Ok - so perhaps this is a slightly random stat, but: When the twin international talents of Ming and Scola start in the frontcourt for the Rockets we are a whopping 15-0 in regular season play. Obviously there are plenty of other players who step on the court who make significant contributions over the course of a basketball game, but it seems to me that Scola complements Mings game to a tee! His hustle and scrappy play, and his nose for the rebound, give us a wonderful frontcourt combinaion! Let's see how the "invincible" frontcourt holds up today against Boston!
How many games in a row have we won with Yao and Tracy both starting? What do you think Scola does to complement Yao better than, say, Carl Landry?
I think it's also 15 in a row (in fact, you could say the same about Alston and Ming: Tracy and Scola; Alston and Scola etc!) I just think it's significant that when Scola moved into the starting lineup alongside Ming we saw a real turnaround in the Rockets last season. The Rockets record with both Ming and McGrady playing is fairly awesome - but I don't know what it is.
Actually, I believe Yao's personal win streak (now at 19) coincided with Tracy coming back from injury last January. So Yao+Tracy haven't lost a game when playing together since last December.
We played really well from January through April. Scola was inserted into the starting lineup at the beginning of the streak in like March or whenver that started. I don't think it's necessarily that they are an invincible front court, more that we're just really got on a role as a team of which Scola is a major part.
Scola hit the starting lineup January 27th against the Jazz - Rockets 24-20. Rockets record with Luis Scola as a starter: 34-7. That's hot. SamFisher: I completely agree that he's looked fairly "vincible" so far this season - but yet he still garners rebounds, has made a couple of important buckets, and hustles his butt off! durvasa: you're right - when McGrady returned from injury we won 4 straight (TMac was off the bench - so technically not starting) then dropped one with ming injured - then scola starting etc.
Here's an even more random stat: All three teams we beat this season have gone on to win their next game.
Scola is slightly better than Landry right now. But, Landry is still improving! Scola's future as a rockets will depend on Landry's improvement and health.
Scrubola looks pretty bad / ordinary so far. One NBA writer put it best ... he still looks like we wants to avoid an offensive foul or any contact when going up for a layup. Look at his plus - minus so far this year ... it is pathetic.
I am not worried about Scola...dude has been playing highly competitive games year round for 2 years straight. Euro Championships --> FIBA Olympic Qualifier --> Rockets Season --> Olympics he is visibily worn-out, hence his limited minutes. come playoffs he will be just fine...no worries
I stand corrected. Still if your talking about the frontcourt Yao was absent for much of the streak and continued success for the rest of the year.
Ok, I see you really hate Scola. Next thing you need to do is to share with us where the hate is from. Because he doesn't show up in the highlight reel often since he doesn't dunk much? You appear to be just another casual basketball fan who worships athletism but knows nothing about the importance of being a team player. Scola helps his team to win, please learn to see that.
No one says Scola is invincible. The OP has just said the front court combo of Yao and Scola appears to be invincible in the last 15 games that they started together.
guys, Not just the "last 15 games," but *every* game they have started together they've won; they've never lost, yet. That's the OP's point, which is apparently lost on those mentioning Alston and TMac. And why Landry is mentioned, who doesn't start, I don't know. I'm not saying they are invincible, but it's a cool stat, nonetheless.
Interesting number. Sounds like a jinx? Adelman has known this already so he keep using Scola as a starter.
