Brazil vs. Argentina v2 - Game Blog

[objective]

objective and factual, there are no other arguements worth making

And I have a new signature! My first one . . . eva.

[timvp]

Scola can't rebound? Too bad he rebounds just as well as the bigger taller Splitter.

And my point was to illustrate some of the anti-Scola foolishness. People are still posting fake crap like Scola demanding the MLE.

And re: Bonner . . . .

There was a thread this summer post Bonner pre Scola trade, long ass thread, where I made the point of if it came down to Bonner for 3/9 or Scola 3/9-10, Scola for me everytime. That thread also included Timvp refusing to believe that Scola could be had for that contract. I stand by my declaration of choice between the two.

First of all, if you put a gun to my head, I'd take Bonner over Scola. Bonner is a better shooter and probably a better rebounder. Overall Scola is probably the better player but for the Spurs, Bonner fits more with what the Spurs do.

Scola I've always said will be Antoine Carr II. Good scorer from the post and a jumper out to about 15 feet. Can get his shot off quick. Plays with fire. However, won't be a great rebounder or defender and has the history of sulking if they think that they are being treated unfairly. They are almost exactly comparable.

How would Scola/Carr fit on the Spurs? Decent. Would he be a Pop favorite? No. Would he work well next to Duncan? Offensively he'd probably be fine. Defensively he wouldn't. If you bring in Scola, he'd be most useful when Duncan is out of the game. But come playoffs, Duncan is in the game more and more.

My contention with the Scola trade was never that Scola was some superstar who could come to the Spurs and become the Hispanic David Robinson. My contention with it is the Spurs got horrible value for their commodity. Scola in the right situation (like under Adelman) can be a productive NBA player. You don't give that away for nothing.

If Scola's value was so low, you call his bluff and wait until next year. Then when Horry and Elson leave, you replace them with Splitter and Scola. At that point, you can play Scola and trade him if he's not working out. A signed and sealed Scola has much more value than an unsigned, unseen Scola.

[objective]

First of all, if you put a gun to my head, I'd take Bonner over Scola. Bonner is a better shooter and probably a better rebounder. Overall Scola is probably the better player but for the Spurs, Bonner fits more with what the Spurs do.

Scola I've always said will be Antoine Carr II. Good scorer from the post and a jumper out to about 15 feet. Can get his shot off quick. Plays with fire. However, won't be a great rebounder or defender and has the history of sulking if they think that they are being treated unfairly. They are almost exactly comparable.

How would Scola/Carr fit on the Spurs? Decent. Would he be a Pop favorite? No. Would he work well next to Duncan? Offensively he'd probably be fine. Defensively he wouldn't. If you bring in Scola, he'd be most useful when Duncan is out of the game. But come playoffs, Duncan is in the game more and more.

You and I are in agreement as to why the trade was bad, though we'll never agree on Bonner.

I myself, contrary to absurdist posts, am not unhappy with the trade simply because the Spurs didn't sign Scola. I'd be okay if Scola was still rotting overseas, I don't care about him on a personal level and get no happiness that he gets to play/start in the NBA. But giving him away to a playoff team when he will sign a very modest contract IS something to get dissatisfied with. And his eventual salary was easily predicted, contrary to what was the conventional wisdom at the time.

But after watching Elson play this year I don't think Scola would have too hard a time playing that kind of defense or rebounding. While it cost Elson minutes as the playoffs wore on, eventually most of his minutes, I think that's good enough in the hypothetical, especially since Scola is a more 'heady' player than Elson.

[smeagol]

Another great game by Scola.

And whottt opining with the boxscore in his hand is hilarious.

[ArgSpursFan]

I don´t buy the¨Bonner stayed coze of his 3 pts range¨statement.
I don´t really see Bonner playing much in the playoffs or taking a 3 pointer in an important game for us.If that´s the case there´s Manu,Barry,Bowen and Horry to take care of that.
we need low post scorers,we can´t rely just on Duncan.The guy is not a computer,he is a Human being.
so,them again:tim goes down injured for like 20 games....
we play with 4 guys????c´mon

[leemajors]

I don´t buy the¨Bonner stayed coze of his 3 pts range¨statement.
I don´t really see Bonner much in the playoffs or taking a 3 pointer in an important game for us.If that´s the case there´s Manu,Barry,Bowen and Horry to take care of that.
we need low post scorers,we can´t rely just on Duncan.The guy is not a computer,he is a Human being.
so,them again:tim goes down injured for like 20 games....
we play with 4 guys????c´mon

bonner was out for a good time there right as he started to break into the rotation. he didn't come back in time to get back into it, and this was his first year here. he's not all world, but he's a good player to have when duncan's in =a shooting big. he's there this year to hold place for horry in the regular season, and pop will give him a few chances to hit big shots. horry isn't gonna play forever, and has admitted bonner is his replacement.

