Isnt Cato supposed to be ready to play on Tuesday? Is it really Cato time? Or does this mean it's trade time? Anyone have any answers? In any case, I hope he's ready to contribute!!! ------------------ "I think the people who believed the world was flat were pretty stupid. You would think at least those living near mountains would know better." - P. Mesku
I believe Cato will bring some much needed energy to the frontcourt. Hakeem's energy this month has been great, but the more the merrier. Cato still needs to improve his man to man D and rebounding. ------------------ As the wise Ewok philosopher, Logray, once said, "yub yub"
Cato said he wants to be back against the Wizards. But most likely he wont. They will make him practice with the team for couple days. I see him playing against the Magic. He could play against wizards but not a very good chance. ------------------ "Break off the block like Maurice Green" --- Steve Francis President of the Moochie Norris fan club.
I'm sure Cato has improved since last year..This extra "time off" has given him a chance to improve in his weak areas...he said he'd lead the league in rebounding, of course he isn't, but it definately means he'll improve in the area...We already know he's a great shotblocker....And he's worked hard on a hook shot, so his offense has been worked on too...I think that once he gets the rust off, he'll surprise everyone... ------------------
Sane- Cato will surprise me by playing more than a week without getting hurt. Hopefully since he is finally healthy we can ship him off to some other team looking for a "potentially" good center.
I think Cato's chances of actually playing this season is maybe, maybe no. ------------------ Sometimes you gotta do the next best thing!
Great freaking timing CATO...just when Dream starts kicking butt and most importantly GETTING MINUTES...there you are just in time to limit them. CATO really needs to be Mo's Back up, let Kenny sit, and let Dream play. ------------------ "He said hop on his back and he was goin' ta take us to the promise land...and that's what he done." -- Robert Horry '95
I fully agree, AT. Whatever minutes Cato is able to contribute should come at someone elses expense, not Dream's. I wouldn't care if Cato didn't get many minutes. I realize that Cato doesn't pull the defenses out the way Kenny does, but the guards need to learn to trust the post players. Cato should concentrate on defense first. Let Dream be the offensive post presence. ------------------ Kenny Thomas had a foul called on him in the Western Conference Finals.
Dream's minutes should be limited during the regular season. It will keep him fresher for the post season. It will reduce the chance of injury. It should help him contribute at key times in every game. ------------------ As the wise Ewok philosopher, Logray, once said, "yub yub"
Joe Joe: Just what post-season were you talking about? Certainly not the NBA post-season, because the Rockets are barely within eyesight of the eighth seed. The truth is, if their goal is a playoff birth, the Rockets can't "hold something back." They'll have to claw their way into position using every scrap of skill and luck they possess. Saving Hakeem for the post-season is in effect banishing any hope of the post-season... since his rejuvenation may be our only chance. I think that Hakeem's resurgence has led everyone to be a bit optimistic on other fronts as well... like Cato. The guy, outside of one preseason game, has been a dud... and an injury stricken dud at that. He can't even stay IN GAMES due to foul trouble when he is healthy. What makes you think, that after missing months of playing time, he'll be any better than he was before? I'm not counting my chickens. ------------------ Shandon Anderson rocks. The lottery sucks. Playoffs 2001.
Is it just me or is "Cato time" the funniest thing I have heard today! hehe....I mean what the hell is Cato going to do? Im with u Hooptie. I call 2 minutes before something happens to his ass. ------------------ SUCK POLICE!!!!!! To point out individuals or teams that have managed to reach the pinnacle of SUCKINESS!!!!! ----- Strowshow has gone way beyond the point of SUCKINESS!
I don't have any problem with Cato getting minutes along with Hakeem. Even during this great stretch of basketball that Dream has manufactured, he is still not playing that many minutes. Even at his best, Dream still needs a lot of rest during the game. What I would like is for Hakeem to play most of the first quarter, and maybe a bit more, then have Cato play most of the second and third, with Dream picking up all the clutch minutes, since he has been so successful down the stretch lately. ------------------ "Of course, everything looks bad if you remember it!" Homer Simpson
Sorry guys, you're in for a dissapointment. Cato is not a dud. Cato will surprise you the way I'm talking about. The way I see it, when Cato is at full fitness, I'd love him starting and playing the first half, with Hakeem playing the second half so he can be at his best in the fourth quarter. Hakeem would be much more affective at 24 min/game. Cato would be happy too. Against a front-line of Malik Rose, Tim Duncan, and David Robinson, I wouldn't mind starting MO at SF, Cato at PF, and Hakeem at C.....I think it would counter beautifully. Cato is just the C this team needs. Doesn't take many shots, blocks like hell, will rebound better than average. I'm not looking for him to be an All-Star, but next year with max minutes, i wouldn't be surprised with 11ppg, 9reb, 3.2blk...... ------------------
Maybe we should start a pool when Cato comes off IR. The winner is who predicts the next game Cato gets a DNP.
If this team needs a center that is constantly on the IR, then sure, he is exactly what this team needs. I think you may be misunderstanding some of us. I would LOVE Cato to be able to play. But the fact is, he is always injured, and we have become accustomed to it now. I don't think there are many here that doubt what he can do, we just haven't seen enough of it. ------------------ There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
I'm with Sane. Cato is exactly the center this team needs. But if he gets DNP's after coming off the IR, I bet it's because they're still cooking trades...
1st off, I don't think Hakeem can play extended minutes without wearing out quickly and getting injured. The rockets are 6 games out with a somewhat easier schedule to finish the year. I wouldn't say the rockets are a lock for postseason, but I don't see the point in playing Hakeem a lot if the rockets aren't going to make the playoffs and aren't going to keep him next year. When I play anything, I always assume I am going to win up until I lose. If you assume you are going to lose, you guarantee it. ------------------ As the wise Ewok philosopher, Logray, once said, "yub yub"
Who is this Cato that you guys keep talking about? ------------------ Good night everyone, Canadian or American. Just remember that we're all bound together by basketball, the internet and the mullet. (My attempts at trying to sooth over an international incident).
Joe Joe: By your logic we'd be holding Francis in reserve right now under the assumption that we're going to make the playoffs anyway. Assume the best... fine. That doesn't bother me. But you have to be realistic about our situation. The Rockets *have* to win a great deal in the coming weeks to have a shot at the playoffs. Six games might not seem like that much, but let me tell you, it's a lot when the other team isn't losing very much (as is the case in the West). Cato has been injured for most of his tenure with the Rockets. When he hasn't been injured, he's been in foul trouble. When he hasn't been in foul trouble, he's been bricking shots and turning the ball over. He does register an occasional block. I appreciate the optimism, but your only argument for Cato seems to be "he has an athletic and healthy body." That just doesn't cut it. Plenty of extraordinarily athletic athletes have been complete flops int he NBA. Sheer skill does come in to play... which is why other people, like Jeff Hornacek have had successful careers. Hoop-T: I'd guess 22 minutes . ------------------ Shandon Anderson rocks. The lottery sucks. Playoffs 2001.
