Scola Secures His Participation In FIBA Americas Championship

[duncan228]

ARG - Scola secures his participation in FIBA Americas Championship

BUENOS AIRES (FIBA Americas Championship) - Houston Rockets and Argentinean national team forward, Luis Scola, talked to ESPN Radio of Rivadavia where he confirmed his participation in the 2009 FIBA Americas Championship.

"I try not to talk a lot about the national team but the reality is that I enjoy playing for the team because it has given my career a lot and I think that the qualification tournaments have to be taken very seriously. There are some who are probably not going like Manu Ginobili, Chapu Nocioni and some others but we always have a chance to qualify. Obviously there will be a generational change because it is natural. It will be painful to see the veterans go," said Scola.

He also talked about his future in the national team: "I want to believe that I will be in the next Olympic qualifier and that everything will be normal and that I can play. It is difficult to plan two of three years ahead of time. I am confirmed to play in this FIBA Americas Championship."

In the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship Scola was selected as the MVP with an average of 19.5 points and 7.5 rebounds leading Argentina to a Silver medal and a spot in the 2008 Olympics where they won Bronze.

The NBA star also talked about some Argentineans that could play in the NBA.

"There are many Argentineans that can play in the NBA. Pablo Prigioni and Carlos Delfino are two of them but they have their contracts and they have to analyze that. I want to sign a multiyear deal and stay in Houston. I have to see what the front office thinks."

[urunobili]

This is actually an upset... Everybody thinks that ARG has enough Talent to qualify without a single NBA player and i agree on that... with Scola is almost not fair for the other teams... I hope they take some of the U-18 Generation that should be the next one to keep ARG under the radar in Basketball...

I also think this will cement Scola in the FIBA HOF... o

[Double-Up]

ARG - Scola secures his participation in FIBA Americas Championship

BUENOS AIRES (FIBA Americas Championship) - Houston Rockets and Argentinean national team forward, Luis Scola, talked to ESPN Radio of Rivadavia where he confirmed his participation in the 2009 FIBA Americas Championship.

"I try not to talk a lot about the national team but the reality is that I enjoy playing for the team because it has given my career a lot and I think that the qualification tournaments have to be taken very seriously. There are some who are probably not going like Manu Ginobili, Chapu Nocioni and some others but we always have a chance to qualify. Obviously there will be a generational change because it is natural. It will be painful to see the veterans go," said Scola.

He also talked about his future in the national team: "I want to believe that I will be in the next Olympic qualifier and that everything will be normal and that I can play. It is difficult to plan two of three years ahead of time. I am confirmed to play in this FIBA Americas Championship."

In the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship Scola was selected as the MVP with an average of 19.5 points and 7.5 rebounds leading Argentina to a Silver medal and a spot in the 2008 Olympics where they won Bronze.

The NBA star also talked about some Argentineans that could play in the NBA.

"There are many Argentineans that can play in the NBA. Pablo Prigioni and Carlos Delfino are two of them but they have their contracts and they have to analyze that. I want to sign a multiyear deal and stay in Houston. I have to see what the front office thinks."

He's an NBA star now, eh? Anyways wish him the best.

[350slk]

any chance to come to san antonio?

[Lars]

ARG - Scola secures his participation in FIBA Americas Championship

BUENOS AIRES (FIBA Americas Championship) - Houston Rockets and Argentinean national team forward, Luis Scola, talked to ESPN Radio of Rivadavia where he confirmed his participation in the 2009 FIBA Americas Championship.

"I try not to talk a lot about the national team but the reality is that I enjoy playing for the team because it has given my career a lot and I think that the qualification tournaments have to be taken very seriously. There are some who are probably not going like Manu Ginobili, Chapu Nocioni and some others but we always have a chance to qualify. Obviously there will be a generational change because it is natural. It will be painful to see the veterans go," said Scola.

He also talked about his future in the national team: "I want to believe that I will be in the next Olympic qualifier and that everything will be normal and that I can play. It is difficult to plan two of three years ahead of time. I am confirmed to play in this FIBA Americas Championship."

In the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship Scola was selected as the MVP with an average of 19.5 points and 7.5 rebounds leading Argentina to a Silver medal and a spot in the 2008 Olympics where they won Bronze.

The NBA star also talked about some Argentineans that could play in the NBA.

"There are many Argentineans that can play in the NBA. Pablo Prigioni and Carlos Delfino are two of them but they have their contracts and they have to analyze that. I want to sign a multiyear deal and stay in Houston. I have to see what the front office thinks."

[Trainwreck2100]

don't roll an ankle

[endrity]

Can someone give me an update of the newer Argentine players coming through? Right now the only country who is producing NBA talent seems to be Spain, and they are the only ones who can think of beating the US in Turkey next summer. Even the once-hot beds of basketball, former Soviet Union and Yugoslavia aren't producing much lately.