[urunobili]

Bonner>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Scola

[Ariel]

Congrats to Argentina. It's great to see Argentina play a beautiful team ball

Too bad we can't see Scola in Spurs uniform

Did I mention Spurs Brazil is my favorite Brazilian EVER?

Alright, second to this girl...

Win it for her!

http://sex.up.mu/img/brazilian-socce...ge-breasts.jpg

[objective]

bonner was out for a good time there right as he started to break into the rotation. he didn't come back in time to get back into it, and this was his first year here. he's not all world, but he's a good player to have when duncan's in =a shooting big. he's there this year to hold place for horry in the regular season, and pop will give him a few chances to hit big shots. horry isn't gonna play forever, and has admitted bonner is his replacement.

the only reason he was 'starting to break the rotation' is because Elson was out with an injury.

If Elson hadn't gotten hurt Bonner wouldn't have played non-blowout garbage minutes at all last year.

[ChumpDumper]

Pulling a whottt.

Sorry I have a life offline, I'll try to be available for you 24/7.

For the 50th time, Beno and a future first for nothing.

That's a worse trade.

That was the biggest bluff I've ever seen. Scola whined about playing in the NBA for years. I can't believe anyone actually thinks he would have signed long-term in Europe.

Why not? More money, near-guaranteed success and sticking it to the team that wouldn't let you into the NBA. Win-win-win.[/quote]

I went on record as saying Udoka was the player I wanted when summer started. He was my top pick all along. And the Spurs could have cleared the space needed by trading away Beno instead of Butler.

Why keep Butler? At Beno might actually play for the Spurs this season. Even Beno-level NBA PGs are nearly impossible to find these days.

[leemajors]

the only reason he was 'starting to break the rotation' is because Elson was out with an injury.

If Elson hadn't gotten hurt Bonner wouldn't have played non-blowout garbage minutes at all last year.

he was playing well enough to have kept his minutes if he hadn't got hurt.

[whottt]

Argies..and timvp......I am pretty openminded on most things, but not when it comes to who's the choker and who isn't...on this, subject I am unbeaten and I trust my own opinion over any other...

I am 100% Scola is a choker...more certain than I am about his NBA ability.

He might end up putting up some good numbers in Adelman's system...but he's definitely a choker IMO...he definitely comes up short when the time comes to be the man...outside of international play.

And I've followed his perfomances enough in Big Euro Games to feel qualified to draw this conclusion...and I am pretty sure that was part of what swung the Spurs decision to go with Splitter over him.

Performance in the clutch, in late game pressure situations is something the Spurs take into consideration...IMO, that was why they preferred Vassilis over him...who does step up his biggest in the biggest games.

At best Scola is non-clutch...

[Hoy]

Even Beno-level NBA PGs are nearly impossible to find these days.

whatthestinkyfart?

[E20]

Scola played pretty well. Couldn't see the game, but judging by the box score he played great.


Splitter played great as well. 15 pts and 9 rebounds. FT percent was up, but the FG was down. Can't complain though.

IMO, that was why they preferred Vassilis over him...who does step up his biggest in the biggest games.

But, then why did they proceed to let Spanny go for nothing? IMO it's pretty certain that Spurs FO couldn't have gotten Scola in the near future, so they decided to use him to dump a salary and free up cap space. Nothing more, nothing less.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Someone please confirm or deny - Scola was pissed at the Spurs for not bringing him over by now and (this year) stated that he wouldn't sign with us.

If that is true, discussions of the Scola trade are moot. If not, I think we made a mistake. C'est la vie. I still think we'll make the Finals again barring major injury.

[whottt]

Scola played pretty well. Couldn't see the game, but judging by the box score he played great.


Splitter played great as well. 15 pts and 9 rebounds. FT percent was up, but the FG was down. Can't complain though.


But, then why did they proceed to let Spanny go for nothing? IMO it's pretty certain that Spurs FO couldn't have gotten Scola in the near future, so they decided to use him to dump a salary and free up cap space. Nothing more, nothing less.

And I think they thought they could sign him...figured it either way it was the deal with the best upside and best downside.

He had connections with Lindsey...I think he just really didn't want to play in the states any more. Probably to a greater degree than they figured.

