Swopa, You're right. I did just want to talk smack with that last question! (I appreciated the answers to the other 2) Thanks for being a sport, though. Actually, man I am impressed that a GS fan has been a member of this bbs for a year, and has over a hundred posts! Can't say I've ever visited a GS board. To be honest, I'd love to see the Warriors do well. They have a proud tradition (dating back to the days when they were across the bay, and before that when they were in Philly) and its a pity to see them do about as well in the last 10 years as the Clippers or the Mavs. Where's Rick Barry when you need him? ------------------ (woohoo - page 5!) [This message has been edited by SamCassell (edited September 04, 2000).]
Swopa, great posts. But, I think I can speak for most Rocket fans in that we were elated to get rid of Pip. He has a bad back, a questionable attitude, and a 14 million dollar a year contract. And he is 33. Check his #s with Walts. They aren't that far off. ------------------ "The road to hell is paved with Republicans."
No need for you to go anywhere else -- this is the best board anywhere. I came across it about a year ago (looking for info on whether Sam Mack might sign with the W's), and was blown away by the quality of the discussions and the site itself. So I can't help but check in every so often, particularly when there's a need to provide info about (and defend the tattered honor of) the beleaguered W's. ------------------ [This message has been edited by Swopa (edited September 04, 2000).]
I wouldn't mind getting a guy like Antawn Jamison for defensive reason but other than that he doesn't fit Houston's system at all. Erick Dampier for Kelvin Cato? Now thats just ridiculus. Kelvin has more upside than Dampier who seems to get hurt a lot. Cato is just learning post moves where Dampier, who has been in league longer, has no post moves. I keep Cato b/c of his shotblocking talent and making oppenents change their shots. Cato has something defensively that is very rare. He has a quick verticle, guys like Kenyon Martin, Theo Ratliff and even Rasheed Wallace have. They get off the ground quickly and can go up before others do. Its just that simple for them. Others like Duncan, Shaq and Robinson don't have that quick leap. Dream used to have that quick leap as well. I keep Cato for his D and hope he can get at least a decent post move here and there(like a hook shot, ala Kevin Willis). ------------------
Is this the most popular post ever or what??? ------------------ Arkansas' Biggest Rocket Fan! P.S. VOTE YES!!!
I'd be iffy about trading Cato. Remember last pre-season when he blocked every damn thing that came toward him? I'd like to see him have another season to develop. Last year was just too screwy with Hakeem and Charles going down. IMO, Cato was expected to take over in the middle too soon. I'd like to see him have another season and then (hopefully) make a run at Rashard. ------------------ I need a new signature. 302
[/B][/QUOTE] Another bad thing about Cato is that he is too stupid to have a good court vision. His understading of the game is so poor...his stats could have been much higher only if he had some brain. ------------------ Hack a Shaq you'll be winning Hack-him you'll be dreaming.
Lynus, are you asking if I remember one pre-season game. Yes! That is why I think Cato's defense sucked last year. He has the capabilities to explode, but absolutely no fundamentals to allow it to work on a consistent basis. All anyone can ever say about Cato is the pre-season Cleveland game, and the Laker game. That's pitiful. I'll give him until the trading deadline, then you must take offers if you think he'll never learn to play defense; because count on his price dropping if he keeps getting faked-out in the lane. Cato is a stupid defender. Face it; he may never learn to play smart.
heypee-Didn't Cato average somewhere around 5 blocks per game for the preseason? I feel Cato's a better shotblocker than what he showed last season (he should be average .5-1 more block per game than he did.) but, if we're looking for a guy who closes the middle up completely, and makes sure no guards feel safe about going into the lane, like Hakeem could, the only 2 of those guys around are pretty much Zo, and Mutumbo. We need a much better showing from Cato. The only problem with trading him, is trying to replace him. By the way: I feel this thread could easily make it to 8 pages, if Doc Rocket or oileypee comes back and adds fuel to the fire, and says the deal is close to done. ------------------ The Serious Police are watching. Follow the rules or be assimilated. Shandon is underrated. [This message has been edited by NIKEstrad (edited September 04, 2000).]
ya come on oileypee post something to make it to 10 pages . i got it..... "last night god talked to me, and well he told me the rockets and kings are stirring up something....... ------------------ Bow down to GOD FRANCIS! "If they offered me (a lifetime contract) tomorrow, I'd take it." -- Steve Francis on if the Rockets offered him a lifetime deal. He has now been elevated to "God" status.
