And no I don't believe the JVG likes Span it's all just business propaganda, what kind of friend would go tell the media with misguided comments like "Span said he's T-Mac in Greece." No matter how you think about it, it just reflects badly on the person of JVG. If that's not called a major shaft job, I don't know what it is.
I don't see the Juwan Howard comparisons at all---Scola plays compeltely differently. Just because Scola has a nice offensive game, doesn't equate Juwan Howard. If you watch entire games of Scola, you'd see that Scola plays nothing like Juwan. Scola attacks the rim relentlessly and has way better post moves. He just uses bank shots a lot (a la Tim Duncan) because it makes it harder for the defender to block his shot. Scola is just crafty that way. In fact, I think Scola really loves attacking the low post....he only uses his midrange game because he gets so much defensive attention and needs the mid-range to punish guys for sagging off on him. Also, I don't think he that he's less athletic than NBA power forwards....he's pretty darn athletic. I don't think Tim Duncan is all that athletic, but Duncan has good footwork and is greatly skilled and makes it work for him. There are guys in the NBA that can jump out of the gym, but yet they don't seem to know what to do with it....that's why there are only so many allstar big men. Scola would take a guy like Swift to school with his low post moves. Scola has played against NBA level players in international competition and he's done well. As far as Scola's defense, we'll have to see....but he's at least fairly physical. I seem him slamming his body all over the place. He's not going to be like KG who leaps in the air to block shots...probably more of the physical irritating style like Karl Malone where he bodies you up and take you out of your comfort zone. Scola will probably pick up a lot of fouls, but that's why we have Chuck Hayes. We should get another vet power forward to body up guys. Do you guys think that Landry will be of any use this year?
he may not be a defensive specialist, but just seeing him defend that 7'3" Center from PR, man that was impressive.
He's a very willing defender. He's more physical than Juwan was and bigger and stronger than Hayes.... I hope we have a really good defensive assistant coach that works with him on techniques and team defense and what he can get away with in the NBA foul wise....
JVG didn't say that, V-Span said that to a Greek Newspaper. Jon Feigen got it from Clutchfans and asked JVG about it and he said something like "Good, he's TMac in Greece, well TMac is TMac over here." VSpan is a sensitive, momma's little boy.
Hey, Does anyone know how many points Scola made in the first quarter. I'm trying to cap it for the highlights, but I turned it on late.
I agree about Scola picking up a lot of fouls (see, until recently, Ming, Yao), but he's smart. I think he'll adjust. The big question is how long it takes, and how quickly he earns the respect of the refs. If he can stay on the floor, I think his style of play will actually work to his advantage. The refs tend to respect guys that lay it all out, which Scola certainly does. As for his athleticism, he's athletic enough. You don't have to jump out of the gym to be an impact player. Bird proved that, in one of the world's biggest understatements. It'll be fun to see how much of an impact Scola has. I think he'll start.
I flip the game on and in the first 20 seconds I hear "tapped up beautifully by Scola, great rebound and finish right there"
According to this Scola had 6 points in the first quarter. http://fiba-live.sportresult.com/events/FIBAAmer2007/playbyplay.asp?event_id=BBAC07&game=16&per=Q1 1st Quarter 01:19 No.4 Scola, Luis (ARG) made two points outside the paint 03:14 No.4 Scola, Luis (ARG) made two points inside the paint (Ass No. 10) 08:55 No.4 Scola, Luis (ARG) made two points inside the paint
Try this and see if you can get it to work http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia-live/nba/11562/500_nba-liveevent_060611.asx
When I brought up he has lots of the better qualities of a younger Juwan Howard and Najera I really meant it a compliment. Howard was a 18PPG 7.5RPG 3APG player his first 10 years. He had an very good midrange game, very nice touch, and a quality post game on top of being smart and fundamental. Now they are not quite the same (Howard I think was stronger int he lower body, Scola an even better passer). Scola also has a much better offensive game than Najera, but has some of that hustle, compete and irritate your opponent factor--something the Rockets really need. As for Landry, no I don't think he will be ready. I don't really want to count on Reed or Harris either. I would like to trade for a 3rd PF, though I guess in a pinch we can go with Battier. I'd like to see a Marshall, SAR, Najera or Howard as a 3rd option. Also, Duncan goes 7 foot, 260 and is a good shot blocker. No crazy athete, but he is more athletic and powerfull than most opponents faces. I just think when facing from the West....Duncan, Boozer, Brand, Nene, Marion...those will be brutal guys for Scola to face because of strength and/or power, and Odom, West, Aldridge and Jefferson might be big trouble too (maybe Scola can hang with them on D, but right now I'd feel better with Chuck). I'd hate to see those guys get rolling and collecting fouls on Scola and Yao. I'd rather have Chuck work on those guys as hard as he can the 1st 10 minutes of each half and then play Scola the rest of those haves. But as an SF Bird didn't have to play too many low post beasts. Some athletic SFs with some low post games ability like Worthy, Erving and Wilkens destroyed him on defense, though Bird just as often cancelled it out with what he did on the other end. Either way we should not be comparing Scola with Bird. I think Scola is a great pick up and will help the Rockets, but I want to use him in the most advantagous position. Against a little weary starters and back-ups I think Scola's talents can be best used. I think Scola might be better than Chuck defensively against Dirk, Okur, Gasol, SAR--guys when get their edges more from length and/or perimeter shooting, but those guys are the exceptions in the WC. Just how I see it now.
