Stars + why Scola might be gone soon
by Carlos_HoustonSportsFanatic on Jul 12, 2010 12:23 AM CDT
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PrintFirst off, I hate quoting a source that lacks credibility (apparently, thanks for the heads up Tom) but I will only do so as a starting point for this thread.
According to HoopsWorld (I know)
Another front court player who is drawing a lot of interest is Houston Rockets forward Luis Scola... the New Jersey Nets are preparing a "big money" offer sheet for Scola.
Whether it's true or not, the fact is there are teams out there with cap room that need good players and are willing to spend a LOT to get them
Now I was reading BD34's Observations on the Offseason and decided to come up with my own definition of a star.
A star transcends the sport they play, their presence (or lack there of) has a great effect on his team's performance (boy did Mueller's absence hurt Germany vs Spain) on the court/field and are also very influential in their surrounding community (like Lebron, money wise). Some are the highest paid athletes (a few big paycheck players are not stars, just overpaid like Bynum) on their team and/or league (and if they're not, they'll eventually be i.e Derrick Rose) and, on the other hand, there's the Robert Horry's of the world (underpaid, not really influential, but a star non-the-less)
You can argue that a star should be judged as such depending solely on their production, but then do players stop being stars when they start to suck? No, and this is arguable
I have a question too, is Lamar Odom a star or a celebrity? I'd say he was the key for the Lakers wins against Phoenix (presence) and he did marry the ugly Kardashian (influence?) lol
So, is Luis Scola a star? To me yes, falling on the Robert Horry category... for now. He might just become the highest paid player in the Nets roster. If it does happen, will his chinese followers go with him? It's a possibility that would bring more money for their franchise (Scola merchandise made in the US sold in China) or maybe they'll just forget about him. But if it does happen, I believe we could bring them back by signing Yi Jianlian (but I digress, that's a story for another day)
How much is Luis Scola worth to us? He made less than 3.5 million last year. The mid level for this upcoming season is about 5.7 million. The luxury tax starts at 70 million and New Jersey currently has about 30 million left to spend (including latest signings). That's at least 1 max contract, and they're looking for someone to spend it on. They're already adding Jordan Farmar (guard), Travis Outlaw (SF) and Johan Petro (C). All they're missing is a PF... you see where I'm getting here
If you've made it this far, your prob ain't got nothing better to do lol i just wanted to post this poll up
Update - The max the Nets can offer is a 5 year contract, a 6 year contract would require a sign-and-trade. Plus, it doesn't have to be ALL guaranteed, there could easily be a Team option on years 3 or 4.
No cursing in title. No pirated material, such as links to online game streams. Do not cut/paste entire sections of content from other websites. Thanks.
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Scola
Does anyone remember Carl Landry? When the trade to get K-Mart went down most of us were surprised to say the least. Why, because not only did he leave everything out on the court each and every game, he was to the Rockets of today what Sam I can Cassell was to the Rockets of yesterday. It is my belief that had Morey not had to give him up in the trade he would of replaced Scola as the starter by now. In the trade which was a three team trade has anyone lost sight of the fact that Morey insisted on Hill being part of the trade? Does anyone remotely wonder why? If Scola is such a big part of the Rocket’s future (an indespensible part of their winning) then why did Morey insist on getting Hill in the trade and then go and get another PF by the name of Patterson in the draft? are you going to say that Scola’s upside is better than both, that both were just trade fodder to lure Toronto to do a sign and trade for Bosh?
Now when it comes to Scola’s money he has paid his dues and deserves more money, but at his age of 30 does it really make since to give him a max contract when he probably at best has two are three good years left which means the Rockets will be stuck with a player no one will want for at least two years of the three that are left on his six year max contract and he will be sitting the bench while Patterson or Hill play collecting his pay of 5 million, double what the Rockets had to pay Cook when he sat the bench. Morey is smarter than that and I’m sure he would rather spend the money upgrading the Rockets bringing in young talent that can compete with the elete teams in our conference.
Landry > Hill for now
Also, look at update
by Carlos_HoustonSportsFanatic on Jul 12, 2010 2:42 PM CDT up reply actions
New Jersey and their crazy money!
this FA 2010 experience is emotionally draining as it stands, and it’s not over yet. Sad to think of Scola playing for another team, but a probability nonetheless as the nets just might offer him crazy money. Can we get landry back just in case? Not that i believe landry should have been starting in place of scola, just that i’d feel more secure if either one of them would be in our PF roster.
Bluff
Try to get the Nets to trade for him… Thats what I would do. Then, if they dont, let him walk for anything over the MLE. Why invest in him long term when chances are your over paying him the last 2 or 3 years of his contract. Kyle Lowry is more important.
Did you know Eric Berry was asexually produced by Chuck Norris?
the only thing the Nets have woth trading for is
Terrence Williams. Favors is untouchable right now as well as Brook Lopez
GO ROCKETS, GO TEXANS, GO ASTROS (EVEN THOUGH THEY SUCK)!!!
Then get a draft pick and a TE
I just dont think you should pay Scola more than 7 million a year.
Did you know Eric Berry was asexually produced by Chuck Norris?
i dont know
I really like what T-Will brings all around
GO ROCKETS, GO TEXANS, GO ASTROS (EVEN THOUGH THEY SUCK)!!!