[Indazone]

What happened to all those great Russian players? Was it the collapse of the Soviet Union and their sports machine? I thought Russia still had a lot of good athletes.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

Can someone give me an update of the newer Argentine players coming through? Right now the only country who is producing NBA talent seems to be Spain, and they are the only ones who can think of beating the US in Turkey next summer. Even the once-hot beds of basketball, former Soviet Union and Yugoslavia aren't producing much lately.

BS as usual from US fans. Serbia alone has >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>talent than Spain.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

What happened to all those great Russian players? Was it the collapse of the Soviet Union and their sports machine? I thought Russia still had a lot of good athletes.

Almost all of the great Russian players were not Russian. They were from Lithuania.

[endrity]

BS as usual from US fans. Serbia alone has >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>talent than Spain.

Actually I am not American, I was born in Europe and currently live in London and I follow basketball on both sides of the Atlantic. While the game in Serbia (as well as Croatia) is probably more popular in general than in Spain (where not only is football absolute king, but also a sport like cycling is very popular in particular regions), it has been years since a good Serb NBA prospect broke through. From the established Euroleague players I would have a hard time seeing any of the current Serbs make an impact in the NBA.

After their golden generation of mid 90s-early 2000s they haven't produced any great players anymore. I might be wrong, but if I am tell me a name. After all there is a reason that after their WC of 2002 they have completely fallen of the map in any international compe ion. What has been their best placement since then? 6th????

Fact is that for a couple of years there haven't been any great imports to the US. The heydays of the early 2000s haven't really continued. All the international All-Stars are from early in the decade, and from the newer ones I can see very few making that jump. I think Calderon has a great shot if the raptors are better next year, so does Bargnani who had a great second half of the season. The others are maybe Nene and Biedrins, but they are long shots.

And yes, sorry to offend your Greek pride, if the US assembles a team anywhere close to the level of 2008 only Spain has a real shot at them. Argentina is getting too old, Brazil has a lot of holes at the guard positions, the Greeks are simply ovewhelmed athletically, the Lithuanians and Russians don't have enough talent.

[endrity]

Almost all of the great Russian players were not Russian. They were from Lithuania.

Exactly, that is why Russia is the current Euro champ after beating Spain in their own building.

Dude, I know European basketball, stop acting like you are the only one who knows anything around here.

Yes Lithuania was and still is a great hotbed of basketball, but there were many good Russian players in the past and present.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

Actually I am not American, I was born in Europe and currently live in London and I follow basketball on both sides of the Atlantic. While the game in Serbia (as well as Croatia) is probably more popular in general than in Spain (where not only is football absolute king, but also a sport like cycling is very popular in particular regions), it has been years since a good Serb NBA prospect broke through. From the established Euroleague players I would have a hard time seeing any of the current Serbs make an impact in the NBA.

After their golden generation of mid 90s-early 2000s they haven't produced any great players anymore. I might be wrong, but if I am tell me a name. After all there is a reason that after their WC of 2002 they have completely fallen of the map in any international compe ion. What has been their best placement since then? 6th????

Fact is that for a couple of years there haven't been any great imports to the US. The heydays of the early 2000s haven't really continued. All the international All-Stars are from early in the decade, and from the newer ones I can see very few making that jump. I think Calderon has a great shot if the raptors are better next year, so does Bargnani who had a great second half of the season. The others are maybe Nene and Biedrins, but they are long shots.

And yes, sorry to offend your Greek pride, if the US assembles a team anywhere close to the level of 2008 only Spain has a real shot at them. Argentina is getting too old, Brazil has a lot of holes at the guard positions, the Greeks are simply ovewhelmed athletically, the Lithuanians and Russians don't have enough talent.

I guarantee Greece will beat Spain at Eurobasket. And Greece next generation is far better than Spain's.

[endrity]

I guarantee Greece will beat Spain at Eurobasket. And Greece next generation is far better than Spain's.

You have been whooped by Spain the last two compe ions. My god, they beat you by over 20pts in the 2006 final without Gasol. And please tell me a young Greek who is anywhere close to Marc Gasol, Rudy.. and i am not even gonna mention Rubio, the boy is a freak of the game.

[ginobili's bald spot]

I guarantee Greece will beat Spain at Eurobasket. And Greece next generation is far better than Spain's.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

Exactly, that is why Russia is the current Euro champ after beating Spain in their own building.

Dude, I know European basketball, stop acting like you are the only one who knows anything around here.

Yes Lithuania was and still is a great hotbed of basketball, but there were many good Russian players in the past and present.

Russia is not even a strong European team. STOP PRETENDING you know ANYTHING about European basketball.

[endrity]

I am sorry, can you please remind me who is the reigning European champion?

