NBA looms large for sublime Scola

[Kori Ellis]

28/04/2005
ARG - NBA looms large for sublime Scola

VITORIA (Euroleague) - Euroleague glory for Tau Ceramica's Argentinian ace Luis Scola could be a springboard for his long-awaited move to the NBA.

He knows it, Europe knows and all of South America knows it.

Called 'Luisito', which means 'Little Luis', when he was a boy, Scola is anything but small now.

He stands an imposing 6ft 10in. Now he is called 'The Tower from Buenos Aires'.

Selected by the San Antonio Spurs in the second round of the 2002 NBA Draft, Scola will still be under contract after this season with Tau Ceramica, whom he has helped reach next month's Euroleague Final Four in Moscow.

However, his former club-mate, Andres Nocioni, paid a get-out clause in order to leave Tau after last season to join the Chicago Bulls. Scola could end up doing the same.

"At the moment," Scola said to PA International, "I am working hard and focusing on the team but in the summer, then I will think about my future and look at the different possibilities which are open to me."

No European-based star, it seems, is better equipped for the rigours of the NBA than Scola.

He was virtually unstoppable at the Olympics, helping Argentina capture the gold medal. In that le win over Italy, Scola had 25 points and 11 rebounds.

Like most players who work under Tau's demanding coach from Serbia & Montenegro, Dusan Ivkovic, Scola says he is getting better as a player but he remains humble.

"It is natural that you grow and improve in all aspects," he said.

"It is true that I should work more in the summers, and if I have chances with the national team, then I have to take it."

By winning a gold medal at the Olympics, Argentina do not have to qualify for FIBA World Championship 2006. Emanuel Ginobili and Nocioni will, as a result, almost certainly take the summer off and not play at the Tournament of the Americas.

Scola admits he would value a good rest, too.

"(But) I think that there are still a lot of areas of my play that I could improve, especially in playing defence and on rebounding."

Overcoming the bad start

Some of Tau's stars seemed to have a hangover from the Athens Games at the start of the ACB and Euroleague season, but the club eventually found its rhythm.

The Vitoria side qualified for the Top 16 with five wins and eight defeats.

They have looked like a championship side the past few months, due in large part to their big three: Scola, Spanish international point guard Jose Manuel Calderon and Lithuanian sharp-shooter Arvydas Macijauskas.

They also have Tiago Splitter, the emerging centre out of Brazil.

"We have good organisation and this is the important thing, not the players on their own," said Scola.

"Of course we also have a great coach whose qualities everybody knows about.

"The structure of the club with its different roles is unique in Spain and I think in Europe.

"For a town as small as Vitoria to produce the resources which Tau achieves without support shows the work that they have managed."

The 25-year-old Scola is the jewel in the crown.

He has been nominated for the Euroleague team of the year along with Macijauskas, a player who started making waves at Eurobasket 2003 in Sweden.

Scola is also a candidate for the ACB Most Valuable Player award.

He knows that for Tau to achieve success in Russia next month, now is the time for him to raise his game even further.

Scola believes if they can win their Euroleague semi-final against CSKA Moscow on May 6, that then they can go all the way.

"It is always going to be very difficult at this stage of the compe ion but I think that we have a lot of possibilities with this team which is growing all the time," Scola said.

"Of course we can win the compe ion, but we will have to play at our best.

"I would say that the most difficult rival will be CSKA as I think that they are the best team in Europe, but I am very confident and if we win that match then anything is possible."

Just getting to the big event is a major accomplishment.

"Maybe it is not for me to say it, but I think that for us to get to the Final Four has a lot of merit as this year has been very difficult after the bad start," Scola said.

"It has been hard for us to get here and now we hope to enjoy winning the two games."

On the international front, Scola says it is time for Argentina to start blooding a new line of players into the national side like his Tau team-mate, Pablo Prigioni.

"I definitely think that the young players should be given their chance in the team like Prigioni, who has shown he has the ability and so needs to be given the opportunity to demonstrate what he can do," said Scola.

Argentina played in the final of FIBA World Championship 2002 and lost to Yugoslavia in overtime, but hit back to win the Olympic le at the Athens Games.

Gold may be theirs at FIBA World Championship 2006 in Japan, too.

Scola believes that Argentina have little to prove after Greece.

"How can you do better than that?" he said. "I think that we showed there what our potential was and now it is going to be difficult to improve on that."

By Tim Hanlon, PA International, Exclusively for FIBA

[Mr. Body]

Great. Scola is a winner. This popped out at me:

Scola admits he would value a good rest, too.

"(But) I think that there are still a lot of areas of my play that I could improve, especially in playing defence and on rebounding."

There was a dust-up during the Olympics last summer when Scola was perturbed that R.C. Buford called on him to work harder on his rebounding. Many feared it showed a lack of tact on Buford's part that would draw away a potential contributer, and Scola really did seem angered. At the time I did think Buford was foolish - this guy's playing at a high level for his own country and should be left alone - but it seems Luis has internalized the criticism. I've watched some games and do agree - he's not the best on the boards and doesn't seem to work that hard at them. But he seems to recognize that defense and rebounding are exactly what we'll need more of from him.

