Who’s Better: Michael Beasley or Luis Scola?
Michael Beasley (photo. Chad Griffith)
We argue. You decide.
MICHAEL BEASLEY (by Jack Jensen)
All previous off-court problems and lack of haircuts aside, both Michael Beasley and Luis Scola have become two of the most solid role-playing forwards in the League. Whereas I’d be happing having either guy grace my team’s frontcourt right now, Beasley has a better feel for the game.
Not only does Beasley’s future burn brighter than Scola’s, he has the chance to become a perennial All-Star — an opportunity that is fading for the 29-year-old Scola. The 6-9 Argentine (a late second-round draft pick) is probably destined to continue his career as the third or fourth option on his whatever team he’s on, while Beasley (drafted No. 2 overall) is expected to become a franchise player. Looking past Beasley’s history of immaturity — which has led him through multiple high schools, Twitter mishaps and a Houston rehab center this past August — he is an extremely talented inside-outside presence and has shown promise in growing up. Remember, the kid is still only 20 years old.
Both players display a good shooting touch outside of the paint and each average around 15 points a game. (Going into Tuesday’s schedule, Beasley was at 15.0 ppg to Scola’s 14.2 ppg.) Statistically speaking, these players are very similar in both their strengths and weaknesses. Each average fewer than two dimes per game and are strong rebounders. Beasley tends to let the game come to him more and feeds off a mixture of outside shots and offensive boards to get him going. Scola is more of a hustle guy who is at his best when running the floor alongside Aaron Brooks. Where Beasley really separates himself is in the value to his team.
As a starter, Beasley is second on the Heat in scoring and third in rebounding (6.8 rpg). Beyond Dwyane Wade, Miami is lacking any pure scorers, a tag that Beasley has had since high school. In his lone collegiate season at Kansas State, Beasley dropped over 26 and 12 per game as a freshman. He is still finding his place on the Heat and in the NBA, but the amount of talent he possesses is undeniable. There’s no question that Scola has come up big for the Rockets and plays a little stronger inside than Beasley does. However, he’s not as valuable to Houston as Beasley is to Miami. This season, both Carl Landry and Trevor Ariza have asserted themselves above Scola as Houston’s power players (beyond Brooks). Meanwhile in Miami, Jermaine O’Neal is on the down slope of his career and Udonis Haslem always seems to be thrown into the rumor mill as trade bait.
Beasley can shoot from anywhere on the floor and is comfortable beyond the arc. Erik Spoelstra has slowly started to bring Beasley into more pressure situations, and, for the most part, Beasley has responded well with the added responsibilities. He has bumped up his numbers nearly across the board from last season — albeit his 10 games of assist goose-eggs this year is worrisome — and his game-winning follow dunk at Orlando in late-November has given him more confidence.
If Beasley can contain his off-court troubles and limit media attention away from basketball, he will continue to prosper. Throughout his career, he has yet to involve himself within a stable environment for really much longer than a season. If Miami’s front office and the team’s veterans can provide a positive presence in Beasley’s life, he will be fine. Scola has absolutely been a blessing for the Rockets, but for what it’s worth, I still can’t envision him as a go-to guy for a team in the L. Whether I could pick one of these forwards to take the last shot of a game or play 20 minutes of garbage time, I would choose Beasley regardless.
Luis Scola
LUIS SCOLA (by Aron Phillips)
Luis Scola is everything I love about the NBA. Here’s a guy who probably could have gone his whole professional basketball career without ever playing in the NBA, but after basically dominating everywhere else in the world, decided to finally come to the League. If I had to choose one word to describe him, that word would be “winner.”
If you were to tell me that after losing Yao Ming, Ron Artest and that Tracy McGrady guy, that the Rockets would be 14-10 with a starting lineup that didn’t include anyone close to an All-Star berth, I’d say you were out of your mind. But sure enough, the 55th pick in the 2002 NBA Draft has come into the League and become a certified beast.
Admit it. When you think of Luis Scola, all you can think about is long hair and two sharp elbows. But this guy placed third in the Rookie of the Year voting during the ‘07-08 season — the year after he earned his second straight All-Euroleague First Team nod.
Beasley has done nothing but underwhelm. Coming out of college, people looked at the 6-10, 235-pound forward as the next 20 and 10 guy (kind of like Blake Griffin was this year). But what has he done? Not much. 20 and 10 for Beasley looks more like 15 and 7, and shooting 44 percent from the field just isn’t going to cut it. And playing 32 minutes per game, you can’t say he isn’t being given a chance.