To me it's a no-brainer they want to dump Beno...and to me it's a no-brainer that kid has exactly the skill set they want from their PG. Like one article said...they basically considered him another Manu at one point.

If that kid had wanted to be here, he would have been here IMO.

[Cherry]

Someone please confirm or deny - Scola was pissed at the Spurs for not bringing him over by now and (this year) stated that he wouldn't sign with us.

If that is true, discussions of the Scola trade are moot. If not, I think we made a mistake. C'est la vie. I still think we'll make the Finals again barring major injury.

Scola is very happy and thankful with the Spurs organization because they bring him to the NBA in a good playoff Team.

[timvp]

Sorry I have a life offline, I'll try to be available for you 24/7.

Did you ever find that thread?

That's a worse trade.

Giving away a first round draft pick and dumping Beno is worse than giving away Scola?

Ok.

Why not? More money, near-guaranteed success and sticking it to the team that wouldn't let you into the NBA. Win-win-win.

I need to play poker with you or whoever it was with the Spurs who couldn't call that Scola bluff.

Even Beno-level NBA PGs are nearly impossible to find these days.

I saw about three point guards better than Beno in this game.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Someone please confirm or deny - Scola was pissed at the Spurs for not bringing him over by now and (this year) stated that he wouldn't sign with us.

If that is true, discussions of the Scola trade are moot. If not, I think we made a mistake. C'est la vie. I still think we'll make the Finals again barring major injury.

timvp, can you answer my question?

I'm sure i read here and elsewhere that Scola was pissed at the Spurs and said earlier this year that he wouldn't sign here. If that is true, he was never coming here, and that mitigates the disappointing trade somewhat, although he really should have been sent to a team in the East.

[timvp]

timvp, can you answer my question?

I'm sure i read here and elsewhere that Scola was pissed at the Spurs and said earlier this year that he wouldn't sign here. If that is true, he was never coming here, and that mitigates the disappointing trade somewhat, although he really should have been sent to a team in the East.

That was never confirmed or denied one way or the other.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

That was never confirmed or denied one way or the other.

Okay, thanks.

Seems odd that he would rule out the Spurs.

The only thing that makes no sense, given that it was seemingly a pure salary dump, is that he was sent to the Rockets. That supports whottt's assertion that the Spurs thought they might be able to keep Vassili, although it also contradicts the salary dump hypothesis.

One day we will know WTF was going on with this trade, but that time is not now...

[da_suns_fan__]

LMAO @ Spurstalk.

9 pages about Argentina. 4 posts about USA.

Get over Scola ya -bags.

[Ariel]

That was never confirmed or denied one way or the other.

Actually he did talk about the subject, and this is what he had to say:

“I would have loved to have played for the Spurs and to have been a part of all their championships and all their success all these years, but things didn’t work out and I’m here, now,” Scola said.

So I guess that settles it.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Actually he did talk about the subject, and this is what he had to say:

“I would have loved to have played for the Spurs and to have been a part of all their championships and all their success all these years, but things didn’t work out and I’m here, now,” Scola said.

So I guess that settles it.

Well, what I was referring to were reports BEFORE the trade that Scola was so pissed at the Spurs that he would not sign here. What is more likely is that the Spurs tried to lowball him because of luxtax issues (maybe offered him 2yrs 4 mil or something), he said "get stuffed, I'm much better than that... like maybe 15mil/3yrs", so the FO decided to save some cash by trading him for capspace.

He can say anything he likes AFTER THE FACT, I'm interested in whether there were indications BEFORE THE FACT that he wouldn't come to the Spurs. That is the only reason I can understand for the trade.

So I don't think your quote settles anything, but thanks for the info.

[Ariel]

Well, what I was referring to were reports BEFORE the trade that Scola was so pissed at the Spurs that he would not sign here. What is more likely is that the Spurs tried to lowball him because of luxtax issues (maybe offered him 2yrs 4 mil or something), he said "get stuffed, I'm much better than that... like maybe 15mil/3yrs", so the FO decided to save some cash by trading him for capspace.

He can say anything he likes AFTER THE FACT, I'm interested in whether there were indications BEFORE THE FACT that he wouldn't come to the Spurs. That is the only reason I can understand for the trade.

So I don't think your quote settles anything, but thanks for the info.

Actually you may believe whatever you want to believe, but unless YOU can prove to ME that he EVER said ANYTHING to the contrary, I'll go ahead and assume Scola's words, plus those of RC Buford after the trade are an indication everything ended up nicely. But if you chose to disregard the facts and believe in whatever theory makes it easier for you to swallow reality, be my guest. It wouldn't be the first time facts fall on deaf ears.