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The Importance Of Luis Scola’s Newfound 3-Point Shot

By Aaron Ferguson

Nov 4, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) loses control of the ball on a drive against Toronto Raptors forward Luis Scola (4) and Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 4, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) loses control of the ball on a drive against Toronto Raptors forward Luis Scola (4) and Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Luis Scola’s newfound three-point shot bolsters the Toronto Raptors’ rotation and allows them to find greater success in the long-run.

Luis Scola has added to his offensive game by developing a three-point shot and it’s going to help the Toronto Raptors be more successful on offense.  Scola’s offensive game has always had an element of a mid-range shot, but he never found success when stretching his shot behind the three-point line.

When Scola entered the league with the Houston Rockets, he shot 51.5 percent from the field and only attempted three shots from behind the three-point line.  In fact, in the first eight seasons of Scola’s career, he only shot 60 three-pointers and made 10.  His career three-point average entering this season was 16.7 percent.

Prior to joining the Raptors, Scola spent two seasons with the Indiana Pacers.  While with the Pacers, he took 27 long-range shots and hit on 22.2 percent of those shots.  He began stretching his range while with the Pacers, but he never fully developed his three-point shot.

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Scola, 35, has found new life with his game.  He has connected on 50 percent (14-for-28) of his three-point attempts through 18 games this season.  What makes Scola’s newfound range so helpful for the Raptors is that he isn’t just stuck in the corner.

He can knock down three-pointers from all across the arc, which allows the Raptors to spread him out across the floor and makes it more difficult to defend Scola.

Being able to move Scola around the three-point line means that power forwards guarding him will have to extend out to the three-point line.  If the defenders don’t extend out, Scola has the ability to make them pay by knocking down a three-pointer.  His three-point shot hasn’t taken away from his ability to shoot mid-range jumpers or work around the basket.

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While he won’t be a top scoring threat, Scola has a complete offensive package that is needed to survive as a power forward in the NBA.

The new wave of stretch-4s in the NBA is what makes Scola’s versatility so valuable. All of the highly successful teams have at least one power forward that can stretch the floor and knock down a three.  The Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls are all great examples of this.

With Scola having the ability to stretch the floor, as evident by NBAsavant.com’s shot chart and assist chart, it will make the Raptors better as a team on offense.  Scola has the opportunity to create better shots for his teammates and will create slashing lanes for talented wing players DeMar DeRozan, DeMarre Carroll and Terrence Ross.

Scola’s impact in the lineup allows point guards Kyle Lowry and Cory Joseph to have a more effective pick-and-roll game.  If Scola is used as the pick-man, he now has the opportunity to fade beyond the three-point line, which allows the pick-and-roll to be executed from closer to the half-court line.

The Raptors have lost a valuable player in Jonas Valanciunas due to a broken hand.  While Valanciunas is expected to miss up to six weeks, Scola will be able to play the center position at times.  Even with a healthy roster, the Raptors now have the ability to have Scola play center and go with a smaller and quicker lineup, similar to the way the Warriors play.

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Scola has expanded his repertoire and it has provided the Raptors with great success.  They also have the ability to stretch the floor and use smaller lineups to create mismatches.  With all the success of team’s with players that can hit three-pointers from the power forward position, Scola provides the Raptors with an opportunity to compete at a higher level with these teams.

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