At the beginning of the season, I, along with many Rockets fans, was excited about the young man from Iowa State we got in the Pippen trade. I was at his triple double game in the preseason. We were set at Center now, along with the two guard positions. Now, the season is almost over, and most of us have realized that Cato has pulled a Maloney on the Rockets' front office. He tricked them into giving him a monster contract that will make him almost impossible to move. No one denies Cato's marvelous potential on the defensive end. Watching him last night vs. the Cavs, he was blocking shots, grabbing monster rebounds, all the while playing pretty good defense (not too hard against Bryant and DeClerq though). Unfortunately, there's no rule in basketball that allows a player to stay on the defensive end without having to worry about offense, if the team wants to compete 5-on-5. Cato is a huge liability on offense. If it's not a dunk, chances are, it won't go in. Hell, in the Toronto game, he had trouble making dunks. I fell out of my chair last night when he it a fifteen foot jump shot from the side. I could just imagine if that became a high percentage shot for him. That would give this team, IMO, an extra 10 wins a season, just from that. Opposing defenses wouldn't be able to just lay off of him while the backcourts take it to the hole. They'd have to respect the outside jumper of Cato. That led me to think of what Cato needs to do in the offseason to help this team. 1. Offense-work on his outside shot, duh. The man can't hit water from the boat outside of 2 inches, much less 2 feet. He's not as bad at free throws as I thought, so I think there's potential there. 2. Come every night to play. If you're not involved in the offense, that's OK. If you miss a block, or a rebound, that's OK. You'll get it next time. Whatever you're not doing good, make sure you're doing something else good. Shandon does that every night. You never think about a game and think, "Shandon really played a crappy all around game tonight." He's always playing good defense, dishing the ball, grabbing rebounds if he's not scoring. 3. (Maybe the most important) STOP b****ING TO THE OFFICIALS AFTER EACH PLAY Do you want to know why I really hate Karl Malone? It's not because he's dirty (which he is), it's because he b****es after every play, he was fouled, he didn't commit the foul. Stockton's the same way. Cato will b**** after every single foul, or non-call. That takes him out of the game. Plus, I can't respect that. If fans do it, it's one thing, but I can't handle a player doing that. Also, he likes to take his frustrations out on the opposing players with hard fouls. He's done this two games in a row. I don't want him to get so upset that he throws someone down on a dunk, and seriously hurts them. I don't want him, or the Rockets, to get that kind of reputation. So, after spending this morning at work doing this post, I hope Cato works on this. If we want to be successful next season, we need Cato to play up to his potential every night, and to vastly improve his offense and attitude. ------------------ Is it any coincidence that we are the only team mentioned in the national anthem? I didn't think so! [This message has been edited by Rocketman95 (edited March 21, 2000).]
pretty good points send it to kelvin. seriously i wonder how mad the players would get if we kept sending them tips on how to improve their game ------------------ Shane "Save Our Rockets" "Life without basketball in Houston........without an arena that is what it will be"
If Cato can work on those 3 areas that you mentioned, then he will be a force to be reckoned with. I wonder whether he has enuff determination to do this though. ------------------
You know what, that is what separates a good quality player in the NBA from a STAR player. Star players get better and become SuperStars, while good players are satisfied with their skills and just play their game never adding anything Hakeem added SO much, Magic added..MJ added..Bird got better...etc..etc... An example of someone who never worked on his game..Robert Horry. Good players become great because they work on it. I read a story the other day that in this last offseason Vince Carter shot 700 jumpers a day...700!!!! Because he said that was a weakness. Guess what? It ain't a weakness anymore. I think Cuttino works on his game, Francis will, and perhaps KThomas (hoping) but Cato...who knows...he could be good it is up to him. DaDakota ------------------
DaDakota is ABSOLUTELY RIGHT All the next this or Next That persons that went the way of the dodo got satisfied with their game. then guys who were suppose to be scrubs got better. Honestly I hate Malone but he got better over time [game wise not attitude] Shaq took about 7~8 years to start getting better. [HE STILL COULD USE A LOT OF WORK!!!] So, we shall see. Rocket River ------------------
It's been my understanding that Cato does not frequent the weight room enough. He does not have the strong upper body he needs to bang night in and night out. He even mentioned the other day in the paper that he needs to work out more to avoid the nagging injuries that have kept him out this season. I'd love to see him put a full summer in the weight room with a trainer and come back with a Mourning-esque type frame. Old School ------------------ Just Build It!
Old School, Do Francis and Cat have the ability to influence/impress Cato to get serious about his game and conditioning this offseason? Did Jordan and Pip always have a serious offseason program, or did it start after they had been in league for several years? Mango ------------------ It could be worse ....... you could have been born a Jazz fan!!!!
Good questions...sorry I don't have the answers. Pippen was pretty skinny when he came into the league compared to where he is now. Old School ------------------ Just Build It!
