Because the Rockets will be over the projected $34 million salary cap and because the collective-bargaining agreement does not allow players to receive the "Larry Bird exception" to the cap until after their fourth season, Mobley is classified as an "early Bird." That means the Rockets can offer him no more than 108 percent of the average salary next season, which is expected to be $3.8 million. Thus, roughly $4.1 million will be their outside limit. Is that enough? "He deserves more than that," Francis said. "We'll see," Mobley said. "All I'm trying to do right now is play out these last few games of the season and keep us on the roll we're on. I try to never look into the future, just keep my mind on today. "I want it to work out. I hope it works out. I love the idea of playing with Steve for a lot of years. We have a special chemistry. We're not the least bit jealous of each other, and I think that's what makes us succeed on the court. We actually look out for each other. "I don't mind the idea that he's got the higher profile and I'm more in the background. We could be like Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars. That doesn't matter to me. But if I had to leave because of the money, I think Steve would understand. I know he would." Rockets might be at risk For the Rockets it could be a fidgety summer of waiting. All it would take is one $5 million offer to remove the situation from their hands. Could it happen? Well, consider that the Rockets gave Kelvin Cato six years at $42 million and all he's done since is prove Anthony "Pig" Miller isn't the only oinker on the roster. If work ethic were mortar, Cato couldn't build a brick phone booth. Is Mobley worth more than Cato? Of course. Actually, it should be stated this way: Cato is worth less than Mobley. And Mobley knows it. But the Rockets are stuck on the horns of the dilemma they made. "They did good for me, and I've played my heart out for them," Mobley said. "If it doesn't work out, well, best wishes to everybody." A prickly situation all around. Cuttino wants money and he means he wants it. How much do you guys think he is worth? ------------------ President of the Moochie Norris FAN CLUB
I want to see him stay for the good of the team and for himself. But the team will survive if he desides that 4 million is not enough, and doesn't feel the Rockets can be trusted to make it up later. All he has to do is check past history. Rudy has used him to the best advantage of both the team and his own improvement, will he now fall into the group of players before him. Several players have started their demand for what they were worth and as a result were traded or left, with the exception of Ellie, who has won anything other then the bigger paychecks? He has the chance to get his money later, as if 4 million were nothing! He has a chance to enjoy being used by Rudy to his best advantage, he can go with the Rockets to the championship OR if its all about money, he can leave and take his chances that he does better then the players before him. ------------------
IF Mobley wants more money then you can't begrudge him that. It would be nice to keep him but at what cost? For me, the bigger risk is not losing him but paying him too much. If we agree to a deal where he earns $4 mil next yeat and BIG BUCKS the following year, that puts the Rockets at risk - what if he stinks it up just like Cato has? We already have an exceptional 2 guard in Anderson so it won't be the end of the world if he goes. ------------------ http://rocketdavo.tripod.com
I don't agree with the notion there is much of a risk in overpaying Mobley. Maloney was risk, Cato was a risk, but Mobley has played very well with heavy minutes for two years--his 1st two years in two different positions no less. Further, he has continued to improve despite increased focus on other teams stopping him and less talent around him (virtually no Chuck and Hak down low). Signing him at a reasonable salary--say with the early Bird next year with a guarantee for maybe 5-6 Mil per year after next year is by far the best move we can make this offseason. Better than such reasonable plausible options of signing Brian Grant, Mo Taylor, Croshere, Tim Thomas, or Kurt Thomas (consider the potential for overpaying these guys--especially the on-the-downside looking Grant and overprice no-D Taylor via Sign & Trade). I think signing Mobley will happen though for no other reason there are so many even more talented FA's out there and limited bigger salary slots available. I could see Orlando or Chicago (not sure who else Davo??) making him their #5 or #6 target and we could be in trouble if there isn't much movement among Duncan, Hill, Jones and/or McGrady. [This message has been edited by sir scarvajal (edited April 17, 2000).]
Thought this was an interesting comment on a sports page recently dedicated to Boston sports in response to that Chronicle article: Looks like the Rockets won't be able to re-sign Cuttino Mobley this summer... now THERE'S someone who would help the Celts. Too bad we have no cap room. This column also mentions how unhappy Houston is with Kelvin Cato... don't be surprised if his name surfaces with the Celts this summer in a "we're unhappy with our center and you hate yours, too" trade. Oh please no ... no Potapenkos allowed. ------------------ NOTHING BUT .NET CLUTCHCITY.NET
maybe a trade like this (*please note pitino said their would be an overhaul of the team) houston gets: antoine walker adrian griffin danny fortson boston gets: kelvin cato cuttino mobley bryce drew walt williams ------------------ johnny "red" kerr:i'm glad the bulls did'nt draft steve francis. dan roan: why!!!!! johnny red kerr:because he would forever be compared to michael jordan.
Brahma...the overhaul starts with Pitino. And anyone who would want a cancer like Walker ... is ... I'd consider Cato for: Battie *and* Fortson But, I'd insist on a 2 for 1 deal, since they don't use Fortson worth crap. Boston really wants a center bad!!!
