Really was, centers don't learn to play D like that anymore besides Howard. I won't lie got a lil emotional when Deke went down for the final time.
Back in the Day... There was this place that all Centers went to, to work on their game.... Called [Big Man School] All these so called Big men want to do is play like a shooting guard.
Big men have to have a jumper now because of these 5 sec backdown rules, offensive 3 secs calls, zone defenses, flopping at an all time high....Everybody wanna be Jordan even if they 7 ft tall
I use to love watching the Davis Boys in Indiana ....Real Men playing in the paint....Now I get to watch Scola Scoop shots and Chuck Hayes flip shots .......Such BS
Two seasons ago, I would have killed for the Rox to have acquired Emeka Okafor. I know his contract is crappy but defensivly he is exactly what they needed last year and this one. He seems to be coming into his offensivly too which hurts even more. Not sure if Morey tried to look into it or if that would have effected what was to come down the road with McGrady but sure what have looked good protecting the paint.
Scola & Chuck both work the paint and why would it be BS if the points count for the Rockets? A classic PF would be a great addition to the team, well any team in reality.
Hmmm ... Thorpe was a better defender than Scola ... no doubt. However, unlike the rest of your description of a throwback PF, he was not a terrific shotblocker and did not set the tone defensively in the paint (that role fell to someone we like to call "the Dream"). In fact, his own defense looked even better by being able to funnel his man into Hakeem (who does Scola get to funnel his man into? Chuck Hayes? Yao, but only for 24 min, every other game?). Thorpe was, however, a good rebounder (Scola's not bad at that either) and okay scorer (Scola's better). As for Rafer, he was capable of getting the Rockets into the offensive sets quickly ... until at that inevitable point in every game when he decided he was the god of floaters and would turn into a black hole. So, I would not use him as the example of what this team needs.
Yeah Otis Thorpe would make us look like a tough team instantly. Scola is real good though. He is tough and takes charges and draws fouls. He is the toughest guy on our team besides Lowry. So I dont see how we call out Scola over Otis Thorpe. Scola is fine. If we had Tmac and Yao around him we would probably be undefeated. The healthy versions.
Great post OP. I agree completely. Scola is overrated...his lack of defensive presence really hurts us badly. Trade Brooks too.
Scola overrated? Please, he has flaws on the defensive end but if anyones watched him enough you'd be hard pressed to not want him on your team.
Trade Scola..? I know the guy is bad on defense, but he is the hardest working player on this team and no I wouldn't trade him for Smith, Smith defense is overrated bcuz he is good shotblocker and high flyer.
Ok first the OP didn't say that Scola is Overrated, he said his defense presence is bad. Second, how that hell on earth Scola is overrated..? the guy never get any recogntion from the league, he is the probably the most underrated player in the league.
Poor offense from the backups especially Chase and Lee. All the more reason to play Brooks with the 2nd unit. Martin and Scola can provide the bulk of the scoring for the starters.
I love Scola. He's the leading scorer in FIBA play 2010, aside Durant, and would've been MVP just as easily. (Think about it- - that's ALL of European leagues combined) Sure he's not the best on defense but you forget the one reason why we even traded Carl Landry over him @the time. He had complimented Yao so very much with his spacing due to jumpshots and scoops and didn't need to post up and bang down low as frequently needed. Hence we needed to give our foundation, the bigman center, some space. So sure I can see your argument on wanting an 'old-school', set the tone on defense, type of power forward- BUT that's derailing to the niches of having a nimble touch but slow 7'6 giant in Yao Ming. What is becoming more consistent in today's game is a hybrid 4, i think like you said right? A versatile one that can stretch the floor and maybe, even possibly shoot the 3ball (not saying Scola can or even should). But for a PF to have more range on his shot, i hope it's implied or expected they're becoming more finesse and less pound for pound banger.
Who the hell need Hakeem when you can get Otis Thorpe. Yes we need more role players BTW Rafer took Houston no wheres. Brooks got us out of the first round. Lawson/Conley and Smith. Who the hell going to score for Houston. This will make our defense +6 our offense -20. We now losing 100-102 now we will lose 86-94. Nice, keep losing while being boring.
