For some of ya'll that have been Rockets fans longer it's almost a guarantee ya'll remember Otis Thorpe. While I've been following Luis Scola's progress the last two years for some reason he reminds me of Otis (for those of you that don't know O, he had career stats of 14.0 pts, 8.2 rbds and shot a beastly 54.6 from the field, also making 1 all-star team while playing for h-twon). We all know that Scola is underrated and a case can be made that Scola is the 2nd most efficient rocket not named Yao...my question is what do ya'll think Scola's peak numbers will be? Is it realistic to see him as a 16-9 type of player down the road? With the absence of Yao I can see Scola becoming the most valuable Rocket for us down the road.
Thorpe was a little more power, as opposed to Scola's finesse, but yes they were both underrated Rockets PF's.
Scola is 29 but a rather young 29 bc he has played in Spain where the seasons are 50 games rather than 82 + like in the NBA. So because of that i think he will continue to improve for several years to come. I believe that he can become a borderline all star.mmmm lets say 18 pts 10 rbs.... Morrey should extend him asap...
Scola has way more offensive tricks than Thorpe did. One thing they do share in common is how much they both benefit having a great center to play next to.
I was watching game 1 of the 94 Finals to cheer me up and OT was throwing outlet passes one handed like the ball was a tennis ball! Back to Scola, I think he and Artest should be the primary post-up players. Scola reminds me of OT in that he doesn't say much but gets the job done.
Yeah that whole series he was doing a bunch of baseball passes after getting the rebound, with astounding accuracy. Scola can only improve though, Yao will be getting less minutes, and as a 2nd option Scola should hit 20/10 a lot more often.
So true. I'd love to see him and Yao playing together till their careers end, as far as Luis Scola's peak years, I think it's realistic to base his best years on Shareef Abdur Rahim's career average (just better Field goal % from Scola). In addition to that, I think he'll also make at least 1 All-Star team (keep in mind the west coast is packed with All Star Forwards)during his career. He's my favorite active Rocket right after Yao. For the record, I'm a purist, I like players that start their careers and end their careers with the same team...that's why I was kinda heart broken when Hakeem went to Toronto. I know it's a long shot...but I hope Yao, Scola, and Brooks all spend their careers with Houston. (Hey, I can dream, right? )
Remember? Scola has won mvp many times in the international area and spain league. In the international field, he has reached the best level. I think Scola is as good as Yao, He has good skill, the heart of win and plenty of experience. Scola is the same age as Yao, although they are not young any more, But 29 is the best age for the inside man.
Scola has way more potential because his offensive game. Otis was like a Chuck Hayes more than Scola.
sorry to go NINER on you guys but Ya'll really don't know Otis Thorpe http://www.nba.com/historical/playerfile/index.html?player=otis_thorpe he was a heck of an offensive player if he needed to be 20 pts a game the year before he got to the Rockets The Rockets didn't NEED the Offense. . . . Otis did what was NEEDED! Rocket River Check the historical Documents
I think Scola's peak numbers will be about what it is this season. At max, maybe a 14/10 type player.
Which is why I wish the Rockets organization could consider retiring his jersey. Elvin Hayes spent his best years with the Bullets (I'm aware he averaged 20-12 with Houston) but Otis was also a key player with our first championship, he also made the All-Star team along with Hakeem while he played the 4-Spot for Houston. I just wish we could have retired his jersey....it's sad, he NEVER got the respect he deserved...he was a very similar player statistically to Shawn kemp....but sadly MORE people know Kemp than Otis, 'tis a sad day indeed
It will depend on how many games he will play with Yao. If he is playing alognside Yao his FG% will be high but his points and rebounds will be smaller. If he is not, then the opposite. I don´t think Scola is underrated, the refs respect him a lot more, and so did the Lakers and Portland in the last game. He is a very reliable basketball player, and, something the rox have not exploited, a very clutch one for late games pick n pop. He did several clutch shots both with argentina and with Tau Ceramica Spain. The thing with Scola is that he is taken for granted, which being a second year player, means that he is really good. I expect him and Landry to have a great game 5 in order to win that game as the Lakers will be collapsing on our guards.
