You can always count on me lately to pour some water over all this celebration that is going on over beating teams like the Clippers. Jack continues to shoot, but that is not my beef today. My beef is the worse excuse for a center there is right now. His name is Kelvin Cato. Over the past two games, I have never seen so many teams take it to the hoop on someone like they did to Cato. He just flailed at them and let them get the layup. He goes for every fake known to man. The man is practically jumping out of the gym on fakes that are as bad as my bowling game. And where is the offense? Cato scores only if he happens to be at the right place at the right time on a missed shot (probably from Mobley). Other than that, he is the biggest waste of athletic talent since Derrick Coleman. I posted a thread this summer (maybe Clutch can find it) where I said that Marcus Camby is attending a "big man camp" to improve his game, footwork and overall defense. I suggested that Cato should be attending the very same camp so that he can learn how to play his position better and develop a better sense of when to go for a block and when not to draw stupid fouls. Well, since Cato decided to enjoy his summer and his new contract and Camby worked his ass off to get in shape and improve his game, look at the results: Camby: PPG: 11.1 RPG: 11.5 BPG: 2.28 FG%: .525 MinPer: 32.5 Cato: PPG: 3.8 RPG: 2.9 BPG: 0.81 FG%: .556 MinPer: 13.4 You can talk injuries all you want and playing time all you want. But when Camby is not scoring, he is playing defense. When Camby is not playing defense or scoring, he is diving on the floor for a loose ball or he is at the very least slamming a guy to the ground with a hard foul when he gets beat off the dribble and not let him score like if that player is Allen Iverson or something. There is no excuse for such pathetic efforts on the court, such a pathetic work ethic off the court, such pathetic motivation and such a pathetic excuse for a 7 foot athlete like this one. He belongs right up there with all the Shawn Bradleys, Minute Bols, Greg Ostertags and Chris Dudleys of the world. And all those guys either led the league in blocks, hustled, or got beat down by Shaq. They all accomplished something. My point is this. If Cato knows that this team counted on him to be the "Dream apparent" and that he could attend such programs which can only help him and get him into shape, then why not go? If he knows that he is probably the only guy to ever throw not one, not two, but THREE layups from Shaq back in his face, I would be so fired up to improve on that that I would be the next Olajuwon in 3 years if I could. This guy needs to go. To me, his injuries are fake. To me, he is dogging it. To me, he does not have what it takes to play in the CBA let alone the NBA. With that work ethic of his, he would be waived from an XFL team in a week. You can say "Almu give him a chance" or "Almu, you are so negative" or "Almu you always have something negative to say" all you want. But for 42 million, I expect a better product than what I have seen the last 2 years. Where were all these injuries in Portland? I see Jermaine O'Neal doing just fine with his additional playing time in Indiana and Cato has just as much talent as he does. What a waste. But I guess I have to be more patient with him like I have been told to be with Jason Collier. I guess sooner or later we are going to see the fruits of all this patience, huh? ------------------ Sleepless in the Bronx See Homepage for reason.
I'm frustrated big time with Cato, I think a lot of prople are as well.. ------------------ Sometimes you gotta do the next best thing!
Almu, My sentiments exactly. I cannot fathom why Cato does not go the extra mile to improve himself. IMHO the Rockets front office should have waited at least a year before signing Cato to such a large contract, and that is only if he had a good year.I realize big men are a high priced commodity in the NBA, but you cannot tell me that Cato proved himself over an extended period of time to warrant such a deal.On a side note.......Great win againist the Clips!!!!! ------------------
In Atlanta,Rudy didn't use him for awhile and when he finally got in,the whole game changed.All those easy buckets stopped and he was controlling the glass. In addition,last night(esp. in the first half)he did a good job on the Kandy Man.He pushed him away from the hoop early and got a little tired later.Kelvin has also stayed on the floor and not gone for the pump fakes.Yes,he got tired last night,on the second game of a back to back,but has shown well since he's been back.His conditioning will come back and hopefully he can stay injury free...just want to see that consistency. Fortunately,Rudy finally played Carlos a little last night,even if it was out of necessity. just a few more things....Cato gets waived out,along with everyone else,when the ISO's are being run.He helps collect the garbage,true,but he can get down on the blocks and work against some teams.KC is a wanted commodity in the NBA because true centers are hard to find,especially one that can make a difference on the defensive end....I'm not giving up on him yet....We have no choice right now.........and I'm kind of glad. I have to disagree with the statement about Jermaine.Out of high school he wasn't going to crack Portland's rotation.When he got his contract of 3 years 25 mil,I was shocked,but now I see why.......plenty of talent in this kid,star talent which he is showing now that he's getting the pt and close attention in Indiana.I don't think Cato has as much natural talent as Jermaine.To me,Jermaine has the potential to be one of the top 10 players in the league and Kelvin doesn't.Of course,I do understand the criticism of his work ethic. Also..Dream casts a long shadow and with Cato's mental makeup,it wouldn't surprise me at all that if Dream is gone(which I hope he won't be),we see more consistency out of KC. ------------------ [This message has been edited by hardwood (edited March 09, 2001).]
