With Yao being out for the season, its a popular sentiment around here that Scola is gonna step up and have a big year. Does anyone else have a feeling that Scola is not going to have as much of a productive season next year as he did this year? Heres a couple of reasons I think he will not: -He had a ton of open 15-20 footers that he definitely will not have next year. -He had an easier time rebounding with the other team focused on blocking out Yao. -He mostly had to go against a team's second/third best post defender whereas this year he will go against their best. With his lack of athleticism, this is going to be a challenge for sure. -On defense, he will have to exert a lot more energy being the center/tallest player.
I think Scola has a lot more offensive game than we've seen. It'll be interesting to see him in a primary offensive role next season. He can shoot, can score around the basket and runs well enough to get shots in transition. He took "safe" shots last season, but he'll have to be a lot more aggressive, and I'm curious to see if he has that in him.
All you have to do is look at the Argentine Olympic Qualifier in 2007 with Scola and the no names against everone else and he carried them to an olympic berth. He was 20 plus every game all in the paint and was near 30 against the "more athletic" US and he was the focus of the US defense.
It will also be interesting to see how he will do if the defenses start doubling him since yao is out.
He seems to have great lateral movement. Add that to the skillset (fakes, etc.) that he can already do, and we have a pretty good very poor man's Hakeem.
I am curious to see how his passing skills develop. He is going to need to be able to hit cutters and spot up shooters while being double teamed and most likely hacked.
Oh for sure he won't produce as well without Yao around. I mean in the games he's started at centre for the Rockets so far (over the last 2 years) he's struggled badly. 16.0 ppg on 58% shooting 8.8rpg and only 1.3 turnovers. If you take away his rookie season and JUST look at his starts at C last season, the numbers all jump 18.5ppg on 68.2% shooting 9.5rpg and only 0.5 tpg. Clearly without Ming around to give him open 15 footers Scola isn't going to score, won't get any rebounds, and will just continually turn the ball over. Scola has been the focal point of an offense most of his career - and his game is better in the post than spotting up for 18' jumpers. That he's been so good at spacing the post with that 18' just speaks volumes for his versatility. If the roster stays as is, I'll be completely shocked to see Scola below 15ppg!!
I think Luis will average 18-10 next season. Very solid, but will come up short in the playoffs against the best frontcourts in the league without any help. I mean, if we pair him with Hayes, we'll struggle to score. If we pair him with Landry, the other team will score a ton.
Its very easy to take those numbers out of context. The other teams are preparing for Yao but gets Scola instead. Perfect example is Amir Johnson, he was a great backup for the Pistons and when he got moved to starter, he avged like 4 points.
he's played without yao before and did just fine. having yao helps, but he's one of those players that can get his.
trust me your not the only one. I also believe that he won't have a season like last year. Having a guy like Yao down low would make the job easier for any power forward since the opposing team is going to focus more on Yao. Now Scola is on an island all by himself. What is he going to do.
Being a opportunist, Scola will lose many chances of wide open shots without Yao taking the defensive pressure, even though he will continue to offer decent numbers with low efficiency.
Scola can play center with Landry as the PF. He can come out at the elbow and play the facilitator, though he hasn't shown to be a very good passer out of the high post--relies/comfortable more with his back to the basket.
I agree, especially if Rick goes with the PNR. Scola can score and I always believed Artest took to many shot attempts away from Scola.
Whoa, buddy, whoa. I'm hoping/betting/praying that he won't be the tallest player there or the center. Please, please, please, don't let that happen. Now, last year when he played some minutes at center, I was extremely impressed. I mean, I don't think I could have been more impressed with him down there. But when it comes to playing a team with a real big, or playing 70+ games at center, I don't want to see Scola in that role unless he's backing somebody up. That said, I think Scola will do great and put up some impressive numbers. I mean, with no star present to dominate the ball, he will probably have more opportunities to do his thing and I think it will be good. I'm a big believer in Scola. I think Scola, in general, was and has been very consistent in his role last year, and had only a handful of really off games. So, I think he can and will bring it next year, and hopefully step up his game a little.
Forgot to mention that Scola will bring heart to his game next year just like he always does. Even on his off nights, he still brought heart and energy. I don't recall watching a game where he didn't at least bring that.
