Steve has also been caught on tape calling Cato the 60,000,000 bust. All I know is that I am ready for some physical play down low. Any takers?
Cato lovers, relax. He'll have plenty of PT for years, since every team in the league will focus on putting Yao in foul trouble as fast as possible. And you know what's funny? You've heard about that informal contest going around the league about who's going to be the first to dunk on Yao? Cato's going to win that contest.
Cato's numbers last year were not any better than his first year with the Rockets. Cato had a good season last year = myth.
When ROCKET!!! came with his take on things, I said any alternatives to be considered must net us a package better than Ming, Cato and Collier, collectively. If you are serious about winning the NBA title you have to have a package down low. Ask Dallas, Kings, Wolves, Trailblazers and NJ about that. Our current package is at this point probably the best in the league if you do not consider the Lakers; and I do not see any of them going anywhere. NJ would have loved to have Cato or Collier to go against Shaq instead of Williams or Pollard in the case of the Kings. We should take comfort in that package having all 7fts with different things they bring to the table. I happen to believe that your chances against Shaq is better if you attack him and that package allows that. By attack I mean go after him offensively and defensively. Use up the 18 fouls. Regarding Cato, I would release him to be more of a shot blocker and forget about fouls. Challenge as many shots as possible. In fact the same approach for EG and Ming. Also, Francis and Mobley have to forget about coming in for rebounds.
Let's see......Cato CAN'T shoot, CAN'T dribble, CAN'T "D-up", CAN'T rebound, CAN'T block shots, CAN'T get stronger, CAN'T stay/get in shape, AND now, CAN'T speak for himself! How can you NOT love this guy?!
Actually I do like the luxury have having TWO true centers. Because first of all, we went without Cato a few games last year when he injured himself and we put who? Griffin in the center spot, and he was too light and gettin pushed around. So by having Cato and Ming both in the center spot, it will give Ming a chance to develop and blend himself into the Rocket's lineup. And the same time, it probably will PUSH Cato to play better knowing he has a GIANT breathing right behind him. Cuz come on! Collier is no competition, the guy can't even play! And who else do we have? Willis was good, but his time is coMING!
I also think Cato did a decent job last year, and the competition for the starting job should make him even better. I'm also happy to have two true centers....I just hope we get something great when we trade one of them.
Actually Steve never said that he thought Cato was going to be better than Ming. It's one thing for people to buy into stupid rumors without hearing anything from Steve's mouth, it almost seems worse to put words in Steve's mouth in order to bash him.
I hope he tries REAL HARD.... Ming will definately light a fire under Cato's @ss, whether or not it will burn is up to Cato... I hope Cato does do ALOT better this year, if take 's The Organization drafting a 7'-5" guy to do it, then so be it...or maybe we'll just get his usual pouty, whiney, sulking self... CATO, I'M BEGGING YOU, PROVE TO US THAT YOU ARE WORTHY!!! I dare ya
Excellent posts DLS and Old School. Ming and Cato provide a very solid 5 spot. Regardless of who is starting. Starting is not as important as who finishes. Ask Da Jet and Sam I Am.
LOL Cato rolled over and died when he was traded away from Bloserville. He has never wanted to play in Houston.
DLS: I'll take your back on this. You're right -- Cato is our whipping boy (he brought it on himself, to some extent), but mainly the criticism is unduly harsh at this point. He DID play better last year than people expected (and previous years, numbers be damned), but he will continue to take the brunt of the "Rockets 2K Suck" criticism for the more affable members of the team -- the charasmatic Stevie Franchise (right...), the flamboyant Cuttino Mobley (essentially an unclassifiable "Gonzo the muppet" breed of basketball player that I STILL cannot decide if I like or not), and even Rudy Tomjanovich. Cato is a nice goat because he does not play with media, is an obviously flawed player, and gets easily frustrated. But calling Cato a lazy bum is like calling Robert Horry a lazy bum. BS. They are r-o-l-e players with flaws and awkward body language. Does Cato scare anyone? No. But neither did Kenny Smith and we overpaid him too. Dude still won us a title in Game 1 of the 95 Finals. But if we are relying on Kelvin Cato to carry this team, we are stupid, stupid fans. Cato is fine. Not great. Fine. Better than Todd McCullough. Okay? Role players need their niche to be created for them by the stars and coaches (see: Kenny, Horry, Vernon), so hopefully this batch of folks will create a situation where Cato makes sense. He's fine. I agree with Steve -- he deserves more respect than he gets (which is zero) and he will fight for his job best he can. Go get 'em, Kelvin. CBFC Ps. He writes Children's books which is cooler than anything the other Rockets do off the court.
You knowing anything about basketball = myth Good posts CBFC and DLS... Cato is overpaid, he was pathetic two seasons ago, last season sucked, someone has to be the scapegoat...Hey let's pick on Cato Obviously people forget his improvement. It's not a myth. He put together a string of double doubles and double digit rebounding quite often. He was actually catching passes and even making short range jumpshots. Does anyone remember him taking the charge against Shareef? Does anyone remembering him saying he wanted the team to take pride and not tank? Does anyone remember him actually playing with passion or sinking 2 ft's to seal a game? No, Cato is improving and until Ming earns his spot stop complaining and keep some faith and stop being bitter, whining fans...
DLS: "No matter what Cato does, seems Rocket fans will always boo him, and always remember his previous years and the size of his wallet." Aye, there's the rub. No matter how good he is, people will dislike him for the size of his contract and the way he "let us down." Remember, when he signed that deal, he had earned it by getting a triple double in a preseason game. Did people expect him to do that regularly against real competition? DearRock, Tozai, and Chucky Brown Fan made excellent points and described Cato better than I could. I have been a harsh critic of his in the past, but I stopped last season because t appeared he was trying, and, to an extent, succeeding. He's better than any center on the Nets or Suns, and long term, he's our backup. I wrote in another thread ("Can Ming and Cato Co-Exist" or something like that) that the two of them playing against each other in practice would make both of them better and give us the second best center position in basketball, after Shaq and whoever. I still believe that.
ROTFLMmf'nAO!!!!! *, THAT WAS FUNNY. and so is that name "Col. Crap." dude, i actually started crying i was laughing so hard...
