A younger Mutumbo are my sentiments exactly. With the exception of a younger Dream. ------------------ Moses begat Sampson, Sampson begat Hakeem, And Hakeem led us to the promised land
I agree Cato has a long way to go, but he has all the tools and he is as athletic as any center in the game. I'm not as down on his D as you though. I remember he had a couple of good games on Shaq last year. Also aside from his shot blocking he offers weak side help better than any one on the team other than Dream. I saw him get out of position for rebounds a bunch last year because he would come over and try to help out someone else on D. As far as offensive, he has enough athletism that if you get the ball to him close enough to the rim he can score. We were teased with that in several games last year. I think it is imparitive to get Cato healthy for the second half of the year to see what he has before we trade him. ------------------
Guys,I knew I would catch a little for this..lol,but I just think his footwork will improve along with his court sense.I'm just coming from the position that I haven't given up on him yet.How old Is Motumbo?...Isn't Motumbo about 36-40..Like Manute,I think they chopped down his tree a looong time ago,but unlike Manute he could and can still play...He has turned out to be a better player than I ever thought he would be.How long would you sign Motumbo for?I just feel we need a bigtime defensive presence there and I don't think Raef is the answer.Either at the 4 or 5 we have to get an eraser and glass cleaner.I like Ken Johnson,but want to see a guy whose already shown promise in the NBA now at the 5...and I also wouldn't include Shaq in there amongst the guys who are becoming antiquated..He is definitely the exception. Ratliffe,is of course untouchable,so....who else?..hmmm.I always thought Jelani would turn into a helluva player at the 4,but he's had some problems. ------------------ [This message has been edited by hardwood (edited January 23, 2001).]
Lets see, our choices are; Chris Dudley Luc Longley Travis Knight Jim Mcllvaine Greg Foster Boyy! Those are some really great ball-players! I would to kill to have at least one of them on our team! ------------------ -President of the Hakeem Olajuwon of 94 and 95 FanClub-
I'm big on LaFrentz as an ideal center for this team. 12 ppg, 7.2 rpg, and 2.3 bpg. Gives you a little low post scoring, nails 37% from 3 ball land, and can run the floor. PF is definately his best position, but he can hold his own at center. ------------------
crash, I'll agree with you (and others) that Cato has potential, speed, and athleticism. But the players who translate raw potential into greatness, or even pretty-goodness, are the guys who want to succeed and put in the extra hours to add to their game. Like Dream did in the early to mid 1990s, like Jordan did, like Kidd and Kobe and Hill and even Vince Carter have done in today's NBA. I just haven't seen evidence yet that Cato is willing or able to improve on his weaknesses. Until he does, give me a proven commodity over a prospect. Cato played great at times (like vs. Shaq) but was mediocre too often. I would love to see him play at his peak 70% of the time. ------------------ I am Jack's utter lack of surprise. www.clutchtown.com
I like Lafrentz, but I don't think he would solve a lot of our rebounding problems. If Cato can produce we would be in great shape, but I think a younger Mutumbo type player is exactly what we need. As long as Mo can keep up the offense and develop the post game we have him as our presence down low...and we all know how well the Rockets coaches develop big men. We need to get a hard-nosed player in the draft(???) or through FA(Dale Davis, Antonio Davis, Mutumbo). While Mark Jackson doesn't fit my description of the center we need, I wouldn't argue against getting him. If we got, say, Antonio Davis, check out the balance we would have... Francis- all around player Cuttino- scorer Shandon- all around Mo- scoring, somewhat post player Davis- rebounder, good D, decent offense Francis scores and distributes, Cat scores, Shandon scores and distributes a little, Mo and AD can post and rebound. ------------------ "Steve is good. Steve is real good." -- Cleveland's rookie point guard Andre Miller on Rocket rookie point Steve Francis [This message has been edited by DieHard Rocket (edited January 23, 2001).]
I just haven't seen evidence yet that Cato is willing or able to improve on his weaknesses. -SamCassell Well he did work real hard in the offseason... he just hasn't had the luck to stay out of injury to prove it. ------------------ PrEsident of The Danforth Langhford FAN CLUB... He IS our future All-Star Small Forward
I say shaq fits the offense well. He rebound well and enforces the middle. He also gives you a pretty good offensive low post presence. After we get him, Duncan would compliment him well with his ability to go out to 18 feet. Seriously, i think cato can be our center of the future. His numbers from last yearweren't THAT bad. 9 ppg, 6 Rpg, 2 Bpg. Dream does that and gets 16.5 mil. I know the deal was signed back in the glory days, but im trying to make a point. I think in a couple years when cato is healthy he will give us 12ppg, 9 rpg, and 3 bpg. That would be the ideal center for our offense. His jump shot also extends to 17 feet(what we have seen of him was when his wrist was injured) ------------------ President of the Charles Barkley fan club...Oh he retired? When?
Camby would be perfect, but Keon might do ok. also Jumain Oneil ------------------ Hanta-Force Paintball http://www.hanta-force.com
Raef Lafrentz huh?....great game for him tonight....Gotta hand it to him ,even though it was against a small front line....who the hell was supposed to D up on him for that three? ------------------ [This message has been edited by hardwood (edited January 23, 2001).]
The problem with Cato is that he doesn't have an outside shot. Defenses would not follow him away from the bucket & if he stays under the bucket for dunks, then you jam up the middle which would stop our guards & forwards from cutting to the hole. If I'm the other team & Cato goes outside, I'm going to either camp out under the basket or double team one of the other players, because I'll know that if he gets the ball out there, the odds are in my favor that he won't make the shot. He also hasn't shown the ability to catch & hang on to the ball, as in catch passes or grab rebounds. Defensively, Cato could be all we ever need (assuming that he can stay healthy), but the game is played on both ends of the floor & his offensive game does not fit our team's new offensive scheme. Maybe, we should be looking at PF's as well as centers. What I mean by that, is that we could play two PF's instead of a true center. Like SamCassell said, "I'd prefer a guy who can play good, solid defense over a man who goes up into the air on every pump fake." Defense is more about position than size. Most PF's should be quicker than your average center, so they should be able to establish postion first. The one thing that I find most curious & frustrating is when a smaller player establishes position & someone like Shaq starts backing it in, the smaller player almost always moves his feet. If the smaller man would just stand his ground, the offensive player would have to knock him down to get him to move. Why is that? We need to have Karl Malone teach the art of flopping. By the way, Lafrentz looked pretty good tonight. I see what you guys mean. A player like that could be the answer. Where's Heypartner? I want his input. Come out come out, where ever you are. ------------------
