I think it's entirely too early to tell whether Cat is a true King or not. I do know that being a "me" player elsewhere doesn't necessarily mean someone will be one here. Our team dynamic is so good that players are just drawn in to becoming TEAM players. The occasional exception - like Keon, Tony, etc. - don't last very long.
Now what do you think
- Thread starter Entity
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Good friends, dear relatives, and popular former Kings, are never really replaced. Somebody new will appear and crate a new personality. The family just gets larger.
Mitch Richmond, Jon Barry, Jason Williams, Hedo Turkuglu, Vlade Divac, Jimmy Jackson, Doug Christie, etc.
It is also fun to see Neolithic Kings like Oscar Robertson, and Bronze Age Kings like LaSalle Thompson, on the warm-up show.
Mitch Richmond, Jon Barry, Jason Williams, Hedo Turkuglu, Vlade Divac, Jimmy Jackson, Doug Christie, etc.
It is also fun to see Neolithic Kings like Oscar Robertson, and Bronze Age Kings like LaSalle Thompson, on the warm-up show.
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As someone who's followed Cat's career since he was drafted, here's my take on the trade:
I think you guys were a little bit silly to be questioning Cat's D... He was the Rockets' defensive-stopper last year (and keep in mind, we had a top 5-ranked D). Here are some of the stats of 2 guards that Cat guarded primarely one-on-one last year while with the Rox:
11/8/03 Tracy McGrady: 4-21, 14 points
11/16/03 Vince Carter: 4-20, 18 points
11/17/03 Allen Iverson: 4-19, 15 points
As for Kobe Bryant...
(12/25/03) 9-26, 23 points
(02/11/04) 4-7, 14 points
(03/03/04) 7-19, 18 points
(04/01/04) 8-19, 26 points
TOTALS: 28-71 (.394), 20.3ppg
PLAYOFFS
(GAME 1) 4-19, 16 points
(GAME 2) 9-20, 36 points
(GAME 3) 7-20, 21 points
(GAME 4) 7-21, 18 points
(GAME 5) 12-21, 31 points
Altogether, Kobe averaged 24.4 PPG on .396 shooting in the Lakers' 5 game playoffs series against the Rockets. Cat did a pretty good job against him. I won't look up the numbers, but I'd imagine that those are comparable to his production against the Kings and Doug Christie. I really don't think the Kings will lose much defensively.
Obviously, you gain a lot of scoring, lose some passing. But Cat's a willing passer with decent court vision, he just doesn't angle his passes very well, and at times gets caught in the air as he's passing. He has an extremely quick first step, and has great lateral quickness defensively.
Though he has a silky smooth lefty jumper, one think to keep in mind is that Cat has a tendency to fade a little bit midway through the year, and his shooting percentages suffer, especially from distance. But he usually rebounds towards March and April. He's a VERY good rebounder for a 6'4" guard. His numbers this year don't reflect that, but that's largely due to him being on an Orlando team with Stevie, Grant Hill, Dwight Howard, Cato, and Tony Battie, all good rebounders. But he chases the ball and he has long arms & good hops.
One thing that shocked me was that you guys were questioning whether he'd bring passion and heart. Are you kidding me? Over here in Houston, even though we're very happy to have T-Mac, we all miss the fire and intensity that Steve and Cat brought to the game. They both have non-stop motors and always display a lot of emotion and intensity on the court. Usually that's good, but sometimes his emotion gets the better of him, ESPECIALLY when it comes to the refs. Cat complains to the officials A LOT.
As for Cat being a me-first player, that's RIDICULOUS. He's changed his role every year he's been with a team, doing exactly what the coach asked. 1999, his rookie year, he played the Point, despite being a SG out of college. 2000, he went from being a starter to a sixth man, without complaint. The next year he was asked to be a part time scorer, and a side kick to Stevie Franchise. Year after that, Steve has the migraine problems and Cat takes on the role of go-to guy. The next year, he deferred some of his shots to Yao, the rookie center, and cut down on his isos (his personal strength, I might add). Last year, he ditched the isolations and drives altogether and become a spot up shooter and defensive specialist. Cat will adapt to the system and do whatever the coaching staff asks of him.
Overall, I think you guys absolutely rammed the Magic with this trade, a home run in my opinion. Unfortunately for the Kings, I don't think he'll be back next year. Cat will be looking to sign the last lucrative, long-term contract of his career this summer, and the Nuggets will have $8mil in cap room, and they need a shooting guard in the worst way.
