PF--- the Rockets' fatal wound. In an article published on one of China's larget sports portal, a senior basketball journalist analyzed the Rockets' problems revealed in the embarrassing lose to the Spurs today. One thing he points out is: "The rockets' will be defeated to teams that has a first-class PF. " This has been proved by previous games: Rockets L. Blazers (Randolf) Rockets L. Jazz (AK47) Rockets L. King (Miller) Rockets W. Clippers (Bland didnt play) Rockets W. Nets (Martin didnt play) .... and many more So, we cant call Yao and Cato "twin tower" cause Cato: 1. weak on offense, opponent C can focus on fighting Yao and ignoring Cato; 2. Cato not make enough movement on D, Yao has to confront opponent PF straight. this let T.Duncan play 2+1 on Yao for 2 times in today's game. It hurts us badly. Sugguestion: Bring in a real PF, forget about the "twin tower".
I agree that PF is a real problem and that Cato doesn't cut it defensively against quick PFs. However, I think Cato did a fairly good job on Duncan today. Duncan went off in the 4th while being guarded by Mo Taylor and yao. Cato was out of the game.
Maybe it IS time we gave up both Mo and Cato for a better PF? But who's available and better than both of these guys? How about MoT + Kelvin Cato for Brian Grant + their draft pick next year? There just aren't many PF's available out there. I think the best one that's even slightly available is Rasheed Wallace. We'd have to give them all our cap space, and a few young pieces in return though. Amaechi, trade exception, Cuttino Mobley, and their choice of Mo Taylor and Kelvin Cato for Rasheed Wallace and Derek Anderson? I don't care, but we need to bring in a vet PG to teach these kids how to do the job, and we also need a good F.
The way Mo Plays etc I would like to se him as the Small Forward. Calvin Cato isnt by any stretch of the imagination a Power Forward, he should be playing his natural position as Center. Could Yao Ming play Power Forward till we sort out the JVG Team at seasons end?
I think they'd bite on Cato/Mo/Boki for Grant and Caron Butler. But then what about the backup center spot? Cato/Mooch for Battie/Eric Williams (we suck at the 3, too; too small)? Cat/Taylor for Shareef Abdur-Rahim and our Detroit pick returned to us? (Probably won't happen, what with Shareef being a finesse player, but at least he can board, pass and SCORE.) Hell, I'd give up Francis if we got a real PF and a real point guard somehow.
These are all premium F's in the league. West is stuffed with great F's. Ervery team has its stars at various positions. Our F's might not be as good as other's super stars, and this is why we are still a playoff contender not a lock like Spurs, Lakers, Kings or Dallas
I'd deal for Grant and Butler. Butler is a future stud, and Grant is serviceable. Exchange backups for starters - but of course! Shoot, I'd even give them something good. The backup center spot is no big deal. Games are not decided on the backup center spot. Slide Grant over and use a backup power forward if you can't get a decent backup center on the market. Big deal. We need starters. Taylor's not a starter, Cato's not a starter, JJ's not really a starter, esp at 3. Francis isn't playing like a star. Bring in some forwards - we have enough guards.
Keep Yao. Steve is Franchise. I don't think he is going anywhere... I would not mind if the Rockets give up Mobley or Taylor or Jackson or Cato or Amaechi or Moochie or Nachbar or Padgett or Ford. That is of course..if we get fair equivalent talent in return or like expiring contracts or some picks. I think we need a power forward who can play defense...and who can also make open perimeter shots. But there isn't someone like that..a strong, fast power forward who can shoot midrange...and maybe block shots. Or I'd like Ron Artest or Brent Barry or Tony Parker...players like them. Piatkowski is a great backup guard...we need a veteran point guard backup or maybe Wilks can play...and Taylor is a good backup power forward. We need a good power forward yes. But I'd like a better offense that Steve can run!
Agree. A veteran PF with 7+ seasons that can shoot opens and play some D. Rasheed 's perfect and as you mentioned, we have to say goodbye to Cat in return. Derek Anderson? He 's played in China basketball league for a season. I 've seen some of his plays at the time and he's very remarkable for his aggressiveness. Ok, I want him on the Rockets, let him in!!