Why does the CBA punish teams for finding talent in the 2nd round? The Rockets are really getting screwed. Most any movement this summer that doesn't include re-signing Cat is definitely one step back. ------------------
I figured Cat would show a bit more loyalty since every other team passed him up in the draft while the Rockets gave him a chance. ------------------
He won't be going anywhere. The Rockets will match his salary, and we will get R. Lewis too. DaDakota ------------------
Interesting... I say if Mobes wants to play for the money, go ahead then, leave. He can be replaced. It seems that all that matters anymore is how much money everyone can make. Its not about winning championships. The Rockets made a MAJOR mistake signing Cato to that contract. They did the same thing with Quitten. Portland bailed them out. Hope there is another sucker team out there (Celtics) willing to take another overpaid player off our hands. DO NOT ACQUIRE WALKER Like HP said, He is a cancer.
Man, the Rockets made a terrible mistake in signing Cato to that big contract. I mean, the guy is really young and all, and we DID get him for his future talents. I can understand the lack of offense, but what I cannot take is his lack of hustle and concentration, plus his lack of rebounding. I always hear Calvin and Bill talking about how the Rox are gettin outrebounded. The guy is 6'11 and one of the best leapers for a big man that I've ever seen. He has to get some more rebounds. I find myself getting exasperated too much by Cato. I really hope we trade him, so we can have some $$$ to sign Cuttino back. ------------------ treasurer of the moochie norris fan club
I keep hearing you guys badger Cato. it's true, he might not be dikembe mutombo or anything like that, but we did sign him for the future. and i heard that one of the main reasons he doesn't get a lot of rebounds is that he goes for the blocks, and furthermore he doesn't have the bulk. he is more lanky and tall then big and strong. if he pumps up over the summer then maybe he'll be a better boardworker. we shouldn't call him a bust until he's had a little more time. about cuttino, i hope that we keep him just because of the chemisitry that he and steve have, and i feel that maybe if cat leaves than stevie will bolt once his time is up too. ------------------
I was a Cato fan at the beginning of the season, but I've grown to dislike him more and more as the season has progressed. I was especially frustrated with him after the Seattle game. He didn't even look like he was trying. Also, I think Cato is listed at 255 lbs, same as Hakeem. He's got the mass but probably doesn't hit the weights enough. Perhaps that reflects his work ethic? Anyways, all of this is off topic. Sign Mobley. ------------------
We signed Cato for potntial & to play hard every night, which he did up to the point he signed his contract. Now Cato shows up occassionally. Ha sanyone noticed he seems to have good games on Natinal TV (or maybe it's just because the Rockets have played well on TV this year). My point is Cato will probably have a break out season in 5 years, when he is in the final year of a contract. Cato=Mistake. Also if we lose Mobley, I blame management. They should have talked to Cat well before the trade deadline to find out his intentions. If money was going to be a problem then we should have traded him. I think Mobley is a crucial part of this team and losing him for nothing is UNACCEPTABLE. ------------------
Here's a couple of points on the resigning of Mobley: 1. An Early Bird contract would allow us to pay Mobley just over $4M next year. The problem is that Early Bird contracts have to be for a minumum of two years. So, you'd have to wait 2 years in order to give him more money. If Mobley really thinks he's worth something approaching the max, then he won't go for a two year for that kind of money. 2. We have the right to match any offer for Mobley, but we still can't exceed the cap in order to match. This is because Mobley isn't a Bird-rights free agent. What does that mean? It means that if Mobley doesn't want to do a two year early Bird deal at $4M/yr, then the most we can offer is the middle class exception at $2.2M. If another team offers Mobley more than that, then we would be unable to match the offer (since we'd be capped out). I think our best chance of keeping Mobley is that his true market value ends up being in the neighborhood of $4M. That way he's not leaving much money on the table by taking an early Bird deal with Houston. ------------------
The Rockets have proven themselves in the play-now/pay-later arena. On the promise of getting reimbursed later, his pride would still be intact if he played for the max the Rockets could offer him. Not only that, but he improves his public perception as a team player. For the next two years he can remind everyone of the "sacrifice" he made for this team - a la Barkley. ------------------
TB: I think the major problem is that CB was already financially set, and he was making a sacrifice thinking that adding Pip would mean a championship. Mobley is young and not financially secure yet. I wouldn't expect a young player to sign a short term deam (1-2 years) for below market value. What if he gets hurt. I know it is tough for all of us to consinder $3-4 million a year not a lot of money, but what happens if he has a career ending injury. I think Cat will go to whoever gives him the most $, my real question is will someone be willing to pay him more than we can offer. I heard someoen discussing that there are very few teams with alot of salary cap space, and hopefully alot of that money will be spent on Eddie Jones and maybe Grant Hill or Duncan or Jalen Rose. I hope noone can give Cat what we can, because I couldn't blame him for leaving if it was because we couldn't pay him what others would. ------------------
