[Chronicle]Don't cry for me... Scola quietly becomes the four for the fourth quarters

lwqbulb · Feb 21, 2009

http://blogs.chron.com/nba/2009/02/dont_cry_for_me_scola_quietly.html

Luis Scola never complained, or if he did, he never complained with a microphone or notebook in the vicinity.

This is a guy who has been a pro since he was a kid, who has played in Euroleague madhouses, who carried his national team when it was shorthanded and who can decorate his living room with medals of gold, silver and bronze from Olympics and World Championships.

He probably would have liked to be on the court at the end of NBA games. He wasn't, at least not regularly, but he seemed to accept any role he was given not only without complaint, but with an insistence that he was just fine with doing anything asked including sitting on the bench late in games.

The Rockets have changed lately, however, in ways large and small. The ascension of Aaron Brooks to the starting point-guard spot deservedly grabbed attention, particularly with his star turn in the first day since Rafer Alston was shipped to Orlando.

The absence of Tracy McGrady, still on his tour of knee specialists, dominated the early part of the week.

Ron Artest offered a few more words about his preference for starting now that he is the starter for the foreseeable future and playing well with the role.

The changes, however, have also elevated Luis Scola to finishing games. That won't always be the case. When he gets back from his sprained ankle, Carl Landry could be the guy at times. He will spell Scola sometime in the fourth quarter of games and if things go well, he could remain on the court when Yao Ming returns. On other occasions, Rick Adelman could choose to go small, removing his power forwards.

With McGrady out Adelman no longer has to figure out how to finish games with McGrady, Artest and Shane Battier all on the floor together. That often meant moving Artest to the four and leaving Scola on the bench in the fourth quarter.

Scola, however, is the kind of guy that finds a way to win and games are usually won in the fourth quarter.

On Friday, he found his way to five rebounds in the fourth quarter to go with a sensational defensive game against Dirk Nowitzki. He finished with 15 points and 15 rebounds, his third consecutive double-double since McGrady went out just before the break. In the past four games, he has made 60 percent of his shots and averaged 10.2 rebounds.

He is easy to overlook. He plays next to Yao Ming, which would tend to overshadow a big man that does not bend rims or block shots. He plays with Ron Artest, who has begun filling the stat sheet again. And Scola plays on a team gambling on a point-guard transition.

On Friday, it was easy to focus on Brooks and Kyle Lowry, who was barely off the plane and showed the sort of qualities the Rockets' brass promised the night before. Artest has begun filling the stat sheet again.

Scola, however, is the guy overlooked because he is so reliable. He goes out and without fail is ready and energetic and produces. Now, he should be getting a chance to do all that not just at the start of games, but at the end.
• • •

The rotation is not all that changed.

The Rockets' pregame Toyota Center video has been edited.

It had included the Tracy McGrady introductory press conference and the line, "I'm looking forward to great things happening in the City of Houston."

McGrady is still among the highlights. The Rockets, however, apparently decided to no longer tease with his promise of 'great things.'
Click to expand...

daernoth · Feb 21, 2009

Great game for Scola... what a guy!

iconoclastic · Feb 21, 2009

He plays with Ron Artest, who has begun filling the stat sheet again. And Scola plays on a team gambling on a point-guard transition.

On Friday, it was easy to focus on Brooks and Kyle Lowry, who was barely off the plane and showed the sort of qualities the Rockets' brass promised the night before. Artest has begun filling the stat sheet again.
Click to expand...

Alzheimer's?

baller4life315 · Feb 21, 2009

Great to see Scola getting some love. He deserves every bit of that and then some.

WinorLoseMate · Feb 21, 2009

15 15 game by Scola.

I think because he's been so consistent we over look him as a great player. Props to you Scola, you've played very well this year!

tiger0330 · Feb 21, 2009

Would anyone question he's the best rebounder on the team despite not being a skywalker. Solid player, best trade Morey ever made.

Spork KIller · Feb 21, 2009

scola plays much smarter, he deserves to replace landry in the 4th quarter.

akiracy · Feb 21, 2009

"
The absence of Tracy McGrady, still on his tour of knee specialists, dominated the early part of the week."

gold!

Pizza_Da_Hut · Feb 21, 2009

Sorry already posted: http://bbs.clutchfans.com/showthread.php?t=163220

Rasselas · Feb 21, 2009

lwqbulb said:

He plays with Ron Artest, who has begun filling the stat sheet again. And Scola plays on a team gambling on a point-guard transition.

On Friday, it was easy to focus on Brooks and Kyle Lowry, who was barely off the plane and showed the sort of qualities the Rockets' brass promised the night before. Artest has begun filling the stat sheet again.
Click to expand...

But what I want to know.... has Artest begun filling the stat sheet again? Nice work editors.

DaDakota · Feb 21, 2009

I Love me some Passion Assassin.

DD

mw_mw · Feb 21, 2009

Scola > Dirk

RocketFan34 · Feb 21, 2009

RA definately needs to incorporate Scola into the offense more. He should have a few plays ran for him. I know he got into foul trouble early last night, but he still barely touched the ball when he was in there.

durvasa · Feb 21, 2009

THat really was one of Scola's best games. Great defensive effort.

TXRoxBBall · Feb 21, 2009

He's my favorite Rocket. He goes hard everynight and I think he could be a 20/10 guy if needed by the team.

mooseatwork · Feb 21, 2009

Scola has been a solid rock for this team, picking up the slack when Yao went out early in the season and now with tmac out. Glad to see hes getting some props!

Brooks played like a young steve nash in the 2nd half

Lowery looked great, who needs plays when you can get to the rack like that!!

This team can make it out of the 1st round!!!

chrisaner · Feb 21, 2009

Although Scola has a talent for scoring, people do not think he is a good defender. He really do a great job of denfending Dirk today. I hope that Adelman can give Scola more chance to play in the 4th quarter.

ebu · Feb 21, 2009

Scola is a BEAST!!!!

joesr · Feb 21, 2009

mooseatwork said:

Scola has been a solid rock for this team, picking up the slack when Yao went out early in the season and now with tmac out. Glad to see hes getting some props!

Brooks played like a young steve nash in the 2nd half

Lowery looked great, who needs plays when you can get to the rack like that!!

This team can make it out of the 1st round!!!
Click to expand...

I thought Yao was only out for a couple games? One at a time??

Its a shame Lowry was robbed of a couple calls though. Now we have another player (Wafer) who can cut while Yao is in the game, hoolllla!

I didnt think Tmac being out would be a reason for us to not make it out of the first round. I wont lie though if we can play Phoenix (Amare) or the Spurs (Ginobli?) it would be a bit easier?

TheBigAristotle · Feb 21, 2009

Scola is a beast. Man, whoever started the thread of Scola was our most consistent rocket this season was nails on. 12 and 9 for the season and he's of course not even the focus of the offense and putting these numbers up. It makes you eternally grateful to have players like Scola that bust it night in and night out. Eventually it rubs off to your teammates (unless your name is McGrady) as well.

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[Chronicle]Don't cry for me... Scola quietly becomes the four for the fourth quarters

lwqbulb Member

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Spork KIller Member

akiracy Member

Pizza_Da_Hut I put on pants for this?

Rasselas Contributing Member

DaDakota If you want to know, just ask!

mw_mw Member

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