I know almost everyone here doesn't think Cato is a decent center for the future so who is? Well I have choosen five candidates: Yao Ming Curtis Borchardt Chris Marcus Raef Lafrentz Kendrick Perkins Personally I would choose Perkins because I believe he will turn out the best of this group.
Tag team - Cato and a journeyman. Or Cato and a growing toward better than mediocre, but will never be great younger player. Good chance we may draft that player this year.
Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje is an unstricted FA this summer and could be had for a portion of the MCE if Portland doesn't bid his contract up too much from it's current level of 300k.
Finally, someone making some sense. In my opinion, he may become a player similar to Ben Wallace. He is already a very good shot blocker but will need time to improve the rest of his game. He does bring the intangibles.
Good call GATER. Boumtje-Boumtje is an interesting prospect who could prove to be solid if he got a chance to develop. Everything Cato could be, but cheaper.
EDDIE GRIFFIN Hopefully, we already have our center for the future. This offseason Eddie will put on some weight and build confidence in his post play. I know this year he was almost exclusively a perimeter player, but I believe that Rudy wanted him to get his feet wet without putting too much pressure on the kid. I didn't see him play that much when he was at Setan Hall, but after watching him at the Rocket Rookie review there is no doubt that Eddie has post skills. Once Eddie improves his ball handling this kid is going to be a SUPERSTAR. I honestly believe that.
Next year we're stuck with a tandem of Mo T and Cato. Hopefully we can draft a 'project' type in the draft (Hilario or someone like that) and try to mold him into what Cato was supposed to be.
With all due respect Ruben, he is nowhere near the kind of athlete that Ben Wallace is. With his length and shot blocking ability, he'll probably stick around the league for a while, but I doubt he'll ever be a solid starter.
EDDIE!!! he is only 19. he grew an inch in the last year and added 10 lbs. if he continues this growth rate until he is 21, he will be 7'0" 250 lbs. he can already average 15, 8, 2. give him two more years to mature and add experience. he can average 20, 10, 4. this is why rudy believes that we dont have to trade any of our PF's, mo and kt can split time at pf while eddie becomes a center.
Smoothie, After the age of 18 or 19 most people stop growing taller. This doesn't mean that EG couldn't grow taller (as some people continue to get taller until they're 22 or 23), but it is very uncommon and certainly not something to expect. EG at 6'10" and his long arms could be a C with the bulk and desire, but to best utilize him I think PF is where he needs to be.
hey JoeBarelyCares do you think Nickoloz Tskitishvili is a center or a sf? I believe the rockets could use him as a sf but could develop into a Dirk Nowitzki type of player (he could play the 3, 4, or 5 if need) but i see him as a 4 in the future.
Since there is only one center left in the NBA, who's to say we can't play him at the five? Especially if he grows to 7'1" or 7'2".
Griffin is already at center height,...if he gains wieght like we all do...He becomes 6' 10" to 6' 11" and close to 250...that nutritious! Just continue the strength development and you have someting, no?
