"Potential" is a dangerous word. Of course Landry has more potential, as you pointed out. He's younger. Plus Landry clearly has more physical tools than Scola. But how much potential Landry will realize, and how fast, remains to be seen. Scola is the better player now. Landry can improve fast and be equal to Scola probably next season. Or he may take longer than that. Also, consistency is an important factor in judging a player's value. A player who is solid every game may be better than a player who is brilliant in some games and disappears in others.
yeah this argument ended before it started, of course landry has more potential because of his age and rawness, while Scola has been around, developed, he's effective enough where he doesn't need to improve anything really, except for maybe defense, but that's not something he's really capable of getting better at. Notice how Scola always does the same fake in the post, every time he rocks back and spins the other, yet it always works. his game is set.
But that's an entirely different question. That becomes "who will end up as the better player between Scola and Landry" and integrates the question of whether Landry will realize his potential etc. etc. But who has more potential? It's not really even a debate. They both are roughly equal at a productivity level (Scola slightly better). Yet one guy is 29 and a seasoned international vet with limited athleticism, maxing out all of his abilities with craftiness, grit and veteran savvy. The other guy is a 25 year old sophomore with some athleticism. The latter clearly has more "potential". Whether he ends up the better player is irrelevant in the context of this debate as presented.
If Landry can develop his post game up to a large extent,he will get ahead of Luis. His jumper is already better,and he is athletic/has hops. Both of them are weak on defense but if Landry improves at this end as well,he will become the starting PF.
The point is Scola is set in his ways and a older player. landry, clearly with a little mentorship. He can be a great player! Who thought Millsap would be as good as he is now, if boozer didn't go out.
Landry does have more potential but he also is more injury prone, college and last year speak for itself. He is flashier in scoring then Scola but at the end of the day 2 points is 2 points.
I have a role for you in the debate: <a href="http://s102.photobucket.com/albums/m119/Bryan777_2006/?action=view¤t=bull.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m119/Bryan777_2006/bull.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
I agree with you 100% This comparison kinda reminds me of Yao vs Dwight Howard. They are both great players but different. I think Luis will be more consisten than Landry will ever be, but landry is the energy player you need as well. End result, i believe Luis at 29 is better than landry at 29.
I agree landry has more potential but this claim is simply ridiculous. the word "potential" itself indicates that there's no garantee landry will ever reach his ceiling, and you can NOT use potential alone to predict how good a player will be in the future. there are at least a dozen players entering the league every year with good potential. There are probably less than 1/4 of them reaching anywhere near their ceiling in the end. yes, Landry has more potential. but that doesn't mean anything until he realizes it.
I think Landry will end up being a Robert Horry type player, especially if he develops a 3-point shot. A guy that gives you 20-30 MPG off the bench who can spot start with nice energy. He'll probably never be a prolific scorer or a guy who will dominate the boards, but a guy you love to have on winning teams.
right now, scola >>> landry. and that's all it matters. in the future? who knows and who cares? anything can happen. anyone predicted what a 29 year-old mcgrady would be when he was 25?
I agree with you but what you have seen the 2 years in landry going from nothing special to a player GM's are trying to go after. What makes you think he can't reach that ceiling any indication thus far? Is he lazy? NO, Does he Rebound?YES Does he score in the post? YES does he finish above the rim? YES, Does he have a Jumper?YES, every indication says Landry if Staying on the correct path will be a Good players in this league for the next 10 years! Great, not sure? Better than Scola YES
Scola is a better basketball player now, and I don't think Landry will ever reach the level that Scola is at. I would package Landry now, his value is high, but his game is limited.....as is his stature. DD
I think Landry is competitive, but Scola is light years ahead of him on the BBall IQ side of things, and that is something you either have or don't have... DD
