Spurs sign Alex Scales

[Solid D]

At practice facility today according to KSAT noon report.

[TwoHandJam]

Good shooter but why would we need another point guard. Isn't he listed at 6'2"?

[ChumpDumper]

Hey, just what we needed, another undersized shooting guard.

[ducks]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/3770/

[ducks]

Scales has played professionally all over the globe since finishing his career at Oregon, but is still looking to catch on in the NBA after attending training camps with the Houston Rockets and New Jersey Nets in 2003 and 2004. Scales has played in Italy, Korea and China, where he helped replace Yao Ming on the Shanghai Sharks. Also on Scales' resume is a stint playing for new Sonics assistant Ralph Lewis in the NBDL. Scales led the 2005 Sonics summer-league squad with 12.6 points per game, shooting 50% from the field. He then shined for the U.S. qualifying team, averaging 10.3 points per game. Scales is an outstanding shooter, but at 6-2, he has to demonstrate the ability to play the point to stick in the NBA.
http://www.nba.com/sonics/roster/alex_scales.html

[Solid D]

He's usually the last cut for NBA teams. Houston a couple of yrs. ago, Seattle this year along with Noel.

He's a good leaper, nice scoring touch but not much of a swingman defensively. He's a 6-4, 185 2-guard

Little known fact about Alex, he's the great grandson of legendary blues guitarist Albert King.

[ducks]

Nets Waive Alex Scales


East Rutherford, NJ (October 25, 2004) - The New Jersey Nets have requested waivers on guard Alex Scales, Nets President Rod Thorn announced today. Scales, who signed with the Nets prior to the start of training camp, appeared in five preseason games, averaging 2.6 ppg in 4.6 mpg.

[ducks]

why not noel instead of him!

[timvp]

:td

Scales is a 6-foot-2 shooting guard. Why would the Spurs want him? I guess they think they need some perimeter scoring, but this guy has no NBA future. He can score but he's a horrible defender and way to small to be a true two guard.

Dumb move.

[Marcus Bryant]

Isn't he with USA Basketball? He's like 28 and has yet to stick in the league.

Anyways, I'm sure he plays by the hour, which of course is the primary requirement.

[usckk]

Go Marcus! I agree.

[Kori Ellis]

Though it's not official, the Spurs are signing him. I guess it should be official before game time tonight.

Alex is a good guy. He's a great shooter. But he's small and doesn't defend. They tried to switch him to a point guard when he was in Seattle's training camp, but he's not a good enough ball handler.

[Marcus Bryant]

Hmmm...one your points is already pressed into action at the 2 spot out of dire necessity. You have a capable reserve point behind him.

I guess I better shout out a "Go! Spurs! Go!" before I start to question this team's moves.

[Kori Ellis]

The Spurs are obiviously bringing him in as a backup 2 -- not a point guard. He's played the 2 his whole life sans a little bit of time at the point in Korea and in Seattle's camp.

He might be able to come in and hit some quick midrange jumpers when the Spurs need some offense.

[T Park]

Why not just go away and be miserable and root for another team.


Since rooting for a world champion is so painfull for you you miserable fuck.

[Marcus Bryant]

Why not just go away and be miserable and root for another team.


Since rooting for a world champion is so painfull for you you miserable fuck.


Why don't you go to spurs.com and hit F5 all day?

[SpursWoman]

Why not just go away and be miserable and root for another team.


Since rooting for a world champion is so painfull for you you miserable fuck.


No one else sees the irony? :wtf

[2centsworth]

Is the guy 6'2" or 6'4"? He's listed listed as 6'4" on the link Ducks gave.

Defense can be taught, but a shooting touch is sometimes hard to find.

I know nothing about the guy.

[Kori Ellis]

He has always been listed at 6'4. This season in Sonics training camp he was measured and they listed him at 6'2. So I assume that he's really 6'2 -- he looks very slight. He's extremely skinny and looks just like Stephen A. Smith in the face.

[Kori Ellis]

It's official ...

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have signed free agent guard Alex Scales. Per club policy terms of the agreement were not announced.

The 6-2, 180-pound guard spent the 2005 training camp and preseason with the Seattle Sonics where he averaged 5.6 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists in seven preseason games. Scales also spent the 2005 summer league with the Sonics where he led the team in scoring with 12.6 points per game while shooting 50% from the field.

