haven -- Nash is not the only player I've compared his salary to. I've named off tons of others in other posts. Since you're the one making the accusation that the contract is out of whack, you should be able to provide evidence of that.
TheFreak: I certainly haven't noticed that I'm the only critic of Cato. I've defended the man upon occasion... I thinjk his contract is excessive, but not ridiculous. I sort of see him as a mid-level exception player. I can't remember a single player you've named who's had a reasonable salary. Mistakes are made because teams gamble... and often fail. As for your challenge to name players of similar talent with lower salary... I'll take that. I have to sign off for the next couple of days, but I'll come back and try. ------------------ Shandon Anderson rocks. The lottery sucks. Playoffs 2001.
haven -- the challenge isn't to name players of similar caliber with lower salaries, thanks for trying to change my words around. You must establish that Cato's salary is too high for what he brings, when compared to everyone else in the league. I would start with the average salary, which is I believe 5 million now, and try to show that his combination of talent/potential/production, etc., isn't above average. You must also consider other factors, such as the premium put on height in the NBA. Good luck doing all that, though. You might have to take more than 2 days off .
I look forward to this rivalry again. I remember back in the 80's when the Mavs were new and good. They had Blackmon and Aguirre back then. It was always a good battle. ------------------ RocketFuel is dead!
If the Mavs are going to play Laettner at center, which does sound like something Nellie would do, thats going to be a laugher. As it is, Laettner is way too soft to guard most of the PFs in the game, I'd like to see him match up against big body centers. Cato is a far more valuable player than Laettner; the Mavs would be much better off with Cato. Saying that Laettner is better b/c of his stats being slightly higher is a real simple and incorrect way of looking at this. You have to see how a player can play his role in the system he is in. The Mavs could use more defense and size in the middle, neither or which Laettner provides. So Laettner averages 12 PPG? Big deal. I want to see him match up against Duncan, Robinson, Shaq, or any good frontcourt player for that matter. He cant, Laettner is soft as kleenex. Why are all comparisons made based on offensive numbers? Basketball is not as simple as reading off a stat sheet; if it was then there would be no need for GMs. This Laettner acquisition made very little sense for the Mavs, they need Harvey and Thomas to develop into the tough "bangers" they lack on the frontline, not some soft stiff like Laettner who everyone seems to think is good b/c the Lakers were going after him. One of the first thing Kevin McHale did when he became the Wolves GM is unload Laettner and Rider. Both of those guys are simply terrible fits on a winning ballclub. Whats funnier is the Lakers have shown interest in both; the Jerry West era is really over now. When comparing Cato's salary, you have to compare him to other CENTERS. The fact of the matter is that centers in the NBA are overpaid b/c they are so rare. You cannot compare Cato to some 6-9 PF and look at the numbers. Cato has to be compared to other CENTERS. Off the top of my head, I can think of two centers that I would take Cato over that make as much or more than him in Erick Dampier and Bryant Reeves. I would much rather have Cato than either of them. There have been other disasters like Jim McIlvane (7 yrs 35 mil). The fact of the matter is that Cato has more potential than any of these players and that elusive athletic shot blocking big man is something that many many teams want and that is why Cato received the money he did. Saying that Cato should get the mid level exception is a completely unthoughtful comment that took almost nothing into consideration. A player is worth what the market will bear not what someone thinks he is worth. Does anyone think that if Cato was not signed by the Rockets and went out onto the open market that he would not have gotten ATLEAST what he is getting paid now? The Bulls would have opened the vault for him. They offered Brad Miller 5 mil a season; I dont even want to think what they would have offered Cato. Signing Cato to that contract was a very necessary move and a smart risk, the Rockets made the correct move. ------------------ Check out the Best Source for Draft Info Draftsource.net
Rocket River, With all due respect..... Laettner has career averages of 15.7 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 2.8 apg, all the while shooting almost 48% fg. He has made an all star appearance as well. Laettner is the better player. He plays a lot of minutes, and he should. He is well rounded and productive. NO, he doesn't dunk like Cato or block a lot of shots. There is a reason that Cato does not play huge minutes and never has in his career. He is raw. Period. Laettner can do so much more. ------------------ There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
For those knocking Dirk, don't. Check the stats. 17.5 pts, 6.5 rb, 2.5 ast 1 blk, 1 stl. I would like a 7-0 guy that can shoot 38% from 3pt, 306 attempts. He just turned 22 this summer. Talk about potential matchup problems at the SF. ------------------ "Chucky who? I thought we were talking about basketball?" Charles Barkley
Yeah, and he never played college basketball or professional basketball on a really competitive level before he came to the US, so you could still consider him kind of raw. His potential is amazing. I think he will be a 20pts/8rebs/3asts/1steal/1block guy this season, shooting 50 % from the field and 40 % from 3-point range. He will be MUCH better than Kukoc ever was. Now, if he could become a tougher defender, he could be one of the top 5 players in the league. ------------------
C Cato / Bradley- Cato PF Taylor / Christian - Taylor SF Walt / Nowitzki- Nowitzki SG Anderson / Finley - Finley PG Francis / Eisley - Francis Bench- Houston Coach- Houston G.M.- Houston Owner- Houston (Cuban will meddle too much in my opinion. He is great during this rebuilding process because of his money, but he will be a problem in the future, imo.) ------------------ -The expert has spoken, so shut up and try to comprehend the truth.
