I totally agree with you. If the Rockets only had a good passing pg Scola could average in the mid to high 20's. I don't know why very few notice his unique knack for getting into open spaces in the offense, particularly near the basket, yet no one in the Rockets seems to notice nor pass him the ball. Folks, watch him closely and you will notice that he is almost always open, or he is always in position to score. He has an instinct to get to open spaces on the court. He always runs in the break and is a good finisher. He just doesn't have the team mates like Manu who looks for him and who delivers pin point passes for baskets. I always watched the Argentine team play and when Manu and Scola are playing Manu plays the decoy and pg and constantly delivers accurate passes to Scola, who seemed to be always open and in position to score. Is there any wonder why the Argentine team always wins in world competition? The best way for the Rockets to get to the championship level is to get an elite pg. As it is the team has enough players with the firepower to have a devastating offensive game. I am not even talking about the best defense in basketball right now. However, they do not have the right pg to deliver the right passes to the right people in the right places. The spacing and positioning of the players, as designed by Adelman and his crew, are as good, or better, than any sets out there in the NBA today. All it takes for them to really become a championship caliber team is a floor general with elite passing skills. In summary, we have not seen the best of Scola yet, not because he has reached his ceiling, but because he does not have a team mate who knows how to find him and deliver the timely and accurate passes to him. If the Rockets somehow get an elite pg this season, watch out for Scola.
Personally just because of his age I don't think he's peaked. Sometimes things are mental, not just about his physical skills. Look at some of the greats, Jordan physical skills diminished, but he got better, mentally. Ask Roger Clemens, Nolan Ryan, Clyde, Charles and I'd beat they'd all say they were better players as they got older. Scola hasn't been in the league long and IMO he's still learning. Now will his body start to break down? Sure, but "mentally" he's getting better and understanding the game better. If we know he needs to develop going to his left better, the league know this as well, and he knows this as well also. I'm sure you will see adjustments to his game this year and next. Many talk of Tracy or Ron playing for a contract, and they are, but they've also had their big contracts too. Scola is really playing for his 1st big contract. In his "culture" family is everything, he has a wife and kids and he is still looking for that big contract. He still wants to provide the best life for his family. I'd bet my money that he has a bigger year this year than any other, As long as he stay healthy that is.
Scola should be a 14 point and 8 rebound guy as a 4th option. Yao option #1, McGrady option #2, Artest #3, and Scola #4. But if Scola was option #1, he would be an 18 point 9 rebound guy. But, I just don't know how much of winning team that would be?
