He's a good basketball player. Is he a franchise player? No. I know you guys hate this but it's just reality. He's Luis Scola at best with no midrange or free throw. Right now he's regressed. He doesn't suck 2ft from the rim but defensively he definitely sucks
Scola played 10 years in the league. Lets look at some facts vs Alpi's - current - "regression". 2025 Alpi WS/48 > Scola's peak WS/48 2025 Alpi BPM > Scola's peak BPM * 8 (yeah, that's right, multiplied by 8 lmao) 2025 Alpi VORP > Scola's peak VORP *3 (yeah, that's right, multiplied by 3 lmao) I know you guys hate facts but you can always not post instead of just flaunting idiocy in the face of reality. Somehow in your cult mind, Alpi is a worse shooting version of a player to whom he's exponentially superior. I'm going to ignore you now. This was a waste of 10 minutes. Never again.
This is on the same level of comparing Jalen to Corey Brewer. I love the ice cream man but Sengun is significantly better. It is a waste of time making this conversation go any further.
Yes he was, he could do everything Sengun can do and was a better shooter. Luis had to play on a low post offense with Yao and Tmac getting the majority of the shots in his prime, but when he was featured on his national team he was amazing. Sengun is very much like Scola - it is not a knock to say that, Scola is my favorite all time Rocket outside of Dream. DD
Luis was a complementary player who was a great fit scoring off the playmaking of others. He had some crafty post moves but was undersized compared to Sengun. Luis was a better, more consistent midrange shooter, but he shot a set shot and didn’t really have any turn around or spin moves to free himself to get off a jumpshot. Scola was less strong, less mobile, and less athletic than Sengun and was not a threat as a weak side defender. He was an ok rebounder. All that aside, what sets Sengun apart is his playmaking. If Sengun’s weakness is his shooting, he’s still a multiple threat offensive player (to post up, drive, or pass) from almost any position or angle on the court from the three point line in. Whether you like his game or not, Sengun creates his own shot or shots for others out of thin air. There’s a reason he consistently draws double teams. Other coaches agree. Sengun was an all star. Scola was not.
No spin moves? Scola also ALWAYS hustled you don't see him WHINING to the refs and yelling "HEY"...every time on the court. DD
Not as a shooter. Scola basically had a set shot. He was very crafty around the basket, but he did not have any turn around or fade away jump shot moves. Look, I loved Scola, but that career highlight reel you posted was less impressive than an average one game highlight reel for Sengun. Alpi just has a much higher ceiling as a player. He still has a lot to improve, but he’s just a more impactful player. I feel bad criticizing Luis, because he was an awesome role player, but it’s true. Scola, God bless him, was also slow as molasses and couldn’t jump over a piece of paper.
You have no clue how good Luis is/was..... Smartest player on the court, and slow but somehow out hustled everyone down the floor....look at the 2nd video. Sengun whines every ****ing time and doesn't get back on D....never would you see Scola do that. Scola in his prime was amazing. https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/scolalu01.html DD
DD, I watched Scola’s entire tenure as a Rocket. He was great. He’s nowhere near Sengun’s league as a player. You don’t like Sengun because he whines too much. Ok, got it.
Luis Scola also came into the league five years older than Sengun is right now. Young players will have bad habits that will slowly get stamped out of them. I think the "complaining to the refs" thing is a bit overblown and will be one of the things that Alpi will grow out of. In terms of NBA potential, I don't think it's close. I'm saying this as somebody who will ALWAYS love Luis, especially in those two years Yao was injured/retired and he was, in my mind, an all-star caliber big.
Internationally Luis may have been a star, but in the NBA his ceiling was a very good roleplayer. Eyetest and advanced stats both tell me that Alpi is way better than Luis.
Lol, Sengun is Scola is just as laughable as Jalen is Corey Brewer. Honestly, I login every day just so I can cackle at the unintentional comedy. You know when DD and Hakeemthagreat are in agreement that it's just going to be an idiotic take. Thank God we are avoiding the DD curse.
I guess people don't remember Scola was 27 when he joined the Rockets. IIRC, he was considered the best player outside of the NBA at the time. One of my favorite Rockets ever. His role on offense was to fill in the gaps left by Yao and McGrady, which he did very well with a good mid-range jumper and post ups. One thing about Scola's post ups I'll never forget is he refused to fade away. It's like that was hard coded in him. Scola was never used as a hub for the offense like Alpi, so it's hard to compare them. His style of play was much more physical. Opponents didn't like Scola because he regularly delivered punishment with his elbows gaining position and he set very hard screens. Alpi is much softer, mentally and physically but he has much more talent and upside. I think Alpi is his own worst enemy.
You are not comparing apples to apples. Alpi is not in his prime yet. He is already better than Scola and will continue to improve.
Wow. Talk about triggered. Hey, somebody criticize D-Mo and/or Vasilinus Spoogalatockus. DD will go full-on:
You know those lists people discredit b/c it will have Jokic, Giannis, and then Wendell Carter Jr. or something? Yeah, this isn't that. Great list; full of stars.
I'm frustrated with Sengun's aiballs from 8ft, and fts woes, buy I think he needs a rest. This has been a long season, and mental and physical fatigue takes a toll on these players.
