There have been many discussions regarding who should start. There are two arguments missing from all these discussions: -Mobley is better when matched with Cato. -Dream is better when matched with Francis. If we can accept those two premises, then maybe we can get some new input. I agree with Rudy: who starts is not the issue. It is who should play ta- gethha. So? 1. Do you start Cato with Francis, and bring in Dream with Mobley, ADVs Cato works on his ultimate role sooner, since he is a major key. Dream gets to size up the situation before entering the game, and plays against lesser competition. DISADVs You lose speed off the bench. Two Shakes is probably less powerful. (Consider that the 2nd Q last year was easily our best quarter.) 2. Keep the vets and best shooters on the court with Francis; keep the bench high energy, ADVs This is what succeeded last year, and Dream is not likely to play as well with Mobley as with Francis. Plus Cato is protected from foul trouble for more 2nd half minutes. DISADVs (Aside from the opposite argument already stated...ie, the #1 advantages above...) Dream may get injured, then we are going to have to switch anyhow. [This message has been edited by heypartner (edited September 04, 2000).]
Hakeem should be the starter this season over Cato. First, Hakeem is overall the better player. Yes, he only has one year left, and he is not our future, but still he's a better player than Cato. I prefer Cato off the bench because of that and that I feel it's better to have energy guys off the bench. It succeeded last year, and there's no reason why it can't again. Aside from that, like you mentioned Cato is better suited to come in alongside Mobley, and also Hakeem deserves to play out his final season as a starter. ------------------ Looking for next year's Dan Langhi? Draftsource.net ClutchTown.com 4th Friday of August= Rocket Day 1999-Steve Francis 2000-Maurice Taylor
How well will Dream/Cato interact with MoTay. ------------------ In order to be a success in life, you need 2 things: 1. Don't tell everything you know.
Hakeem starts - that should not even be a question, unless he WANTS to come off the bench. It would be an insult to Hakeem to let Cato start. Also, I agree with what Cat said.
Also, I think it would be a good idea to let Hakeem and Cato play together sometimes, when you really want to frustrate opponents trying to get to the basket.
<a name="heypartner">.</a> Alright...there are THREE arguments missing from the previous discussions.. <a href="http://bbs.clutchcity.net/ubb/Forum5/HTML/000377.html#heypartner">keep spinning</a> Bob* above. But let's assume that it is more important to match Francis and Mobley with the right center than it is Mo. Plus, no one can contribute anything how Rudy will use Mo, because no matter how much you watched Sportscenter...the guy played playground ball for the last 3 years. [This message has been edited by heypartner (edited September 04, 2000).]
Start Dream, and put Taylor in the low post. Hakeem will get open 12-15 foot jump shots if they swing the ball around. Cato should be one of the first subs anyway, so this really isn't much of a problem. ------------------ [This message has been edited by Say_Jack (edited September 04, 2000).]
MoTay is better out on the perimeter. ------------------ In order to be a success in life, you need 2 things: 1. Don't tell everything you know.
I disagree that Hakeem plays better w/ the starting lineup, and specifically w/ Francis. At this stage in his career, I don't think Dream can change his offensive game effectively enough to be the catch-and-shoot type he will need to be w/ Francis. When Francis is on the court, the offensive will go through him and he will need to have a clear lane to drive into. Cato compliments that, while Dream is more comfortable catching the ball in the post and creating his own offense. Cato should start and Dream should come off the bench ala Barkley a couple years ago (when Willis started). ------------------
but dagimp I hope you don't mind me making the counter argument using Search and Replace on your quotes. First quote: Replace Francis with Mobley. Second quote: Replace Dream with Cato So, who can catch and shoot better between Cato and Dream, and who more relies on a clear lane to the basket between Francis and Mobley. Do you want to rethink this? [This message has been edited by heypartner (edited September 04, 2000).]
