He's been playing professionally since '95-'96 and been very active w/ the Argentine national team since the late '90s... the grind is finally catching up to him. His sluggishness has been more evident this season than ever.
I think all of his problems come down to his legs giving out on him, and that's really sad, since it's just not ever going to come back, even with rest. He has to take a split second more to gather himself for his jumpshot, which is letting defenses rotate and force him to constantly pump-fake. He's having a ton of trouble boxing out, since he can't drop dat ass properly, and his reactions on the offensive glass are a bit slower. Even more distressing is that he's having incredible difficulty establishing post position this year; guys are just pushing him out to 18 feet, or poking the ball away on the entry pass. Even when he gets the ball, he's having a ton of difficulty backing down guys to get to his favorite spots, which all point to a lack of lower body strength.
There were a handful of people right before the season stating Scola was just as good as Gasol ect ect. Always mentioning the fact that he did well during the World's this summer. He obviously did do very well, but it didn't take much watching to realize he wouldn't put up anywhere near the #s he did last season. His rebounds are down, but like I said in the Lowry thread, he's just regressing back to his career numbers. At this stage you should be shocked if he was playing well over this numbers.
Which rockets player has played better than last year? None. There is not enough ball movement and our players arent getting properly substituted. They are running on low low gas everyday.
I'm seriously worried about Scola He has been inconsistent, he doesn't show up in 4th quarter and under pressure he looks like a headless chicken. I love the guy, and am willing to give him time...but like I said, seriously concerned..
i think players are still adjusting to McHale's system, the chemistry still isnt there yet, Scola usually performs really well against the team that drafted him but seeing him taking single digit FG attempts today puzzles me. something must be bothering him and its most likely his knees. but still, what was your expectations at the beginning of the season and look at where we are now, i feel this team went slightly above my expectation. for me this season is an experimental season with a new coach and the hope we can get a star or lottery pick. either way, this team is dead average this season.
We are not even half way through the season and we are one game out of the 8th spot. I should say that's in the hunt for a playoff spot. Why and how should we tank? Bench K-Mart, Kyle, and Louieeee? I don't think so. As long as those guys are on the floor, it's not possible for us to tank. We will continue to keep fighting for a playoff spot. You have no idea what you're talking about.
He's not even at his career numbers. Every stat (except blk and blk%) from the basics of fg% and boards to the more advanced stats like ts% and efg%.
I truly doubt Scola is a big time trading asset as everyone seems to think... His ceiling has been reached and is getting worse defensively.......The Amnesty clause would cure his problem
Check the rest of the team too, they are all below their career numbers.....I think the coaching change has a lot to do with it. DD
I meant to add that to my response. I meant to say every stat from the basic stats to the more advanced stats are all below his averages.
coach no look ok. ball go thru long hair. give ball to long hair. a player like scola does not get old. He freaking out runs 20 year olds on the fast break.
Scola's drop is the most severe, though. Huge drop in efficiency when you put together FGs, FTs, turnovers. This season, his PPP ("points per play", based on FGs, FTs, turnovers) is 0.85. Before this season, it was 0.98 for his career. Average PPP for PFs this season is 0.91. So, efficiency-wise, he basically went from well above average to well below average. Maybe its a coaching thing. It could also just be an age thing.
Blame the coach all you want but that doesn't excuse his lack of protecting the ball. He's avg. 50% more turnovers now then in his whole career. He plays lazy and doesn't work hard around the rim anymore. It may be fatigue so I suggest he come off the bench from now on. Pat can start and I'd be fine with that.
