I know Cato has family issues but come on it's been a week already, how long is the funeral? I understand his pain but no one else in the league misses a whole week with "family issues".
Rudy T said on his radio show yesterday that Cato will most likely play garbage minutes only. He said Cato's conditioning is off because he was out for a week and needs to get back into "playing shape". I am hoping that Cato will just step it up, take the initiative, and play some quality minutes in tonight's game. But Rudy thought Sunday's game vs. the Clippers was a more reasonable timetable.
Damn, I was really hoping for an intimidator to come in and beat Dirk up, and box out on the boards. Crap. I hate small ball. Ok Creampuff, get yr tough mug on!
I get the feeling that Rudy wasn't overly impressed with Cato missing that many games for a funeral. I know that nothing is important as family, but I also know that you're expected to make certain sacrifices when you make several million a year. Missing a game for a close family member's funeral is to be expected. Missing two might be excused. Missing three just seems excessive. When you have a family member who has hit the ultimate "jackpot" of being an NBA player, you expect them to be very busy during the season.....and you're happy for them for that. I bet his grandma was somewhere up in the heavens thinking, "Damnit Cato! Get your big ass back to the Rockets. You got a job to do."
A death in the family is a sad thing and a player should get some days off. However I don't remember the last time a player missed over a weeks worth of games. Rudy saying that Cato needs to get back into shape after missing a week is bs because he's going to be splitting minutes with Ming anyway. Don't get it.
Cato is very likely manic in some way. Manic depressive, bi-polar, whatever. It's been discussed here before and I think it's the most likely explanation of his, well, bi-polar effort in his time with the Rockets. When he's not playing well it seems like he doesn't care -- it seems like he's depressed. This year he's seemed not just motivated but happy. And it's shown in his play. It doesn't matter what's right or wrong -- depression's a disease and pills don't always work and neither does money. If he's sad, he can't help it and it affects his play. And I'm sure that right now he's very sad. I wish him the best and hope he cycles back soon. The thing to remember about bi-polar people is that there's another pole. He's shown that this year and I'm eager to see more good play from him when he's able to provide it. In the meantime, I never thought I'd say this but I'm glad to see Collier getting minutes. He's apparently never been healthy since signing with us and he apparently is now, but he'll need minutes to show us what he can do. Cleveland was a great start.
Why are u so angry at me Red, for merely stating my opionion? I didn't say it was his fault he missed a week, it's sad tragic event, if my grandma died i'd grief prolly for 3 month, but i don't think ill be able to take more than 2-3 days off from my work. Most NBA players don't miss more than 2 games. I didn't want to disrespect Cato and my statement certainlly wasn't meant in that fashion. But if u desire some sort of class from posters here, please be able to have some yourself. Maybe it's just a sudden surge of anger and that's understandable and I hope we have resovled our misunderstandings. Just a side note, a poster stated that he saw Cato at a strip bar on a seperate post, whether or not that's true is questionalble, just thought I mention it. Heck, even that can be excused for relieving depression, but I still feel Cato needs to comeback soon, we need him this year, even if it's just to sit Collier.
