Amidst all the rumors, Scola has upped his game and is getting stronger as the year goes on. Most of us thought Luis wouldn't be a Rocket after the deadline, but here he is. ( I thought he should have been dealt after the WC) Yes, Les has wanted to stay competitive. At this rate though, Scola will really put some value back into that contact.(hopefully this will rub off on Martin) It's going to be interesting having a true 5 on the floor 24-7 after the move for Camby. Scola and the Rockets should flourish with consistent interior defense and rebounding from the center position. He's going to be fresh and free to wreak havoc at his natural spot.... It's refreshing watching guys like Scola nut it up and thrive while others go into a fetal position.(you know who you are) Whatever happens, it's been a pleasure. Luis Scola is a consumate pro/proven winner who symbolizes what it's all about....and will ALWAYS be a Rocket to me.
Totally agree, I warned from the begining that it wasn't an age problem, it was a surgery problem, after the lockout the schedule got too tight, so any player in recovery would have it even harder (something similar happened to 2pat in this very same season, remember). Anyway, it is a trend that Scola is slowly but steadily returning to his best shape. And with a real C guaranteed 100% of the time (Dally and Camby), his performance in playoff would be even better than last season. When there is a real C backing him up, his D contribution is better, remember when he played alongside Yao.
With significant defensive help, I think Luis is still a good player in this league. Smart, good shooter....he just can't defend anyone. Put a legit defensive center (and SF) on the court with him, and he's still money. I think LAL would be a great fit for him.
Great opening post. I'm a huge fan of Luis, and have been watching him improve the last few weeks, becoming more consistent, more like what we expect from him. I'm very glad we didn't deal Scola, although I'm for anything that actually improves the Rockets. Thanks. I was considering a thread like this, but generally don't start threads, because you can always find one where you can post your take on a topic of interest. This is a good example of that. Kudos!
Where did he say that? He just said it would be a good fit. Dalembert and Camby always next to Scola along with Parsons is like a dream come true on the defensive end. I really don't consider Luis nearly as much of a liability as I did before. Just knowing our backup bigs are Camby/Patterson brings a smile to my face. We can really make some noise in the playoffs this year.
10 games post all-star break 33 mpg 17.2 ppg 8.1 rpg 50% fg 4.8 fta 2.0 tpg [not many other stats relevant for Luis] Certainly picked his game right back up to "normal" - 50% from the field, 8 rebounds and 16-18ppg. I'd be surprised if he deviates much from that the rest of the way.
I think the two biggest problems for Scola this year have been trying to play center, which he shouldn't have to do any more now, and the condensed schedule of a lock out year and so many back to backs. I wouldn't have been against trading him in the right deal, but I certainly wasn't looking to dump him for the sake of getting rid of him or much less amnesty him as some posters have suggested.
Scola has stepped up his game and is by far my favorite rockets player. We all know about his defensive liabilities but he sure is a joy to watch out there.
Yeah, no one appreciate how much Chuck meant to the other players on this team. Scola didn't regress, he's just not playing with a skilled center.
I'am very happy . He is 100% a rocket. He is very happy too. He twitter a joke about he isn't the older rocket anymore. did you see jumping like a child after the Thunders game? Scola Forever
In a perfect world, he'd retire a rocket. Its my belief he might have if Yao hadn't bit the dust. But because of how things shook out, he's now bait to net us a star. Sucks, but he deserves to go to a contender and we need to rebuild before too long.
i do like the guy, but his contract is crazy, he has to prove to us that he isn't on the decline, for Scola's and for the Rockets' Cap Space i hope he isn't.
Aye aye, love Luis Scola. Some of the fools on this site think it's ok to rag on the player that tries his hardest game after game. Fools I tell you.
Very well said! Yao gone, Battier gone, Hayes gone...I honestly have little to root on this team if they traded away Scola. I am glad the management made the right decision.
His contract isn`t crazy. Is relative cheap. The only PF who has a cheapper contract is Paul Milsap. David Lee is making around 14 million per year the next 4 years and Rashard Lewis is making 22 mmillion this season and there are so many examples there Luis has 2 more years guarentee contract for 9,5 and 10 million Rockets can lives and make moves with that. And I dont see that in FA is something so great to run for. Howard is gone, Williams will resign for sure with NJ, Paul is gone. Gordon, mayo and Batun are RFA So Cap Space to get what? I prefer luis than building castles in the air
