Cato will be a Rocket next year!

This is an excellent wrap up- Clutch, you should put this up on the front page. It addresses the majority of the questions we have about this offseason.

Encouraging words about Cato. I don't think Rudy is blowing smoke here, but I still think Cato will be traded if the right opportunity comes.

I like this:

-Aside from the draft, what kind of changes will you make this offseason?
RT: As always, we are going to explore every option we have. And that would be moving up in the draft, trying to get better picks or looking at free agents. We do have a trade exception that could be a very valuable tool for us. Like we always do, just looking to improve the team.


--I'm digging here, but I find it interesting that Rudy mentions moving up and getting better picks, but not just plain drafting at our spot. God, I hope we find a way to move up.

And this is very revealing:

Do you find yourself looking a different kind of player than you did in the past?
RT: Spacing the floor and outside shooting are always consistent with me as things you can't have too much of. I think when we wound up putting guys at the power forward position that could shoot the three-pointer, it opened everything up for Steve and Cuttino. I think that is still going to be a factor. Somewhere down the line we might end up with a center that can shoot the ball from the outside and then get a power forward that goes inside. But our strength right now with the way Shandon plays, the way our guards play, is we have got to have some spacing. That doesn't mean we will never get a post-up player, but I don't think we could have a bunch of those types of guys with the way we are playing now.



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Well I posted this on anpother thread but it probably is just as relevent to be here:

Well, just remember that RT often talks of certain attributes he desires. He also leaves a
whole lot more unsaid than said. he is the quintessential "overstate the obvious and
understate the true message" type of media communicator.

But let's face it, if he wants a 4/5 who can space out, open the middle and make the
guards more effective, AND who can shoot or effectively threaten the outside shot ....
remember we have Cato and Carlos. Neither can do that.

This quote could be just as significant if he was setting us up for a trade of Cato to
affect a 4/5 acquisition that would more accurately fit the roles he just described. Do
not rule that out.

I had heard in the past two weeks, that RT thinks the Wizard's game improvement was
NOT a fluke. NOT a flash in the pan. RT (and CD to a lesser degree) are seriousily
reconsidering their take on him.

That realistically means that the trade slot(and believe me we HAVE GOT to trade a
starter plus a bench player (or two,or three) to get anywhere in this trade season), may
be aiming more and more at Cato.

I have read and read RT's statements and I read were he may desire to have Cato remain on the roster, but I read nowhere that: "Cato Will Be A Rocket Next Year" anywhere.

Personally, I hope Cato plays the kind of game that he is capabale of, but if the performance he demonstrated this year is his best, he is not worth the money we are paying him, and for that same money we may want to look elsewhere.

I do not see how that veiw differs from RT's general attitude at all. But I do see how it differs from your take and especially your topic head.

 

It won't be long before Cato is scoring 20 PPG, grabbing 10 RPG and swatting 5 blocks a game. Mark my words.


<font size=-1>How long does the preseason last anyways?</font>

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TB so you think Cato is off to the CBA?

Honestly there is no way Cato will ever get those type of numbers. Even in the DIT offense CB never scored 20 a game in Houston. Also rebounding is an art, not just being tall. Cato shows no desire to ever board. Occasionally he figures out noone is covering him and he gallops to the basket where Francis hands him an assist.

I would prefer to trade him, because others may see his potential. He could work in our system if he ever decides to work hard and if we could get a 4 who had a post up game (KT could develop into this player). He doesn't even need much of an offensive game, just play tough defense and intimidate. Even in this situation I agree Cato could block 4-5 shots a game, have 6-8 rebounds fall into his lap and maybe score 12 a game, but IMO he will never be a 20-10 player, but he could work in our system although I would prefer trading him.

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4C, re-read the last line carefully, in all that it implies.

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All Cato has to do is play inspired. If he brings out that meanstreak, like he has in preseason, he could be an upper echelon center. And if we got Duncan, without parting with Cato, they could be deadly up front, and give Shaq nightmares.

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Cato can average 15 pts 10 boards and 3 blocks a night if he tightens up his game. He could score that many points on dunks from guard penetration alone. Rebounding will come with intensity. Lets see what he has next year before we ship his a** out.

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'Los,

I was only poking fun at Cato. I love his potential and certainly don't hate him (not that you were referring to me as a Cato-Hater). He had the best year of his short career and should only get better. I was encouraged to hear that he plans on working on his game this summer. That doesn't mean his lack of intensity at times doesn't concern me. His effort is entirely his choice, the coaches can't help him with that. Guys like Oliver Miller, Derrick Coleman, etc. had "potential" as well.

As long as he's a Rocket, I can only hope for the best - that he works hard, improves his game, and shows more consistency. I hope he makes the Rockets look like geniuses for locking him up long-term.

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