<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">April 6, 2004 - The Houston Rockets have activated forward/center Kelvin Cato from the injured list, general manager Carroll Dawson announced today. In a related move, the Rockets waived forward Charles Oakley, who had signed the first of two 10-day contracts with Houston on Mar. 18. </div> Link
This was a move seen coming. Oakley was signed basically just to replace Cato. Now that Cato's back, Oakley'll be gone. His release was not a good move though. I've always thought that his experience will be needed for Yao to learn from.
I dont uderstand I figured Oak was brought in for leadership and his mental toughness, not actual on court production. Charles Oakley never back down from anyone or any situation. And I figured that they wanted some of that mentalty to rub off on Yao & some of the other players. If they were just bringing in someone to replace Cato. Then why not bring in one of those young NBDL players? You bring in Oakley to provide you experience over the long term.
I never thought how badly Cato would be missed...but seeing him in action last nite against the Clippers was amazing...he is clearly the anchor of our interior defense and is the intensity sparkplug of our team...he simply controls our team's intensity by the way he attacks the boards and blocks shots...glad to have him back and healthy...
I know that this was a while ago but now with the playoffs close and the rockets set to face the lakers this move just appears worst now because this is yao and francis's frist years in the playoffs they arent a custom to playing a series that can last 7 games and with a vet like oakly on there team they would have had someone they could have gone to in search on advice or leadership the rockets have very few guys that have been through the struggles of the playoffs. They have jimmy jackson and weatherspoon but besides that its basically a team centered around a young nucleus they need a bit more vet leadership before they can succeed in the playoffs imo they will give the lakers a fight just on pure talent but pure talent alone cant get you all the way to a title as proven by KG in years past
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting New York Baller:</div><div class="quote_post"> They have jimmy jackson and weatherspoon </div> Negative, we have those two plus Mark Jackson for true veteran leadership. There's still a guy like Kelvin Cato who did have ample experience with Portland.
I don't see the point of getting the Oakman to provide leadership then release him when it really counts. You need all the help you can get against the veteran Lakers.
Oakley is real old, but he has the experience and leadership, I know I would love to see him back with the raps, I would love to see him on any team.
