Who do you guys think the starting 4 and 5 should be? I go for Cato and Jackson. Cato seems to be putting forth the effort this season, and I feel he will be productive. Jackson is a hardworking, do the dirty work type of guy. Plus he has range. Cato can make up for Jackson's lack of shotblocking, and Jackson can makeup for Cato's SO FAR below average rebounding. If we stick to stats, that's true. But I think jackson wants to prove a lot of people wrong, and so does Cato, so Jackson's gonna play tough D, improve his shotblocking, while Cato's gonna also play great D while improving his rebounding. i realize KT is apparently in great shape, and has worked non-stop on his game, but I'd hate to seeus put a 6'7 PF next to a 6'10 C. I'd rather see Cato and jackson proving themselves right, while forming a considerably big frontcourt. What do you guys think? * I think Eddie Griffin will play EXTREMELY minimal SF minutes, along with some PF minutes until he works his way into the rotation as the PF alongside Jackson to provide shotblocking and speed at PF...We should NOT expect much from him*
I see KT and Cato starting, with Griffin and Jackson coming off the bench - RT will make the newcomers earn a starting role first.
Let Jackson start a Center, He proved he can score and Rebound , he should be an instant contributer Cato is better suited coming off the bench although I would rather he stay there . Collier will see a few minutes as well . PF is up for grabs but I wouldnt be shocked If Griffin is the starter by mid season , He has the skills and could be the next Kevin Garnett type , Kt will probably get the start at PF for the season opener So we could see Marc Jackson / Kelvin Cato / Jason Collier Kenny Thomas / Eddie Griffin / Collier Glen Rice / Walt Williams / Terrance Morris Cuttino Mobley / Oscar Torres or Damon Jones Steve Francis / Moochie Norris I like the Lineup , It reminds me some of the 98 T'Wolves with Marbury and Garnett
Y'all if the Rockets don't start Cato, then he will be hurt and will "Revolt" during the year. Tey need to give him a chance before they will start Jackson. Jackson or Thomas will start at the 4.
Definitely the Rockets are shelling out big bucks to Jackson for him to start. And his stats are far better as a starter then off the bench, and he is much better then KT. Jackson and Cato give the Rockets height and rebounding, so I like the Jackson/Cato relatively big frontline. I don't know where people are getting the theory that Rudy will make the newcomers earn a starting spot. Our starting backcourt in 1999 were rookies. Rice definitely will start.
I agree with pippendagimp. However, I think the roles will reverse by the All Star Break. Jackson and Griffin will be starting by then with Cato and KT coming off the bench.
Based on what I've seen from Fato, I would start Marc Jackson and let Fato work his way into the starter. We have catered to his ego to the tune of $42 mil (if I was only 9 inches taller). In addition, I'm not impressed with KT, I think he's the starter at the beginning of the year, however, he's benched once Griff gets his game going. My starting five Steve, Cat, Rice, Griff, Jackson - (Rebounding, Defense, Scoring, Hustle, Chemistry, and Heart) Bench Bank Robber (No longer Moochie), Fato, KT, Langhi, TMorris DNP - Coaches Decision Walt Williams Damon Jones Jason Collier
Even if Thomas did work, he can't make up for the 6'7 frame he has. I'm not knocking short pf's, but when I saw him play last year, alot of the angular guys were just shooting over the top of him. Basically uncontested shots from 12ft and in. People will say Mason is only 6'7, but Mason can do things Thomas wish he could do. You could, I wouldn't put him on this Rockets team and they're a very good team because he is a very good low post defender and very good passer. Some might laugh, but he is better ballhandler and passer than Francis our pg. Anyway, I think Thomas will start, but by mid season Griffin will be starting and because of foul trouble Jackson will get jis 35 min per.
It definitely starts out as Cato/KT just because of familiarity with RT's system. It definitely moves to Jackson/KT before to long, IMHO, because KT can shoot the ball better than Cato and Jackson can rebound and shoot better than Cato. I also see Cato and Jackson in in situations where Cato is needed to keep the lane clear and we need a good rebounding tandem in the post.
I like this about the rockets they have several ways to go. I mean You could legitimately argue for any of those line ups Hell even Collier/Jackson would be great against the lakers they both can shoot jump shots so Shaq can't park under the goal. He would *have* to hold one of them or get *giggle* 3 seconds called on him [YEAH RIGHT!] Rocket River
I think I'd like to see Cato/Jackson start, and then KT can come in to spell either one of them. Cato can ride some pine, and then we have Jackson/KT OR Jackson sits and we have Cato/KT. I don't see Griffin getting too much PT ... unless he really starts asserting himself in practice.
Before anyone else answers, I want to make it totally clear that it would be HORRIFIC to put KT (6'7) and Marc Jackson (6'10) in the 4 and 5. WHO in the West can't just shoot over? Think logically. We need a big line-up. We upgraded at SF, and now we have a chance to be a tough inside team. If Cato and Jackson can work well, make the opponent WORK for their shots at least, then there's NOTHING this team lacks.
Jackson isn't the greatest defender ever and he's a natural 4 so just start him at the 4. Plus Jackson gets the edge over Kenny. With Jackson at the 4, Cato will start at center. Cato/Jackson makes more sense.
Let's see....we are a guard-oriented team with a studly SF who can low post. What makes me think your statement here is going to become a maniacal mantra of yours for the entire season. hmmmm. Maybe because it looks like Rudy is in disagreement with you from the outset. Something tells me that I don't think Rudy will be as worried about defending 80% of teams as they will be about defending us!
This was definitely the case last year with the Warriors when they had Jackson starting at C and Jamison at PF.