Scola, on the other hand, has done nothing but overachieve. Despite Yao’s absence, Scola is playing less than 30 minutes per game and is averaging almost 15 and 10 as a center — at only 6-9. And shooting 51 percent from the field, you gotta think the more you play him and the more touches he gets, the better he will become.
But here’s where it gets tricky. If I’m a GM trying to building a championship squad, who would I rather have? The 20-year-old who still has “potential,” or the 29-year-old who has been there and back, having won an Olympic gold medal in 2004 and taken home Finals MVP and FIBA Americas MVP honors? If you were to ask Pat Riley, 10 times our of 10, he would make that trade.
Guys like Beasley come around all the time. And by that I mean American-born basketball players who dominate on the college scene but then never truly reach their potential in the NBA. Scola is a known commodity. You need a rebound, ask Scola. You need a hard foul, Luis is your guy.
His numbers are never going to be crazy, but he’ll give 110% on every play.
Who do you think is better?
Follow Jack Jensen on Twitter: @jensenjack
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December 16th, 2009 at 9:03 am
POPPI GEE says:
Scola easy! Not even because I am biased but just for what he puts in heart, consistency and intangible wise. Scola has it.
Every team needs a Scola!
December 16th, 2009 at 9:07 am
nasirnasqb says:
scola’s aight but b-easy has upside tru the roof
December 16th, 2009 at 9:10 am
Jayo says:
If the question is who is better right now. Then its Scola by a mile. There’s no question he will fight every nite down low & produce. I don’t see that from Beasley. Now Beasley does have more future upside, but didn’t everybody say that about Stromile Swift for about 8 yrs? I’ll take Scola’s consistency, heart, & definite production over Beasley’s questionable character & possible pontential everyday.
December 16th, 2009 at 9:11 am
AdvancedMind says:
Lol @ 1
I wonder if your a Rockets fan….
Neither play D but ill take Super Bee’s…
@1 You taking Aaron Brooks over Nash too?
December 16th, 2009 at 9:16 am
Diggity Dave says:
Beasley, and it’s not even close. In a few years, this will be a laughable comparison.
December 16th, 2009 at 9:23 am
POPPI GEE says:
@4 Hmmmm Aaron Brooks over Nash…Naaahhhh lol.
and Scola does play D, it’s called
“Euro-D” lol
I will agree Beasley seemingly has the brighter future, but right now Scola between the two is better.
December 16th, 2009 at 9:51 am
Me says:
No one who picks beasley can base it on anything he can do right now, it’s all what he might do in the future. For that reason, it’s scola.
December 16th, 2009 at 9:53 am
AdvancedMind says:
Lol @ Euro D
If i have to pick between those 2 SOFT players ill take the Offensive skills of Beasley. If Beasley played on another team that doesnt have Wade he goes from 14 a game to 23, Scola can play for Texas university and he still isnt putting up those numbers.
December 16th, 2009 at 9:56 am
Nigel says:
I don’t know about Beas. At first I thought he could be really good. But now I just see him as an Al Harrington type. Like a scorer who doesn’t have that much more impact on the game.
December 16th, 2009 at 10:05 am
Prof. TX says:
I have to take Scola in this one. Beasley looks like yet another player who won’t be living up to his hype.
December 16th, 2009 at 10:12 am
Citizen B says:
When this season is over people will read this and laugh that you put up the stats of a 19 year old’s lone season up against a guy whose been in the league 3 years and played overseas even more. Beasley is currently proving his value with his increase in minutes and will be a better player than Scola.
December 16th, 2009 at 10:17 am
rodnets says:
Scola all the way, Beasley is a straight punk.
Maybe more skilled, but lacking heart, toughness, work ethic, etc, etc.
December 16th, 2009 at 10:42 am
control says:
Picking SuperBeas over Scola is why guys like Gerald Green, Darius Miles, Stromile Swift, etc stay in the league such a long time. You know exactly what you are going to get with Scola, but with someone like Beas, you have to HOPE that MAYBE he will live up to his “potential”.
I ain’t sold on Beas’ game at all, he’s a jacker. Looks like a slightly more skilled version of Stephan Jackson or Al Harrington.
Give me Scola any day this year, and unless something changes, for the next 2-3 years. After that, Beas will probably edge him.
December 16th, 2009 at 10:50 am
Reeko_Htown says:
Scola just plays hard EVERY night. He’s great in the post and is a rebounding machine.
Beas? He’s got talent but his effort is not there. He “could be great but I don’t think his heart is into it.
SCOLA ALL THE WAY!
