Is Scolandry an improved but over-hyped Juwan? When was the last time the Rockets had a PF who was good on both ends of the court?, and that also means not getting into foul trouble. Time to cash in Scolandry for the Wonder Twins?, ie pair Scola with Walter Herrmann from the Pistons? Landry (3M) for Walter Herrmann (2M) + Walter Sharpe (442,114) Herrmann has 3pt range. Could a PF with 3pt shot be another small addition that could help Yao now? Novak copped a lot of flak after he was traded but he was able to provide Yao with a comfort zone on the court with his ability.
I don't agree. I do think we can do a better job by blocking out and being aggresive, but that is still only a part of the equation. The league is getting bigger. All of the top teams are figuring this out. Look at the Celtics with all the brawn they are putting on the court. The Lakers, the Suns, the Spurs. We need to get bigger and stronger or we will not win a championship. Have you noticed how hard it is to get an over the back call on one of these 7 footers? We can box out all we want, but if bigger guys can pound you in the back without a call you won't get the rebound. We need a bruiser next to Yao, always have, always will.
We really could use a PF that can shoot the 3pt shot. I think not having the threat of a 3pt shot from Battier etc is hurting the spacing a lot. DD
I disagree, we don't need a bruiser, heck Scola is a bruiser, we just need a committment to rebounding and boxing out. Agree to an extent about over the back not being called, but if you box out farther away than RIGHT UNDER the basket you will get it called. Just create a circle under the basket with Yao, Scola and Tmac...no one can get the board if our guys jump and go after it aggressively. DD
When do you think Yao will get that concept? He is in his 7th year? Sorry, it is not all about boxing out and aggresiveness, it is also about Height and strength. The evidence is before you. The Celts, the Lakers, the Suns. The trend is bigger and stronger, not smaller and quicker. I do think we can get better by boxing out better and being more aggresive, but I don't think we can win playoff basketball without getting more brutish.
Scola isn't boxing out consistently either. He and Landry have been relying on pure hustle. It's been working for Scola but it also has it's drawbacks. Yesterday, in one possession he didn't put a body on Gasol and Gasol got a rebound. I really think this is a reflection of the coaching staff because I don't see this happening under JVG. How many games now is it w/the same problem and still no improvement? Come on now.
its obviously not only about boxing out. more athletic guys are still going to grab rebounds just due to their freak ability. but as far as guys just pushing and going over the back all the time, boxing out properly would help tremendously. if yao is getting pushed under the basket he needs to get lower and push back and establish position instead of standing straight up and down like he always does. but you're right, i don't think he will learn that in his 7th year. he's always going to be a mediocre rebounder.
I don't agree at all. I don't think we need a bruiser, but I don't want any power forwards sitting at the three point like all Memo Okur-esque. Yao will get thrashed inside. Yeah he might be a good passer, but how many turnovers do we have off of errand passes from the inside? If the opposing team plays zone and our power forward can't hit his 3, that's a problem. Unless you mean you'd like a player like Scola with range (ala Rasheed), then I'd agree, but I do like us playing a power forward in the Chris Webber role of hitting a mid range jumper with the ability to post up and finish inside. I do agree our lack of spacing really hinders our lack of movement. It's no coincidence that our best spacers (Scola, Landry to an extent off of the weak side on offense -- swing the ball to him and he'll score, and Brooks) are playing better than everyone else.
