I was just browsing through available free agents and stumbled across Stepania. He averaged 7 rebounds a game in 20 minutes last year. Is anyone familiar with his strengths and weaknesses? Could he be a good backup center for us if we traded away Cato and some salary?
I could see Stepania as a good replacement for Collier but not Cato unless one of our other centers got injured. Vlad has good numbers as far as rebounds per 48 minutes (actually finished 2nd in the league in off. boards/48 minutes at 6.4 per...Jeff Foster was first and Cato tied for fifth) Actually if you compare Cato to Stepania's numbers last year they are very similar except Cato blocks more shots and shoots a higher FG percentage. I think he'd be a good insurance 3rd string center.
Stepania started some games for Miami. As far as Rox goes, you won't be able to get him if you want to play him behind YM and Cato. Let's face it, Cato is not bad as a backup. The problem is why Rox wants to pay him that much money to play a backup? My prediction: Cato will be traded before the end of the season because Rox needs a defensive SF.
I see him play a lot and he is a VERY capable backup. Not sure if he is better then Cat cause i havent seen Cato play much, but Stepania is a player. Hussle, rebounds and defense, thats what he is.
My 2 cents.... Stepania managed to make it through Pat Riley's system so that says something about his toughness and hustle. His overalll skill level is about equal to Cato's - more O, less D. I would call him a poor man's Nesterovic. Like someone else mentioned, there are probably better values around for a 3rd string C.
I am not familiar with his game, but I've met him personally. We were rahabbing together in a Seattle clinic last summer. He's a very funny guy, non-stop trash talker. He didn't seem 7ft to me though. I'd say he's more of a 6-10.
Thanks for the assessment everyone. Everytime I watch Miami play, I've always seen him as a hustle player and we could use a few more of those. If we make a deal with Miami or someone else that includes Cato, perhaps he's a reasonable replacement.
I am from Miami and the words around here is that he sucks. I attended the Rockets game against the Heats last season and the general consensus was that Miami fans don't think much of Stephania's game.
He's a good rebounder and hustles, but seems a bit uncoordinated and not a great shooter. He is capable of filling in a backup spot but I would take Cato over him any day of the week.
