I agree. I am very skeptical about anybody from overseas, there game is just different and a lot of them aren't physical enough to play in the NBA. Lets just remember we need a rebounding, athletic PF who can D-up on Boozer.
If thats true, then you got the wrong player. You got a finesse offensive PF, with good rebounding skills (for Europeans standards) and just decent defense.
I wouldn't say he's finesse based on what I've seen from him. Is he the second coming of otis thorpe? No not really. But he's not exactly a feather Dirk Nowitzki. Whatever he is, he has to be better than Howard. I think a good comparison might be Jorge Garbajosa. His rookie campaign was pretty good, and scouts like Scola better than him.
i'm really digging this scola mix right now. lots of slow-mo video so you get to see how this guy really knows how to get leverage using positioning, his body how he jumps, and uses his length to circumvent defenders. plus the music works well with it. <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LV1phCgmIS4" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed>
Garbajosa is different. He defends better than Scola, and can shoot threes. On the other hand, he can't play low post game. Thats why they make him play many times as a SF. Scola has more talent, and is overall the better player. But don't let the highlights give you the wrong impression. Scola doesn't dunk a lot and doesn't block very often. Yes, he is a high energy player and plays with heart. But he doesn't stand out because of his athletism. His array of low post moves and soft hands are what took him to where he is now.
I see Scola as a young Juwan Howard - good offensive PF who can hits some mid-range jumpers, but is average at best in rebounding and defense.
dude plays with passion. Passion is contagious. One single play from him could turn the whole team on.
I feel that he can adjust to the physical nature of the NBA because he appears to be fairly strong and shows a certain toughness in his game. One the other hand,he seems to be foul prone and isn't a rebounder or game changing shot blocker. He can score in the low post.I think he can be most effective coming off the bench when Yao gets in foul trouble and when we are going through scoring droughts.
He's our Vlade in a 4. Anyone who thinks he won't pan out did not see enough times when Rybo played... He'll play if the coach wants him to play.
I remember another foreign player people were skeptical of. A player pundits said would be unable to adjust to a physical game. He's now the best C in the league. Scola has the potential to be darned good. Just forcing the opposing PF to pull off Yao and guard is invaluable. With a lineup of James, McGrady, Battier, Scola, and Yao, how do you safely double anyone up? You can bring Head, Bonzi, and others in without losing that danger. I'll be interested to see if Butler pans out. He'll determine whether this is simply a solid deal or one of the most lopsided ever.
Just so long as he doesn't turn into the second coming of Slowmile Swift. Then, I guess, he would become the UnScola.
