Cato not talking Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich offered praise for the play of center Kelvin Cato during the second half of training camp. Cato did not. Cato, often maligned for his lack of production in the two seasons since signing a seven-year, $42 million contract with the Rockets, said he had no comment about his play and added he would not speak to the media this season. But Tomjanovich was pleased with Cato's progress on the court. "Cato's had some good practices, put several good practices together," Tomjanovich said. "You could see the conditioning on the third day kicked in for him pretty good where he got his second wind. The way he's been staying down defensively out on the floor and then picking his time to go after shots has been very good." Ankle no worry Rockets forward Eddie Griffin said he was not overly concerned with the sprained ankle that forced him to miss most of Monday's practice. Griffin said he has sprained ankles before and is confident he could come back quickly from Monday's injury. "It's not that bad," Griffin said. "I'm going to try to go (today)." Griffin said his first NBA training camp was difficult, but he was pleased with his performance -- and that it was over. "It was tough, but not that bad," Griffin said. "I came in in shape. Two-a-days were hard on our bodies. But we're through with them." http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/bk/bkn/1081305
The media has been pretty brutal on Cato, but it isn't anything he doesn't deserve and he should know that. I'm sure that paper-thin ego of his has taken a beating and he doesn't want to have to deal with the media too. Oh, well.
Thank that nice Blinebury article for that. The guy just went too far. On the other hand, that may just have been the kick in the nuts Cato needed and from now on he will let his game do the talking. Wishful thinking, I know.
Well that explains it. I knew it had to be an upset with the media thing. Blinebury's article was probably the capper, no doubt. Interestingly, Feigen said he was right there with Fran when he got those quotes and though he didn't say he was misquoted at all, he did say Cato implied, 'I'm in shape, but not in Cuttino shape'..... almost like it was more of a compliment to Cuttino than anything else. But I knew something was up there on Cato.... he just wouldn't give me the time of day. Honestly, it pissed me off, but Cato was fine otherwise and last year when I talked to him I thought he was very cool honestly. I'm sure he's pissed.... hopefully it will motivate him (uh...). BTW, I was right there with Feigen when he asked about Cato for that "Rudy on Cato" quote, so it was actually from Sunday morning.
Give the guy a break - you wouldn't be talking to the press either if the Blinebury article was about you. I guarantee that he read it, and I bet he doesn't know Blinebury as well as us either, which would make it hurt even more.' The truth hurts - and it hurts even more if you are tricked into making yourself look stupid. What's worse about the article, in retrospect, is that Blinebury was even trying to create some bad chemistry on the team (or make bad chemistry worse). Now that Fegan's gone....Blinebury is the DEVIL!!!
It wouldn't be the first time Blinebury or Robertson used a quote out of context or wrote a column that pissed someone off. I'm still trying to figure out why the Chronicle hasn't diversified its pool of columnists over the years. Besides replacing Ed Fowler with John Lopez, they have remained unchanged for years. Ok, they added Mickey Herskowitz. Wow, that's a stretch. The Post folds and they bring one of Houston's most talented columnists and sports writers EVER to the paper. That must have been a tough call. I don't really blame the columnists. It isn't their fault that they are the one's that get co-opted into a column every couple of days because the Chron won't spring for more.
Cato not talking to the press is a good thing. If his paper thin ego would be destroyed constantly throughout the year because of the press, then it is good that he won't talk to them. He needs to focus all his effort/energies on the game, only!
It was obvious to me that Blinebury tricked him or used his words against him. That is lazy journalism, at best. let's forget it. Cato didn't say anything he is being accused of. imo, the primary quote from Cato this summer is his admission to being the "weak link." I consider that a positive admission. All the other conditioning stuff we assumed about his "90%" statement is just that--assumptions....assumptions that Blinebury then fueled in an amateur manner (from what Feigen told Clutch). re Rudy's comments. We all know Rudy protects his players with his quotes, but Walt and Griffin also said everyone was playing in shape. Most of all, this quote from Rudy is a little more detailed than usually....and he usually is spot on when he says stuff like this: That is really good news in my opinion. That is the best assessment I could want WRT Cato. Cato can rebound just fine. It is his lazy defense that gets him in foul trouble and takes him out. If Rudy can correct the attitude thing, he still has to teach Cato how to block shots on a consistent basis without getting into foul trouble. From Rudy's quote, it looks like Cato has been working on this vital fundamental of positional d.
I, for one, hope that cato proves most of us wrong and has a decent, consistent, and productive season. The Rockets chances are much better if we get some supporting production from the 4 and the 5 to compliment all the firepower in the backcourt. It should be fun to watch.
Keep in mind, there is also a fine line between a bad and a good attitude in pro sports. If a bad attitude means you get frustrated when you play poorly, get upset, be curt with reporters ... it looks bad when you are playing like garbage. But when you are playing well, it looks like focus, determination, etc. I mean, I don't go for any of the tough guy attitude stuff even with good players -- I am Chucky Brown fan, lest I forget -- but Catos attitude would look more like "Fire" (Blinebury, 10/01) if he was making contributions. I am sticking with my prediciton that Cato has a good year; people need a scapegoat, and Cato is ours. He will emerge from the doghouse soon enough. The question is ... who will replace him? CBFC
Cato not talking!? Good, now he can concentrate on his game and not about what he's gonna say to the media. Cato, just shut up and play! Prove to us that you're gonna do well this season. rH
Really, did Cato not think that he would be scrutinized about his play? The team pays him big bucks to do something and produce, yet we haven't seen anything to warrant the money. That is why people are upset at him, me included. We are not expecting him to be the next Dream but to be the Cato he says he will be. That is all. Cato we will support you when you start to play to your potential. That is why some people chastize you.
I think Cato and his mother should do a Chunky Soup commercial. She can peek up from the back seat of his black, pink and purple Navigator after a game and say,"EAT YOUR CHUNKY SOUP YOU PIE A$$. DAMN, IS IT ANY WONDER WHY BLINEBURY WROTE ALL THAT MESS ABOUT YOU??"
