"From Jason Caffey ($5.2 million) to Alan Henderson ($7 million) to Vin Baker ($12.37 million) to Tom Gugliotta ($10.8 million) to the retired Hakeem Olajuwon ($5.6 million) to Alonzo Mourning ($20.6 million) to Brevin Knight ($5 million) to Calvin Booth ($4.9 million) to Terrell Brandon ($10.2 million) to Kelvin Cato ($6.7 million) to Danny Fortson ($5 million), the list goes on and on with players who are making money they clearly are not earning." "For every Kobe and Tracy McGrady who strive for excellence, there are two Kelvin Catos who are simply too happy to have their money and are not willing to not just improve, but to even work at their games." http://espn.go.com/nba/columns/hughes_frank/1523641.html Frank Hughes, ESPN.com, 3/14/03 I feel bad that Cato is singled out as lazy and overpaid. At least he is no Vin Baker
Um, some of those people are injured and/or retired because they are injured. How can they earn the remaining money on their contract if they are unable to play? sounds like another jealous reporter.
A contract is a contract.. sometimes they remain in effect while you're not playing (retirement, or prolonged injury).. they're not paid by the minutes they play
how is he 'dissing' these guys? They clearly aren't performing for how much they are getting paid...and the next sentence is just saying that there are as many lazy players in the NBA as there are exceptionally dedicated players. So what? Man, we really are running out of stuff to talk about aren't we.
From NBA.com, Kelvin Cato of all NBA players is ranked: #2 in Total Rebounds per 48min (17.4) #3 in Defensive Rebounds per 48min (12.2) #8 in Offensive Rebounds per 48min (5.1) #18 in Blocks per 48min (2.79) He also shoots 52.6% from the field and is no doubt the team leader in throwing down alley-oop passes from Steve Francis. Sounds like a pretty hard worker and one of the better back-up centers in the league to me.
Cato is seriously overpaid, however, this year he has shown what he didn't previously.....hustle. He is a serious force out there this year, on the boards at the very least.
Cato Overpaid = yes But, he's still a great player off the bench. There's no denying that. He's really improved this year from what I've seen than the past few years.
Cato will start for some lucky East team next year, and we will forget all about this article. Common. 17.4 rebounds per 48 minutes. That's less than 1 rebound less than Ben Wallace, MR BLUE COLLAR.
Cato has been a big contributor this season. He has spelled Yao, played hard, defended, rebounded, and even contributed offensively. Heck, there are a number of teams that aren't getting consistent play from their starting C, let alone their backup.
Enough with the Cato is overpaid stuff. Hasn't this been discussed before? Many players in the league are overpaid, but the one position that is overpaid the most is the "center" position. Cato's salary is right along the AVERAGE of what NBA center's make. It is not so much that Cato is overpaid as MANY of the NBA center's today are overpaid. That's just the economics of the NBA. People pay for height! Cato's contract would only be a problem if we were the only team stupid enough to pay him what we did. The fact is every team is in love with height! How would you like to be the Sonics with Potepenko, Booth and James' contracts? They are all centers and they are all being paid ridiculous dollars. One center on a team with a fat contract is enough, how about 3? Chris
id take cato over anyone else on that "reporters" list. he is the best back-up center in the league. in the past ive b****ed about him as much as anyone, but this season i think hes doing great. its not his fault that the rockets were total dumb-asses and jumped the gun on him based on ONE good pre-season game. for those who dont remember, he had a triple double (pts, reb, blocks).
I would hate to See Cato on Detroit Next Year He and Wallace would be a formidable Combo Rocket River
the one guy that was not named that should be put on that list more than anyone in the NBA: john amaechi. my friend roomed with him in college. he gave me one of johns quotes: "i hate basketball. i just want to find the easiest way to make money."
Uhhhhhhhhh....how is that a diss. He is overpaid. He shouldn't be making that much. He has been doing a great job...but man...he makes a lot...we could be spending it on other things...or players. That's not a diss. There's a rap song by some local Houston rappers....and in the song...they say.....Kelvin Cato...give us our money back.
Without Cato, the Rockets wouldn't be in the 8th spot...plain and simple. I'm not saying he's the most important person, I'm saying his contribution has been key. The ability to rest Yao and still keep the opposing guards honest has been...well massive. I agree he has been crap in the past...but that was probably due to the fact that he was playing too many minutes for his style of play. Maybe he has found his sweetspot where he can be most effective. Solid contributions from role players are just as important to a team's success as the star players. You can't have one w/out the other. So I'd say this year he earned his contract. And I call that reporters comments uneducated since he clearly doesn't understand the value that he's brought to the Rockets this season.
He has played wonderfully. Our two headed center is great. Yesterday, he kept our lead and made some good stops and plays and offensive rebounds. And then...he had 5 fouls. But no worry...cuz then Yao comes in!!! He has done good. But he still shouldn't get THAT much money.
I agree. Cato has been important to this team, and will continue to be important in the seasons to come. Sure he's paid a hell of a lot, but if he keeps it up he's worth the contract.
