Most overpaid players in NBA today - Cato made the list!

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/134359506_nbanotes28.html


When Jim McIlvaine's ignominious career ended last week, it barely registered as a blip on the NBA radar.

In Seattle, however, McIlvaine's release by New Jersey served as official confirmation that his seven-year, $35 million contract was a monumental blunder by then-General Manager Wally Walker and that the franchise still hasn't recovered.

Upon closer examination, however, that 1996 deal and others around the NBA actually make McIlvaine's contract a bargain.

Let's go down the list, in alphabetical order, of other lottery winners. The only players who qualify had accomplished almost nothing before a brilliant GM gleaned something no one else could see. (Under this criterion, one-time stars such as Derrick Coleman, Vin Baker and Juwan Howard get a pass.)

• Last summer, Denver signed Tariq Abdul-Wahad to a six-year, $43.3 million deal. The swingman then averaged 3.8 points (on 38.7 percent shooting) and 2.0 rebounds. (Note: That averages to about $40,000 per point.)

• In 1999, Houston signed Kelvin Cato to a six-year, $42 million contract. The center averaged 4.7 points and 4.0 rebounds last season. (Note: Houston made the offer after Cato had 20 points, 13 rebounds and 12 blocks in an exhibition against Cleveland. Coach Rudy Tomjanovich said after the signing: "It's great. ... My feeling is that he's going to be a Rocket for a long time." Tomjanovic was prophetic on the second part.

• Last year, Indiana signed Austin Croshere to a seven-year, $52.9 million contract. The forward then averaged 10.1 points (on 39.4 percent shooting) and 4.8 rebounds. (Note: Who said Jerry Krause doesn't have foresight? Croshere declined an offer from Chicago after being "low-balled.")

• In 1998, Philadelphia signed Matt Geiger to a six-year, $48 million deal. Geiger last season averaged 6.1 points (on 39.3 percent shooting) and 4.0 rebounds.

• In 1998, Utah signed Greg Ostertag to a six-year, $39 million contract. The center last season averaged 4.5 points and 5.1 rebounds.

• In 1999, the Grizzlies signed Bryant "Big Country'' Reeves to a six-year, $64.8 million deal. Reeves last season turned into the Big Continent while averaging 8.3 points and 6.0 rebounds.

• Finally, the worst: In 1999, Toronto signed Michael (Yogi) Stewart to a six-year, $24 million deal. Stewart last season averaged 1.3 points (on 32.4 percent shooting) and 1.1 rebounds. (Note: At least, Stewart admits to stealing money: "I haven't earned any money since I've been here," he said.