http://jermaineoneal.8m.com Did you Rox fans see much of him out West and what were your impressions. He has shown big time ability in the preseason. Allstar type stuff. I know it is preseason, but he is much farther along than what was expected. Good Luck, Rockets. ------------------ http://jonathanbender.8m.com http://alharrington.8m.com
Unfortunately, Cato did the same for us last year. A triple double in one game had most of us believing that he was going to be turning into a dominant force, but we all know where we are with that right now. Hopefully O'Neal won't do the same for y'all. ------------------ When you make an assumption, you make an ass out of yourself and umption. visit www.swirve.com
He better not suck this year. I just picked him up for my fantasy team. ------------------ Nederland 2002 ClutchTown.com
Cato is the comparison that I have heard many of the Blazers fans make to O'neal. However, both are young and athletic enough that they could become much more once they understand the effort and desire it takes to become a special player. Or they could fade into obscurity and barely be a mid level player. We will see. ------------------ http://jonathanbender.8m.com http://alharrington.8m.com http://jermaineoneal.8m.com
In watching both Cato and O'Neal play over the last few years, there is NO comparison. O'Neal is head and shoulders above Cato on the offensive end, and there is little difference on the defensive, maybe slight edge to Cato. ------------------ There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
J.O'N Versus K. C. Jermaine O'Neal is a strong inside defender and an explosive offensive threat that has been waiting to find a team that is willing to let him loose. In Portland he was used almost as a utility center to fill gaps, and provide a "non-distracting" five position for the other four players. That may or may not be where the comparisons end. Cato was in the same boat somewhat, but he was shelved frequently for even lesser tasks. He brooded. He grew angry and when shipped to Houston kept that chip on his shoulder. His angry aggressiveness never consisently translated into productive agression, IMHO. Aggression and drive in sports is required but has to be controlled. Last year Cato was not able to do that. he has improved that this year. Of the two, I feel O'Neal has more talent without the "chip on the shoulder" attitude. More coachability and more awareness of how he fits the team. Maybe more purpose, is a better way to describe it. He certainly has more finesse in his ball handling and has learned to pace himself throughout a game much better than Kelvin. Cato is likely learning better motion offense schemes in his role in Houston and I think he is the physically stronger of the two. O'Neal has had less playtime to develop his game, but I still see him as an overall better team center than Cato. Synopsis: Cato Excellent Physical Strength Good Footwork Underneath (Improving) Poor Ball Handkling (Especially in the Key) Good Open Court Passing Abilities Excellent Positioning on Motion Schemes (Improved) Fair to Good Overall Defense (Improved) Fair Overall Offense (Largely One-Dimensional) Future Conclusion: Good Role player. Likely is at or close to his full game. O'Neal Excellent Coachability Good Team Positioning Good Overall Ball Handling Abilities Good Passing Abilities Good Offensive Threat (Multi-Dimensional) Fair to Good Defense Future Conclusion: O'Neal is not even close to his full game yet. [This message has been edited by oeilpere (edited October 27, 2000).]
did anybody see what j o'neal was doing to elton brand last night? all star is absolutely correct. i've been an o'neal fan since the mcdonald's hs game. he is going to blow up this season. has EXCELLENT footwork, a soft 10 ft shot, strong going to the basket, finish left or right, and is very coachable. add it up and he's an allstar. this season. ------------------ Essentially the top two players to come out of college the last couple of years are Duncan, Carter, and Francis. - vince
Nice job on your site.... moving this to the <a href="http://bbs.clutchcity.net/ubb-cgi/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&number=2">NBA Dish</a> forum. ------------------ NOTHING BUT .NET CLUTCHCITY.NET
Yes, watched some of the game and was sick to my stomach, because O'Neal would be making some impact here also, if he was in the Red Glare PJ's. We are a perfect fit for him. Yes, he is quality player by any stretch of the imagination. But I will reserve judgement on his "superstar" status for a little while. I have reread some my recent posts on Cato, and I guess it gives the impression I ( as a fan) have given up on him. That is not the case. I am still waiting for him to not only find a role that consistently helps his team, but for him to find a comfortable approach to his own game. Cato always gives me the impreession that he is uncomfortable out there. It always looks like he either: (a) expects more from himself, which I could live with because it that is simply a matter of growth ... or, (b) he looks bewildered like he doesn't quite know what to do or is unable to do, which at this stage of his career is a major talent question. That uncertainty is what makes me reticent about him. Considering the responsibility RT has been given him, i.e. our center heir apparent, I wish I had more faith in him. He hasn't done much to make me feel a lot of faith in his game this year. Yet. [This message has been edited by oeilpere (edited October 27, 2000).]