The Lakers are also a distinct possibility; Cat loves Rudy T., and he and Odom are best buds (they played together at Rhode Island). Still, Cat's a great player and person, and the Kings should definately TRY to resign him this offseason.
I think you guys were a little bit silly to be questioning Cat's D... He was the Rockets' defensive-stopper last year (and keep in mind, we had a top 5-ranked D). Here are some of the stats of 2 guards that Cat guarded primarely one-on-one last year while with the Rox:
11/8/03 Tracy McGrady: 4-21, 14 points
11/16/03 Vince Carter: 4-20, 18 points
11/17/03 Allen Iverson: 4-19, 15 points
As for Kobe Bryant...
(12/25/03) 9-26, 23 points
(02/11/04) 4-7, 14 points
(03/03/04) 7-19, 18 points
(04/01/04) 8-19, 26 points
TOTALS: 28-71 (.394), 20.3ppg
PLAYOFFS
(GAME 1) 4-19, 16 points
(GAME 2) 9-20, 36 points
(GAME 3) 7-20, 21 points
(GAME 4) 7-21, 18 points
(GAME 5) 12-21, 31 points
Altogether, Kobe averaged 24.4 PPG on .396 shooting in the Lakers' 5 game playoffs series against the Rockets. Cat did a pretty good job against him. I won't look up the numbers, but I'd imagine that those are comparable to his production against the Kings and Doug Christie. I really don't think the Kings will lose much defensively.
Obviously, you gain a lot of scoring, lose some passing. But Cat's a willing passer with decent court vision, he just doesn't angle his passes very well, and at times gets caught in the air as he's passing. He has an extremely quick first step, and has great lateral quickness defensively.
Though he has a silky smooth lefty jumper, one think to keep in mind is that Cat has a tendency to fade a little bit midway through the year, and his shooting percentages suffer, especially from distance. But he usually rebounds towards March and April. He's a VERY good rebounder for a 6'4" guard. His numbers this year don't reflect that, but that's largely due to him being on an Orlando team with Stevie, Grant Hill, Dwight Howard, Cato, and Tony Battie, all good rebounders. But he chases the ball and he has long arms & good hops.
One thing that shocked me was that you guys were questioning whether he'd bring passion and heart. Are you kidding me? Over here in Houston, even though we're very happy to have T-Mac, we all miss the fire and intensity that Steve and Cat brought to the game. They both have non-stop motors and always display a lot of emotion and intensity on the court. Usually that's good, but sometimes his emotion gets the better of him, ESPECIALLY when it comes to the refs. Cat complains to the officials A LOT.
As for Cat being a me-first player, that's RIDICULOUS. He's changed his role every year he's been with a team, doing exactly what the coach asked. 1999, his rookie year, he played the Point, despite being a SG out of college. 2000, he went from being a starter to a sixth man, without complaint. The next year he was asked to be a part time scorer, and a side kick to Stevie Franchise. Year after that, Steve has the migraine problems and Cat takes on the role of go-to guy. The next year, he deferred some of his shots to Yao, the rookie center, and cut down on his isos (his personal strength, I might add). Last year, he ditched the isolations and drives altogether and become a spot up shooter and defensive specialist. Cat will adapt to the system and do whatever the coaching staff asks of him.
Overall, I think you guys absolutely rammed the Magic with this trade, a home run in my opinion. Unfortunately for the Kings, I don't think he'll be back next year. Cat will be looking to sign the last lucrative, long-term contract of his career this summer, and the Nuggets will have $8mil in cap room, and they need a shooting guard in the worst way.
The Lakers are also a distinct possibility; Cat loves Rudy T., and he and Odom are best buds (they played together at Rhode Island). Still, Cat's a great player and person, and the Kings should definately TRY to resign him this offseason.
Welcome to the board. Always good to get the perspective of someone who's been a fan of our new players before they were here...
If Cat fits in and does the job we need him to do, don't think the Maloofs and Petrie won't be thinking seriously about making him an offer he can't refuse. And don't be surprised if Cat is willing to negotiate to stay. For some reason, most people who come here don't want to leave.
There are a lot of games to play between now and then. Personally, I intend to enjoy every single one of them and I hope Cat does the same.
If Cat fits in and does the job we need him to do, don't think the Maloofs and Petrie won't be thinking seriously about making him an offer he can't refuse. And don't be surprised if Cat is willing to negotiate to stay. For some reason, most people who come here don't want to leave.
There are a lot of games to play between now and then. Personally, I intend to enjoy every single one of them and I hope Cat does the same.