December 16th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Guitar Hero says:
Scola is obviously better right now. But of course, Beas has a lot of potential, so…yeah, right now, gimme Luis.
Wonderful role player.
December 16th, 2009 at 11:09 am
MSkittle says:
This is a tough one.. I do know that Riley is really high on Beasley (or so he says). He says Beasley has potential to be a top-10 scorer in the league.
December 16th, 2009 at 11:12 am
Amos Leak says:
I know this isn’t 4real..anybody who even comes close to say scola is a trip. Michael Beasley didn’t get drafted 2nd in his class for no reason..he’s just on a team that doesn’t require for his type of game..if he had been on the sixers or somebody like new jersey..or even the knicks you would see a whole different ball game…scola aint even in his league.
December 16th, 2009 at 11:15 am
Diego says:
The question is or should be who is better RIGHT NOW. You can’t honestly base it on potential, because Scola is 9 years older than Beas!! (Otherwise, I’d say Candisse Parker’s and Shelden Williams’ prodigy has huge upside over both these guys.)
Right now, clearly Scola. Beas often seems to play a bit like a knucklehead and does not have the inside presence/savy of Scola. Beas only has the advantage in outside shooting ability. (And I think Scola could do that if called upon to do so.)
This is pretty clear cut–other than for some delusional Heat fans.
December 16th, 2009 at 11:17 am
Diego says:
@ Amos Leak: Do you happen to recall Scola leading Argentina to an Olympic Gold medal?
December 16th, 2009 at 11:21 am
sh!tfaced says:
The overrated vs the underrated… the hyped up top draft pick vs the under the radar 2nd rounder… the big time college player vs the too old euro vet…
Right now, Luis Scola, hands down. Although we’re pretty sure SuperCool Pothead will most likely have a better career down the line, if he doesn’t blow it…
December 16th, 2009 at 11:25 am
sh!tfaced says:
San Antonio management is still kicking their own asses about their decision in trading Scola… while SuperCool Beas isn’t making anybody regret anything… yet.
December 16th, 2009 at 11:28 am
LakeShow84 says:
Scola all day..
Got GRIT.. and u cant really teach that.. plus he has good fundamentals..
Beaz is just a smoother scorer but both have reliable 10-15 footers all day..
December 16th, 2009 at 11:48 am
Jake says:
Beaz has put some major work in and if you watch Heat games you can see his game growing and his maturity as well.
Now like one comment said, everyone needs a Scola. The guy has been in many Euro-tourneys and the Olympics! So dude has experience and know how – but in a few years – Beaz will be WORLDS better.
December 16th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
dan says:
Id take scola right now, because he is proven. If anyone saw the miami heat game yesterday and some other games they’d have a harder time choosing. Beasley is 20 scola is 29 and has played at a higher level for longer.Id like to imagine down the road beasley is the better player. Scola I think plays harder because the game comes harder for him. I dont want to read the question again but if it was who would you build your franchise around. Id take beasley at this time because of his potential and he’s only 20, and he isnt even what id consider a bust because he is getting “it”, just at a slower pace . Some high draft picks never got or ever looked like they were getting “it”.
December 16th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Abrew says:
It’s Beasley and its not even close. I just watched him abuse a gold medal winning all star power forward last night for 28 and 11. The kid’s 36 per numbers at power Forward (and at power Forward alone because Coach Spo is an idiot for playing this kid at small forward) at great for a 20 year old with about 90 nba games under his belt. Match up his rookie season numbers with the best power forwards over the past 10 years rookie seasons. Beasley had better numbers than almost all of them except for Duncan and he had like numbers as Amare.
December 16th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
the big fundamental says:
b-easy! Offensively he has way more weapons than Scola! WAY MORE!
December 16th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
AdvancedMind says:
Bottum line is if you put Beasley on Houston right now, not only does he start over Scola, he becomes Houstons number 1 scoring option, and the team wins the same amount of games.
December 16th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Alex says:
Beasley is supossed to be the better player in the future (we’ll have to wait and see) but right now Scola is better. Luis isn’t only better defensively (the guy above that said that he doesn’t play D has obviuosly never seen him play) and on the boards, he has more tools on the ofensive end right now, Beasly’s offensive game consists basicaly on hitting mid-range jumpers while Scola besides hitting jumpers pretty efectively has some of the most refined post up moves in the league.
Oh, and Jensen: Ariza and Landry aren’t more important than Scola for this Rockets team.
December 16th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Chicagorilla says:
LMAO@ scola being better than Beasly.