Since you are at it, can you also tell me who the most succesful European club of the last few years is, you know, the one who has been to Euroleague final four six straight times?

Russia has a great tradition of basketball, just like every other Eastern Europen country they went through a difficult period in the 90s with declining infrastructure, and less money incentives, but basketball is making a huge comeback in the country.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

Greece's next generation is WAY better than Spain's is.

Nikos Pappas
Dimitris Verginis
Charalampos Giannopoulos
Georgios Bogris
Kostas Papanikolau
Vladimir Jankovic
Kostas Sloukas
Pat Calathes
Nick Calathes
Kostas Koufos
Loukas Mavrokefalidis
Kostas Vasiliadis
Ioannis Karathanasis
Sofoklis Schortsanitis
Georgios Printezis
Ian Vougioukas
Evangelos Sakellariou
Alexandros Sigkounas
Nikos Zisis
Vassilis Spanoulis
Panagiotis Vasilopoulos
Stratos Perperoglou
Ioannis Bourousis

That will be the next generation players of Greece. It is way way WAY better than Spain's next generation.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

I am sorry, can you please remind me who is the reigning European champion?

Since you are at it, can you also tell me who the most succesful European club of the last few years is, you know, the one who has been to Euroleague final four six straight times?

Russia has a great tradition of basketball, just like every other Eastern Europen country they went through a difficult period in the 90s with declining infrastructure, and less money incentives, but basketball is making a huge comeback in the country.

You are even worst than Mountainballer and Bruno. Unbelievable.

Sabonis = Lithuanian
Marčiulionis = Lithuanian
Valters = Latvian
Kurtinaitis = Lithuanian
Sokk = Estonian
Volkov = Ukrainian


Almost all of their good players were NOT Russian.

[endrity]

I am an idiot, but answer my question please. It is only fair.

And none of the young greek players you have mentioned are better than M.Gasol, Rudy, Rubio. You might have more depth, maybe, but top shelf talent is still in Spain. Sorry, no shame in admitting that.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

I am an idiot, but answer my question please. It is only fair.

And none of the young greek players you have mentioned are better than M.Gasol, Rudy, Rubio. You might have more depth, maybe, but top shelf talent is still in Spain. Sorry, no shame in admitting that.

Greece next generation will crush Spain. You know NOTHING about European basketball NOTHING. Serbia and Greece next generation is FAR better than Spain's.

And you listed current young Spain generation anyway.

So then I can add all Greek players of current generation that are not even to prime yet also. Even the old generation Greek team was not close to as good as the up coming ones will be.

Nikos Zisis
Vassilis Spanoulis
Panagiotis Vasilopoulos
Stratos Perperoglou
Ioannis Bourousis

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

I am an idiot, but answer my question please. It is only fair.

And none of the young greek players you have mentioned are better than M.Gasol, Rudy, Rubio. You might have more depth, maybe, but top shelf talent is still in Spain. Sorry, no shame in admitting that.

Top shelf? Rudy??? M. Gasol???

[endrity]

Again, W H Y?????

Yelling out loud, doesn't make you more right. you have to give me an example, a fact, something. As I have said, Serbia has fallen of the map completely after 2002, and Greece has been whopped badly by Spain lately. If anything Italy is in a more promising position in the short-medium term with Belli-Gallinari-Bargnani-Hackett.

Plus you know how Rubio made his mark right? In the U15 Euro final he led Spain over Russia (there they are again) with a performance for the ages, something like 51 pts, 20 rebs, 15 assists. Please tell me one Greek or Serbian young player who comes close to that. Again it's no shame, Rubio is an extra-terrestrial, but he by himself makes the Spanish new generation better.

[endrity]

Top shelf? Rudy??? M. Gasol???

Again, who does Greece have that are close to their level? Did anyone from Greece play Howard as well as Gasol did in the Olympics? Does Greece have anyone as athletic as Rudy?

[endrity]

Greece next generation will crush Spain. You know NOTHING about European basketball NOTHING. Serbia and Greece next generation is FAR better than Spain's.

And you listed current young Spain generation anyway.

So then I can add all Greek players of current generation that are not even to prime yet also. Even the old generation Greek team was not close to as good as the up coming ones will be.

Nikos Zisis
Vassilis Spanoulis
Panagiotis Vasilopoulos
Stratos Perperoglou
Ioannis Bourousis

Zisis is not new, he's been around for a while. He is average. Spanoulis is what he is, a good Euro player, who could not cut it in the best league in the world, who runs hot and cold with his shooting. The other one worth mentioning is Bourousis, who is good technically, but not a great athlete at all, and also a bit undersized compared to a typical NBA All-Star. His absolute ceiling is a bigger version of Scola, though I think Scola's IQ is much higher.