I think it's pretty much to say Big Kev is gone after this season, and I don't see Collier being anywhere as effective as the rockets hoped. Ya, he hustled his butt off tonight - but he hurts us on defense. He doesn't intimidate anybody or snare rebounds down. He's just sorta there. I see Cato being our starter for a while, I think the Rockets just need to draft the best 5 available. We might get lucky and land a gem that will replace Cato, but as of now Cato has his job hands down. He's actually earned it this year - so take a lesson from Rashard and let the past be forgotten Cato tonight: 24 minutes 8 boards, 2 blocks, 6 points The only problem I see is as someone as mentioned before, drafting for positions instead of best talent. I think thats what landed us Collier? Trying to get a 5 instead of most talented player.. hopefully we'll get a steal though.. any add-ons, thoughts? -LTF
Like you said, we must get a decent backup C to spell Cato. Cato is basically limited to 24 mins or so a game because he's not the best conditioned guy, as well as the fact that he is foul prone. If Cato is expected to play half the game, that means he can play much harder and aggresively, something he has done the last few months. Ideally, Collier would provide us with some scoring punch off the bench, basically be a John Amaechi, from his Orl days. Personally, I don't think it's worth drafting a Center with a 10 or so pick, just to be our backup C for the future. I think we would be able to draft a SF who could start for us next year. I will shutup now before this thread gets moved to the Draft/College board.
Personally I like Jarron Collins. He plays about 10-15 minutes a game, while splitting time with Scott Padgett. Yeah, I know he is a member of the Jazz, so don't flame me yet, but I saw him and his brother play at Stanford, and Jarron works hard, rebounds well, and is a tough defender. I haven't seen many Utah Jazz games (I'd rather watch paint dry, but my cousin is a Jazz fan and is always saying how much he likes him). Just a thought about a guy who will be out there. I believe his contract is up after this year seeing as how he was a second round pick.
Why not get Kandi? He should be available for Walt's money as a FA this year. He has played well this contract year. I'd be pretty happy to let him and Cato fight for the starting spot, and alternate offensive/defensive responsibilities.
I don't think Griff would be effective playing 24+ min/game playing at 5. He has too much versatility to waste at 5. Play Griff at 4 so he can slide to 3 to get open shots or guard a larger 3 on a switch. Then he can also slide to play limited minutes at 5 if he can create a mismatch. I brought up the issue that we should draft the best talent. But if we had two equal talents available playing center vs. anything else, we'd obviously take the center. We need a low post scoring threat...preferably by trade since I hate the idea of drafting by position instead of talent.
Two things that are wrong about your idea. For one thing, the Clips are looking to actuall re-sign Kandi. Another thing is that we are over the cap, whether Walt leaves or stays. The only way we would be able to get Kandi is by sign and trade.
If we get the Toronto pick (ie, they stop sucking and sneak into the the playoffs), I'm fairly sure we'll cover our backup (Cato can now be called a starting center, not sure if that's good or bad) with one of the picks, and a high ceiling SF with the other, or used in trade for that need. For instance, if we've got a feeling T-Mo/Rice is good enough, and we think we can get Lewis or even Nailon without going to sign and trade, we'd draft a guy like Borchardt. If not, we'll use the pick on a SF like Jeffries, Dunleavy, Woods, etc. depending on our options, or trade it for a guy like Odom.
How about offering the middle-class exception to Wang Zhi Zhi and bringing him off the bench behind Cato?
Wang Zhi Zhi has a good outside shot but no inside game.We need a strong low-post scorer and defender.
