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161 Posts
<i>*player, info, predicted stats*</i>
<b><u>Center:</b></u>
<b>#1) Kelvin Cato (27, 6'11, 255lbs): 24 mins, 8 pts, 8 rebs, 1.5 blks:</b>
We acquired Cato in 1999 from the Scottie Pippen trade. He put up 2 monster triple-doubles in the preseason so we gave him a 6 year/ $42,120,000 extension (his contract was up in 2000)... He played well that season as Hakeem Olajuwon's backup and a 32-game starter. He averaged 8.7 pts, 6.0 rebs, and 1.9 asts in 24.3 mins in 65 games. Pretty good numbers for a guy getting his 1st opportunity to play... Then in 2000 he came to camp out of shape, he had a bad attitude, he suffered many real and not-so-real injuries during the season, and never got in shape. He only played in 35 games, averaging 4.7 pts, 4.0 rebs, and 0.9 blks in 17.8 mins. Not a great way to reward the people that just payed you $6 million. This is when everyone got really down on Cato and wrote him off as a bust... In 2001 he came to camp with something to prove. He was in shape, brought a positive attitude, and produced during the regular season. There was a long stretch of games that he earned the nickname "Super Cato" from yours truly because he was pulling down 10+ rebs, blocking shots, playing great defense, and shooting over 60%... Cato needs to work on staying positive and in shape and becoming more consistent. He's overpaid slightly (he makes less than the average starting center) but we need him for now. In 2004 or 2005 we should be able to trade him (assuming Yao Ming develops) and find a less expensive backup center.
<b>#2) Yao Ming (21, 7'6, 300lbs): 20 mins, 8 pts, 6 rebs, 2 asts, 2 blks:</b>
We acquired Ming with the 1st pick in this year's draft. He is currently playing for China and will be here for the preseason... He's an athlete, not a stiff. He has range out to the 3 pt line. He has a developing inside game. He is a good man-to-man and team defender. He needs to bulk up his upper body to help him inside and on defense. He's a good rebounder and shot blocker and a great passer. Very soft hands... Ming isn't going to burst onto the scene this season. He'll be our backup center as he adjusts to America, the NBA, etc. I think he'll be very productive in his limited mins because we'll keep him fresh... Ming will sign a rookie contract for 3 years, plus a team option for a 4th year... Starting center of the future.
<b>#3) Jason Collier (24, 7'0, 260lbs): out of the rotation:</b>
We drafted Collier 15th in the 2000 draft. Bad move. He's a serviceable 3rd center but we could of had Jamaal Magloire or Jake Tsakalidis as Cato's backup. Or Hidayet Turkoglu, Desmond Mason, Quentin Richardosn, or Morris Peterson at swingman. Oh well... He hasn't played in 50 games for us in 2 seasons. He's just a big body that has 6 fouls. As a plus, he can shoot jumpers... He has a team option for 2003, the jury's still out on whether we keep him or not.
<b><u>Center:</b></u>
<b>#1) Kelvin Cato (27, 6'11, 255lbs): 24 mins, 8 pts, 8 rebs, 1.5 blks:</b>
We acquired Cato in 1999 from the Scottie Pippen trade. He put up 2 monster triple-doubles in the preseason so we gave him a 6 year/ $42,120,000 extension (his contract was up in 2000)... He played well that season as Hakeem Olajuwon's backup and a 32-game starter. He averaged 8.7 pts, 6.0 rebs, and 1.9 asts in 24.3 mins in 65 games. Pretty good numbers for a guy getting his 1st opportunity to play... Then in 2000 he came to camp out of shape, he had a bad attitude, he suffered many real and not-so-real injuries during the season, and never got in shape. He only played in 35 games, averaging 4.7 pts, 4.0 rebs, and 0.9 blks in 17.8 mins. Not a great way to reward the people that just payed you $6 million. This is when everyone got really down on Cato and wrote him off as a bust... In 2001 he came to camp with something to prove. He was in shape, brought a positive attitude, and produced during the regular season. There was a long stretch of games that he earned the nickname "Super Cato" from yours truly because he was pulling down 10+ rebs, blocking shots, playing great defense, and shooting over 60%... Cato needs to work on staying positive and in shape and becoming more consistent. He's overpaid slightly (he makes less than the average starting center) but we need him for now. In 2004 or 2005 we should be able to trade him (assuming Yao Ming develops) and find a less expensive backup center.
<b>#2) Yao Ming (21, 7'6, 300lbs): 20 mins, 8 pts, 6 rebs, 2 asts, 2 blks:</b>
We acquired Ming with the 1st pick in this year's draft. He is currently playing for China and will be here for the preseason... He's an athlete, not a stiff. He has range out to the 3 pt line. He has a developing inside game. He is a good man-to-man and team defender. He needs to bulk up his upper body to help him inside and on defense. He's a good rebounder and shot blocker and a great passer. Very soft hands... Ming isn't going to burst onto the scene this season. He'll be our backup center as he adjusts to America, the NBA, etc. I think he'll be very productive in his limited mins because we'll keep him fresh... Ming will sign a rookie contract for 3 years, plus a team option for a 4th year... Starting center of the future.
<b>#3) Jason Collier (24, 7'0, 260lbs): out of the rotation:</b>
We drafted Collier 15th in the 2000 draft. Bad move. He's a serviceable 3rd center but we could of had Jamaal Magloire or Jake Tsakalidis as Cato's backup. Or Hidayet Turkoglu, Desmond Mason, Quentin Richardosn, or Morris Peterson at swingman. Oh well... He hasn't played in 50 games for us in 2 seasons. He's just a big body that has 6 fouls. As a plus, he can shoot jumpers... He has a team option for 2003, the jury's still out on whether we keep him or not.