I don't know about 20+ mins at PF, but he can certainly play it depending on the matchups. The thing is, there aren't many teams where it would be necessary to play Cato & Yao side by side; the Clippers are one of the few that come to mind, and maybe Indiana or SA. But against the more physical PFs like Brand, I wouldn't mind seeing Cato at PF for a spell.
Actually I would put it the other way. I would let Cato play center and Ming play PF, on offense when and if they are in together. With Collier though, I would let him play PF if they are in together.
I doubt we would see it for 20 min a game, but 10 min a game in the second half when neither are in foul trouble, why not? Especially losing Thomas's PF minutes. Heck, personally, depending on matchups, I would like to see 5 min a game of francis, posey, griffin, cato, yao.
I think the only times this year where we might see Cato on the floor at the same time as Yao is when we are playing shaq and the lakers (or if we meet the pacers in the finals ). If they're on the floor at the same time then we're almost certainly going to be forced to play zone defense, unless we want Yao chasing around Horry or Samaki Walker. Just wait about 4 weeks or so...January 17th will come around REAL soon. Can't wait to see Yao drop 30pts/15rbs/5blks on shaq's big ol' dome.
I was thinking about this, too. Depending on the matchups, isn't Cato what we want in a power forward (lately)? When he came into the game against Indiana, he was a monster on the boards. I wouldn't want him at the 4 permanently, since we already have to get production out of Mo and EG, but like it was mentioned, depends on the matchup. And could we quit jumping on someone for having an idea? Good Lord, it isn't as if the thread title was "should Steve be our starting 4"? If you see that thread, THEN trash the poster. Otherwise, lighten up a bit.
It really depends on the match-ups, but most likely no. It defeats the purpose of having a back-up Center. Though, I would like to see this 'new and improved Cato' getting a bit more than 10 minutes each game.
Bad hands, bad shot, no post game, poor passing = ill suited to PF, unless you're Ben Wallace and don't have a true center on your team.
If you look at our first championship team, you would see that Thorpe was the backup center when Dream was out of the game. Cato could probably play the same role except with a lot less time at the PF spot. There are only few PF that I would not match him against and they are Nowitzki and Garnett but he could handle almost all the other ones. I think 12 minutes at the center spot and 8-10 minutes at the PF spot would be perfect against more than half of the teams in the NBA.
Sorry. I am not SO AGAINST THIS. But what about Eddie and Mo Taylor? I guess we could try it...we've already tried A LOT. We have had the most different starting lineups this year.
Cato, Griffin, and Ming would be a good matchup against the more physical teams or against teams that have poor outside shooting. Forcing a poor perimeter team to go inside against those three in the fourth quarter would possibly be an interesting solution in certain situations.
We are already preventing good teams from getting inside with just Yao and Griffin. People try to drive in and when they look up, they see Yao and pass out. It's pretty funny to see that. Only dumb players actually challenge Yao and sometimes they make it. But even good players respect Yao and always pass out. That is the only thing they can do. The refs call fouls on Yao and Griffin way too much.
Nah. Defensively let Cato play the 4 and Yao the 5. Offensively let Cato have the 5 spot and let Yao handle the 4. Yao can shoot from outside. Cato has a range of 5 feet. maybe.
Cato cant play the 4. Yao definately cant play the 4. Dont yall think the if Rudy honestly felt that if either could play the 4, especially Cato, that he would have played them together? Its not going to happen anytime soon, baring injury.
There are so many things in Rudy's mind that I am not making any conclusions just because he has not done it yet. Plus there is a need to get MoT going. I would say what we are talking about is down the priority list. If those changes go smoothly and we do not have injuries, I would expect him to steal a chance and see how it works. I still believe that after EG, Collier is our best jump shooter big man. Better that MoT. Ming will continue to cause everybody to get open shots and a shooter like Collier could help. Heck if EG gets injured I am sure you will see it. You will also see Tmo.
