Though there is some dissent on this, I think it is generally accepted by people with brains that the Rockets would be a lot better with a true center, and that getting one during this off-season is a top priority. However, that then raises the question - if there is a new starting 5, who do we want starting at the 4, Scola or Hayes. Now, I like Scola -- he is one of the toughest most committed Rockets I have ever seen. However, I choose Chuck mainly for one reason -- the new and improved Chuck hurts the offense a lot less than Scola hurts the defense AND Hayes's impact on the defensive side of the court is a lot greater than Scola's on the offensive side. Scola might give you 18 points, but the person he's guarding is going to get 30. Hayes on the other hand is only going to give you 10, but he'll rebound better, and the star power forward on the other team is going to get 15-20 and work damn hard for that, bringing the entire team's fg % down in the process. Basically I agree with the resounding din clamoring for a true center, but I think Hayes getting less minutes on the team would hurt them -- and, I think the way to have our cake and eat it too is to give Hayes PF minutes at the expense of Scola.
Hows about bringing Pat and Chuck off the bench? Our second team would destroy any other bench out there.
What I want to know his how much does the Chuckwagon weigh now, as oppose to the start of the season. If one recalls, he lost a lot of weight last off-season to play pf before the yao bs unfolded. As the season went along, it definitely looks like he’s put back on some weight which has helped him immensely in the latter part of this season. What I'm getting at is that I think the Chuckwagon® in his current physical condition, would be a better 2nd string C than Miller, meaning Scola and Hayes minutes’ wouldn't interfere w/ each other. (Minus the possibilities of injuries in the front court).
It's time to trade Scola while his stock is high enough to do so. Scola+ T-will+ Hill for Granger would be the best scenario if we made a trade. Also, Marc Gasol will want some cash and I don't think the Grizzles will be able to pay him if they sign Z-bo back. Sign Yao for 30mil for 4yrs deal and try to get M.Gasol for 5yr-50mil deal. If this somehow went through we would have Lowry/Dragic Martin/Lee Granger/Bud Hayes/PPat/(M.Gasol) M.Gasol/Yao/Miller Epic line-up!
I'd choose Scola in a heartbeat. Don't get me wrong - I love what Hayes brings. He's a tremendous worker and a wonderful man defender in certain matchup scenarios. However he's just too small.... if only he were 6'10+ we wouldn't be having this debate - it would Hayes + Scola. But Scola wouldn't get burned as badly on defence if he had a genuine 'rim protector' behind him. A 6'10+ genuine big bodied shotblocker. That's what we need for the team - we were elite defensively when Scola was paired in the frontcourt with a healthy Yao. The other reason to choose Scola is Martin. 2 reasons - Scola has that money 18' jumper, he can move out and clear space for Martin. AND (2nd reason) Martin is a poor defender anyway - so what Kevin Martin really needs is a 6'10 big bodied genuine shot-blocker behind him too. Since we're going to have to find that genuine shot-blocker anyway, we might as well stick with the all-world talent at the offensive end in Scola?
Scola is okay but Patterson might start as soon as midway though next season at which point we might move Scola at the deadline..
Excellent proposal! Im all for that, and I think in exchange, the pacers would have to at least throw in a 2nd rounder in order to complete the deal for Granger. Unfortunately, Marc Gasol is going no-where. He will stay in Memphis and the Rockets will have to try and aquire someone from another organization if not through the draft. If nothing else, Yao comes back healthy, and they aquire Granger, were talking about a top 5 team in the NBA.
I want Pat Pat starting at the 4..sign Carl Landry too back him Trade Scola and a pick (if needed) for Gortat.. Hayes backs him up.
Putting Hayes together with Patterson works really well.. Also, Blakes gives credit to hayes, who always gives him problem... "He is extremely smart and he knows exactly what to do and what angles he takes away from you," Griffin said. "He doesn't look like the typical shutdown big man. But he is so strong and he gets the job done." http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=310409010
Depends who we pick up as the next center. I'd still want Chuck coming off the bench over Scola though.
It all depends on who that center is. If the center is a Yao Ming, an offensive force that has trouble defending the pick-and-roll, you'd want Chuck Hayes in the front court beside him. If the center is a Dikembe Mutombo, who could shut down the paint, but has limited offense, you'd want Luis Scola (or maybe Patterson) in the front court beside him.
Yao made Scola monumentally more valuable. It could really go either way. Scola would be a great dose of energy coming off the bench. But if our eventual starting center is a Dalambert type, you'd have to start Scola.
