well we tried to get the spurs to throw in Tim Duncan but they wanted us to part with Alston and that just wouldn't work. PS STFU
Scola is not athletic but he is a banger. He has similar post moves to Fabricio Oberto (simple and effective) and is an active defender who won't get pushed around. Going to be a good fit under Adelman with his ability to make smart passes and hit short jumpers. It's pretty likely he'll be starting at the 4 by November.
Not sure what indications you're looking at, and I didn't follow him this year, but I do know that Butler had a very productive season at low cost for the Knicks as a back-up in 2006.
Tsakalidis can't shine Butlers sneakers. He'll stick, more mobile than Jake with a much better offensive game. Tsakalidis better clean out his locker, if the Rox decide to only keep two centers. SA didn't get what they should out of Butler, he got injured and was out of shape when he came back. This would have been a good deal if it was just a VSpan for Butler deal, give up nothing in VSpan for an adequate big. And we get Scola for a late 2nd round pick, awesome deal. 99% of the SA board hates the deal and 99% of the GARM likes this deal, the people have spoken.
This guy may be the perfect 4 in Adelman's half-court offense. He can play the post, high post, is a real good passer and has good hands for a big man. Plus, he gets up and down the floor real well and is an attacker when he gets at or towards the rim. He may not be the greates one-on-one defender, but he is an aggitator very much in the mold of Varejo. He's not going to give an inch to anyone. Wow, and to trade virtually nothing for him. Just wow.
I come in late, and it loks like he could possibly saty in Europe for 5 pages of the thread and before you know it it is a high possiblity that he will sign in the next few days. This is a great site Well done, Morey. Almost makes losing to the Spurs this year worth all the pain when you hear the Spurs fans weeping and gnashing their teeth!!!!!
Yeah, I am just all broken up. You know what, this might be a turning point for Rocket's management and the team. This is no 40mill+ contract for a "Cato." If this guy comes to play this year, this is a coup. A starting PG and a reserve Center for VSpan! Now we are talking some serious horse trading. What if Brooks actually pans out? What if he could start and James could play SG? Then TMac could move to SF. I like the possibilities. Hayes is a perfect back up. What if Bonzi gets in shape? What if........ It's all pretty exciting if it works out.
One more thing.....Morey is looking samrter by the minute in this deal....check this snippet I found in the chronicle article... Essentially, before Morey made this deal, he made sure he could sign Scola first by speaking with him to gauge his interests between the NBA and Tau Ceramica. Once he got his assurances he could sign Scola, he made the deal and straight swindled San Antoino in the process. Bookmark it....moneyball knows what he is doing...Scola will be a Rocket next year. Think of this... 26 yearl-old Yao, next to 27 year-old Scola. We're set in the front court for years to come baby!
Man, I have to say this: The new management is freaking awsome.. Signing Brooks, Mike Harris, and potentially Landry.. Now getting Scola.. Just WOW..
Good riddance V-Span. Admittedly, I don't know much about either Scola or Butler. From what's been posted though, Scola has some pretty decent upside and some euro ball already under his belt. Not that European ball means a ton, but at least he's not a raw 6'9 rookie. Butler? Not sure what to think about him, couldn't hurt much at the same time. Does anyone think Scola is the final piece at the PF or will Morey try to bring in a more seasoned player to mentor Hayes/Scola?
So, essentially: Rox get a guy projected to be at least as good as the guy sent for him was projected to be; a guy who wants to come to The Toy Shop instead of a guy who wants Greecian Formula for all his hair.
Not for nothing - the cost was Butler. The Spurs were anxious to dump him so that makes me question him as a player. He got quickly buried on their bench last year. Scola got caught up in a numbers game and it looks like Bonner pushed him out of the Spurs plans. Faced with getting nothing for Scola who was going to stay in Spain and having to pay for a guy that no longer was in their plans (Butler), the Spurs took the best deal available which was ours. That's pretty smart but what's different for the Rox this time is that this is also a pretty smart deal for them as well which is why you see so much happiness at this trade.
OUTSTANDING NEWS!! TOP JOB! I don't care if he's not quite the 'banger' that some people suggest we need, he is a basketballer, solid defender, great scorer, and will be a fantastic fit on this team! For those who are upset - get a life! And while you're looking for it, name me an athletic 6'10 PF who is a great rebounder AND shotblocker??
Wow all the Spurs threads are full of outrage and venom for their front office on this one. We must have really pulled a fast one!!!
If there's any truth to this last point, I am dancing with joy. I'd go as far as offering him the full MLE for him. With Amir Johnson and Darko both signed, there really isn't any decent PF on the FA market left. If we're going to use our MLE on a PF, Scola beats anyone else on the market.
