Thanks, but it tears my heart to think of Hakeem in a Raptor uniform. However, post this as a separate topic for the rest of the board in case they don't see it here.
quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally posted by Houstone Check out what Raptors say about Olajuwan.. http://canoe.ca/Slam010930/nba_tor-cp.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks, but it tears my heart to think of Hakeem in a Raptor uniform. However, post this as a separate topic for the rest of the board in case they don't see it here. Plus it's spelled Olajuwon!!!!
The Rocks picked up Marc to replace Mo. That is the position he is brought in to shore up, with the added bonus of being able to spell the 5 as well. Defensively, it's a zone now so the 4/5 is not as defined as the past, and Cato is free to roam and block more. Cato will start at 5 and Jackson at 4. Kenny Thomas was a back up with significant minutes at the 4 prior to Mo going down and I don't think there is any reason to change that. He adds a different kind of spark and forces the defense to adjust to a different type player off the bench than Jackson. On the other hand, Griffin doesn't create too much of a difference off the bench than Jackson, except for shot blocking. Of course, as Griffin develops, especially offensively, I think he will get more minutes at the 3 so Kenny can continue to get his. Rice will need to be rested often early on as he works his injury back to normal which should open things up a bit for Griffin. I think an upside on Marc is that Griffin has someone immediately to challenge him in practice. Without Mo and Marc, Griffin would not have been challenged by Kenny. He would have had to develop in the games against Western Conference power forwards, which could have hurt his confidence.
I like the idea of Jackson/Cato starting. Cato can hold the 4 and Jackson the 5. That would make us a good defensive team. Cato is probably more apt at holding the 4 spot. Since most of the scorers are at the 4 spot and the only scorer at the 5 in the west is shaq,dave, and vlade, this could play to Jackson's strength.
The starting four is Kenny's to lose. The starting five is Cato's to lose. Cato, imo, will have to be injured to lose the starting five spot. Besides, I'm sure Marc Jackson (aka "Mobley's friend") has gotten the speech about roles and starting/not starting.
