<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> My Quick Take: Scola will provide Houston with a big boost. He can rebound, score, defend, and won?t freeze up come crunch time because of his international experience. Some compare him to former Laker Kurt Rambis. I believe the Argentine is in the same mold as Jorge Garbajosa and Anderson Varejao. He also gives the Rockets some interesting options. For a change of pace, Houston can now go to an all blue-collar front-court featuring Scola, Chucky Hayes, and Shane Battier. These three could work well together in short spurts when Yao Ming needs a rest. Believe it or not, I also like Alston. Sure, he occasionally ends up on the wrong side of the law and loses his cool, but he?s also a solid, table-setting point guard. Alston could thrive in new coach Rick Adelman?s up-tempo system. So Houston fans should stay patient and avoid completely writing off Skip To My Lou.</div> link
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Those are three terrible comparisons. Not even close to what Scola does on the court.</div> I think there's an interesting duality in Scola's game. I see a high-IQ player who's a crafty post up player and skilled passer, so on one hand he's a finesse player. But there's also a physical nature to his game that reminds me a bit of Garbajosa or Varejao. I mean, he must be setting some sort of tourney record for fouls drawn off the ball. Something about Argentines (Scola, Ginobili, Nocioni) apparently get under opposing player's skins. BTW, I believe it was Rudy T who first brought up the Kurt Rambis comparison when asked about Scola. Who would you compare him to?
I've always referred to him as Manu Ginobili in a power foward's body. He has the same herky jerky moves when he drives in and can score with either hand. Never forces up bad shots, and can score from anywhere on the court with high efficiency. He has a high IQ like you mentioned and has the passing skills to survey the court and find the open offensive player when a double team comes.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">passing skills to survey the court and find the open offensive player when a double team comes. </div> So is he like a "Point-Forward"?
<div class="quote_poster">Master Shake Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">So is he like a "Point-Forward"?</div> Oh god ...
<div class="quote_poster">Master Shake Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">So is he like a "Point-Forward"?</div> 5 pages!
<div class="quote_poster">Master Shake Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">So is he like a "Point-Forward"?</div> So how about a poll!!
<div class="quote_poster">Master Shake Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">So is he like a "Point-Forward"?</div> Lets hope someone doesn't see this thread. BTW, I'm really anxious to watch tonights game just to see how Scola plays. I hope he scores 20+
<div class="quote_poster">foo82 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">He had a bunch of tacky fouls in the first quarter.</div> Yeah he picked up 3 quick fouls in the 1st quarter. The players on the perimeter for Argentina left him out to dry on the inside with some matador defense. Scola did have a productive game and it's obvious he can hold his own against NBA players. I think he was surprised by some of the athleticism Team USA had, but he'll adjust to it once he gets more experience and has a chance to study player tendencies. He did make an adjustment later in the game to pick up a charge (either on LeBron or Amare) by sliding into position and setting himself.
<div class="quote_poster">Master Shake Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">So is he like a "Point-Forward"?</div>
Heh. You know you are a true Rockets fan when you start cheering for Argentina to beat the U.S. or when you watch more Argentina games than U.S. games.
<div class="quote_poster">foo82 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Heh. You know you are a true Rockets fan when you start cheering for Argentina to beat the U.S. or when you watch more Argentina games than U.S. games.</div> In that case, you'd be a Scola fan. I am still really surprised San Antonio gave him up for Spanoulis. This guy is going to play great alongside Yao. Scola/Yao are going to be one of the best frontcourt duos in the league. I can't wait to watch this combo. I am already feeling good about the upcoming year. All we need to do is get rid of some PG's and we're set.
Scola is looking more like an upgrade to J.Howard's Offense instead of comparing him to C.Hayes. He has an outside shot and gives the rockets 2 relentless rebounders in that PF position. My opening day 12 since that trade. It looks like the Rockets can compete. James/Francis TMac/Bonzi/L.Head Shane/Snyder Scola/Hayes Yao/Deke/Butler AB/ then 2 spots open for all those other guys Landry/Harris/Novak/Reed.....JLIII Skip Sura I think will be gone some way. I would say the only thing that could hurt Scola in the transition to the NBA is the refs. After playing great D in Greece's win over USA VSpan was foul prone in the first couple of games when he got some good minutes, and he had TO problems. Good passers at each starting spot, I would have to start M.James, with Bonzi or Francis first off the bench. I hope they wouldn't trade Snyder or L.Head to make room for any others on the current roster.
<div class="quote_poster">moeinhouston Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Scola is looking more like an upgrade to J.Howard's Offense instead of comparing him to C.Hayes. He has an outside shot and gives the rockets 2 relentless rebounders in that PF position. My opening day 12 since that trade. It looks like the Rockets can compete. James/Francis TMac/Bonzi/L.Head Shane/Snyder Scola/Hayes Yao/Deke/Butler AB/ then 2 spots open for all those other guys Landry/Harris/Novak/Reed.....JLIII Skip Sura I think will be gone some way. I would say the only thing that could hurt Scola in the transition to the NBA is the refs. After playing great D in Greece's win over USA VSpan was foul prone in the first couple of games when he got some good minutes, and he had TO problems. Good passers at each starting spot, I would have to start M.James, with Bonzi or Francis first off the bench. I hope they wouldn't trade Snyder or L.Head to make room for any others on the current roster.</div> Valid concern about Scola adjusting to the officials in the NBA. In both games against Team USA, he got into foul trouble by playing over aggressive in the post. However, Argentina's team doesn't have the shot blocking presence of Yao Ming roaming the middle. What I like about Scola is his ability to adjust and adapt to any situation. In today's game he tried to get going early on offense. He recognized the only chance Argentina had was pounding the ball on the inside and hoping to slow the pace down. Unfortunately for him and Argentina, Team USA was on fire from behind the arc and pulled away early by making 3's while Argentina was making 2's.
