More empirical evidence of Luis Scola's badassery

With elite stars and such, that was never the insinuation and you’re 100% correct. As far as being traditional annual all stars, our players match the production of most of those players, they just get no love or appreciation for it.

As for the aspects of being elite, Scola, I fail to see how he could be considered too selfish when the major thing that earns you “elite status” is being able to score and dominate.

Brooks, his weaknesses that prevent him from being a “star” as defined, in my opinion, isn’t his height or anything like that (Ability to hit the 4th quarter free throw? He’s a 4th year player, one full year as a starter, and never needed to hit a major 4th quarter free throw, I think we’re being judgmental on that one.) but it’s defensive liabilities. Iverson was a tiny tenacious scorer with lightning quick hands to pick you off, aside from his defense and some superior scoring, his court vision was barely above Brooks’s.

Martin, I think his window is still open, I mean, he’s in an age where majority of the major players peak and perform and he’s got a team that will really help him stand out. The league was terrified of him 2-3 years ago, then fluke injuries hit but I don’t see that window being closed. Also, if we’re calling Joe Johnson our standard bearer for a star we have to be careful. I’m leery of any player who employs the motto “When the going gets tough, f*ck the going.”

Totally agree that Yao is the only legitimate star the Rockets employ but I mean that in the sense that the Rockets employ one player recognized at a star with at least three other players that give you the same contributions as stars without any of the appreciation for it.

You meant Scola is “selfless” not selfish, right?

And while all of them are damn good players, Scola and Martin being about as close to stars as you can get without them actually being that, they aren’t stars. Some of that is Scola being from Argentina and Martin being a great player on a shitty team in Sacramento. Is that fair to them? Nope, but just the way fandom goes.

Star is a silly term anyway, it often has to do with off the court stuff just as much as on the court. I like Dave’s elite status and annual all star designations better than star which holds nothing for me. And they don’t quite get there. Not a big deal. I’m glad to have them here and under the radar a bit.

That Brooks’ court vision and ability-to-hit-free-throws-in-Q4 (is that even a skill? Prove it?) can’t be improved upon to the point where they are no longer weaknesses? He’ll always be small and as a result will never be a particularly physical player, that much is true, but people constantly talk like he can’t improve his skills, and that I just don’t understand. He’s only 25.

amateur only. I look at it as a matter of national pride, you go out there, defend as long as you can, then change the guard over as you age. Everyone gets their shot, but during their peak contribution years rather than younger.

and everyone knows it – however, I don’t think he can be called a “closer” for the simple fact that it takes a REALLY special post player to be able to do that (Hakeem, Duncan, Kareem, etc.)

it wouldn’t surprise me if Scola has a better year than Dirk. Dirk’s stats may be more inflated do to him having to carry his team for the most part. But I think Scola will have the better year.