I think that the starter of the thread has never said that Bateer is better than Cato. He was suggesting that FOR HIS PRICE, Batter might be a good pick up for PF/Center back-up position. So If we need to trade Cato for let say a better SF or a better PF, Bateer can still be a back-up. Since Cato can be a stater for the East team. I do not think that will happen, though. Batter has already signed with Toronto.
Cato is better but he has value in trade and we can use him as a trade bait for other positions that we want since he can be a starter for other team. However, before we can trade Cato we will have to find a reasonable back up for the center position, ourself. Bateer might be a reasonable choice (in term of skill and price). Like I said, I do not think Bateer will be a Rocket.
7 foot, 325lbs weight, can hit mid-range jumper , good pick-up for Tornornto. BTW, Bateer definitely has more offensive weapon than Cato, but Cato is far more atheletic.
Menk Bateer played with Tim Dunkun the whole season at the SA's training camp... That's valuable comparing to any other three string NBA players... It is not a bad idea to keep him at the Rox rosters.. His shooting skill is definitely better than Cato... See the salary / skill ratio between them..
play aginst duncan the whole seasn doesn't mean anything. Samki walker was duncan's practice dummie and he still sucks oh, he is shaq's dummie for two seasons too
Bateer’s game is based on power. That means his game depends completely on the referee. He always has great games in international competition but has the most fouls in NBA games. He is used to referee style of international game-plays. For him to succeed in NBA, he needs to get used to how the NBA referees call fouls. But he is 29 years old and maybe a little too late to adapt. If he does adapt to the NBA, his value will be equal to that of Cato. His offensive game is as far ahead of Cato as Cato’s defensive presence over him. Toronto is taking a gamble on him. If the NBA referee let him play, Toronto is basically getting a player of Cato’s caliber at one tenth the price. If not, Toronto isn’t losing much. For the Rockets, Cato will always have a place until Ming is able to be consistently dominant. Let Toronto takes the gamble.
First and foremost, I watched every game last year. I don't need some chump making assessments otherwise. Not even once did I say that Cato did not play well or "Cato sucks" or whatever nonsense you say. How about reading what I said and commenting on that, rather than making ignorant statements reguarding fictitious things you say I said. Actually I thought that Cato did play well off the bench. The Rockets seemed to feed off of the energy he provided. There were numerous times when Cato came up with a backdoor dunk from a pass from Francis that got the crowd into it. But what does me watching the games have to do with you posting "WEAK", pointless facts. The stats I posted was just to merely show what Cato has done on a full time starting basis. Also, the point that you are posting some stats that consisted of just 5 games contributes even more to your idiocracy!!! If you want to talk "stats", at least bring up stats that have relivance; or combine them with tidbits of basketball insight. Don't just post pointless stats, or stats based on a minimum of games. Untill you do this don't talk like you have some great wealth of basketball knowledge. "...turn on the TV and watch a game or two buddy. "
why people keep saying Bateer is 29? I think he's born in nov of 1975, which makes him not 28 yet, so he is actually 27!!! Bateer is a more versitale player than Cato in terms offense, but Cato is much more atheletic and defensively is way better than Bateer. Bateer is not a good scorer in NBA, but he can knock down mid-range jumpers and even 3 pointers as Wang or Yao can. But Bateer's problem is that he's slow and foul too much. The later part has to his style of play and unfamilarity with NBA rules. I think Bateer can be a decent back-up center or PF in the east, but in the west he might be on the bench most of the time. Conclusion is Toronto is where he should be, Houston doesnt need him.
Oh so now you say Cato played well last season. Why not make up your mind. Don't rip him in one post and the crawfish in the next. You are an idiot and a moron that only wanted to get into a flaming war with me. Well congratulations you accomplished your goal. Now that you are on my ignore list please feel free to shove your head back up your ass where it seems to fit so well.
It is a very good deal for Toronto to have Bateer. It is like buying an option with low premium, you don't lose much if he fails, but his upside might be worth much more.
Here's an article written yesterday... Bateer Ready for Big Year - Aug. 12, 2003 - by Aaron Lichtig "Only I know what I will achieve this year" -Bateer Mengke (210-C-75) According to an interview at Shenzhen's Venice Hotel (sina.com), Bateer admitted that his year in San Antonio "had its ups and downs," though he expects to have a big year next year. He said that he struggled with the language, culture, and level of play in the NBA, but learned a lot. He thinks his time with the Spurs will help him grow into the player that he wants to be - the best player on the national team. He is looking forward to the upcoming year with the Raptors as well. Many have said that Bateer doesn't have what it takes to be an NBA power forward. To his critics Bateer says "Only I know where my talents can take me." Look for the great eagle to turn in a strong performance next month in Harbin. To clear a few things up, this thread was not opened as a trade replacement for Cato. I wanted Bateer as a second or third string backup. Why? He has potential and salary wise, he'll fit under our cap. Everybody here wants the big name players, but realistically we can't afford any of them. Otis thorpe? Robert Horry? They all sound great, but they all come with a huge price tag. All I want is a role player who can rebound and put a big body on the big forwards out in the west. He only costs $650,000. That's the only reason i'm bringing him up. Otherwise, a big name power forward will not come by short of a big trade. There's plenty of threads out there for that. For those of you against bateer, please think about the cost.
man, does china pick up half of his salary too? he must be the poorest NBA player... aside from 10 day contract scrubs. i wouldn't mind being in his tax bracket however.
I'm not sure. Does all the chinese players have to pay the government 50% of their salary? What if you are a free agent? Is the government still entitled to Yao's salary after his 4 year contract is up?
i think it would be a good marketing move for the rockets. everyone in china would be wearing the new rockets unis and would have a good asian following. in terms of basketball, i agree with the rest that cato is much more valuable.
