He's asked to be our 4/5 best player on the court at any given time. I don't think that's difficult for him to fulfill at all. I think we had a lot more problems on offense than defense last year, in the end, the game is about putting the ball in the basket and I don't think Scola has any problems doing that.
But I do. Scola could have helped the Spurs more than, for example, Bonner -- and that is not me saying that but people I know who cover the Spurs. There were considerations other than ability that landed Luis in Houston.
Bonner is big that can stretch the floor. Scola would not be able to hang out around the 3pt line and be considered a threat. Bonner is considered to be Horry's replacement while Luis would never be able to fill that role. The Spurs gave away Scola to the Rockets for money. Butler's and Spanouliis contracts were worth more than Scola going to a rival.
That remains to be seen, yes that is why they made the trade, but if the Rockets supplant the Spurs as the best team in the west (and they were already very close to the Spurs level - albeit a bit below) then it will have been a major mistake. Bonner is a nice slow footed 3pt shooter, but Horry does WAY more than just shoot the 3, especially on defense. Bonner is a marginal NBA player....Horry has been a good NBA player for years. The Spurs made a big mistake, IMHO, and we thank them. DD
Can we at least allow Scola play an NBA minute before we call this a good or bad deal either way? Sheesh..From the Spurs fans who are proclaiming him to be the next Bill Russell to the Rocket fans that clamor that he's going to put them over the top can we just wait and see how it plays out? As far supplanting the Spurs let's just wait and see if the Rockets can get out of the first round before we start crowning them as the best of the West.
Greg Oden - has not played a single NBA minute - next great franchise center, to knock Yao Ming off as the best center in the league in 2 seasons. Kevin Durant - has not played a single NBA minute - next Michael Jordan / Tracy McGrady. Tiago Splitter - has not played a single NBA minute - better than Scola anyway. Ian Mahinmi - has not played a single NBA minute - heir to Tim Duncan, better than Scola anyway. Look at all the crowns being handed out around. Just need the one ring to rule all these kings.
So what is your review of Butler's skills? What kept him from running the floor in San Antonio? Are we essentially paying Butler to ride the bench?
I was hoping to see more of him. Pop never plays anyone in their first year with the team so it wasn't surprising that he didn't see floor time. Larry Brown was the guy who sold the Spurs on the guy so he had good references prior to coming to the team. I guess he has a one year audition as Yao's back up. I THINK he is going to be a productive player.
I'm going to enjoy we got a nice player and did not give up much- Nice GM Work I agree- San Antonio looks down on us from the mountaintop- we will not be at their level until Duncan significantly declines San Antonio won the title and should thank the Warriors for making it easier
Relax Mr. Gervin- We all agknowledge the Spurs won the title. You know more than anyone about them- go home and talk to other Spurs fans about how great you are Troll
Well, given the talent of Parker and Ginobili, this one is easy to explain away. However it does not explain why Francisco Elson, acquired the same time as Butler, ended up starting and playing significant time and Jackie Butler didn't play hardly at all. Given Elson is a marginal NBA level talent scrub who would not get time on healthy Houston squad (assume a Deke return), I am not optimistic about Butler. Then again, the Spurs gave us Scola, which doesn't look like very wise judgement and sound planning on their part. Nonethless I am much more optimistic about Scola than Butler (no duh statement of the year). One final point. Scola, given 4 years Duncan junior, might have really helped the transition as Duncan becomes a less dominant force (and maybe have to play more and more centers instead of quicker 4s) and Parker/Manu have to be the key leaders. But it is always possible Scola is a great international player, bit NBA player. I think he will be solid, but we have to see it versus the daily grind versus NBA athletic PFs, particularly as Scola tries to cover them, which probably has been a question or more teams would have up the anti to acquire him.
