By your definition, Matt Maloney is a cancer. As is Juwan Howard, Mikki Moore, Shandon Anderson, etc. etc.. By the purpose of this thread as hottoddie outlined in his post, Cato's being a cancer, or not being a cancer, has ZERO to do with his contract. It has everything to do with his attitude if/when Ming starts taking away his minutes-will he poison the clubhouse, or not. His contract has no direct correlation-indirectly, it could make him be complacent. I think we'll need Cato on this team unless we can find a serviceable backup. He has NBA starting experience, and a prototype center body. We cannot go into the season with Collier as the #1 backup. I'm really unsure how he'll react-I think it'll be to one of the extremes, though. Either he'll come out gunning with inspired play, and delay Ming's rise (while enhancing his trade value nicely, hehe), or he'll be utterly ineffective. I don't think he'll have a middle ground.
If we want to make a run at the championship then we need everybody on the team, Cato no more or less. If he wants to win a championship then we can't do without him if he stays on the team. Will he be a team player because he has a contract or a passion to win the title. I think Steve would say a title by the way he sticks by him. my opinion, based on his improvement last year, is that he will be a team player if we are winning and he plays significant minutes. If we start losing and he loses time on the floor so Ming can get more experience then he will revert back to his old form.
Thanks NIKEstrad, for getting the thread back on topic. MManal posted an interesting thought in another thread. He suggested replacing Cato with Marc Jackson. While Jackson isn't very tall, he does have the bulk to play the position & could slide over to PF when needed. With him & Ming playing the bulk of the center minutes, his attitude would probably be as good as it gets. After last year, getting some consistent minutes would probably make him a very happy man. However, if Cato comes in with the right attitude & doesn't cause a disruption, then I'd be comfortable with him starting, at least until Ming is ready to take over.
Kelvin Cato is a cancer to professional sports. He's 7 ft tall with little experience, and we sign him to a nasty deal. Now he has no incentive to improve his game. Just another b**** just looking to get rich, if he wasn't 7ft. he'd be just another guy.In fact most just another guys have more skill than him.He's lucky he's 7ft., now if he can just realize he's an entertainment business and his every weakness will be exploited. If he cries that Ming is taking his job, he can cry all the way outta town.I feel Ming should earn the spot but if Ming earns the spot and Cato cries and becomes lazy as were already used to, I think Steve can just let him take his position to keep him happy.Or maybe Steve can wake the hell up and let Cato know that he's a lazy athlete who gives all the athletes out there who attempt and have the desire to be great a BAD AND SPOILED RAP. Hopefully the BAD and SPOILED RAP Francis has earned will be dispelled when Steve grows up a little and becomes a leader as he was intended to be.Leaders get everyone involved and don't take sides.The most important thing for this leader to do is lead by example (D and Assists) and do what's best for the team.
While I know its easy to get down on Cato, you can't base your opinion solely on stats. He did show more energy last year, both offensively (eg. some slams off of alleyoops from Francis) and defensively (physically challenged players and blocked a few shots). Sure, he is moody, but for the same reason we all want Yao (you can't teach 7-5, 290lbs) Cato also is important if he can be made to understand his role (and its importance) on the team. The team needs someone that can take up space, set screens, block a few shots, and deliver a few hard fouls. This will be more important with Yao since we will need a C that will protect him (doing the above). Heck, Cato needs to look at centers like Felton Spencer as his role models... guys who did little in the box score but a lot on the court to help teams win...
"I don't care to try I get paid the same no matter" attitude is a cancer. I think that is what Cato has. Matt Maloney game was short lived in canning the outside shot. Once that was gone, so was his game. I didn't see his attitude drop. Nothing to do with the contract. Juwan Howard signed a hugh rookie contract - though his NBA game is limited. I don't see him as a cancer. Overpaid, but not a cancer. Mikki Moore - don't know him. Shandon Anderson - Again overpaid but I don't see him as a cancer. I think he does try it's just that people thought he was better than he actually was - do to the offensive setup in Utah. Coleman fits my definition of this type of a cancer. There is a difference between Cancer and Contract and IMO: Cato = cancer (because of his attitude).
