Im trying to figure this out. Why doesnt Rudy allow more Cato/Hakeem linueps. A healthy Hakeem, without his breathing problems is a better center than Cato, any day of the week Even at his age. Cato is a better option at PF than anyone on the Rox squad. He's 6'11 and kinda lanky. Should do well in guarding the Wallace's, Garnetts, and Duncans in the West. A Hakeem, Cato Starting Lineup would (err. should) help solve alot (err. ALOT) of Houstons defensive limitations. You could rotate Cato over to Center when Hakeem needed a breather, or bring in Pig. And sub Kenny T at PF. For the life of me, I cant figure out what is wrong with the possibility of this being the starting lineup Hakeem Cato Walt/Rogers/Langhi Anderson Francis With Mobley playing a little of SG, and some point. And Rogers getting some time at PF or SF. I dont care what anyone says, the Houston paint is infiltrated way too much for Houston not to take a serious look at this option. I dont care that Cato has said that he prefers to come off the Bench. The man has been paid and paid well to do a job. That doesnt involve coming off the bench for proving nothing yet. Its time to at least get some minutes from that horse. Ideas...thoughts...arguments? ------------------ "I have amazing, powers of observation"...Pink
Dreamshake, The only problem that I have is that you are expecting Dream to make a significant contribution this season which I am quite doubtful of. If Dream is out there, he has to realize the dump into the left block is not going to be the first or second option on offense. Mango ------------------ 1. Put new topics in the proper forum 2. Use clear wording for new threads 3. No duplicate threads 4. Conduct yourself as an adult The Serious Police are watching Donate Blood or be assimilated! [This message has been edited by Mango (edited August 06, 2000).]
I'm with you Dreamshake. My only concern is Cato's shooting range. I do think that lineup would bring back memories of the twin towers of Dream & Sampson or even Thorpe & Dream when they had such an intimidating inside presence. If the shooter made a move to avoid one of the towers, the other one would move into the place where the shooter was going & KAPAYAA! Slap it back in their face basketball, now that was fun to watch. ------------------
OT was never a threat as a shotblocker. But I'm all for starting Cato and Hakeem, providing Hakeem is healthy. Would help our defense and help start alot of fastbreaks. ------------------ Fun Police Says: 1. Insulting fellow posters without my permission is not FUN! 2. Spelling, grammar, punctuation and sentence structure are not FUN! 3. Stupid BBS names are not FUN! 4. Annoying Mango can be really FUN! 5. Conduct yourself in a FUN way! The Fun Police are Watching. Eat MANGOES & Have FUN or be Assimilated.
I think we'll see that lineup against the Spurs ------------------ "Never give a sucker an even break. Nor wisen up a chump."
Good post. I used to clamour for this lineup as well. However, apart from what Mango said, I see other serious limitations with this lineup. Hakeem cannot set a pick to save his life. He's simply never been asked to do it his entire career. Even if he could set one, he'd never get the roll down. Cato is a terrible pick-n-roll option as well, because he has no offensive game, so even though he may be able to set a pick, the defender has no reason to honor him afterwards, so the advantage is lost. You basically then have two 7 footers who will be useless to you on offense. I know, I know, Hakeem has the potential to hit the 15-footer, but then you are relying strictly on a guard beating his man off the dribble, which is why I'm not sure this lineup can work for extended periods of time. I think we're looking for big men that can set picks and are good passers at the high post (and ideally, can hit the outside shot as well). These are things Cato can't do, and things Hakeem has never done his entire career.
1. Rudy T. said that they experimented with this lineup in the preseason and did not like the results. Dream and Cato both like to stay near the basket, thus the opposing big men were getting too many open looks. 2. I am against Hakeem playing any major role as a starter this season. I don't want the team to become dependent on his abilities this season, only to lose him the next year. Learn and build chemistry without him. ------------------ "I wanna eat his children."
Ok, now call me an idiot, BUT if Rudy T said that he doesnt like his PF and Center roaming around the Bucket area, but that would of made his 3 years with Barkley and Hakeem a bunch of Hypocracy. And there is no reason that a little motion couldnt be added to keep Cato from posting up in the post. Heck, his game isnt conducive of sitting around in the low blocks anyhow. Have him coming off of the baseline, flashing out 15 feet, which is basically what he did alot of last year anyhow. Im not going to be sold on the "fact" that Cato and Hakeem both like to "sit" in the lane. Cato doesnt have a whisper of a post game, there is no reason to have him sitting there. Hakeem is diverse enough to move away from the bucket. And Ive seen Hakeem set some decent picks. Problem Ive noticed is that hes not asked to do it in game situations ever. (Its more a Rudy problem than an Hakeem problem as I see it) I have been a tad hard on Hakeem. But what Im saying is that if he is healthy, and not experiencing breathing problems, this lineup only makes COMPLETE sense. ------------------ "I have amazing, powers of observation"...Pink
Dreamshake, Don't get down on yourself. TheFreak, thacabbage, Dreamshake and Mango had spirited debates back in the day and it is fun to do it again. --------------------------------------------- How inspired will Dream be in adjusting to a guard-driven offense in his final season? CB4 and Dream roamed the low block in years past because they could still dominate there. The strength of the team was the front court and the guards fed off what the 4 and 5 created. Everything is reversed with Francis, SA and Cat the strength of the team (on offense) and the front court feeds off what is created by the guards. The guards need open space to drive and create for the front court. Mango ------------------ 1. Put new topics in the proper forum 2. Use clear wording for new threads 3. No duplicate threads 4. Conduct yourself as an adult The Serious Police are watching Donate Blood or be assimilated!
If Dream is healty and inspired, it won't matter who is put at the 4, cuz the team will kick ass! ------------------ I am so exasperated that I could expectorate.
