well the rockets are truly blessed. they've got cato and yao tag-teaming opponents. i took a look at the magic-bucks match-up (probably the two premier east teams) and who did i see? pat burke starting at C for the magic. and dan gadzuric starting for the bucks.
Props to Cato (I'm not sure what a prop is but the board seems to like it). Cato's play so far assures him of the "Most Improved Rocket" title and, more importantly, recognition as an essential component of the Rocket engine. He is earning his salary this year and deserves every bit of support and encouragement we, as Rockets fans, can provide. He is doing his job. Let's do ours.
Once Yao gets good enough to merit starter's minutes, every team in the league is going to try to foul him out. And they're often going to succeed, because he's a rookie. So Cato's effectiveness isn't just a luxury for the early part of the season. We're going to need it year round.
We fans always had something bad to say about him the last few years. Eventhough, it's only a few games, he's been playing well so there's nothing wrong with praising him. It seems like he understands his role and works hard to fulfill it. I'm really happy for the guy.
I couldn't agree more, and it is going to be nice to have some confidence in Cato once Yao is starting. Consider MoT, Rice and KT have been out I couldn't be happier. This team has some qualty depth and I think given some semblance of health I think Rudy's going to be able to find someone the bench on any given night who might have the hot hand. Cato's play and the addition of Hawkins have been some nice surprises.
Cato is indispensable to this team right now. Just around the time Ming starts playing good enough to start, he'll hit his rookie wall. So, assuming he takes the whole All Star break COMPLETELY off, then we'll need Cato for the first 60% of the season, and even then, we'll need SOMEONE to back Yao up. Cato will, unfortunately, be gone next year though. But then again, so will Mo Taylor. Hopefull we'll trade those 2 for veteran frontcourt players with short contracts.
Why the hell would the Rockets do that? If Cato stays productive, and Mo Taylor gets his game back, why would the Rockets trade them? I doubt that Les is that concerned over the luxury tax.
Don't you think those guys make too much money to be sitting on the bench? Ofcourse, I'm counting on the fact that Griffin puts on more muscle and his jumper becomes consistent. Ming, so far, looks like he'll be ready to start next season easily. Basically, I'm counting on those guys being the starters. That IS the ultimate goal, isn't it? To have the Ming/Griffin inside and Francis/Mobley outside? It is my personal dream to bring Odom in to link those two, but Rice/Boki/T-Mo will have to do I guess.
Ohmygawd! The Rockets in the very near future could have back-ups who can actually play the game! Ship them out. Hurry. Ship them out now. Ohhhhhh. The infamy. The outright infamy.
No kidding, thumbs. Heaven forbid we should have depth... I guess it's a foreign concept for some of us. You guys need to take your thumbs out of your mouths and stick them up in the air. Feel that breeze?? That's depth comin' at you. Watch out, you might get run over.
Yeah, I somewhat had a feeling Cato was working hard this season. I know it sounds funny, but I remember backing him up in a thread where most bashed him, saying he was sitting at home and stuff. I forgot about my hopes for him, but after these 3 games, he has really made me happy. I am sometimes disappointed when he goes out and Yao comes in, suprisingly. I know its only been 3 games, but like mentioned he was playing pretty well at the end of last season. Who knows? Maybe if he has a knew attitude, he could give back some of his money in his contract. (is that allowed?) Ah, who am I kidding, I don't know many people who would do that. BTW, thanks for mentioning that Cato quote about Yao. I was watching Nugget people and couldn't see it.
i just hope he can keep this up so we can at least make the play-offs. cato is showing alot of improvement lately even on offense
Let's see if we can make contact with the aliens and tell them they can keep the original Cato and we'll keep his new-and-improved clone.
Everyone is so happy with Cato's recent performance but still want Yao to be the starter. I think as long as Cato is this strong on the boards and remains consistent in his defense and within scope on offense, he should keep the starting job. Just given the way he's been rebounding, he hasn't been getting the minutes he deserves in these first few games.
Actually, the Cato we've always wanted was the Cato that got a triple double in a pre-season game that got him his current contract. This is the Cato that we'll settle for
Last year, Ben Wallace put up: 14.7 RPG 2.33 BPG 5.0 PPG So actually, Cato is on an All-Star track after just 3 games. Hope he can keep it up!
I think the fact that Yao is has helped a little. Now Cato doesn't have to worry about fouls so much and can be aggressive. He knows that he only has to play 20+ minutes so he can go out and expand more energy and when he gets tired or in foul trouble, Rudy can send Yao in. In the Toronto, he was a stud but got into quick foul trouble so they sent Yao in. Yao schooled their scrub center and when Yao was tired, Cato came back in. It is the ideal situation for both players.