The University of Oregon product has played professionally for the last five seasons. He has been a part of training camps with the Houston Rockets (2003) and the New Jersey Nets (2004) as well as spending time in Italy, Korea, and China

The Spurs immediately placed Scales on the inactive list.

[smeagol]

Why not just go away and be miserable and root for another team.


Since rooting for a world champion is so painfull for you you miserable fuck.

I agree with SW

[Kori Ellis]

No thread hijacking please.

[Kori Ellis]

The moral of this whole Alex Scales story is that I should check my cell phone messages and return people's calls. :lmao

Noel called me at 2am last night to tell me this about Alex .. and I didn't call him back until an hour ago.

[2centsworth]

Does this affect Sanders?

[Kori Ellis]

Does this affect Sanders?

I'd imagine they'll keep them both. One is good on offense, one is good on D. And then just see what happens when Finley/Barry return. Yesterday Pop said Finley/Barry might be another five days or so.

[Marcus Bryant]

Seems like a short term fix.

[timvp]

Scales is a good guy and has worked really hard to make it to where he is, but he's not an NBA player. He's way too small to be a shooting guard in this league. He can score but that's about all you get from him.

The funny thing is the Spurs will probably end up wasting more money trying to find a good fit than if they would have just broken the bank and signed a Devin Brown, Mo Evans or James Jones. Holt trying to cut corners actually comes back to comes back to cost him. Hopefully now he and the sheep Spurs fans see why it's important to have depth on a roster.

[Manu20]

He's extremely skinny and looks just like Stephen A. Smith in the face.
http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/alex_scales.jpg :lol

[Marcus Bryant]

It's like SAS and Ludacris had a child.

[ducks]

devin brown getting dnp here or at utah...
devin brown had a medical problem
I can see why they passsed on him

[Oh, Gee!!]

Bye Beno

[Marcus Bryant]

Then Matt Barnes, my fine-feathered friend.

[Kori Ellis]

It's like SAS and Ludacris had a child.

:lmao

People call him "Quite Frankly". In person the SAS thing is uncanny.

[Kori Ellis]

Bye Beno

He was beat out by Mateen Cleaves to be the 4th point guard in Seattle. So, I'm not sure if he's ready to be a PG here.

[Marcus Bryant]

Hmmm...well, dropping Beno for a pick would lock in the full lux tax share for the Spurs. Might as well get that done for Holt today so he doesn't have to continue to pay his salary. Every game counts!

[timvp]

Good thing the Spurs didn't go the extra mile and sign a fifth perimeter player. I mean, we don't want Holt to pay for a player what he spends getting his boots waxed.

Maurice Evans: 3 years, $4.5 million
Devin Brown: 2 years, $5 million (Team Option on 2nd year)
Matt Barnes: 1 year, minimum
DerMarr Johnson: 1 year, minimum

Now the Spurs have two scrub players they have to pay the minimum to. :lol

[Marcus Bryant]

Why do you hate the Spurs, timvp?

[easjer]

http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/alex_scales.jpg :lol


I'm so confused. Does this mean I'll have to figure out who is who before screaming at the TV?


Is it possible to like SAS's love child? :depressed

[timvp]

Why do you hate the Spurs, timvp?

I think I'll just go away and be miserable and root for another team.


Since rooting for a world champion is so painfull for me since I'm a miserable !@#$.

[Marcus Bryant]

I've never seen so many fans worry about whether team ownership makes a little extra cash. Shit, this'll be like the 4th season or so that the Spurs have gotten a full luxury tax distribution. Oh, woe are they.

[T Park]

I think I'll just go away and be miserable and root for another team.


Since rooting for a world champion is so painfull for me since I'm a miserable !@#$.


You mock me but its true.

You guys have done nothing but bitch and moan and worry about 5th string players like its some fucking big deal.


But Im the horrible fan.

Whatever.

[SequSpur]

This is a precursor to cleaning the Slovenian House. I can't fucking wait.

As for Devin, he wasn't resigned because Fucking Finley signed here. Not because of his back.

[Marcus Bryant]

You mock me but its true.

You guys have done nothing but bitch and moan and worry about 5th string players like its some fucking big deal.


But Im the horrible fan.

Whatever.


It's ok, Himmler. You'll have to find a better way to discipline us.

