Didn't want to rush to judgement on Scola when he showed up but I now feel we can make an accurate assessment of his game, given the recent run of playing time he's received. The thing I love about him is he is a "basketball player". He knows what to do and when to do it. Some of our other guys come in and play their specific roles, Chuck is a rebounder, Landry is energy and a scoring punch off the bench, Novak is a shooter, and Luther is a chunker. All these guys are key cogs to a championship run but Scola along with Battier are going to be the guys that elevate this team from a 6 seed to the NBA Finals. They can be put on the court with any combination of players and make good things happen. Scola's energy and offensive capability make him a good compliment to Yao on the offensive end. He's always moving and knows how to find the holes in the defense. Now Chuck is always moving but there's a big difference. Chuck seems to be moving to get to a spot where he's supposed to be, Scola is moving to score, he's finding area's that he can get the ball and immediately put it in the hole. On the defensive end he isn't as good of a pairing for Yao because of his lack of lateral quickness. Despite this he stays competitive on the defensive end because of good positioning and an eagerness to take the charge(/flop). Just overall, there is nothing Scola can't do on the court. Handle the ball Hit the 15 footer Take it to the rack Get the pass to the right man Cut without the ball Knock down FTs Score from the block Rebound Hustle Solid Team D Run the break Active Hands Take the charge On a side note, seems like his teammates love him for his hustle and toughness. Was sitting courtside when he dislocated his finger last wknd versus the Hawks. Looked rough but he got it popped right back in and was laughing within 30 seconds like nothing happened. Also played hold'em with him at the season tickets holder christmas party and he was a great guy. Very humble, even got his personal "handler/bodyguard" to get my gf a drink after she asked me where she could go get one from.
He's not great I know, but he's not Chuck or similar big men who are a complete liability at the stripe. I think he's shooting 60-65% which I think will probably even out at about ~70% for his career just judging by his stroke and demeanor. Taking a look at his Spanish league numbers he hit at about a 70% clip for his years over there.
i'm impressed with scola's ability to become a reliable mid range shooter during the season, when he wasn't when he started the year. he's also become a decent defensive player, when he wasn't at all at the star of the year. that shows me commitment to the game and to this team that should keep him fixed in the 4 spot for us for years to come...unless landry becomes the next carlos boozer.
Sorry I couldn't edit this onto my previous post but the "hustle" player is a label I refuse to give Scola. He's so much more, granted that is a big part of his game but he has skills, he's an all around player. Chuck is a hustle player, Madsen is a hustle player, same with Rybo. You'd have to take all of their best qualities and they still couldn't equal Scola. I think he favorably compares with Turiaf from LA with less explosiveness off the floor but a lower propensity to make stupid mistakes. You won't find anyone NBA savvy calling Turiaf just a hustle player.
Turiaf is just a hustle player. In fact, he is almost the epitome of a hustle player as defined by this league.
how can you confirm what the league defines as a hustle player? its is applied very loosely by media.
I'm sure you were the same guy who called TMac just a scorer when he was in Orlando. (I hope you've dropped that notion by the way). Turiaf comes off the bench, scores in the post and on midrange jumpers, as well as blocking shots(and gets dunked on by Luther ). Hustle players (by my definition) impact the game only in areas that involve hustling, offense boards, loose balls, etc. and are a liability in other areas. This clearly isn't the case with Scola and Turiaf.
Chuck shot 60-65% his first two seasons, and I believe he was around 70% in college. So, we'll see what direction Scola goes.
Scola is the most proven winner in this team. I don't mean he's a super star, but he surely a solid role player. He never stole the spotlight but did all tiny things to contribute like hustle losing ball and some scoring touch. He's going to earn 30 mins PT. All he needs is respect from ref and trust from teamates.
He was one of the best players in Euroleague so this doesn't surprise me at all. Scola made incredible carrer without NBA, I think some people on the board don't know it or don't look at it with admiring. Don't worry, he'll be more effective when he fully adapts on the system, league, and the life in NBA. Morey has done a great job, giving non playing V-Span and a pick for that kind of caliber player. Plus he got potential good center, but obviously Rockets really don't have no time to wait while Jackie develops on the level he should be.
I agree with you, I remember the last time we played the Spurs after Yao missed 2 clucth FTs , Scola was there to hustle and get the offensive board. Sometimes he struggles from the perimeter but wow I love so much when he hustles.
*chuckle* Return of the 'basketball' IQ? What *exactly* makes him the 'Smartest'? Rocket River I thought Mr Intangibles was the Einstein of Basketball IQ on this team
I've read from a few Vagasil Spandex fans that he may opt out from his Greek team after this year and he'll go to the Spurs as a free agent. Just a tidbit from the trade.
The way he plays the game, he moves into open space better than any Rocket player. He sees the floor and reacts before anyone else..... DD
