What do you guys think about the issue of having Cato start? Do you think JVG might be willing to change the starting lineup for Game 3 if nothing else as an experiment to try and change the outcome of what seem to predictable games now. I mean Game 1 and Game 2 were virtually the same game with the only difference being Kobe going off on us. Now don't get me wrong Cato has been our savior in more ways then one this season, as sickening as that is to say, but we need another scorer in the starting lineup against the Lakers. Im tired of holding them to such horrid shooting, yet trailing them by 3, 5, or 2 the whole way simply because we are just not putting any points on the board. I really think if MoT starts or hell even Padgett starts we can jump to an early decent lead and then bring Cato in for his D and more importantly for his fouls. I mean what good is stellar defense with no offense????What do you guys think??? JB
I wouldn't mind if Cato did come off the bench. I also think that starting MoTay would be a good idea. The Rockets need to keep Malone honest on the defensive end. Cato should be used against Shaq when Yao needs to rest or gets into foul trouble. Rockets should also have Padgett spell MoTay when he needs a rest or is a foul trouble. GO ROCKETS!!!!
The plan to have Cato take Shaq and protect Yao didn't work. Use both of them at the pivot, and do your best with Padgett, Taylor and Spoon. We need both 5s to play strong minutes to wear Shaq down. He shouldn't get a rest. Padgett, Taylor and Spoon have to do what they can to stay in front of Malone, use their shooting to balance the scoring, and use their fouls. We've got bodies to throw in there.
I think it's a question of matchups. Cato was fine starting Game 2, but once Shaq picked up his 4th foul, JVG should have gone to Taylor, in order to force Shaq to either play defense against Taylor or Yao, or sit.
Ya, but I'm talking the first quarter here..or even half of the second. Shaq did get his 4th foul but that was late...and PJ didnt even have to take him out of the game. All I want is to see us come out and jump all over them to start the game and by jump all over them I mean throw a 15 point lead on them early...their defense is geared to stop or slow SF and Yao...but not MoT, Padgett, etc. Spoon to me is like a second rate Cato...he gets the boards but he unlike Cato (usually) thinks he is a scoring threat. Spoon shoots too much....granted if he made the shots I wouldn't be saying this..but he doesn't. Bottom line we play the next 2 games with this lineup this rotation...we lose