I caught Russ Small interviewing Cato on 610 this afternoon. Nothing earthshattering, but it was a good and lengthy (I heard at least 15 minutes) interview. Highlights (paraphrased): Q: What is the difference this year? A: I am the happiest I have been since my rookie year. Q: Why? A: The players they added, particularly Glen Rice. When things weren't going well in the preseason, he picked me up, etc. Q: Were you worried about KW taking your starting role? A: Not really. He took me under his wing and told me that he wasn't here to take my starting position, he just wanted to help me develop to my full potential. He has emphasized the importance of conditioning and being professional on and off the court. [Small tries to get Cato to say that Dream was not a good mentor] A: Not really. Dream was quiet, and kept to himself, but he helped me out with moves and stuff, but I never get to show them. [Small tries to get Cato to talk about what a big adjustment it is from being a high school and college star to role player] A. Not really. I didn't play in high school and at Iowa State I wasn't expected to score. Q: Does all the talk about your contract bother you? A: No. There are guys who make more than me who don't even play. Q: Who is tougher on you, the media or the fans? A: The media is just doing their job; I have no idea what the fans think. [After more rambling by Small about the media and his contract] Cato: If someone asks me serious basketball questions I will give them serious basketball answers. [Editorial comment: Fran Brineberry ... are your ears burning?] Q: What are your goals this year? A: To play at least 79 games and keep my coaches happy. Q: Are you a changed man? A: Not really. I am just happy with my job. Other notes: Cato gave many props to the coaching staff, using the charge he drew from SAR as an example. He mentioned that the coaching staff has been very vocal in complimenting his play. He mentioned not getting on the refs. He was very professional and reasonably self-assured. Several times Small tried to steer Cato into giving a particular answer (Dream wasn't a good mentor, Cato was a changed man, talk of contract made him bitter, and in each instance Cato politely refused to go there).
Well, imo, this is yet further confirmation of Will's suspicions that Cato is a manic depressive. It all makes sense. I hope he stays happy.
Well for all of those who expected things to change for Mr. Cato once the regular season started then here is your answer. The most important part is that the attitude is there and so is the effort. He is not going to excel offensively but I expect him to get respect from his defensive plays this year. I believe those dunks from the in-the-lane passes are going to be there all season long. With those and putbacks and a few fast break baskets he should continue to shoot a high percentage and make a solid contribution.
I was thinking the exact same thing crispee. In three years I guess Rice gets extended or the team starts giving Cato 'knee medicine' aka happy happy joy joy.
Man, if Glen Rice and Kevin Willis are responsible for Cato's improved play, then let's give those guys 3 year extensions!
I've been thinking the same thing about Cato. Glad to see him up at the moment. Thanks for posting the interview Pipe.
Cato had a website. I visited once, and he's actually an intelligent, good guy. Manic depressive is certainly possible. His answers were subtle, yet they certainly had an intended goal.
I've met Cato twice and he is a very nice guy. He seems affable and very intellegent. I don't know if he is manic depressive but I do think that sensitive is a word that would apply fairly well. I've often wondered how difficult it would be to be an athlete and also be a particularly sensitive person. Thick skin probably comes in very handy as an athlete or entertainer. Without it, I imagine life could get pretty painful.
How 'bout some goals other than "keep my coaches happy?" I'd feel a little better if Cato had some more concrete ideas of what his goals are.
Who gives a crap what his goals are as long as he is doing his job well. I have to fill out what may career objective crap for work and doesn't cause me work any differently. I just do my job the best I can and act professionally. Thats all I want from Cato. I could care less if he just wanted to play well enough to get his face on a video game so he can bang Bionce.
I hate those career objected forms I hate all those meetings to discuss goals when afterwords everyone is back on the internet icq'ing each other. I like the way Cato trailed Francis on the one slam. Now that's the kind of goals I want to see Cato make!
Obviously there are people who give a crap about his career goals since there are people who pound on him even after he has a good game. I wouldn't compare my career though to the career of a person who gets personal shots thrown at him, and people think it's ok to take personal shots at them because they happen to make more money then them.
It is great to hear Cato giving praise to the coaching staff and the players for supporting him and sticking with him. Sure, Cato had alot of expectations placed on his shoulders when he signed his contract, but he just did what any other person would do if they had $42 million thrown at them...he took it. Unfortunately a string of injuries kept him from getting on the same page as the rest of the team and his lack of motivation naturally became the media's focus. Hopefully this isn't premature, but I think Cato has a new lease on life and I am proud of the guy for not giving up. GO CATO!! PROVE US ALL WRONG!!!
The guy is obviously intelligent and sensitive and emotional. We have Eddie and Kenny and T Mo as the unemotional ones and Francis, Cuttino and Kelivn as the emotional ones. Kenny though unemotional is according to Rudy mentally very strong. Griffin is ? Interesting thing about bb. is that since we have so few players you can get into the personality of practically everyone on the team. Do we have any psychiatrists on the board. I heard a replay of part of Kelivn's statement on 610. He said: " I was just an average player and they gave me a big contract and then they expected me to be an all star." Maybe he is finally getting over the shock of his contract. The guy is somewhat insecure and doesn't seem to realize the athletic talent he has to become special. Add me to the Kelvin fan club. Clutch City should make it its mission to be the Kelvin Cato fan club. Probably the best thing we could do to help the team. Go Kelvin!
Q: What is the difference this year? A: I am the happiest I have been since my rookie year. Q: Why? A: The players they added, particularly Glen Rice. When things weren't going well in the preseason, he picked me up. Actually, I heard the interview, and Cato's exact words were: The players they added, plus Glen Rice's wife. When things weren't going well in the preseason, she picked me up. Everything Cato has said in this interview and others continues to indicate that he's very emotionally fragile and self-protective. I still think the most telling thing about him was that story two years ago about him writing children's books. How many NBA players write children's books? How many NBA players tell the press they're just average and got bigger contracts than they're worth? It's like this guy is still a little kid inside and hasn't come to terms with being a grown-up in a high-pressure job. The good news is, there's a huge difference between being immature and fragile and being a fully formed, self-confident jerk. Maybe Rudy or Allah or Kevin Willis can help Cato get his act together.
I have newfound respect for Kelvin this year. I never had a problem with Cato the person, he's not a jerk like Derrick Coleman. I think the problem is that he doesn't realize how much potential he has to be great, therefore his expectations for himself aren't as high as we think it should. I think when he comes to grips with how good of a player he can be, he will in turn, work harder to become a great one.
Dream probably tried to show him the basics, but I don't think he took him under his wing. Sometimes players such as dream, dr.j, and players who are real quiet kind of just lead without talking. Barkley always mentions Moses as oppose to Dr. J. Moses was more outgoing and vocal, while Dr J was more of the quiet leader. I think Hakeem probably thought If he's going to get better, it has to come from within. I'm glad Kevin decided to help him out because Cato will never be like Dream, But a career like Willis is a pretty good one.
Cato was just trying to look nice and covered past experience with the media. I'm hoping that he really thought about shaping up because it seems like he really got potential, If he works hard!