HOOPT-T, with all due respect, Laettner is 31 years old and his best days ARE behind him. The reason that Cato is raw is because he hasn't played much. Given time he will improve - will he ever be as good as Laettner was? Well that's not what is being argued here. The argument is over who is better NOW - and to be honest it's pretty close. I guess only time will tell, we'll see who's better at the seasons end. Tell me this, if you were a gambling man, who would you put money if asked which one would make an all star appearance next between Cato and Laettner (obviously past appearances don't count, from this day forward - could be in 5 years, could be in 10) I guess the best thing about Laettner is that he has a 300gallon salt-water tank at his house which he keeps a shark in. ------------------ [This message has been edited by DrNuegebauer (edited August 30, 2000).]
Now you're saying he will be better than Francis, Carter, McGrady, Duncan, Garnett, Kobe, Iverson, Curry, Wallace, Woods, Odom, Brand, Miles etc? Sorry, although Dirk is very good I will be surprised if he ever makes then NBA third team. Talent level in the NBA is really high right now. There are just too many stars with bigger potential than Dirk. ------------------ Hack a Shaq you'll be winning Hack-him you'll be dreaming.
You are right, there are a lot of talented players out there. I just think that he could potentially be in the same category as players like Garnett, Kobe, Francis, Carter. I am not saying he is there yet. Top 5 might have been too much. Maybe top 10 in a couple of years. ------------------
maybe top 12 in five years....... Right about now, I'm wishing we had gotten O'neal rather than Cato......Cato's 25, O'neal is quite a bit younger...more time to improve....... ------------------
The thing about Dirk is he could change the position of SF. As he gets more experienced on D, people believe he can defend the 3. At 22, July he turned 22, Dirk is still learning his body. He gets pushed around inside b/c he is a perimiter player. He will be a 6 year veteran when he is only 25. When you think about how he will fill out and gain experience it blows my mind. I don't want anyone to thing I am a super homer for him. I just see sooo much potential for a freak of nature. A 7 footer that shoots 38%, 306 attempts, on trifectas(sp?). Word in Dallas is he will have a jump hook this year also. I would trade anyone except our 3gs and the dream for him. ------------------ "Chucky who? I thought we were talking about basketball?" Charles Barkley
The thing about Dirk is that HIS FEET ARE SLOWER THAN MY MOTHERS! And she has been known to shuffle a bit. Really though, Dirk has a wonderful shot, great height, ball handling skills, and good court sense. None of that helps on defense when your man is blowing by you. I like Dirk's game, but championships are won with DEFENSE. ------------------ -The expert has spoken, so shut up and try to comprehend the truth.
I see a 4-way btwn Rox, Mavs, Wolves, and Kings for the last two spots. Man, that's gonna be fun to watch! My prediction: no one will have any fingernails left by the end of the reg season ... 1-Lakers 2-Blazers 3-Spurs 4-Suns 5-Jazz 6-Sonics 7&8- a tossup Hopefully we get #8. This may sound crazy, but I'd rather face the Lakers than Portland in the first round. I think we might be the X-factor against LA... For those who WANT to face Quitten & the Blazers - don't worry, when we squeeze past the Lakers in the first round, we'll face the Blazers next Yes, I am drunk. ------------------ [This message has been edited by treeman (edited August 31, 2000).] [This message has been edited by treeman (edited August 31, 2000).]
Given a chance to develop, Langhi will be better then Nowitski. DaDakota ------------------ All you MO-FO's better stop ripping off my lines !!
Leatner vs Cat ; LEATNER??? what are u smoking? Leatner is an underacheiving NEVER WAS His best days are behind him [READ AT DUKE!] How long he been in the league? His development is wack . .wacker than Cato's I'll take Cato in the match up ANY DAY!!! Rocket River Must Defend Cato in this ridiculousness How much is CL paid ? ------------------
Well if you didn't notice you got you're wish! DAN LANGHI but he's 6'11 not 7 foot......sorry ------------------ Miggidy Markell says: 1. Eastcoast is da sh*t 2. Rockets rule 3. Hip/Hop is dope 4. Buy the new Ruff Ryders album! Miggidy Markell is watching Stay STRAPPED & WATCH ya back or be Assimilated.
Given a chance to develop, Langhi will be better then Nowitski. Jumping the gun a little here arent we? I like Dan Langhi a lot and feel that he has Dirk Nowitzki type potential but to say at this stage by just watching Langhi in some summer league contests that he will be better than Nowitzki is very very very premature. ------------------ Check out the Best Source for Draft Info Draftsource.net
