He's going to have to be better at rebounding and defense. Right now, Yao is a better offensive player than Cato, but Cato is a better rebounder and slightly better shot blocker. So if Yao's shot isn't falling, it makes no sense to play him when you have a guy who is better at the other stuff than he is sitting on the bench. If Yao want to play more, he has to get his a$$ in the paint and control it. I mean consistently pull down some boards and block shots. If he were doing those things, he would be getting more playing time. It's not just him. He sat Francis as well, and Francis responded by playing great and tough the next game. Mean is not going to stand for not working hard. No one said Yao has to be like Larry Smith, but he has to work hard. Bottom line, to Mean, his 7'5 center isn't working hard if he isn't at least getting 10-12 rebounds every game and 2-3 blocks. Honestly, I agree with him. I think Yao is trying, but he hasn't figured out that in the NBA when you're fighting for a playoff birth, you have to put it all on the line every play. You've got to push, shove, grab or whatever it takes to get that rebound or block that shot. Every play. When Mean sees that kind of effort on every play, Yao will play more minutes. If he doesn't, it's not fair to Cato - who has responded by hustling his a$$ off - to not play him if he plays harder.
Concerning Yao and Francis, you may be right. BUT how about Posey and Rice? Why did Mr Mean still allow Posey to play even if he didn't play well? AND Why did Mr Mean bench Rice when he was on fire? WHY???
Are you kidding me? Yao grabbed 19 rbs in the Lakers game. And he played 16/15 minutes the next 2 games. What do you want? 30 rbs for every game if the great Mr. Mean let you play 48 minutes?
Kelvin Cato is more aggressive, scores more easily, does not become nervous or passive, and is physically tougher than Yao. Also, he puts up good, consistent numbers every game, even with minimal minutes. He has outscored Yao in the last few games also.
i agree w/ montelwilliams, kelvin cato gets way more out of what he has then yao, dont get me wrong yao will be badass but damn sometimes you just have to choose who can score better, and lately yao hasnt been able to put the ball in the basket, if kelvin can get about the same points as yao might as well let him continue to get better so we will really be good, too bad they dont just realize and play them together! then we would tear it up
It's a given. If Yao plays better, he will get more minutes. His lost of playing time in the past couple of games could be seen as a direct attribute to his struggling and fatigue. Lets hope it's like a mini slump he went through prior to the overtime victory at home against the Lakers and hope he comes out of it against New Jersey.
Key Point: Last few games... I'd rather have Yao out there consistently than Cato... This is why I think Cato will be traded...His value is going up and its no use to have him sit around... Let's hope we find some sucka that will take him and his contract...
First of all I wouldn't trade Cato big men don't grow on trees. Larry needs to tuff up Yao since the Rockets won't bring Moses in to do it or talk about him working with dream. Yao obviously needs a personal trainer to improve his quickness and his jumping ability he isn't as athletic as advertised. Yao is a good nbaplayer, and I think the comparison to Rik Smits was on point, if you look at Yao he will be slightly better than Rik if he doesn't toughen up and add that quickness and jumping ability. No way should griff jump ball, when we have a 7'5 center. Yao has improved his aggressiveness and will be a force it will just take some time.
Nah, let's find a serviceable backup FC, and play all 3 of them with extended minutes. Or start them both, sub for 1 of them with either MoT or EG, whichever one got the first break comes in for the other later ... I just want to see both Yao & Cato on the court at the same time, is that so wrong?
look, I love Cato. I think he is having a great year. He works real hard and is possibly the best back up center in the league. But if we are going to make it to the playoffs, if we are going to beat Dallas (which I think we can), its going to be because of Yao. Its not going to be because of Cato and it sure isnt going to be with that 3 point guard lineup that Mean went back to. Yao is a rookie, but he also may be the best player on this team. He has already proven himself to Rudy and to me, why must he work his way into the lineup for Mean?
Cato isn't better than Yao at any other stuff than offence. Cato averages 5.2 rbs and 1.3 blks over his career. no where near Yao's level. and He is NOT a better overall defender than Yao at all. He easily gets into foul trouble which is probably the reason he doesn't get many minutes. the only things he brings to the table that Yao doesn't are his intensity and agressiveness. but overall Yao has contributed much more to this team with the exception of last few games. that's why Yao should get more minutes.
Yeah, I will never understand that. Rice was on fire. and for some reason was sent to the bench. Smith is coaching this like it is a little league game. Like all kids must have their minutes, so if one player scores a few he has had enough for tonight, so let the next kid in for a few min. ROckets...you sure know how to bring down hopes. And cause many unknown health problems, that i suffer from everyday.