Comparing Cato to Camby? Well, for one, Camby was a #1 or #2 pick and player of the year in the NCAA. Cato has always been a project. It's not as simple as what summer camp they went to. And Cato doesn't have any more talent than anyone else in the NBA. Almost everyone in the league is tall and can jump.
I think what makes Cato so frustrating is the flashes of a productive player that he sometimes shows. He has the ability to be just the kind of center the Rockets need with their current roster. Because of our strong backcourt and the possibility of optaining Webber, a defensive minded center who can subsist offensively by putting back garbage would be perfect for the Rockets. What is even more frustrating is that Cato knows what kind of opportunity is here for him here, aside from the financial bonanza he received. I don't blame the Rockets for giving up on him. Instead of developing a work ethic to match his salary, Cato has mastered the art of sitting on the bench, rehabbing and whining to the officials. -Elvis! ------------------
Who cares what pick Camby was? I don't. Joe Smith was picked first also. Where is he? And why is that? Because he didn't make the effort to be a better player. Has all the talent in the world. Just like Cato. And at least make an effort to go to a place where you can learn a LITTLE something and then show a LITTLE improvement. Camby didn't just blow up because of camp. But he probably learned better rebound positioning or better ANYTHING. What has Cato done since the contract besides spend it? Why would Kareem Abdul Jabbar have these types of camps if they don't do anything to improve your game if you are a big man, Freak? If you can have a big time performance for a few games and then suddenly stop when you get a big contract, that is dogging it. Its not an unfair comparison. Its the truth. How you don't see that is beyond me. I fail to see how your defense of a guy who obviously has all the talent and sits on his ass after a fat contract. I would rather have a 7 foot, no talent hard worker than this guy who just frustrates the crap out of me. Chris Dudley comes to mind. Can we make that trade? ------------------ Sleepless in the Bronx See Homepage for reason. [This message has been edited by Almu (edited March 09, 2001).]
After the past two games, I would hope people would ease up on the Cato bashing. I saw some pretty good defense and some good hustle out of Cato in the past couple of games. And when given the chance at point blank range, he didn't hesitate to dunk the ball. He did some good work grabbing rebounds and boxing out his opponent. But he ran out of gas in the Clippers game. He's definitely no Dream, but he'll be a solid center clogging up the middle. I don't see many Dream shakes or turn-around jumpers or hook shots outa Cato, but as long as he can dunk a couple points down, grab some rebounds, protect the lane, play with heart, and get in shape, I won't complain. ------------------ Founding Father of the Refs Suck Club
http://bbs.clutchcity.net/ubb/Forum3/HTML/007128.html Mango ------------------ Get it right or just don't do it! Special Assignment: ZRB Patrol
Thanks Mango. Here is something interesting: Horry got another ring and hit crucial shots to EARN them. Jermaine O'Neal is the real deal and Reeves and Ostertag are still better players than Cato is now! And lets not talk about him not being a stiff we think he is and overpaid and all that. Well, back in the day, they didn't have these things probably. And who cares? They have them now with past players who you can only LEARN from and BETTER yourself. There is absolutely no defense for his lack of intensity, hustle or whatever else. If there was, then why would the Rockets want to trade him? Why would they be so disappointed with him in just one year? I am sorry. You get paid, you have to earn it. Alot of players are like Cato. But they don't play for my team. He does. ------------------ Sleepless in the Bronx See Homepage for reason.
