Crash: I'm not sure he does have all this "talent." I think he may have great physical skills w/o that much skill or even potential for skill. I have a Czech friend who's 6'5. He can't play basketball worth a lick, and usually, he's just a really large obstacle on my way to the basket, even though I'm only 5'10. But there have been a couple games where everything have just clicked with him, and he rejected everything I (or anyone else on my team, pretty much) tried to get over him. I think Cato's like that. When he has a good game, he's really going to kill you. But most of the time... there just ain't that much there. ------------------ Why is it that everytime BC defeats a major conference opponent, that opponent promptly goes on a losing streak? PS. Notre Dame sucks [This message has been edited by haven (edited February 26, 2001).]
Dude, if you saw him in the preseason of 99, after the Pippen trade... He was amazing. Consistently amazing, every game of the preseason. Averaged five blocks a game, never blocked fewer than three shots in any game. It was either tie him up right then or risk losing him as a FA that summer. Everybody thought he was the gem of the Pippen trade. Damn! Isn't it amazing how little we got in that trade, and we still rebuilt so fast? We got Wiz, Rogers and Cato. What have they done for us lately? The Rockets are awesome. BTW, I haven't given up on him yet, either. I still think he can be the answer to our needs at center for the future. [This message has been edited by Nolen (edited February 26, 2001).]
You know the biggest disappointment was seeing Keon Clark, a guy who isn't as talented or athletic as Cato, but close to it, BLOW up the first time he got to Toronto in that Willis deal and in their game against us, and the only thing I thought was "I wish that Cato would just play hard and semi-smart, and he could be doing that!" I guess he just doesn't have the heart and work ethic, but you think a near trade would fire him up like it does most players. On a side note, I like Sir Charles, but he must have had a few to many when he said that Bryce Drew would be better in the long-term then Michael Dickerson and Cuttino Mobley. He must have been trying to fire him up or something, had to be! ------------------ Dream a deadly Dream. . .
That's not completely true, he did pretty good in college, including being a big part of Iowa States Sweet 16, and near Elite Eight run back in 1997. ------------------ Dream a deadly Dream. . .
Keon Clark is extremely athletic and agile, moreso than Cato if I may say so. In addition, Clark can hit a 15 footer, and has nice touch around the hoop. He isn't nearly as limited as Cato is offensively. I am not sure what you are seeing out there. Yes, he is much thinner than Cato, but he is every bit as athletic, and probably quicker than Cato too. ------------------ There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness." [This message has been edited by HOOP-T (edited February 26, 2001).]
I like his defensive abilities, He's not a top offensive center but he can be a good defensive center. With Franchise and the Cat running you have to have a big man who can block/change opponents shots. And thats what Cato is best known for. ------------------
Well it's easy to say that now but Keon Clark was not doing ANY of that in Denver, or they wouldn't have traded him. I was looking at Clark in Denver, when he was a huge disappointment. He wasn't alway doing that, he's averaging 7 points and about 5 rebounds, and that is actually an IMPROVEMENT over his time in Denver when he was a major flop. ------------------ Dream a deadly Dream. . . [This message has been edited by RocksMillenium (edited February 26, 2001).]
Here is Clark's 3 season in Denver: 98-99 3.3 points 3.4 rebound 1.1 blocks 99-00 8.6 points 6.2 rebounds 1.4 blocks 00-01 6.5 points 5.3 rebounds 1.3 blocks Good rebounding stats, but the offensive game and well-rounded game he is showing NOW is not what he was showing in his time in Denver. And Cato is capable of putting up number like that or more IF he worked hard at it and worked on his game. Cato has a 15 foot jumper, he won't use it though. We know he can block shots, and rebound to. That exhibition season a few season's back showed he has the capabilities. He just won't work on it. ------------------ Dream a deadly Dream. . . [This message has been edited by RocksMillenium (edited February 26, 2001).]
Cato suspected of murder???? I had no idea! How sad but lucky for him they found out it was not him. I found the article today fascinating C. http://www.clutchcity.net/feature.cfm?FeatureID=106 ------------------ Cynthia in Phoenix? Hakeem not in Houston? Say it aint so!!!
Cato doesn't have the personal motivation to do something like that . Honestly, the guy has never performed IN HIS LIFE AT ANY LEVEL. I don't see why so many people expect more from him now. ------------------ Why is it that everytime BC defeats a major conference opponent, that opponent promptly goes on a losing streak? PS. Notre Dame sucks
What blows my mind is that the Rockets gave him such a large contract after a few good games.Please explain this to me ------------------
If they hadn't opted to extend him, he would have been a FA that next summer. Then again, had they not extended him, he would have actually had to play hard the entire year. He might have developed decent habits. You win some, you lose more. ------------------
While everything in that post is true, I am not willing to give up on Cato yet. Dreams final days may be upon us. If not they are getting close. At some point it would be nice to have a Center with Cato's tallent to take over when he is finally done. I know its a big if, but IF Cato can mature, get healthy and learn to play up to his potential then we have one of the top centers in the league and an all star for several years. ------------------
I think it all depends upon Cat's and Francis' appeals to Cato's work ethic. If they get him in the gym this summer, then everything's cool. If Cato hides w/ CD, then he's not really responsible to the team per se... he's just doing bs. big man coaching. Liability is what it takes. ------------------
Great article, Clutch. Classic case of, as DeNiro(sp?) said in "Bronx Tale", "wasted talent". But he's still young and may turn it around as he matures... AS LONG AS IT'S SOMEWHERE ELSE!!! ------------------
I didn't say he was doing it in Denver.....but I could still see then that Clark was the better all around player when compared to Cato. You said he was not as athletic and talented as Cato, which is totally untrue. That was my point. Cato wasn't doing anything in Portland either, and he still isn't. If I had my choice, Clark would be on Houston's roster. I would have the same opinion then (when Clark was in Denver) as I do now. ------------------ There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness." [This message has been edited by HOOP-T (edited February 27, 2001).]
Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Cato average almost 9 points and 6 rebounds in only 24 minutes a game last year? I think when Cato gets onto the court he finds ways to produce. His problem hasn't been desire on the court so much as injuries and foul trouble (limiting his minutes) IMHO. ------------------ The season's halfway over...and I still need that keg of Pepto-Bismol.
Yes he did....8.7 points and 6 boards per in 24.3 min. per game. He played 65 games last year. ------------------ There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Not to mention about two blocks a game. Really not too bad, not worth 6 million dollars a year, but not too bad. Just a question, but as a player would you want to sign a long-term contract? Just think of being stuck with the new bulls or clippers. At most i would sign for 4-5 years. I know that many sign for security(in case they get injured) ------------------ Never Underestimate the Heart of a Champion