[T Park]

It's ok, Himmler. You'll have to find a better way to discipline us.


rehash rehash rehash

sameshit same shit same shit


Come on Milton Burle, come up with a new act already.

[Marcus Bryant]

That's rich, Pot. All you offer is 'it's the Spurs we can't criticize them'.

[leemajors]

i used to wonder how marcus got to a million posts. but tpark is the one sitting on sites hitting refresh.

[SA Gunslinger]

I assume Shane Heal wasn't available.

[remingtonbo2001]

What happened to Ebi, or something like that. Minnisota cut him. Were the SPURS interested?

[Marcus Bryant]

What happened to Ebi, or something like that. Minnisota cut him. Were the SPURS interested?

He probably wanted something other than a day's labor.

[Solid D]

Possible Cheapskate Express-News Headlines:

Spurs Add Player for Scale(s)

Spurs Tip Scales

[SpursWoman]

http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/alex_scales.jpg :lol


Spitting image! :wow :lol

[101A]

If I understand Marcus's rantings, and the responses thereto...Spurs stand to get the full lux-tax payout simply by shuffling a bunch of DNP's (beyond 11th man players)?

Think about that for just a minute.

One man's "Cheap" is another man's "Savvy".

Here's to you, Peter Holt, and everybody else who makes it possible for you to own the best AND most profitable team in the NBA.

[Marcus Bryant]

If I understand Marcus's rantings, and the responses thereto...Spurs stand to get the full lux-tax payout simply by shuffling a bunch of DNP's (beyond 11th man players)?

Think about that for just a minute.

One man's "Cheap" is another man's "Savvy".

Here's to you, Peter Holt, and everybody else who makes it possible for you to own the best AND most profitable team in the NBA.

Nope. The lux tax rules have changed. No longer does a team stand to lose the entire distribution should they exceed the threshold.

That's the reason behind "Marcus's rantings". It's not basketball savvy to limit the team in order to save a few bucks.

[angel_luv]

I'd imagine they'll keep them both. One is good on offense, one is good on D. And then just see what happens when Finley/Barry return. Yesterday Pop said Finley/Barry might be another five days or so.


Do you think the Spurs considered bringing in Noel? That would have been cool!

[gospursgojas]

The Game is available why didnt they pick him up??? :lol

http://www.undercover.com.au/news/2005/nov05/20051117_thegame.html

[spurster]

Frankly speaking, I don't get it.

[Kip Fanatic]

Nope. The lux tax rules have changed. No longer does a team stand to lose the entire distribution should they exceed the threshold.

That's the reason behind "Marcus's rantings". It's not basketball savvy to limit the team in order to save a few bucks.

"It" speaks in the third-person now. Great.

[Kori Ellis]

Do you think the Spurs considered bringing in Noel? That would have been cool!

Noel is a mostly a power forward who has played a little small forward -- so I seriously doubt it. The Spurs are looking for a shooting guard/small forward.

[Bruno]

Nope. The lux tax rules have changed. No longer does a team stand to lose the entire distribution should they exceed the threshold.

That's the reason behind "Marcus's rantings". It's not basketball savvy to limit the team in order to save a few bucks.

You're wrong on this point. Being $1 over the threshold cost $2.7M.

[Marcus Bryant]

Not according to this (http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm#16).

[ploto]

http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/alex_scales.jpg
I hope someone warned Rasho!!

[Bruno]

Not according to this (http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm#16).

It's the old CBA.
For the new CBA each team under the tax receive 1/29 of the escrow.
The rest is divided between all the teams (over and under).
The Lux tax income will be around $80M.

[Marcus Bryant]

No, that link has the new CBA terms.

[Bruno]

No, that link has the new CBA terms.

No.
just look the max length of the contracts (item 17)

[boutons]

Wouldn't be great to see SAS-look-alike:

http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/alex_scales.jpg

.... play shut-down defense on ... Kobe!! :lol

[Bruno]

Spurs are $600k over the Tax : This $600k cost in fact $3.9M ($600k*2+$2.7M).
If Spurs sign a guy to a minumum contract for all the year, it will cost them $1.44M ($720k*2 : min salaries cost allways $720k to teams with the new CBA)

[howard2]

ESPN.com
Nov 17, 2005
Link: ESPN.com (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nba&id=2227402)

Spurs sign free agent G

SAN ANTONIO - The world champion San Antonio Spurs signed free agent guard Alex Scales on Thursday.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

The University of Oregon product has played professionally for five seasons in Italy, Korea and China.