You're going to post Camby and Cato's stats and then say "who cares what pick Camby was"? Camby is a better player. It's that simple. He's got better skills and more talent. That's why he was player of the year in college, and was a top pick. Cato has always been a project. If anything, it's Camby who's been underachieving, not Cato. Cato had one so-so year in college. His expectations were never that great. That's not defending Cato, that's fact. Maybe you should compare Cato's stats with Duncan. Hey, they're both 7-footers. Cato can probably jump higher than Duncan, too, so maybe he should be putting up Duncan numbers. And Cato did lift weights all summer and work with CD on post moves. I'm starting to think he's just not that good. What could Kareem have shown him, how to use a bong? After attending Kareem's great camp, Camby has put up 1 extra point and 2.5 extra boards this year in 7 more minutes. Wow, Kareem (or whoever's running this camp) really does work miracles.
http://www.totalsports.net/news/20000817/bko/000817.0467.html I don't know if Newell was running the Syracuse camp, but he has been doing it in the summers for years. Mango ------------------ Get it right or just don't do it! Special Assignment: ZRB Patrol
He he he he!!! Nice Freak! We took a chance on Cato, offered him money, and it hasn't worked out for many reasons (By the way, Cato's agent deserves a raise for getting him that contract based on potential). I think Cato's time here is short, and I look forward to throwing a "Farewell" party this summer in his honor. BYOB, I will cook out on the griil....who's in? ------------------ There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Almu: I am not going to say "Almu give him a chance" or "Almu, you are so negative" or "Almu you always have something negative to say" What I am saying is Almu you are RIGHT. Cato must go. ------------------ "Stop your grinnin' and drop your linen" -Hudson
Not to diss your post Almu, but Cato is not nor will he ever be even a good player. It's time to get over it and move on! ------------------ I am an invisible man.
Just hope that he plays well for the rest of the season. Mango ------------------ Get it right or just don't do it! Special Assignment: ZRB Patrol
Funny stuff, but I think Cato's got the bong thing down...he looks stoned half the time he's out there. It's kind of hard to hustle for loose balls and rebound when you're high. ------------------ "Oh No..." -Bill Walton in 97 just before Stockton's buzzer beater
Freak, not to continue to argue with you since we never see eye to eye on anything, but my whole point is that Cato is not showing improvement. Thats all. Camby went and learned a few things and like you said, did IMPROVE no matter how much you think its insignificant. Can you say that about Cato? Camby is not getting paid what Cato is. But, like I said, what am I typing all this for anyway? You are happy with Cato. Good for you. Take your biscuit and be happy. I am not. I have a little bit more of a problem with him than you do. I want to see SOMETHING for the money. I don't care if its from Cato, Norris, Mobley, Francis or Dream. Dream dogged it for a while there in my opinion and I didn't like that either. But like I said, good for you. ------------------ Sleepless in the Bronx See Homepage for reason. [This message has been edited by Almu (edited March 09, 2001).]
It's not gonna be his role to be the most dominant center in the league. As long as he can help the team at least as much as any other center we can get, then well done Cato. However, there's definitely room for improvement. ------------------ Founding Father of the Refs Suck Club
Almu, you need to be a little more fair towards Cato and his work ethic. It's true that the guy is injury prone, and part of that is certainly due to bad conditioning, at one time or another. But who here doesn't remember everyone getting excited this offseason because Cato was working out everyday, getting into good shape, and then working with CD and Dream on how to be a better fundamental center (kind of his own personal big man camp)? The fact is, Cato worked hard this offseason, sweating his ass off to try to improve himself, but it only got him so far because he is not as talented as we all would like to think. The preseason of his contract extension was a fluke. Any player in the league can have a stretch of several games where he plays outstanding. Hell, Sam Mack put up 40 point games for us every once in a while, but should we sign him to an extended contract because he hence forth has potential??? The Rockets organization made a mistake. They paid Cato too much, and he will most likely won't ever play up to the value of that contract. ------------------ "all your base are belong to us!" "you have no chance to survive make your time!"
