What "better java" means? It means I can build the same stuff but in a better way. Easier to read, to maintain, and at least with the same performance. Scala has a big plus on asynchronicity, but the article doesn't even try to go there. Libraries like Akka, FS2, Monix, ScalaZ etc are not mentioned either. In Scala I can use everything from Java and much more, and this is why is better.

I'm sure by tomorrow someone with more time than I have will write an extensive article explaining in more detail why is better.