Cato could, and I hope, will bring back an excellent 3 or 4. Soon, please. Cat could bring back an excellent 3 or 4. 3-4s who could conceivably come back for one (maybe with/maybe without 'extras') include Harrington, Chandler, JuWann, Lewis. A deal including Chandler would be wonderful (I'd give up KC and CM for him while 'taking back' Robinson and Fizer). I thought there were times against Memphis when the Rox looked real good, and again against the Knicks. I just don't believe the talent level is sufficient to be a factor in May. I suspect we'll have to wait for july for addition(s) worth shouting about.
it seems like a lot of people are giving up on nachbar and want him out, but his defense is starting to show, did anyone see how mad he made van horn the other day with his defense, and he hustles a lot, i would rather trade pike or griffin not nachbar.
His minutes are either for showcasing or because he is 'showing up' at practice. He's doing ok. Here's to hoping his increased PT = growth. He's a likable guy. Actually, most of the Rox are.
I think the Rockets are probably looking at all options to upgrade the team because they are not a lock for the playoffs at all. In fact no one knows what they will do when they step on the court. I think Cat,the Trade Exception and maybe Cato could possibly be dangled for a "star" but I don't think they will get good offers and end up with the current team.
Well I voted no because I don't think the Rox will make a major move this season. I don't see anyone truly on the block that is available that will be better than what will possibly be out there this summer. I also have a different take on what the Rox need. With the power forwards in the west such as Nowitzki, Garnett, Stoudamire, Duncan and Miller, I just don't see one type of guy whose going to be able to play this divergent group of players. Wallace is probably the player of choice but he's a space cadet. As much of a surprise as Boozer has been, he isn't going to be able to play with the 4's in the West either. The teams that have given the Rox the biggest problems in the last 2-3 weeks have been the very athletic, quick teams such as Boston and Memphis. Also the biggest adjustment in the Rox offense to me has been JJ taking on a bigger role with running the team as a point forward. To me what the team needs is a taller more agile small forward who can play the point. I think Cat and Steve can play together they just need someone to control the action, just the same way Yao needs it. You'll notice in the last few games Yao has actually been playing better not because the guards setting him up but JJ and MoT. It also showed when M.Jackson played a bit. He's just on his last legs and won't be much of a factor besides for about 10 minutes a game. I don't believe the Rockets need a stud anything, just a Mike Miller, Brent Barry, a younger Scottie Pippen, Mario Elie type of player. Someone who plays under control, can hit the 3, is athletic enough to play good D and play against guys like Posey and B.Bowen who just seem to kill us everytime we run against them. This type of player would be able to spell Cat, JJ and in spurts Steve. To me Cato is to valuable when we play guys like Shaq and Miller (Sacramento). In the playoffs he'll be to valuable for help defense, to spell Yao and 6 fouls. MoT and Padgett give you some quickness and help spread the floor at the 4 spot. Not being able to sit JJ is what our current weakness is IMO.
I think these are all great points and I have a few to add.. I think we are log jammed at the SG position.. SF/ Cat/ Pike/ JJ/ AG/ Boki they can all play that position and though Cat is a quick defender we are undersized at the 2 and 3. People seem to exploit that weakness too.. IMO I would like to keep most of our guys and would have a hard time moving Cato and Cat even though they may fetch the best trade value. I think we need a big SF and should start Padgett at the 4. SF / MJ Cat / JJ ?? / Boki/ Pike Padgett/ MoT Yao/ Cato someone who can control the ball and make intelligent passes.. I actually wish Boki would hurry and develop into a better player he is ideal for that position with Pike backing him up.. I think JJ is great but I dont know how long he will last playing so many minutes.. I think the idea of JJ and Mot off the bench is awesome.. providing up much bench depth and scoring.. Cato bringing the defense.. If we get someone I hope its Rashard Lewis.. I like having a tall SF who can hopefully learn to play tough defense and I bet he would love to come home. PF I like Mot/ Padgett (for his range) and Cato.. gives us different options and looks. However, Boozer is playing well right now but seems undersized for his positon which might be ok in the east but I dont see him making much impact here.. I dont see much of difference between him and Mot. except for rebounds which Mot is picking up on. J *think Rashard! I like tall guards/ SF they give you many more options..
Its funny that the last few posts have discussed a tall agile SF that can shoot.. In that case I would think yall would be hoping Boki can get his shot going since he is a tall agile SF whose defense has improved every time he spends any significant minutes on the court. Now, dont get me wrong...Im not saying he is the answer at this time...but he is the only guy on the roster that has the attributes we need at that position. Tall....check Agile....check Hustles....check Good slasher....check Plays defense....check, but still needs a little work...but getting better quick Finishes well.....needs work Shoots well from long range....also needs work By all accounts we have heard, the man shoots well...we just havent seen it consistently in games yet. Is this a confidence problem? I believe so..but if you look at the amount of meanignful minutes he has played (non-garbage time)...it isnt really that much until the last 5 games. Just like most are willing to cut Yao some slack cause it is his second year....why not cut Boki a little slack? He got like zero minutes last year....and until recently, very little this year..he is basically a rookie (as far as NBA playing time goes) and I dont think anyone will argue that it takes a little time for most people when they come to the NBA to get used to the game speed and aggressiveness. If he showed no improvement at all, I would understand the flak he catches...and I would probably not be supporting him like I do if he showed no improvement....but he is improving and obviously VG thinks he deserves to be given a chance....notice the fact that he is getting real minutes to contribute to the team. sorry for rambling.....Even tho more here are starting to see reasons to support him while he grows into the position...there are still alot of posters that dont seem to want to give him the chance to be the SF that we need.
He doesn't get any slack from me. Tmo would beat him out for pt. Handily. Tmo could pass the ball and play big, he had good d and could swing up, as needed. His shot is probably better than Bostjan's, right now. Bring him back. When can we cut that slacker Ben Davis? Do people just get to ride the injured list forever?
I wouldn't...or shall I say shouldnt...expect any out of you...you are rarely fair in your assessments.. Tmo aint here...he aint coming back anytime soon....so wether or not he could beat Boki out is not a topic that bears discussion at this time... and IIRC, Ben Davis is already cut.
Rockets2K: "as for Cato...I wish I had the link to the thread where someone figured out what the average earnings of centers are, and Cato was not getting that much more than average..." i'm not sure if this is what you're looking for, but Old Man Rock posted center salaries from two years and I put it on my "In Defense of Kelvin Cato" page. As for Clutch's comment that teams are exploiting our offensive weakness with Cato at 4, would people say this is mitigated by playing Yao at the high post? He seems to be at his best roaming the paint picking up easy buckets off feeds from the guards and grabbing offensive rebounds.
