<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Orlando Magic center Kelvin Cato might not look the same this season. And that's a good thing. Cato, who turned 31 on Friday, is going into the final year of his contract (paying him $8.2 million), knowing that a big season could turn him into a Grade A free agent next summer. Shoulder surgery in June to repair a torn rotator cuff and a mild dislocation will restrict his contact work early in training camp, but it had Cato brimming with confidence last week after a recent session in the training room. "We're going to be good this season. Getting into the playoffs is only the minimum goal," he said. "If we stay healthy, which we didn't last season, we should be a major factor in the Eastern Conference." Cato spent most of last season moving in and out of the lineup, playing with that bad shoulder. It was painful, both physically and mentally, especially as a promising start slipped slowly into a major disappointment. He hurt his shoulder Dec. 6 in Denver, just as the Magic were hitting stride and he was picking up speed. They went into that game with an 11-5 record, and in the four previous games, he had averaged 10.8 points, 13.5 rebounds and 1.75 blocked shots. In the following 10 games -- with Cato out of the lineup -- the Magic went 4-6. And when he returned, he was never the same. He missed a few more games with a sprained left ankle, then a sinus infection, but he kept playing with a much-weakened shoulder. "By playing the rest of the season, I probably hurt the team more than I helped it," Cato said. "Looking back now, I probably should have had the surgery right away. Being a professional athlete, though, you are taught to play hurt, play through some pain. I tried to give it 100 percent, but my body just didn't do 100 percent." Cato has been in Orlando doing his rehabilitation for the past few weeks. He expects to be here until training camp opens Oct. 4. He's shooting and running, but doctors told him not to begin the contact work -- the serious wrestling around the basket in scrimmages -- until the second week of October. "It's going to feel good to play healthy again," he said. "I'm really excited. We were much better than we showed last season for a number of reasons." Cato already has met twice with new Coach Brian Hill. They had lunch together. They talked about last season, and what is expected this season. Although they've never worked together before, Cato sounded impressed. "Every coach I've ever had has an agenda to win. It's just that sometimes it doesn't work out that way," he said. "He [Hill] is a proven coach, a proven winner, and you can't ask for much more than that."</div> Source
I like Cato since his time in Houston. I don't think people give him a fair shake sometimes. With the right attitude, he can be a better defensive center than Ben Wallace. Seriously
I too also liked Cato...he was always a favorite Rocket of mine...however, his vision may be a bit distorted because there iI have no idea what he sees in the Magic...they have a good shot at making playoffs, but Cato to say that they can be a force in the east is a bit out of line... miami detroit indiana washington chicago boston toronto cleveland ny new jersey philly ^^^^^^ all better than orlando, IMO...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Shooter:</div><div class="quote_post">I too also liked Cato...he was always a favorite Rocket of mine...however, his vision may be a bit distorted because there iI have no idea what he sees in the Magic...they have a good shot at making playoffs, but Cato to say that they can be a force in the east is a bit out of line... miami detroit indiana washington chicago boston toronto cleveland ny new jersey philly ^^^^^^ all better than orlando, IMO...</div> lol......Your being a bit mean. Orlando might be able to fit in 8th seed. Maybe beat out Phillly, Cleveland, Toronto, or NY. Or maybe I'm reaching
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Shooter:</div><div class="quote_post">I too also liked Cato...he was always a favorite Rocket of mine...however, his vision may be a bit distorted because there iI have no idea what he sees in the Magic...they have a good shot at making playoffs, but Cato to say that they can be a force in the east is a bit out of line... miami detroit indiana washington chicago boston toronto cleveland ny new jersey philly ^^^^^^ all better than orlando, IMO...</div> Orlando could make the playoffs and could make a small run in the East. I think the Magic are equal to the Wizards, and better then the Knicks and Raptors. If our team can stay healthy and play consistenly, expect the Magic to suprise a lot of people. The Magic may not be a force in the East but I think they are capable of making the playoffs and they might even move onto the second round depending on their opponent.
Honestly, Orlando can still make the playoffs. Francis is going to have to make better decisions though. He's going to have to not let his emotions get the best of him too. I would love to see Franchise take more of a leadership role, that means not attending the Super Bowl this year, playin good D, and again, making better decisions. He's not a bad player, he just needs to play more under control.
No way the Magic make the playoffs IMO. Francis hasn't proven he can lead a team. His numbers are amazing, but he's never been able to make it far in the playoffs. Aside from that, the East is looking amazing this year. Indiana, Detroit, Miami, New Jersey, Washington, Cleveland, Chicago, Boston, New York, and Philly all will most likely finish in front of Orlando. The East will be the story to watch this season, I can't wait to see how some of these teams play next season.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting DocBlaze27:</div><div class="quote_post">No way the Magic make the playoffs IMO. Francis hasn't proven he can lead a team. His numbers are amazing, but he's never been able to make it far in the playoffs. Aside from that, the East is looking amazing this year. Indiana, Detroit, Miami, New Jersey, Washington, Cleveland, Chicago, Boston, New York, and Philly all will most likely finish in front of Orlando. The East will be the story to watch this season, I can't wait to see how some of these teams play next season.</div> Where do you idiots get off thining the knick's'll do good, larry brown isn't that much of a God, they are way too screwed with the cap to do anything soon, even with the best coach out there. + the Magic have a lotta tallent you guys are forgetting about. Indiana, Detroit Miami, NJ, Cleveland, and Chicago should be better, while Philly, Washington, and Boston should be about on Par. But I swear Orlando is Head and Shoulders above NY. Don't even look at it as Francis's team, there are other players on it and Francis will most likely not run the team.
