I like Willis and I'm happy to have him around. But, I just realized what we paid for him: the 33rd pick of the draft (that is, if I'm right that there is no protection on the pick). That's a very good pick for a second rounder. Most second rounders aren't worth much, but that high in the second round means we could take a flyer on someone of some promise without much financial risk. Was Willis worth that?
If this season had played out like it was supposed to, absolutely. With the way the season played out with all the injuries and the record, no way in h*ll.
Yes. Remember, going into the season, the Rockets still thought they had a legitimate shot at the playoffs, even without Marc Jackson or Mo Taylor. Rice and Francis were apparently healthy then. Taking a flyer on Willis in exchange for what was projected as a second rounder in the #45-48 range was definitely a risk worth taking at the time. Hey, hindsight's 20-20, but Willis was worth the gamble in October.
better question... would you spend a 2nd round pick in exchange for kelvin cato's 2nd half of the season performance? i say, hell yea! cato was a good center in the 2nd half of the season, and (from what is being told) willis is directly responsible for that improvement.
I agree with Bimathug and Verse and their reasoning. However, does this mean that we don't have a second rounder at all?
Yo Verse....I'm wonderin if Butler might be a better fit for this team than Odom... Odom definitely gots more talent and skills, especially at this point in his career (althought Butler can fill it up from outside ala old school Mitch Richmond). But Butler gots the killer instinct mentality this team really needs. If Butler pans out as a refuse-to-lose Barkley type in this league then I don't think we should pass on him...what you think????
Thumbs, I don't know. I believe that our debt to Milwaukee is unprotected, so I think that pick is going. Detroit owes us a #2 that was reported to be due in 2002. But, they've been talking about possibly using their option to swap picks with Miami. That suggests to me that they actually don't have to pay us this year. Though they still might. It'd be a good time to pay us considering their record and the swap with Miami is expensive: Detroit's #2s from 2002 and 2003 for Miami's #2 in 2002.
Bring Kevin willis back he is a great asset to the team Play him some minutes each game he will be happy. Cato's reason he played better was because of Kevin Griffin also looks up to him as well.
You know I just realized Lamar is younger than Butler. Lamar's has had NBA seasons almost as productive as Butler's Big East player of the Year one last year. I still like Butler, but maybe the Odom idea is better.
I'm not buying the "Willis helped teach Cato" point. Before the season started, Kelvin said that his main problem was staying healthy and that if he managed to do that, then he'd be able to produce at a decent level. Well he's been pretty healthy all year long and has had a decent season. Willis didn't do anything for us, I doubt the 33rd pick will amount to much though...
Cato has produced at the same level the entire time he's been in Houston: '99-'00: 8.7 pts, 6 rebs, 1.9 blks (24 min/game) '00-'01: 4.7 pts, 4 rebs, .9 blks (17.8 min/game) '01-'02: 6.6 pts, 7 rebs, 1.3 blks (25.6 min/game) Conclusion: Cato is not very good. I don't see a second-round pick as making any difference however.
I don't think those stats are that bad...probably right in the middle of the league as far as starting centers go... He's increased his FG% and he's also stayed healthy this year, which is 1 of the few positive things to come out of this season from anyone on the Rockets...
I'm almost certain we had THE WORSE CENTER AND SMALL FORWARD PRODUCTION IN THE LEAGUE! Even with all the duds playing, I'm pretty sure we were the worse in scoring,rebounding,blocks and assist out of those 2 spots. To say Cato ,Rice, or Williams had a good or decent yr, you must not watch anyone else play around the league.
Cato is the 31st, 21st, and 19th among centers in scoring, rebouding and blocks. On the plus side is FG% is among the best , but it is also equal to his FT% There are worst centers in the league, but I would put him in the bottom quarter of starters. We certainly would have been in far worse shape if we didn't have him at all though, that is for sure. We would like to have him come off the bench, but right now he is by far the best option at center we have.