If you show up to a gym in Houston to play pick-up ball, and Luis Scola is in there and So is Mike Beasly. Floyd Mayweather comes in and wants to make you a bet. You have $10(K) to bet on that game. How many of you are putting your 10 stacks on Scola still?
December 16th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
bfears says:
beasley no question
December 17th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
lamar says:
this is a joke. obviously beasly is far superiour way more talented and skilled all scola has over beasly is his savy play and expeirence but in terms of who is the better player it has to be beasly. beasly is a much better scoer way more athletic quicker jumps higher and is better on the offensive glass. scola is a good solid team player but beasly right now if given the oppurtunities can average easily over 20 a game. cant say the same for scola. scola has to work incredibly hard to get his points with extreme hustly. while beasly it just comes naturally just becuase one player works harder than the other does not mean they are better. this will be a laughable board a couple year from now or the beinning of next season.
December 21st, 2009 at 7:40 pm
Colton says:
two things other people said will sum this debate up.
beasley has upside thru the roof, but scola has IT!!!
December 21st, 2009 at 10:26 pm
Curtis G says:
If ignorance is bliss, then stupidity must be f*cking heaven because I swear some of you basketball “guru’s” on here don’t have a clue about talent! For starters, the question is the article is “who’s better?”, not who will better. As some smarter posters noted, you can’t go by potential because Scola is already as good as he is going to be since he is 29 freaking years old! And I hate to hear supposedly knowlegeable basketball fans say that they’ll take an unproven commodity over a proven one because that has to be one of the most inane choices a GM could make… which is probably why it is a good thing most of you aren’t in a position to make those type of decisions. In any case, even if you look at potential, do any of you really see Beasley being a virtual double-double machine (which is what Scola is)? He may end up putting up more ppg but I wouldn’t even put up money for that happen since Beasley seems to be missing one vital element to make that happen: heart. At times (too often) Beasley just seems to be in coast mode and only playing when the spirit moves him. Honestly, he reminds me of a slightly more motivated Stromile with less atleticism. Hell,if it weren’t for that sweet jumper, Beasely would basically be Stromile Lite. Now I am not bashing the youngster at all because I am actually rooting for him because he was one of my picks (when he was drfated) to wind up as a difference maker. But he has fallen into a chasm that I see many young players (and older ones) fall into… the type of attitude that only comes with those that get gauranteed money. I’m not saying it is the money that changed him at this level but hell, how many players drafted in his class behind him would kill to get the shine that he gets and he still manages to put up below average to mediocre numbers with an attitude that says “I don’t give a f*ck!” Yes, I recognize that he plays beside one of the most prolific scorers of this era but, at the same time, that is not an excuse to not shine as well or at least do ONE aspect of the gae well on the court. Jordan’s teammates weren’t anything to scream about (with exception to Pippen, and that only serves to prove my point) but they all did something well; Rodman rebounded, Grant shut down the lane as an enforcer, Kerr set up the offense without falter, and so on. What the hell does Beasley do well consistently? For a player drafted that high, I expect more and it’s players like Evans and Jennings that show that high picks can and should perform, but they also demonstrate the fickleness of the science behind predicting “upside”. I They also demonstrate how upside is complete bullsh*t… a word scouts started throwing around to influence the draft potential of prospects. Evans and Jennings could have easily been bust but they aren’t (and likely won’t be). That’s why it’s no surprise that they emotion, the fire, the heart that they show on the floor is conspicuously missing from Beasley most nights. And that my friends is why Scola is better as well. Every night, whether Scola is chunking up goose eggs on the offense, he finds ways to make himself relevant to the game. Shot not falling? Pull down 14 rebounds. Can’t grab a board? Put up 20 points. Can’t shoot or rebound? Step in the lane and take a charge… repeatedly. Fouls taking you out the game? Cheer like hell from the bench. That’s Scola. Every night. Every game. In truth, this article could have been between Beasley and any other number of 3 to 5 year forwards and Beasley still loses simply because his heart is lacking. And for the record, all the pro-Beasley people are right; if Beasley ever “gets it”, he will be a beast. But then, ask yourself this: How many players over the last decade has that been said about? After you make that list, tell me how many of them are worth jack sh*t right now? Yea… that’s what I thought…
January 6th, 2010 at 1:39 am
Carlos says:
Scola is fundamentally solid and a much better player than Beasley who by the way is really soft as most young black players. Black players in general are soft and hate to be pushed around they all think they own basketball but they are letting it slip away little by little by neglecting fundamental aspects of this game and putting too much emphasis on dunks and flashy stuff instead.