Dont make light of NJ frontoffice
The notion of anywhere close to MAX for a 31 year of PF with limited ceiling should be a no no for any GM. considering the other man that was on their list, Tyrus Thomas, signed a contract for 5 year 40 million, that’s more likely the price range for Luis
A few thoughts
1.) Can’t sign Yi Jianlian, he plays for the Wizards now and wasn’t a free agent. A good pick up for the Wizards, I look forward to watching them this year as a law student in the District.
2.) New Jersey won’t offer ridiculous money to Scola though they could offer him enough to be overpaid. That’s what teams with money and not many people to spend it on do. That’s why next year there will be a lockout. Players love the benefit, owners unfortunately provide it, one won’t concede mass earnings to protect the owners from themselves.
3.) I feel honored that my post is cited as inspiring another one =P
4.) Daryl Morey when interviewed yesterday during the Portland/Rockets summer league game was asked about Luis. He said that when he came over they wanted to know if he could take his game from being the number 1 star overseas to being the focal point of the Rockets offense if need be. He said this year, he played like a star and showed that he can be the number one option. I’m not about to downplay a Daryl Morey investment like that where he essentially called Luis a star.
5.) Luis’s style of play is GOOD for longevity. Everyone saying he only has a few more years left are looking at him as though he plays like the rest of the NBA. He’s more David Lee like in his play in that he isn’t the most athletic guy but he has a motor in him and gives 110% playing within himself. As a result, he’s not overly taxing his body, he’s not wearing everything down faster than it needs to because his game is extremely agile and smart, not athletic. Luis’s window won’t close for another 4 to 5 years in my opinion.
6.) In no uncertain terms Landry should have never started over Luis last year. After the Landry trade we didn’t lose much production if any at all (I Think we gained) and Landry was really better suited to come off the bench when the main scoring threats were needing a rest. Not to mention we would have sacrificed a lot of defense and rebounding to slot Carl in as the starting 4 over Luis.
7.) The roster has stacked on power forwards but we’ve collected assets to trade. Also, as a team in win now mode, you generally don’t see rookies as the crux of the starting lineup, which is what would happen if we were to wave good bye to Luis. We didn’t gather PFs to trade Scola, we gathered youngsters as trade assets and as a viable part of the future so we can dangle them out for teams, if they don’t want them, then our future is sitting pretty.
I'm always right, this isn't conjecture, merely statement of fact.
1 – I didn’t say this year
2,4,5,6,7 – Agreed
3 – You’re welcome
by Carlos_HoustonSportsFanatic on Jul 12, 2010 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions
New Jersey doesn't need Scola.
Their offense will be centered around Brook Lopez, by far their best and most consistent player, so they’ll want to spread the floor to prevent double teams on him. If they can’t pick up someone like Udonis Haslem they’ll probably start Outlaw as a stretch 4 (a role he was effective in with Portland), with Favors and Humphries (~20 relatively effective mpg last season for the Nets) splitting the remaining minutes off the bench. This is why they picked up Outlaw – they have no shortage of swingmen (T-Will, C. Lee, Morrow, and Damion James have all proven to be quality young players).
Overpaying Scola would stunt the growth of Favors, take away the ability to play Outlaw as a stretch 4, crowd minutes at the wings, and destroy any cap flexibility they may have next year. The only advantage I can think of for the Nets is (1) injury insurance, and (2) Scola can play backup center when Lopez is on the bench assuming this Petro fellow doesn’t pan out.
I love Scola,
but I’m not going to be teary-eyed like I was when Landry was traded.
Hill could maybe start if he makes some dramatic improvements now and in summer league. Patterson has a shot, but he needs to prove that he can bang down low like he did before Wall and Cousins got to UK. But if Patterson can show a consistent mid range jumper, I think he has a good shot.
I think if anyone though, Hill has the most legitimate shot. Hill is a good and even relentless rebounder at times. We need that due to Yao’s limited range. He won’t be asked to post up very much and he has shown an improvement in his mid range jumper this summer going 2-3 or 2-4 from that area(just a guess from what I’ve seen). Hill won’t be a great post defender, but he can be a pretty good shot blocker at times.
And then Chuck Hayes comes in. Chuck has no outside jumper so I see it hard us starting Chuck and Yao at the same time(inviting the other team to double Yao and leave Chuck open).
If the Nets offer a lucrative contract to Scola, I’d prefer we stay where we are at; perhaps try and do a sign and trade to get some picks possibly, since we have no room for another player. I wouldn’t be surprised if they did offer him a crazy contract. Travis Outlaw signed 5 years 35 million. At that rate, Scola should get 5-6 years 70-90 million(defines how much Outlaw is overpaid).
"You got to believe in yourself. Hell, I believe I'm the best-looking guy in the world and I might be right."- Charles Barkley
There is no way we can be competitive this year with only Hill and Patterson at PF
They are just not ready. We need Scolas all around game, not just a quick running rebounding game. You have to have another low post scoring threat to take some of the doubles off of Yao…and Scola is such a huge part of our offense that it would put even more strain on Yao’s already limited minutes to make up the offense. If it was a trade of Scola for another scoring PF with decent defense fine but not to let Hill and Patterson be the probable starters.
We will have Scola
And it won’t cost a fortune either. NJ or some other team will make a reasonable offer and the Rockets will match it. Everybody knows Scola is 31 yr old. It isn’t a secret. No team in the NBA needs Scola more than the Rockets need him so he is staying put for a while.
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