Mr. Ricky...Rasheed Wallace is a good player..but he doesn't have a very good reputation i don't think..I really don't mind what he says and does too much...as long as he plays good...and Jeff Van Gundy does like him..but I don't think the Rockets want a Jail Blazer. Derek Anderson is all right..he hasn't been doing much this year. I would like the Rockets to get someone who can run the point...Francis just can't do it. And Jackson needs to start making more open shots. Too bad he's too short...I wish we still had Posey! Cato is too big of a liability on offense but Mo is not a starter either. We need some changes.. or we need to hide our weaknesses. Francis, Mobley, James (King Lebron James), Lewis (Rashard Lewis), and Yao Ming would be a great team.
I really think we need to move some players or make some changes...like change up the rotation..or implement a totally new offense or something. Our backup shooting guard is Eric Piatkowski. I love him... Backup small forward..we are fine with Bostjan Nachbar and/or Scott Padgett. Francis and Yao Ming are staying. I'd like to keep Piatkowski, Padgett, and Nachbar. Now I think we need to make some decisions on guard, small forward, and power forward. The two guard spots are sort of interchangeable. I think we need a tall guard or small forward who can handle the ball and penetrate and pass and who can play defense..Steve can guard the point guard...but we need a new point person. Steve can also handle the ball but mainly be the offguard...Steve can shoot and make the open shot. I don't know..he used to be awesome..now he is like struggling and doesn't relaly look like he knows how to score...not comfortable or something. Well he's still an All Star. Then the small forward..well I'd like one who canplay defense and shoot. So one guy who can run our offense and another guy who can catch and shoot and like slash. And they both need to be able to play defense and smart basketball. Guys like Brent Barry, Ron Artest, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, Lebron James, Bruce Bowen, James Posey, Vince Carter...and these guys should be somewhat tall. Then the power forward..should be able to bang..rebound..play defense and shoot. Antonio Davis like...but he's too old. Rashard Lewis and Lebron James is my wish! Too bad I don't think we will make a trade. We are just stuck with this roster.
Rasheed is gone. After that tirade directed at the NBA a few days ago, David Stern is going to make sure the refs really run this guy out of the NBA. Rasheed on the Rockets is a bad combo.
Rockets problem is lack or mix of offensive talent. That's evident tonight against the Spurs. Stevie is a poor man version of Iverson and lose his composure too easily. The team has no offensive flow when he's frustrated like tonight. When Mobley and Jackson couldn't get it going, Cato becomes a huge liability because he's man just happen to be Duncan who can roam free in the zone. You have to give credit to the Spurs, Hedo and Rasho killed us tonight when Duncan and the entire team sucked. Unforunately for the Rockets, our bench are just a bench of homers with one dimensional games. Taylor, Pike, Morris, Padgett, and Nachbar are all one dimensional players. This team will suffer against playoff caliber teams as long as Cato is our pf and SF is our pg.
So you still want to start with Franchise when realizing he's not capable of running the point? For me I 'd rather take SF3 as the sub PG and bring in a real PG as starter. When we deal with some team playing fastbreaks damn hard, we will have SF3 in to let 'em pay. Will this work?
Man you got it. The only difference this team make this season comparing to Rudy's last year is that they could win games they should win (against low ranking/no decipline team). They as always cant not win those they supposed to lost to (those 'playoff teams'). Prediction: our loved Rockets will just stopped outside of the playoffs.
I made that same sugestion in an early thread and got the rhetorical beat down from the great basketball minds here. It does seem like Yao has the skills to play at the PF position on offense where he can set up at the high post to shoot or pass over smaller defenders while switching back to the low post in a zone defense. In the meantime Cato on stays in the paint on offense to play offense which suit his ability.
I actually like Cato, but not as a starting PF..he did a great defensive job on Dunca, but he is an extreme offensive liability...Mo T is Cato's opposite: nice scorer, terrible defender and rebounder...I also think Padgett is a nice player and needs more minutes, possibly Cato's....he is a big man who can shoot and plays aggressive defense and obviously knows how to play within a system after playin in Utah...
