Why do NBA coaches have the same starting 5 for every game? If ever there's been an opportunity for a platoon at a position, it's Chuck Hayes and Luis Scola. Scola isn't strong enough to defend the really strong PF's in the league or quick enough to defend the really quick ones. If the opposing PF is below average offensively, he should start. The Rockets could use his scoring for more minutes, as long as the chances of him getting abused on the other end are small enough. Chuck is as good as they come defensively, and should start against teams with strong and/or athletic fours. Chuck and Luis are, together, a complete PF rotation. They should alternate based on match-ups.
I agree with what some on the board have already said, basically that Scola doesn't need to start, but his minutes need to continue to increase (similar to the split-back system the Cowboys use with Julius Jones starting but Barber coming in when it really counts and getting more carries).
Luis Scola should not be starting for the Rockets until he can prove over a meaningful stretch of games with increased playing time that he will not commit too many silly fouls. The way he has been playing defense so far this year, he would pick up two fouls early in the first quarter and be far less effective throughout the remainder of the game. Plus, if Yao gets into foul trouble early, it is better to bring Scola in than to bring in Chuck to play with a more tired and foul-laden Scola. Keep Scola coming off the bench, but with increased playing time.
Luis is right when he says this: "Every team that has had good years, every team that has won a championship, plays as a team. They have three, four, five options. You can see Phoenix, Detroit, San Antonio — they have three, four, sometimes five options." Given enough playing time, Scola can to provide another dimension to the Yao/McGrady show.
I'm drunk and I don't give a **** if Luis said that or not...it was hard enough typing that....HAYES SUCKS AS A STARTER AND MUST COME OFF THE BENCH. END OF ****ING DISCUSSION. You eeeeediots that can't rekonize a freaking legit starting offensive/defensive flow should go watch the lower tier of the Eastern Conference because that is the way we have been playing. It is time we step up or shut up and go for the damn lottery. Screw the notion of the Allstar break as our cut off point of proving that we are for real. Now or never. Mark it biyatches.
The reason Chuck Hayes is starting is to shut down or bog down the opposing team's offense, while Yao and TMac supply the main offense for the Rockets. Look at the beginning of each game - Yao and TMac are on the floor together. JVG and RA obviously believe that is enough offensive power to start the game. And if you can stop the other team's offensive rythym at the start of a game (while scoring with Yao and TMac), you can set the tone for the rest of the game. JVG and RA both know this - that's why Chuck Hayes is starting. When Luis Scola's offensive game ramps up, you may still want him to come off the bench to supply scoring power the way Ginobli does for the Spurs. I can't believe the number of clueless fans on here who think they know more than JVG, RA, and Greg Popopvich - yes, even Greg Popopvich has a similar strategy. There is a reason why Greg Popovich starts Bruce Bowen over Ginobli. For the fans that don't understand why Greg Popovich starts Bowen over Ginobli, that's why you are still a fan (that thinks they know better than an NBA coach) rather than an NBA coach yourself. If the fans were to select the starting line up of the Spurs, I doubt the Spurs would be the current reigning NBA champions.
BTW, for those who haven't figured Hayes' role in today's game against the Raptors, Hayes was perfect in shutting down Chris Bosh and setting the tone and rhythm for the rest of the game. You have to understand that when a player gets shut down early in the game (such as Bosh today), they lose confidence and may be unable to gain it back the rest of the game. That's exactly what Bruce Bowen does, and that is exactly what JVG and RA are having Hayes do. If Greg Popovich were the coach of the Rockets, I wouldn't be surprised if he started Hayes as well.
i really like scola, and think he should be a starter on this team... BUT he only has 5 blocks in 566 minutes. that is pathetic
Reason I'd start Scola is I think he'd be more effective as a starting player. While Chuck Hayes per-minute production would stay relatively the same starting or off the bench. Scola has leadership qualities that could be accentuated if he were a starter. He could bring added soul and passion to a team that lacks it. Not that he's holding back at all, but he probably still needs to feel "officially endorsed" (be a starter) before he TRULY unleashes the beast. Thats good for the power forwards but the sucky part is who subs in for Yao? Scola can backup Yao and Chuck, but can Chuck back up both Yao and Scola? Might have to call on Mutombo more if you start Scola. If it were me I'd "Don Nelson" it (Don Nelson dat ho) and have Landry come in at center but the team doesn't have time to keep tinkering Hopefully the starters would be so good that weakened depth won't hurt too much, like how the Phoenix Suns get by
I think that he should start cuz in a our starting line-up, we need someone else to get us points. Hayes is a great defender and rebounder but he dont do anything in the offense. People dont guard him at all. This is why teams always double yao. When Scola there, teams wont double him a lot cuz Scola has a great offense. I think that we should start him now, so that he should be ready for the playoffs.
Who cares about the blocks, Boozer also dont block a lot and he s starting. What about Hayes, does he block a lot?
boozer is about three levels above scola offensively. hayes may not block that many shots but he is a far superior defender to scola, and he still blocks more shots and steals more than scola.
He had a great block on Chris Bosh yesterday, but the refs bailed the allstar out and called a foul. Chuck gets his share of blocks. I'd say he in the top 1/2 in blocks per minute amongst PFs.
Hayes is a better defender but Scola is way better in offense. In the starting lineup, he could help the two stars a lot. That will help them a lot. Scola atleast do something in the defense. Hayes dont do anything in the offense.
Bowen doesnt start over Ginobli. Ginobli is a guard, Bowen is a forward. Also, Manu averages close to 30 minutes of playing time a game with the Spurs. Right now Scola is playing less than 20 minutes a game.
Scola not starting is another reason why I have my signature! I will be glad to change it when Rick Adelman comes to his senses!
I'm slowly changing my mind on this, we have 2 offense negatives starting in Battier and Hayes, they should not be on the floor together anymore, our offense is too predictable when both are on the floor together. Maybe we do need to start Scola, but then I think Hayes becomes even less effective on the bench. Not too many defensive specialists come off the bench. So then we're left with the Carl Landry argument of giving him minutes instead of Hayes. I don't think Landry is ready for big minutes against better teams.
I voted for him to start, but it really doesn't matter so much as long as he can play normal starter minutes, e.g. around 30 minutes per game. This guy can contribute on both ends, has energy, hustles a lot. Adelman should design some offensive plays for him, to mix up our offensive strategies. He has a steady midrange jumper and has great skills in the post. We could run more P&R between him and luther/brooks. Depending on the matchup situation, if Bonzi's post play does not work, let Scola play in the post a little bit.