HP: I remember people raving about Cato's shotblocking skills during the preseason. I know his defense more or less sucked, or at the very least, he sure didn't live up to anyones expectations. The man went from barely double-digit minutes in Portland to starting for us AND getting the vast majority of starters minutes when he was supposed to do neither. With all the physical and mental changes that come along with that, I'm more than willing to give him another season to progress. Besides that, who else is available? For the most part, he is our only option at this point. Cato needs work, that is obvious. Yes, I'm basing my support purely on the potential of last preseason and the blocks against Shaq. Even if that Laker game was a pure fluke, at least Cato has a big enough body to bang in the middle. If we can get a better deal, then great. Do it. Until then, Cato is our man. ------------------ I need a new signature. 302
<a name="heypartner">.</a> <a href="http://bbs.clutchcity.net/ubb/Forum3/HTML/008509.html#heypartner">keep spinning</a> Nike, are you making excuses for him...Cato isn't even close to top 10 frontcourt defenders in the league. He doesn't need to be Mourning to make me happy (although he has the raw ability). (btw: Garnett is so far superior to Cato's defense, you simply cannot leave him out of your list. Garnett is playing point position in Rudy's full-court trap right now.) Cato need only match Foyle and Ratliff, defensively, to make him worth it. I am not asking for much, considering his "explosiveness". I love defense, and I have season tickets. I was thrilled to get Cato, and watched him very carefully for 40 games, and have the benefit of knowing college scouts from Iowa. Am I just a potted plant here? I feel one of the most common assumptions in basketball is speed and raw jumping ability can be taught to play great defense. The guy has shown few skills for defense his entire college and NBA career. He is notorious for poor footwork, court vision, instincts and fundamentals. You cannot teach the first 3 things anymore than you can improve someone's jumping ability. His defense is easily the most overrated thing on the Rockets. sorry...I hate saying that. And I will be the first to report any Cato progress...trust me. [This message has been edited by heypartner (edited September 04, 2000).]
Sounds like the potted plant needs watering HPee is right about Cato's fundamentals. He doesn't have any. He is frequently out of position and very rarely blocks anyone out. He got by in college on raw ability. The NBA requires more than just ability. Why else would the Blazers unload him for an aging and very overated Quitten? ------------------ In order to be a success in life, you need 2 things: 1. Don't tell everything you know.
I had to say it in the spirit of the trivia weekend. So, who said it first? "Am I just a potted plant here?"
HP, I am in complete agreement. I have always felt that Cato's defense is way overrated. In fact, I think I posted that somwhere in this thread. The thing is that people tend to confuse defense with good jumping ability and getting a few mouth watering rejections every once in a while. I highly doubt that Cato will ever develop. However, I will give him a chance to prove himself this year. This year he knows that it's his time. For some reason, I think he got the impression that he wouldn't be playing as much as he did last year due to the fact that we had our core group of Barkley and Olajuwon intact. Maybe he's the type of person that need prior understanding and preparation. Maybe now that he knows that this is the year he will step up. ------------------ Nederland 2002 Qualifying Campaign (Damn those penalties!!!) Houston Rockets Space Center- Not just another ClutchCity.NET clone. We're that and more!
Oh No, What if he flops. He will have 0 trade value. Trade him now!!! ------------------ In order to be a success in life, you need 2 things: 1. Don't tell everything you know.
Cato's Official Site: http://www.playerpages.com/cato.htm ------------------ In order to be a success in life, you need 2 things: 1. Don't tell everything you know.
what? excuses? Of course not. My only question is, if we're going to trade him, we better improve the team, and have an idea who our starting center is. It better be someone who can block shots, defend and rebound, because the reason Taylor was brought here couldn't be any of those. This coming preseason hopefully give us a good idea about Cato. He needs to play with fire, and intimidate, things he showed in last year's preseason. He then became a scared puppy. If he's been working out to the point that CD is bragging on him, and not just trying to bump his value, he may prove to be what we need. But dumping Cato for a piece of gum would not be a good idea. I wouldn't mind a move of Cato, followed up by a pickup of Keon Clark. ------------------ The Serious Police are watching. Follow the rules or be assimilated. Shandon is underrated. [This message has been edited by NIKEstrad (edited September 04, 2000).]
Jamison a piece of gum? I don't think so. ------------------ In order to be a success in life, you need 2 things: 1. Don't tell everything you know.
