I'm tempted to diss Greg Osterfat in tbis thread, but considering he just donated a kidney to help save his sister's life (at least getting her off of dialysis), I'll cut him (bad pun!) some slack. I'm sure Jerry Sloan sent him a get-well card: "Dear Greg, get well soon. Does this mean you're gonna retire? Please? Best regards, YOUR COACH." Lots of players suck worse than Cato. Fortunately we're not paying them anything, but if there was ever a bad contract to hand out, only the Knicks would beat us to it.
I posted this on: http://bbs.clutchcity.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=36888 Get off Cato's back. Is he the second coming of Shaq? No. Is he the second coming of Bradley? No. Is he the second coMing of Ming? Who knows. He's not on the list of worse players nor is he on the best. Yes he has underachieved, compared to the preseason after we got him when he played his heart out before he got the current contract. But in the offense and defense we had last year, I would rate him satisfactory. The two threads currently running seem to be saying we've got Ming so let's dump Cato. Why? Regardless of whether Ming is ready to dominate Shaq or not, Ming's got to rest. Cato's an adequate center in the NBA - more than adequate in the East - and I have yet to hear that he wants out because we have Ming. About the time Ming should be coming into his own, Cato's contract will be a valuable commodity on the trade block. For now, we have a capable backup - thank goodness we don't rely only on Collier - and so let the guy do his thing. If you want to jump on him for playing below his potential, fine. But to call him one of the worse players in the NBA? Get off his back.
No, you're just forcing people to force reality in your face in the hopes that you'll see Cato isn't nearly as bad as you'd think.
How does Kevin Willis not get mentioned. He is horrible. His jump hook is not very effective, even though it is the shot he is known for. His short arms really hamper him. And finally, he has butterfingers, blown rebounds and dropped passes happened to him all the time.
The only reason people think Cato is that bad is because he's paid $6MM / yr. If he was your run-of-the-mill $1.5 MM / year player, no one could care less. Blame the Rockets for signing him for too much too early. He was never a great player and shouldn't be expected to perform that way.
I must have imagined Cato sucking all over the floor when I was sitting in the stands this year. So if Cato is this effective, why in the hell is there no GM that wants him. NAME ONE?? If not for a guarntee contract, Cato would not be in the league.
if were talking about players at this present moment im going with scottie pippen. Just look how much this guy makes per year and what he does on the court now.
Maybe not in your league, but Cato is definately a servicable center in the one that matters - the NBA. Why do teams not want him? Because of his contract. Yes, he's overpaid, but that doesn't mean he sucks. Heck, look at Allan Houston - classic case of a good player simply being overpaid. By your standards, he shouldn't be in the NBA. Just wait a season or two and once his contract continues to become more manageable, as it progressively has throughout it's life, more and more teams needing a bigman will look to trade for Cato. He'll be in the NBA another 7-8 years.
Cato is serviceable when: 1. He isnt courting one of numerous injuries. Cato doesnt have a chronic injury, its always a NEW injury. Sprained pinky, toe. 2. When he plays defense, its often been joked he could actually play better defense by just lieing on the floor. On offense, he has one move, and thats Francis throwing the ball over his right shoulder like he is freaking WR. Post moves are horrid and slow along with rare to even see him try it. 3. Back to defense. ABSOLUTELY NOONE respects him on the interior. Steve Freakin Nash scores and drives on him. The most mediocre of players in the NBA light up this wanna-be-center. 4. Unless the ball falls into his arms, he is totally ineffective at rebounding. 5. The few times he attempts to get aggresive, it is followed by a foul and soon some time on the bench. There is nothing to Catos game other then being 6' 11, and he can run his fat azz down the court. Anyways, I think this is the first time in 3 years I have heard anyone defend him. BUT, lets see how long this defense lasts when the season starts. I've never seen lazy bums change, but if you think so...........
I'm not disputing what you are saying but Cato half-assing it is still better than what most teams are starting at center
Is the question least talent or most overpaid? How do you define "Sucks". Ahh - the eternal question... Is is sucks up cap room like the trifecta Shawn Kemp, Vin Baker, Juwon Howard? Perhaps Allan Houston belongs in there. Or is it sucks the life out of the game when on the court - drawing all the air out of the home crowd in a horrible "Noooo!" when the number is inexplicably called ? Heart-stopping, lead-killing, certain tank-jobs like Larry Hughes, pg; or an O'Bannon brother - lead-altering forces like Serge Zwicker and Eric Riley. Vegas needs these names. Insert these players, and the opposing team scores at will. Your team develops instant paralysis, incapable of anything but turnovers, offensive fouls and goaltends. Someone help me here.
