Ok, ok, wait...before you throw rotten eggs at the screen, hear me out... I am not a big fan of Cato's, and the position I have come to is neither one I'm happy with, nor one I expected...However, I have indeed come to the conclusion that, short of acquiring a Raef LaFrentz (of whom I am a fan), keeping Cato and giving him another chance is by far the Rockets best otpion remaining. The reasons why I fell this way are as follows: 1) Cato's value is as low as it is going to get...Right now he is viewed as a talented big man with questionable work ethic/durablity. His talent is not going to evaporate with a failed second cance, so what little value he has now isn't threatened by another opportunity. The worst way to treat commodities is buy high, sell low. We've already done the first...let's not do the second. Cato, at worst, is still capable of stretches of quality play, like the one that got him his contract. I say that, at the very least, wait for one of these stretches to raise his market value.If it doesn't, we are just where we are anyway. 2) Big men often develop slowly, and are often judged too quickly. They are also a rare asset. Should Cato develop a better attitiude, avoid the injury bug, etc. you have a C that really fits the needs of the team we are developing. While he has disapointed thus far, the value of his potential might supercede that of trying to dump him and having to lose other talent just to accomodate the dump. 3) What are the options? Aside from LaFrentz, the others out there are Marc Jackson, Olden Polyneice, etc...Jackson has proven no more than Cato had during his stretch of good play, in fact less, and his up-side is less than Cato's (IMO), and suits our team less. The other re-treads and role players might make better team-mates and/or role models than Cato, but none of them has the potential to fulfill a starter's role that Cato has. 4) This idea of addition by subtraction is, I feel, mis-applied here. It would have made sense if it had been done in time to free up cap room for the likes of Webber, etc. but now that we're essentially going after guys we already have room for, the cap room thing can wait till next year. The only other reason that addition by subtraction makes sense is if the guy is a "cancer" on the team. While I have heard complaints about his work ethic and ability to play with pain, I have never heard that Cato is a disruption in the locker room, nor a bad teammate. If there is info in this regard that I don't have, please let me know. Otherwise the decision to get rid of Cato just because he's been a source of frustration is an emotional one, ie. a fan's kind of decision, and those kind rarely work out. WHile I wouldhave prefered it if we had done something like get LaFrentz, etc., short of better options, more (yes, more) patience might very well be the smartest thing to excercise here.
I took a look at MJ stats and they look to be more than just a flash. Nine out of Ten games this guy PLAYED IN he had double figure points, a solid fg percentage and decent rebound numbers. I would take him for 5 mil, then do whatever is necessary to get rid of Cato. Collier is not and will not, ever be ready. So its really Cato or Jackson, Maybe both.-
JAG, I have no problem with the notion of giving Cato a chance now. In fact we do not really have a choice, it is the right thing to do with Akeem's departure. But our needs go further than that. We need addition depth at the position and protection against Cato failing to deliver. So we have to get somebody. Your choice in LaFrentz but mine is Jackson. His per 48 minute stats is better than or close to La Frentz with a much better low post game and body. Also those stats are better than Taylor's who everyone is more than happy to have. The Rocket should get Jackson and leave the three to handle the 5 spot and see what happens. They all have upside and at least two of them will deliver. Remeber the team will be dominant at the 1,2,3, and 4 spots. There are not alot of team that can say that. How many position are the 76ers or Lakers dominant in? 76ers: probably 3 and 5 and the Lakers: 5 and 2. So when he upgrade the center spot, even if it is marginal, it will mean a lot. With Jackson and Cato, no one can say we are weak at that spot. They may not call it our strength but clearly they should not call it our liability.
I would be less uncomfortable with Cato if he had at least played in the summer leagues and shown that he was healthy and committed to playing. I have a similar problem with the health of Collier. Either Marc Jackson or Raef LaFrentz would be good additions. I would take LaFrentz over Jackson because I feel he is more of a proven commodity and a better overall fit.
