Hakeem missed 24 games last year. Of those 24, twelve were against the other good Western Conference teams (LA, SA, Utah, Sacramento, Dallas, Phoenix, Minnesota, Portland, Seattle, and Denver). Those are the teams we are fighting against for a playoff berth. In those 12 games, we went 2 - 10. I wouldn't say that number supports your argument that we can survive without a good center, or with no center. It seems pretty clear to me that we need more in the middle than Cato and an injured Collier. ------------------ I'm so amazingly cool you could keep a side of meat in me for a month. I am so hip that I have difficulty seeing over my pelvis.
Sam, I did not say we can sustain major amounts of GAMES with no centers. I said we can sustain major MINUTES with no center. right. with no center we got killed in January. That's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about no backup center. I'm saying we went like 3-4 mos with no backup center. If we can do that, we can win with 3 backup centers and our 3 PFs. Of course, we are better with Dream, but we are not in "big trouble as far as the playoffs go" without him, as long as we land a serviceable thug. So, question back to you: How many serviceable bench rebounders are there, or how many sweet shooting Collier types are there. Plenty. Landing a cheap Patch is an option. We can still make the playoffs by picking up a vet off of waivers or finding a no-name like Marc Jackson *was* last summer or using the Middle Class for a 1yr contract on a gamble. [This message has been edited by crispee (edited July 17, 2001).]
My point was that we need a good, starting-caliber center. Those 24 games we were left with nothing at the center. Cato played in more than half of the games Dream missed, and we were equally bad with him or without him. A healthy and improved Collier might help, but I wouldn't bet the season on him. Three mediocre backups doesn't fill the place of one good starter. If it did, then we would have been happy with the Shanderson-Walt-Langhi triumpherate at the small forward. Remember, you lost that bet. ------------------ I'm so amazingly cool you could keep a side of meat in me for a month. I am so hip that I have difficulty seeing over my pelvis.
Anyone wonder why we didn't wait for Cato to play well for at least a *little* while before signing him? ------------------ Clutchcity.net... source for all your Rockets, Astros, political, music, humor, and Gordita news.
Because Rudy and CD were reading other BBSs, and they saw how other fans were salivating over Cato like this one does over Jackson and Mohammed. ------------------ "I guess that's YOUR theory"
Because Rudy and CD were reading other BBSs, and they saw how other fans were salivating over Cato like this one does over Jackson and Mohammed. ------------------ "I guess that's YOUR theory"
If i remember correctly, the clippers also killed us last year, beating us 3 times out of 4. Last year we had no answer for Olowakandi, he kept doing cato AND hakeem in the post. This year they will be even more lethal with Brand added to the mix. And against the spurs it wasnt Robinson, but duncan, who torched us. Vlade also torched us, but we would have beaten the kings that last game if the rephs hadnt called that HORRIBLE Technical foul against francis's dunk. ------------------ PrOuD V-P of Whitey Deluxe, Danforth Langford, and any other langhi fan club there may be...
Two short term & relatively inexpensive options could be Sabonis & a trade for Miller. Oeilpere indicated that Sabonis might be had really cheap & Miller's contract expires in two years, which would be just about the time that Duncan can opt out of his contract. I'd think that we could trade Walt for Miller & if we're real lucky, maybe Cato for Miller. Those two moves might fill both The Cat's & Crispee's wish lists. ------------------ A man convinced against his will, is of the same opinion still.
I agree, we only need 10 boards, 2.5 blocks, 10 points (on dunks or layups) from the center position to make the playoffs. The only teams that hurt the Rockets are the Spurs, Sacremento, and LA. Robinson, Shaq, and Valde torched the Rockets last season. I think Cato is a bust and Walt Williams is through. Everyone in the league knows when Rudy puts Walt and Bullard in the game, the other teams offense shifts to the players they are guarding. Trade Walt, Cato, and Bullard for some Center action. I realize they can shoot the 3, however, if we do not get the rebound (Mo Taylor, get serious), we cannot score. ------------------
I don't know about anyone else but I would rather have a center in the middle who can clog the lanes, play defense and be able to post up his man over a Jason Collier face to the basket type. And of course we'll have to overpay for a center. We do not dictate what Hakeem or Marc Jackson signs for. The demand is high for a decent center and the supply is low. Thus, you have to spend a few extra dollars to get your center. ------------------