The 6-2, 180-pound Scales averaged 5.6 points in seven preseason games with the Seattle SuperSonics this year before being cut.

After signing with the Spurs, Scales was placed on the inactive list.

{Scales was a free agent and was cut by the Sonics.}

[Old School Chic]

Alex Scales,

Welcome to the home of the 2005 NBA Champions!

[Marcus Bryant]

No, the old method resulted in a total loss of the distributions. Not sure where you are getting the $2.7 mil from. Escrow?

[Bruno]

No, the old method resulted in a total loss of the distributions. Not sure where you are getting the $2.7 mil from. Escrow?

You will have around $80M in Lux Tax income. (you can check if you want).
This $80M will be divide in 29 parts. (around $2.7M)
Each team under the tax will receive a part ($2.7M).
The rest is divided in 29 parts and all team receive a part.

ex : if you have 20 teams under the Lux tax threshold :
you receiver $3.6M if you are under the tax and $900k if you are over.

It's not a total loss but it's a $2.7M difference, that what's count.

The main reason why Spurs haven't sign a 14th man is not that they will cost them $1.4M but with the signing of a 14th man , they will be $1.3M over the tax and that it will be more difficult to do a trade that send Spurs under the threshold.

[Marcus Bryant]

link?

That sounds like the escrow money. As I understand it, that will be shared equally among all teams. The league has before only shared that money among the teams under the lux tax threshold.


There is potentially another significant development in this area. Under current rules, the NBA has sole discretion over the use of the escrow money. Currently, it redistributes the cash (and luxury tax revenues) to teams that are under the luxury tax threshold. In essence, Clippers owner Donald Sterling gets a bonus for being cheap. Under the new proposed agreement, distribution rules would be changed so that luxury tax revenues would now be distributed equally among all 30 teams.



source (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2091116)

[Bruno]

link?

That sounds like the escrow money. As I understand it, that will be shared equally among all teams. The league has before only shared that money among the teams under the lux tax threshold.

Good read
http://www.nbpa.com/cba_articles/article-VII_12.php

[Marcus Bryant]

That's the old CBA.

[Bruno]

That's the old CBA.

No it's the new.

The extract



The tax amounts remitted to the NBA by NBA Teams pursuant to Section 12(f) above for each Salary Cap Year shall be used and/or distributed as follows:

(i) the NBA shall distribute to each Team that does not owe a tax for such Salary Cap Year an amount equal to the aggregate tax remitted to the NBA multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is one (1) and the denominator of which is the number of Teams in the NBA during such Salary Cap Year; and

(ii) amounts not distributed in accordance with Section 12(g)(2)(i) above shall be used and/or distributed in the manner described (with respect to the use and/or distribution of Escrow Amounts) in Section 12(g)(1)(i) and (ii) above.

[TDMVPDPOY]

i think spurs tryin to showboat scales+sanders so they can package them to the tpups for crymeariver KG :D:D:D

[Marcus Bryant]

Then it's the pdf version on the players' site that is old.

So at worse the Spurs would give up $2.7 mil (though still be eligible for the $900K) plus have to pay a little extra for a player with less than 2 years of experience. $2.7 mil that would allow them to add a real 5th swing for the active roster (at the vet min, Spurs wouldn't pay the entire salary if league has not changed that arrangement. Not sure whether they would have to pay lux tax on the entire salary) as well as a prospect they really like for IR.

That's for a team with revenues at least in the $100 to 110 mil range (http://www.forbes.com/finance/lists/32/2004/LIR.jhtml?passListId=32&passYear=2004&passListType=Misc&uniqueId=323002&datatype=Misc) and the public paying the debt service on the SBC Center.

[SpursFreak1320]

so alex is going to be in the inactive list?

[milkyway21]

i thought this team needs a young swingman. why they're signing a 27-yr old?

http://espn-att.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3770.jpg

[AFE7FATMAN]

He can score
http://www.shanghaidiaries.com/archives/2004/04/19/alex_scales_standing_tall_in_shanghai/

[wildbill2u]

Whoop de doo. Another bench player. We're saved.

