IMO, Hedo is a bad example. He basically lead his team through the playoffs last year. Not at all what Scola has done. I bet there were a ton of fans in Toronto who were excited about bringing him in, and I can't see the same reaction for Scola.. Besides the fact that Hedo was a FA, while Scola is restricted. Besides the fact that there are many other FA targets this year. Besides the fact that his salary is going to be above MLE, meaning only teams with cap space could make a run at him. I just don't think Scola is as highly regarding out there as people think he is. If he were younger, perhaps, but there are good reasons why won't don't hear his name mentioned in the news as one of the big free agents.
Not really buying it, I think guys like Stockton and Nash aren't as valid a comparison for positional reasons (they aren't out-muscled and out jumped as much on an every-possession basis) and I also think their peak efficiency levels are so very much higher than Luis' was/is so that it was a lot less notable to see them decline. I mean when Nash goes from a 23.8 Player Efficiency Rating to a 19.5, it's not that noticeable. If Scola goes from a 17.0 to 14 he becomes very mediocre player.
I suspect that Old Man Rock is right about scola, but I hope not. Scola's not young and his asking price is likely to be higher than expected due to high demand around the league at his position. Also, a large intangible will be years as he'll probably be looking for a longer termed contract than most teams will want to give, especially at his age. That explains a lot about the Patterson pick. Should Scola re-sign, Patterson and Scola can co-exist, sharing and splitting time much the same way Landry and he did until Scola noticeably declines or Patterson provides more value at which point they will switch roles. Should Scola leave and not re-sign, Patterson can start on the bench behind Hayes and will eventually take the starting spot from him before the midway mark of the season. We'll take a bit of a hit if he leaves, but it will hopefully be mitigated by the return of yao along with increased production from hill and budinger. For me, Luis staying isnt simply a talent related re-sign, but also a sentimental one because I love the passion with which he plays. He has so many intangibles and even if leaves I hope he has success.