[SilverPlayer]

Can't wait to see this guy in a spurs uniform...and I can't wait to see how Pop utilizes him. I really wonder if he can start next to Tim, and what kind of personel moves will be needed to make room for him.

[Mr. Body]

There will be few rookies that will have the same impact as Scola next year, though he'll be coming off the bench. He'll struggle on defense and is not a great rebounder, but can be a dynamic and savvy scorer and is deceptively athletic. Also, like other Argentinians in the league, with the exception of nancy-boy Delfino, he is well-coached and really understands the games. There were many surprised at Nocioni's performance for Chicago in their Game One. They shouldn't have been.

[ShoogarBear]

Scola is 6'10"? Haven't people in here been saying he's only around 6'8"?

[Kori Ellis]

He's always listed at 6'10 or 6'9. Most people who have seen him play a lot say he's around 6'8.

[timvp]

Sounds like he could be another great Argentine bench player.



Just kidding, Argentina. Believe.

[Solid D]

I doubt they will beat CSKA. CSKA = SA Spurs in Euroleague

I see no reason for Scola to stay another year. His buds are in the NBA playoffs and he has to watch.

[Athenea]

Just kidding, Argentina. Believe.

I believe in good and evil. I believe there is no harm w/o retribution

[Athenea]

I doubt they will beat CSKA. CSKA = SA Spurs in Euroleague

I see no reason for Scola to stay another year. His buds are in the NBA playoffs and he has to watch.

It's gonna be a hard tough series but Tau is looking better than ever. The additional confidence boost of making the Final Four could do the trick.
The favs to win are CSKA and Panathinaikos.

[ALVAREZ6]

I hope his team wins the finals, and that he buys out of his contract like Nocioni.

Scola has no reason to wait another year.

[picnroll]

Euroleague finals are played in Moscow, no, essentially CSKA's homecourt. Tht will be one tough win for Tau.

[grjr]

I still think there's a chance we can get Big Dog next year for the MLE. That would give Scola the chance to play out his Euro contract; although he wouldn't like it very much.

[T Park]

grjr, why would you make him play one more year over there??

Bring him on over.

Replace Massenburg on the roster with him, if Horry wants to come back for another year, give him Massenburg's minutes.


This guy is gonna be great. 6'10???? When did he grow 2 inches?

[grjr]

grjr, why would you make him play one more year over there??

Bring him on over.

Replace Massenburg on the roster with him, if Horry wants to come back for another year, give him Massenburg's minutes.


This guy is gonna be great. 6'10???? When did he grow 2 inches?

That would only be if Big Dog would take the MLE to stay with us. If by some chance he would then you have to leave Scola there because we'd have no money to sign him.

Scola has always been listed as 6'10" but he's probably an NBA 6'9".

[Manu'sMagicalLeftHand]

In centimetres he is listed as 206 cmts. or 2.06 metres. That would be 6'9'' and a bit more. I don't know if it is with or without shoes, but I guess it's without.

[Athenea]

In socks.

[T Park]

That would only be if Big Dog would take the MLE to stay with us

From how he has played??

I wouldn't give him anything close to a piece of the MLE.

Scola, and either Bobby Simmons or Devin Brown should get a piece of that.

[grjr]

From how he has played??

I wouldn't give him anything close to a piece of the MLE.

Scola, and either Bobby Simmons or Devin Brown should get a piece of that.

I'm extropolating to how he WILL play before the playoffs are over. Maybe we should ask NostraJimus what he thinks.

Let's reopen this conversation after the playoffs and see if you still wouldn't want him for the MLE. Oh, and Devin can be signed without using ANY of the MLE (assuming the new CBA is the same as the current one).

[T Park]

Actually you might be right on Devin we will see, guys like Chump and Solid D who are as smart maybe smarter than most NBA GMs on the CBA could answer that.

No problem, but I still wouldn't give money to a Glenn Robinson, when you have a potential All Star in Scola over there.

[ChumpDumper]

Attention all Argentinian posters:

I have said that Scola will make it in the NBA.

As you were.

[Manu'sMagicalLeftHand]

Attention all Argentinian posters:

I have said that Scola will make it in the NBA.

As you were.

Now he'll get injured, passed by the 30 NBA teams and left without a contract in Spain. He'll beg for money in the streets....

*Knocks wood*

Just to prove you wrong!

[hendrix]

He's 2,06m. Period. Feets and Inches are 2,5 times less accurate (unless you divide inches, which proves the point too)

[UnknownPlayer]

he better leave euro and come to the Spurs

Of course, but not to the Spurs.
There is no chance that other team can get him?

[TwoHandJam]

Of course, but not to the Spurs.
There is no chance that other team can get him?

No. The Spurs own his rights for the NBA currently.