[sprrs]

i thought this team needs a young swingman. why they're signing a 27-yr old?

http://espn-att.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3770.jpg


27 is fairy young, besides there's very little chance he has a future with the team.

[Shiner Bock Girl]

27 is fairy young, besides there's very little chance he has a future with the team.


And by the expression on his face when they showed him, he didn't exactly look too thrilled to be here...LOL...There also doesn't seem to be any comments made from him. Has anyone heard anything from him about being on the Spurs?

[howard2]

San Antonio Express-News
Nov 18, 2005
By Johnny Ludden
Link: San Antonio Express-News (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA111805.9D.BKNspurs.notebook.1c34b6ef.html)
[Here is some additional info about Alex Scales.}

Spurs notebook: Team adds another rookie guard

Proving they are equal-opportunity employers, the Spurs gave another young guard his first NBA job Thursday.

Alex Scales, a 6-foot-2 globetrotting shooter, signed a non-guaranteed contract for the rookie minimum.

Scales, 27, was among the final players Seattle waived before the start of the season. He averaged 5.6 points and 1.0 assists while shooting 46 percent in seven exhibition games for the Sonics.

The addition of Scales gives the Spurs the maximum 15 players on their roster. The team also signed rookie guard Melvin Sanders last week after Michael Finley and Brent Barry were injured.

With Finley possibly returning Saturday and the team's payroll already over the luxury-tax threshold, the Spurs probably will end up choosing between keeping Sanders or Scales — or neither of them.

"Since we're down on smalls and so many teams are playing small lineups so often, we're just trying to take a look at some people and be as prepared as we can," coach Gregg Popovich said.

Popovich also is concerned he has been overplaying Manu Ginobili, who is recovering from a thigh injury.

Spurs assistant coach Don Newman knew Scales when both were at the University of Oregon. Scales was named to the All-Pac 10 first team during his senior season in 2000, but was not drafted.

Scales went to training camp with Houston and New Jersey in 2003 and 2004, but did not stick with either. He played professionally in Italy, China, South Korea and the CBA, but has never played in an NBA game.

Despite his lack of size, Scales is a shooting guard. The Spurs scouted him this summer when he played for the U.S. Olympic qualifying team and were impressed that he worked to improve his defense.

The Spurs gave Scales No. 25, the same number previously worn by Steve Kerr and Jerome Kersey.

"Jerome gave them permission," joked Kerr, who worked Thursday's game as an analyst for TNT.

Getting close: Scales' first job was to play Finley and Brent Barry in a series of one-on-one games Thursday morning.

Popovich said Finley will probably be available to play Saturday against Phoenix, provided he doesn't have a setback in practice today. He called Barry's chance of playing "doubtful."

"Brent, I think, is not as ready for contact based on what we saw (Thursday)," Popovich said. "There are still a couple of positions where he has pain. But he is on the mend.

[Kori Ellis]

And by the expression on his face when they showed him, he didn't exactly look too thrilled to be here...LOL...There also doesn't seem to be any comments made from him. Has anyone heard anything from him about being on the Spurs?

Yeah I talked to him last night after the game. He's extremely happy to be here and relishing in the opportunity (no matter how short of time he might be here).

[Shiner Bock Girl]

Yeah I talked to him last night after the game. He's extremely happy to be here and relishing in the opportunity (no matter how short of time he might be here).

Kool, thanks for the info...Who knows, he could really do a great job here and fit in very well...

[ChumpDumper]

FYI, Scales measured 6'3" in shoes at the 2000 draft camp. He also had a 6'9" wingspan. For comparison with a known player, those measurements come in about 1/4" and 1/2" less. respectively, than those of Gilbert Arenas a year later.

If he can shoot, he may stick -- but it isn't likely.

[Mavs<Spurs]

FYI, Scales measured 6'3" in shoes at the 2000 draft camp. He also had a 6'9" wingspan. For comparison with a known player, those measurements come in about 1/4" and 1/2" less. respectively, than those of Gilbert Arenas a year later.

If he can shoot, he may stick -- but it isn't likely.

Haven't you all (and you in particular) been saying that we really need a swingman?

Since he clearly isn't that, does this surprise you?

Does he really fill a void? Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm thinking that we have enough shooters (Manu, Brent, Nick, Michael, Robert, Bruce from the corner).