Mr.Bottomtooth
06-23-2006, 08:40 PM
Taken by the Spurs in the second round of the 2002 draft, Argentinean Luis Scola has continued to ready himself for bigger things by starring for Tau Ceramica in Spain, but his perspective has changed.
Recognized as one of the best players on one of the best team in the Spanish league, Manu Ginobili's good friend and once roomate has already won several World and European Championships, varied MVP awards and more, but it seems that hasn't brought him any closer to his long time dream of playing in the NBA.
In the past, the frustration of not being able to buy his way out of his Spanish team's contract kept him from the NBA.
Is a surprising lack of communication from the San Antonio Spurs (the team that owns his NBA rights) now going to come into play?
After his team's very recent loss in the ACB league championship to their rival Malaga’s basketball team- who just toppedd them 3-0 in the best of five play-off finals in Spain on Wednesday evening, Scola is pensive and reflective about his basketball future.
"To this day I haven't heard anything from San Antonio," said Scola during an interview with Spanish news' El Correo Digital. "I haven't given it much thought, though, since my mind has been completely focused on the finals. Until the final game, my head was completely in what was going on in those games."
Scola may now be forced to put some heavy thoughts about his baskeball future since Tau, the team he is captain of, is on the verge of offering a contract extension.
Should he continue to wait and see if he can finally taste the glory of the NBA, or continue with the Spanish team whose fans adore him?
"I'll start to analyze things a bit and make a decision," says Scola. "It was a very long season. It's time to relax a bit and spend some time with my family."
Scola, however, admits that his perspective on the NBA has changed. "Honestly, I don't know. Everything is so secretive there," says Scola while recognizing that he isn't getting any younger.
"I don't feel like a veteran player. I don't feel old, I'm only 26, but I've been playing a long time and it's not the same as it was five or six years ago in the sense that one starts changing the way one feels and thinks. Back then I was a bit desperate for any news about where I might be playing. I'd be on the phone calling everywhere, looking for any news that I could find on the internet... (Now my perspective is that) if any NBA team really wants me, i'll sit down and think about it at that time, if not, things won't change. I'm very happy playing here and I'm going to continue to better myself, win titles and try to give back so many of the wonderful moments of joy that this team has given me. Thinga aren't like they used to be. Things used to be only about me, but now I have a family to think about."
On draft night in 2002, Scola was extremely dissapointed after not being taken in the first-round by any NBA team including the Suns who had taken tremendous interest in him and worked him out privately. He was so dissapointed and depressed that he went to bed- only to hear later that the Spurs had selected him in the second round. For more better than worse, he's been stuck playing in Europe since.
"The intensity and how I handled those frustrations has changed," said Scola. "I've been living (the dream of coming to the NBA) for eight years and it was something that had been proposed since I was 14 years old. Some times I'm made to feel as if it would be dishonorable to stay and play here, but I think that is very unfair. Sure, I've always said that I would love to play in the NBA because I'd be playing among the best, and whether we like it or not, the NBA is the best league in the world. I still aspire to play there, but being and playing here is also a tremendous opportunity and it brings me great joy."
Which is good since according to some, the Spurs will finally trade his rights to another team which in turn may find a way to finally bring him to the NBA.
The clock is ticking, but Scola says he has learned to take it all in stride.
"For the time being, I have two years remaining on my current contract and I'm happy."
-SpursReport.com
Recognized as one of the best players on one of the best team in the Spanish league, Manu Ginobili's good friend and once roomate has already won several World and European Championships, varied MVP awards and more, but it seems that hasn't brought him any closer to his long time dream of playing in the NBA.
In the past, the frustration of not being able to buy his way out of his Spanish team's contract kept him from the NBA.
Is a surprising lack of communication from the San Antonio Spurs (the team that owns his NBA rights) now going to come into play?
After his team's very recent loss in the ACB league championship to their rival Malaga’s basketball team- who just toppedd them 3-0 in the best of five play-off finals in Spain on Wednesday evening, Scola is pensive and reflective about his basketball future.
"To this day I haven't heard anything from San Antonio," said Scola during an interview with Spanish news' El Correo Digital. "I haven't given it much thought, though, since my mind has been completely focused on the finals. Until the final game, my head was completely in what was going on in those games."
Scola may now be forced to put some heavy thoughts about his baskeball future since Tau, the team he is captain of, is on the verge of offering a contract extension.
Should he continue to wait and see if he can finally taste the glory of the NBA, or continue with the Spanish team whose fans adore him?
"I'll start to analyze things a bit and make a decision," says Scola. "It was a very long season. It's time to relax a bit and spend some time with my family."
Scola, however, admits that his perspective on the NBA has changed. "Honestly, I don't know. Everything is so secretive there," says Scola while recognizing that he isn't getting any younger.
"I don't feel like a veteran player. I don't feel old, I'm only 26, but I've been playing a long time and it's not the same as it was five or six years ago in the sense that one starts changing the way one feels and thinks. Back then I was a bit desperate for any news about where I might be playing. I'd be on the phone calling everywhere, looking for any news that I could find on the internet... (Now my perspective is that) if any NBA team really wants me, i'll sit down and think about it at that time, if not, things won't change. I'm very happy playing here and I'm going to continue to better myself, win titles and try to give back so many of the wonderful moments of joy that this team has given me. Thinga aren't like they used to be. Things used to be only about me, but now I have a family to think about."
On draft night in 2002, Scola was extremely dissapointed after not being taken in the first-round by any NBA team including the Suns who had taken tremendous interest in him and worked him out privately. He was so dissapointed and depressed that he went to bed- only to hear later that the Spurs had selected him in the second round. For more better than worse, he's been stuck playing in Europe since.
"The intensity and how I handled those frustrations has changed," said Scola. "I've been living (the dream of coming to the NBA) for eight years and it was something that had been proposed since I was 14 years old. Some times I'm made to feel as if it would be dishonorable to stay and play here, but I think that is very unfair. Sure, I've always said that I would love to play in the NBA because I'd be playing among the best, and whether we like it or not, the NBA is the best league in the world. I still aspire to play there, but being and playing here is also a tremendous opportunity and it brings me great joy."
Which is good since according to some, the Spurs will finally trade his rights to another team which in turn may find a way to finally bring him to the NBA.
The clock is ticking, but Scola says he has learned to take it all in stride.
"For the time being, I have two years remaining on my current contract and I'm happy."
-SpursReport.com