I understand your point....but I simply don't think Francis = Mobley. I'd rather have the offensive sets perfect for Francis to operate (it doesn't matter whether Cato can shoot as long as he gets the hell out of Francis' way) than favorable for Mobley. I agree Mobley needs room in the lane to drive as well and does have good chemistry w/ Cato driving/dishing for dunks, but I don't want 75% of plays being run through Mobley like I would w/ Francis. With Mobley and Dream playing together, it would simply be easier to divide up possessions on who to run play through. ------------------
I think that Cato should start. Not to take anything away from Dream, but with Taylor a for sure starter we have to have a defensive minded big man to help him out. We have plenty of scorers in the first group, Hakeem would just stunt the growth of the starting group and the starters wouldn't get enough looks inside the three point line. I know Hakeem was a great defensive player, and I noticed last year that it seemed like everytime he got in the game he got atleast one or two blocks. At this stage in his career he wouldn't be as affctive playing starter minutes. Instead of looking at it as us having to have high energy players off the bench look at it as we have scorers off the bench, in Mobley, Dream, Langhi, Thomas, and Bullard. And when yall say that Mobley plays better with Cato I agree but Hakeem won't be getting anywhere near as many minutes as Mobley. They would end up playing together some regardless. ------------------
Great Thread HP, pity about the people who can't read and start arguing that dream should start cause of everthing he has done for Houston and that he deserves to start cause it's his last year. THIS IS GAME/STRATEGY QUESTION THAT HP IS SUGGESTING PLEASE READ BEFORE SPOUTING OFF FROM YOUR HEART..........PLEASE READ AND THINK Now, BAck to your question HP. Cato seemed to have a great groove going with Cuttino, especially with dishes on his drive and rebounding his drives, it was alomost like if they were out there together it didn't matter if Cut tino missed cause Cato would get the put back, so maybe play him at similar times to Cuttino. Conversely, i think alot of it will be determined by the shape Dream is in, especially on the defensive end, if he continues to slow and let the D slide it will be hard to start him and allow opposing centres to establish their inside game early, this will also be a factor if Steve doesn't step up his defense. As for how Mo effects the balance, well when Cato is on he needs to be inside, not necessarly posting but flash cutting inside and Mo will have to be on the perimter, cause Cato extends only as far as the no charge cirle under the basket, whereas dream has nice foul line range and would thus allow Mo to dominate at the low block or from the short corner. Also with the addition of Mo i would like to see alot more 2man game especially between Mo and Steve and Mo and Cuttino. Great Game Relevant thread HP Love your work and everything you post. Smeg ------------------ Discombobulation Imminent
I disagree. I think we will see the half court offense run through Taylor when Mobley is on the bench. Taylor demands a double team in the post, and he will learn to find the spot up shooters- if he wants to resign a big dollar contract with Houston. ------------------
Hope your right Say. We need a consistent inside scorer. ------------------ In order to be a success in life, you need 2 things: 1. Don't tell everything you know.
Maybe you two should get married . Anyway, back to the original question: By saying Hakeem should start, it is implied that he should play with Francis, because Francis will definitely start... Also, Francis/Hakeem and Mobley/Cato seems like the better combination, because Cato can't catch very well and Francis' passes would be wasted. Mobley won't pass that much anyway and Cato can try to get the garbage points when Mobley misses. But sometimes it will be Francis/Mobley/Williams/Cato/Hakeem, for example, or Francis/Mobley/Anderson/Cato/Hakeem, so I don't know if you would even be able to make a clear distinction regarding who plays "ta-gethha"
Maybe we are or maybe you should keep that quiet Det, we don't want HP's offical partner to find out. ------------------ Discombobulation Imminent [This message has been edited by SmeggySmeg (edited September 04, 2000).]
In the big picture, isn't this question really about the first two quarters and little else? If you guys have read Oeilpere's info on Hakeem's health (lack thereof), this has to be taken into account for this year's gameplay. I'm not usually a pessimist, but at best Hakeem plays 15 minutes a game. He has had an entire summer to recover. He hasn't. And, in my opinion, he won't. He will continue to be winded in mild play. He will continue to not run. He will continue to not make it back for half court D, much less transition D. If he can play decently for seven minutes in the first half, and another seven in the second half, I'll be happy. Even without further injuries, I doubt he'll make it that far. It isn't a question of desire. The asthmatic condition is just too strong. The man isn't getting enough oxygen. If he stays healthy enough to consistently play 12-15 mins a game, great, let him start with Steve. He can drain 10-15 footers unconscious. Cato and Mobes come off the bench to spark what has become our usual 2nd quarter surge. In my opinion Cato, Mo, Kenny and Collier are getting the lion's share in the future at 4 and 5. That future is pretty near. Here's another question: Who should be playing 4 and 5 when we go with the three guard lineup in the 4th quarter? [This message has been edited by Nolen (edited September 05, 2000).]
I am amazed how often this comes up when the answer seems pretty clear (IMHO). If Dream is able to go the season - he starts. It is entirely based upon the fact that at his age, it is better for him to go right from warmups to game and not sit and cool. This has the added plus that Cato can view the game and mentally prepare. If we agree that Cat & Cato are a good combination for a stretch then that's 3 solid reasons for Dream to start. Regarding the 3 guard offense - IMO it will be dependent on how much range Mo actually has coupled with a during the game decision as to who is hot from the outside offensively and factoring in the D matchups (there are rare instances when Walt can play the 4 - obviously Malone not being one of them). I mentioned the part about "who's hot offensively" as a reference to outside shooting. If Steve, Cat, and Shandon are gonna slice and dice through the D they need a safety net on the perimeter. ------------------ GATER [This message has been edited by GATER (edited September 04, 2000).] [This message has been edited by GATER (edited September 04, 2000).] [This message has been edited by GATER (edited September 04, 2000).]
HP, Who coold u asks these questyans? Do yu not ride buses? AFtar all that DReem Olajuwan did four Houston, u hav a problim ifn yu arn't loyale. STARt DREM! Staring Centar for tha RockEts: DREEEEEM OLAJUWAN! ------------------
