I know Cato played PF mostly at Portland, but played the 5 mostly last season went hakeem going down. With Hakeem back, is Cato going to slide back to the 4? I remember hearing something in an interview a couple of months ago about cato being expected to play 30-35 minutes a game. I personally think Hakeem may be a better PF now so I would experiment with him at the 4 and Cato at the 5. ------------------ "You've got 6 fouls, use them well" -Derrick Coleman
Is Hakeem coming back? ------------------ I've posted so much that what I say must be true. The latest on Maurice Taylor
Hakeem could score 5 pts on offense for all I care as long as he doesn't have a lot of FGAs, plays D, and Rebounds. I think a Hakeem Cato 4 5 or 5 4 combo would create a strong interior defensive prescence, while the backcourt scores a bunch. I do worry hakeem might get in the way on the offensive end. They need to place him 15 ft away on the baseline away from the action daring the center to try and help out. ------------------ "You've got 6 fouls, use them well" -Derrick Coleman
I think they tried the Hakeem & Cato combination in the preseason last year. As I recall, Rudy said it wasn't optimal because both Cato and Hakeem have similar shot-blocker's instincts, i.e., they tend to leave their man to help out close the basket. Results in a lot of short jumpers for the opposing team. Offensively it might work though. ------------------
Offensively, most PFs in the NBA have a face up game with an outside J. Cato is only good for dunks. Cato and Dream (when healthy) will split the center minutes, with Dream starting. Hopefully Cato has worked on his back to the basket O in the offseason. This would give the Rocks O additional versality. ------------------
I think that if training camp started today with this current roster, there would be a 4-man fight for the 4 spot. Kelvin Cato, Kenny Thomas, Carlos Rogers, and Walt Williams. Kelvin is probably the best player in the group and if he started at the 4 he would probably still play a lot at the 5, but you still would like him right off the bench spelling dream. KT gives you a nice versatility between jumpers and post-up, and he can rebound! Los would be a fall-back guy if KT and Cato aren't in as good a shape as we hope they'll be. And what Los brings shouldn't be forgotten: HUSTLE Some people will say Walt is too small, but he's one inch taller than KT. He is also quicker than most 4's and having only one inside player will really spread the floor. I'd say he's the sleeper in this race. ------------------
Nah. Moochie wins, hands down. Just imagine the matchup problems. KG and TD would never be able to keep up with Moochie´s lightning quickness. I still recall that time when Moochie had that vicious two handed slam against Malone... ------------------ "The world is full of kings and queens who blind your eyes and steal your dreams. It´s Heaven and Hell!"
I don't even think that Hakeem will start. Haven't they already said that he will come off the bench? And please to all you people putting cat in the starting lineup sorry it's just not gonna happen. ------------------
Hakeem is starting. No doubt about it. Cato may receive the bulk of the minutes if Olojuwan can't handle it or is injured, but I said before, a 60% hakeem is better than a 100% Cato. ------------------
I was just throwing a name out there, thanks for the sarcasm. All of you would agree that we have no clear cut 4 going into this season. And Walt did well outrunning 4's at the ends of games last season. It spread the floor and helped our overall offense a lot. All I was saying is don't count him out, remember Rudy loves a shooter at one of the big man spots. ------------------
I think Collier has to be a contender for the 4 spot... defenseively he might be slow, but he can play the opposing center in defense, he's got a big enough body. Offensively his outside touch will be exactly what we need to either draw the opposing center/PF away from the basket. Maybe he won't be the starter on seasons opening day, but if he pans out, then sometime during the season I'd expect to see him getting quite a few minutes alongside Cato/ Hakeem. ------------------
As of right now, I think it's between KT and Collier. If Jason can show some flashes during training camp and in the preseason, he could very well end up starting at PF. He is a perfect fit on offense, able to set high screens for Francis and spot up. If he works on his defense and translates his rebounding prowess from college to the pros, he could get the nod over KT. I do NOT think Carlos will get the starting job. Rudy likes his intensity off the bench. Plus he is a defender of matador-ian proportions. Remember, Rudy was starting Bullard at PF over Rogers for awhile because he liked that matchup at the PF position. KT was able to crack the starting lineup with his outside touch (he started off blazing from 3pt, but later fell flat) in addition to his rebounding. Unless the Rockets get Mo or maybe Miller (a mistake IMO), I think it's between those two youngsters. Keep in mind taht this is a VERY young team. Our top two options last year were a rookie PG and a second year SG. A young PF is not a minus at this time. That is, if we cannot get Mo. ------------------
Miller's a lot like we want Collier to turn out like.... Having him at PF would be great He couldn't guard the more lithe and fleet of foot PF's (KG,Sheed) but he could easily switch with Cato on those defensive assignments (not that Cato would shut them down) and Miller would be able to bruise them down low and get his little half hook away! It's beautiful. ------------------
Miller's the 4 if he signs. I kind of "forgot" about him. ------------------ "You've got 6 fouls, use them well" -Derrick Coleman
