler, so his development will probably take more than 4 years. He's too thin to play center anyways. When all of the Bulls young players finally do develop, they'll look like this upfront C: Curry PF: Fizer SF: Chandler The Bulls probably wouldn't part with Chandler for anything less than a star, as they somehow see him to be more valuable than Elton Brand
How about trading for Othella Harrington! I understand he is more of a 4/5 than a true 5, but you know he will give you 110%. In addition, Rudy seemed to like him, and he became quite a fan favorite while playing here in Houston. He is a decent position defender, a solid rebounder, and has a nice low post game from the right side of the floor since he is a lefty (thus Griffin could still play the right block). The Knicks didn't give Othella alot of playing time last year. The Knicks already have Camby, Thomas, Johnson and Witherspoon. Mabey we could make a deal with the Knicks for Othella Harrington. That is my vote! ------------------
I think the Rockets should focus on bringing in the worst player available. Someone worse than Osterbastard would be nice. The Rockets need to pick up someone with absolutely NO talent. In fact, they need someone with "negative talent". I've seen a few tall guys around town lately, maybe I can send them to Houston. Or, the Rockets could just offer more than that pitiful 4 million to Hakeem, and the center position would be set for two years. ------------------ Protrolls.com! Keep the ???? alive! The ZRBucks!
Bring MARC JACKSON, FOR 6'10" WEIGH ALMOST 300LBS, GOOD DEFENDER AND GOOD PERIMETER JUMPER FOR ONLY......4.5MIL! HOW CAN YOU GO WRONG! ------------------ Rudy T. will find and fulfill Rockets destiny.
On paper the Rockets will be set, but during the season we'll only have a solid center in for 40-50 games if we're lucky. $4 million is low but if that is all they can afford in order to sign the other FAs that will contribute to the Rockets beyond this year and even next year, so be it. ------------------
Many of you have mentioned Mihm. Could the Rockets work out a sign and trade for Dream based on what Clevland wants. Weatherspoon is gone and Harpring isn't the greatist SF. Would it be possible for Houston to get Croshere or Bender from Indiana, or maybe S. Anderson and Dream to Toronto for Peterson and Clark, keep Clark deal Peterson to Clevland for Mihm. Is this a possibility? Do any of you think Toronto would part with Peterson or Indy part with Bender?
Normally I just like to read the posts, but I have got to reply here. Mihm is an early verion of Mchale? Come on, the only things they have in common are that they are white and that their last names begin with the same letter. That's about it. We can't lose Hakeem... PERIOD! ------------------ Dreams, are what teams are made of.
Does anyone else notice what is happening to centers' salaries? They are going THROUGH THE ROOF!!! While I agree that Cato is overpaid and under-motivated, his salary is not very ridiculous at this stage. Todd McCollough and Nazr Mohammed, two centers whose numbers are less than spectacular, have just received big deals approaching Cato's gaudy salary figures. My points are these: 1) If Cato stays on the team next year, don't think that he is so big a drain on the salary cap. Unfortunately, he is making just slightly above the going rate for marginal centers. 2) If the Rockets are truly attempting to trade Cato, there may be more options out there than originally meet the eye. Teams might start realizing that it will take them almost as much money to get a true center like Cato. ------------------
