[Rockets.com] Landry is probably our best post-up player

I mean scola has better footwork

 

Adelman is trying to build up Landry.

Scola doesn't need props from coach to get the most of of him.
Absolutely nothing is lost by Adelman giving the props to Landry.
Adelman knows this.

 

The kid got shot last season. RA does the right thing to boost his confidence.

 

I believe age and his athleticism has something to do with this. Landry can still add to his game. Jack Sigma said it best that Landry can be an even better player if he puts in the time and learns the game better. It takes Landry a lot of time to learn things. This could hurt Landry this year if he doesn't take that next step. They're waiting for him to do this...

Scola is great at what he does but he can't get off the ground like other PF's. What's great about Scola is that he's a hustler that can get under the skin of other PF's. We've seen it time and time again. He is very crafty and his defense is better than Landry's.

 

AGREED!

 

I can't help but think that Rick's quote was taken out of context or misunderstood somehow. Scola is clearly a better post player. He plays with his back to the basket all the time. He'll back his man down and then work his magic with his dipsy-doodles, up and unders, his crafty moves for the score. Landry doesn't do that at all. As others have noted, he's much more the face-up player in the post, looking for the pass and the dunk, working for the jumper inside.

I'm at a loss to make sense of the statement from Coach A. Something has been "lost in translation."

 

Don't expect much. JVG told Battier the same thing a few years ago - there was even an article in the Chron about when Coach K called Battier every day before his senior year and told him to get ready to score.

Unless he can shoot 60% from three for the season, Battier is not going to top 10 ppg without being a net loss on the court. Expecting or hoping a boost in offensive production (I get tired of Bill and Bullard or Clyde talking about it like it is obvious) is unfair to Battier and shows a lack of understanding of his game and his strengths.

I just hope Battier stays Battier and shoots well from the field. I don't care about volume.

With regards to the other bit about Landry - I think Rick probably means he has the most physical ability in the post. Landry really has it all to be a good player on both ends - other than his height. Regardless, he has quick footwork, a soft touch, explosive hops, and can shoot a turnaround from the rim out about 10 feet. With Landry it always seems to be focus and consistency. I really hope he can get into a groove this year and have a Kenny Thomas-like boost in productivity. Scola is the best in the real world because he works so hard and has smarts and experience.

On paper, Landry could be called better but otherwise I don't see it.

 

I agree. It's just not something I saw Carl do consistently. There's no question that Carl's a better finisher, but usually someone has to get him the ball.

 

Scola is a better post up player. Carl is a better face up player. I always loved this combo. Such different styles. I really don't see Carl doing the traditional back to the basket post play as much. I see him drive in and finish. Maybe, some reporter should go and ask Rick "WTF were you talking about?"

By the way, I always wondered this about Battier. He's such a smart guy. Obviously a student of the game. With all his smarts, why can't he add more offesnive weapons to his game. I kind of cringe when I see him with that hook shot. I just don't have confidence in it. Outside of his deadly 3 point shot, Battier really does not have much else. You'd think with a guy that smart he would have added new wrinkles to his offensive reportoire each season.

 

seriously guys? Last time, EFFICIENCY. Adelman is looking at it as their most efficient post up scorer, period. Scola may go 10 of 20 on posts up, but Landry may go 5 of 6. It's all about touches/attemps. Perhaps Landry won't be as effective as Scola is he got the same amount of touches, but that's what the rockets are trying to figure out. Adelman doesn't play mind games like that, he's not going to use it just to give him confidence.

The point of this game is to score, not to score pretty, not to do it with fancy footwork. That's not to bash Scola, but to explain a coach's point of view. Adelman is going to go with what gives him better scoring efficiency and that's what he's constantly looking for. So when Adelman thinks "best post up player". He's not thinking who scores the most or does it prettier. It's who does it more with the opportunities given. That's why so many never get why Shane or chuck stay on the floor without scoring. Their efficienccy overall is why, in this case we're specifically taking about post ups though.

 

I think this is true. I may go so far as to say Landry has looked so far like he has grown enough into his role that he may be better than Scola at this moment as our number one offensive option in the post. I dont know how but i would like somehow to get him in the game for at least 30 minutes this year because i think his scoring will be crucial and maybe even shyrocket into the teens this season with his development. its all aligning for this guy. His couple of years in the league, His body development, and his game development in his prime age now getting reached. I am saying maybe this guy may be a serious starter one day.

 

Mandry is a damn beast but saying he is a better low post player than scola? At this point?


Scola is so damn crafty its insane, remember him vs the lakers in the playoffs? The man made their entire defense look like **** in game 6.

 

In a controlled situation, one where the opponents cannot or do not gameplan to shut down the post, Scola is the better post option. He's "gotta lot of junk in his game", as Sean Elliott likes to say (worst color guy in the L, imo, but that one's a gem). Landry's damn good, too, but isn't as polished as Luis. He's still perfecting his game, and it shows.

That said, if D's are gameplanning to stop the post, I'd take Carl as a better option. He requires less space to get off his pull up J, since he has a quicker release. He also trumps Luis in explosion - a key element when trying to finish in traffic...which there will be plenty of this year while the big fella is sidelined and McG rehabs.

 

This is ridiculous... We all know what post up game is.

You give the ball to a player facing an oponent back to the basket. Scola is far superior than Landry in this aspect of the game.

 

So he gets it off on the little guys instead?

 

Curious comment from Adelman. Landry's definitely a better slasher and stronger finisher in traffic, but Scola's arsenal of moves in the post and overall craftiness make him the superior post up player.

In fact, I barely even remember seeing Landry "post up" all that often. And by post up I'm referring to sealing off a defender behind you and receiving the ball with your back to the basket.

 

This is true. Actually, I do remember when Landry does post up he usually immediately turns around to face up the defender, whereas Scola often tries to back them down. Just seems like Landry usually receives the ball on dishes or popping out to the free throw line area rather than in the post.

 

Ok, so from now on every time Landry runs the court and receives the ball past the FT line, runs a step and dunks we are all going to say "what a great post up move".

Post-up is used to refer to a player that takes a post position, back to the basket, and ideally seals his men to receive the ball and either score, pass to a cutter or pass to the open teammate.

I think a "face up" game is a different thing.

See the critics on Nowitzki, "he has no post up game", because he doesn't play back to the basket.