Heypartner, I was watching the SA game the other night & was watching Cato in particular. I was wanting to see how he did on defense. While he did give Duncan a hard time, it seemed to me that he was out of position or just didn't react quick enough to block out on several occasions. Since I'm no expert on positioning or defensive schemes or much of anything else, I was wondering (since you have your vcr back) if you could do an analysis on the defensive abilities of Cato for this game & maybe a couple of previous games, so that we can see if he's really showing improvement or just had one really good game. I've been for trading Cato for some time now, but if he can continue to contribute on the defensive end like he did against SA, then maybe he's a keeper. While you're at it (if you feel real motivated), how about doing something like that with all the players in the rotation. Something like what their strengths & weaknesses are & if you see any improvement from the first of the year. You've said you're a scout wannabe, so show me whatcha got. This could be interesting. Thanks in advance. ------------------
heypartner - really interesting analysis. Since I'm new here, though, I'm wondering if you're a scout or something. Also - I noticed that they went to the "evolved 24-high" in the Spurs game repeatedly, and it worked rather well. It was great to watch! KT's jumper is so much more solid when he's a few steps *in front* of the 3-point line. I hated KT when he was jacking up 3s (like a certain other fat-tracking retired PF, hehe), but he's definitely become a good fit with the Rockets offense now. Lots of energy. ------------------
Does Shandon defer because he knows the main offensive options on the team are Mo, Stevie, and Cuttino? At times, Shandon seems like the answer to a flowing Rockets offense that moves well and finds the slashers, but then there are times like the second quarter in the Spurs game where he just seems to take "be aggressive" too seriously and makes dumb turnovers. If Shandon were a 15-minute player on this team, there's no way he'd stay. He'll leave next year if it comes to that. The guy and his agent think (I have no idea if they're right in the long term) that he can be a star in the league. ------------------
this is not DEFERENCE, this is AVERSION. DEFERENCE would be, "ok steve, you're open and i'm open. but since you're a better shooter than i am, i'll give you the shot." i'd be ok with that. AVERSION is when the ball is swung to him, no one else has an obvious advantage on the court, but instead of taking the open 3, he drives into the teeth of the defense. i've never seen a man - before shandon - pump fake his man from the 3 point line, even though his defender is five feet off of him. take the damn shot shandon. our offense would be so much better off if you did. btw, i AM cognizant of the fact that we don't have any better options at this point. i am speaking under the assumption that we can upgrade his position in the offseason - be it through trade or draft. he has to get >15 min now. but if we can upgrade to a guy who will take and hit the open shot, plus play a little "d", shandon'd be catching splinters for 33 minutes per game. [This message has been edited by verse (edited March 19, 2001).]
Has Cato played in any other games to compare to?. I don't know, but the idea of breaking down Cato's defense is ... how shall I say ... I'd rather be changing the litter box. j/k...yeah I'll be watching for sure. I definitely want to post 24-high soon to give us an illustration as reference, since more people are asking to see this play that is quickly becoming our bread n butter.
Good point. The only good thing about doing it is that it won't take long, because he only plays a few minutes a game. Anyway, it's not that important. I was just curious. ------------------
