More from Ludden on Scola

[Sii]

someone from another site e-mailed him on why there was two buyout figures

I was in Spain with RC in December when he talked with Tau's management. The $14.5 million figure has always been there. It hasn't been publicized because the Spurs thought the contract wouldn't stand. Now, after having their lawyers look at the deal, they're skeptical they would win an arbitration case. Scola's people think they can get the buyout to $3 million, the figure for a first-round pick. To which the Spurs' reaction is, "Then do it and take our offer." For some reason, Scola hasn't.

[boutons]

"For some reason, Scola hasn't."

The reason might be that Tau has not signed off on the $3M number, so the "If $3M, Spurs pay" condition and offer has not been made.

I can't see Tau giving up $11M. Who would? They may figure they've lost Luis' good will anyway, so Tau may now just grab the $14M. Since the Spurs won't go for $14M, Tau knows they can write off a pissed-off Luis and let him rot on the bench next season. That would also mean Tau would lose all buyout while Luis sits out his contract another year.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Tau knows they can write off a pissed-off Luis and let him rot on the bench next season.

That's flawed rationale if I ever saw it. If it comes down to getting 3 mil for the buyout or watching him sit and leave for 1 million, that's still 2 million difference.

Tau is a business, you know...

[bigbendbruisebrother]

I know the Spurs as a team are limited to contributing 350K for the buyout, but I have read in another thread the accusation that Holt is cheap for not personally paying the $3M buyout (if that's in fact what it comes down to). I'm confused by the contradiction. Is it even legal for Holt, even if he wanted to, to personally cough up more dough for Scola?

[ChumpDumper]

The Spurs would pay the buyout through Scola's salary.

[boutons]

"That's flawed rationale if I ever saw it."

The Spanish team owners are supposedly very hard-nosed. Such situation may not make sense to Tau alone, but it would sure send a signal to all Spanish players and NBA teams.

[weebo]

What difference does it make if we get Scola or not? If he comes fine, but if he doesn't we should be fine with our 4s and 5s. With Orberto now signed, we really don't need him. As it is now, Scola is an unknown NBA commodity anyway. Sounds like he is more hype than substance as it tranlates on an NBA level. Maybe Pop and the FO see Scola as expendable and are not as high on him after selecting Ian. The last thing anyone on this board should be doing is second guessing one of the best FO's in all of professional sports.

[rayray2k8]

Scola was the guy they wanted FIRST, after Robert Horrys signing..
I think whats going on is that maybe the spurs are talking to another free-agent
(a SAR or D marshall perhaps?) and really dont need another 4 or 5 right now, but are in need of a SF. And i think im right since SAR did say he would say where he was going during the week.... So why the delay?
stay tuned spurs fans

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

it would sure send a signal to all Spanish players and NBA teams.

Yeah, don't sign a stupid contract with Tau.

As for SAR, why does everyone expect it to be done in a week? It's typical player-agent PR.

[SequSpur]

Why does this warrant a new topic?

[Walton Buys Off Me]

Scola, I don't know too many people that wouldn't jump at the chance to play for the greatest coach in professional sports and on a team that features two of the top five players in the NBA.

Sit back, each more nachos and watch the Champs wallop ass in two double o six !

Stop wasting CIA's time.

[Athenea]

"That's flawed rationale if I ever saw it."

The Spanish team owners are supposedly very hard-nosed. Such situation may not make sense to Tau alone, but it would sure send a signal to all Spanish players and NBA teams.

It's not the first time Tau has had problems with a player or a contract. So far they've won the cases taken to a third partie.
But from a bussiness point of view in this particular case (considering Scola is one of the most respected, famous and important players in Europe) it could damage Tau's reputation. If I were a player I would go: "If they can hurt Scola's career, what could they do to mine?".

[picnroll]

Is a ten year contract with a huge buyout signed by a 17 year old commonplace or was Scola exceptionally dumb?

[GrandeDavid]

This is the post of the day. Thanks, TimDuncanManu.

[Marcus Bryant]

Look, it's clear that the Spurs wanted Oberto this summer. They have Scola's NBA rights. He's going nowhere in the NBA until they say so. Obviously, if they wanted, they could have brought him over this summer, but they didn't.

So they bring Oberto in now. They gave him a 3 year deal so at the end of that contract they'll have his full Bird rights. They can wait on Scola.

[Athenea]

Is a ten year contract with a huge buyout signed by a 17 year old commonplace or was Scola exceptionally dumb?

Some players had signed 20mill buyouts.
Besides... can u say u knew Argentina had bball players 10 years ago that could make it in the NBA?

ps: Heck! I would say u didn't even know that San Pablo is not in Argentina and that Brazil and Argentina r different countries...

[picnroll]

ps: Heck! I would say u didn't even know that San Pablo is not in Argentina and that Brazil and Argentina r different countries...

I aced geography. I haven't seen many Euros tide up in knots like Scola is with his contract. Name me a few.

[Dex]

It's dumb to sign a 10-year contract for anything. Lord knows what is going to be happening a decade from any time.

[Athenea]

I aced geography. I haven't seen many Euros tide up in knots like Scola is with his contract. Name me a few.

U didn't answer my first question

[ChumpDumper]

Sounds pretty cut and dry. Scola's camp said they could get the buyout down to $3 million. Spurs said ok, do it. Scola's camp didn't or couldn't and the Spurs decided not to wait any longer.

[picnroll]

U didn't answer my first question

Why did Manu, Walkowyski, Sanchez, Nocioni all have less restrictive contracts and the ability to move to the NBA. Even Oberto has moved from team to team with the ability to jump to the NBA in the past if the right offer were there. Only Scola, of all the Argentinians and one who's come through the ranks after some Argentinians had shots at the NBA, got locked into this bad (stupid) of a contract.

[wildbill2u]

Not all deals are makeable. This Scola contract with an outrageous buyout makes the deal unmakeable. So you move on and wait on Scola and look for a better deal.

[Marcus Bryant]

What's better: Oberto now and Scola in a year or Scola now and no Oberto ever?

Hmmm...

[Athenea]

Why did Manu, Walkowyski, Sanchez, Nocioni all have less restrictive contracts and the ability to move to the NBA. Even Oberto has moved from team to team with the ability to jump to the NBA in the past if the right offer were there. Only Scola, of all the Argentinians and one who's come through the ranks after some Argentinians had shots at the NBA, got locked into this bad (stupid) of a contract.

Here we go again...
Scola renegotiated his buyout clause before the draft when both he and Nocioni were considered eligible. That way the initial clause was a protection from other Spanish clubs to steal Scola from Tau (considered a small team among soccer ones like Barza and RealMadrid). After that the b/o was around 2 mill euros w/the black hole in case Luis was drafted in the 2nd round.
Scola was supposed to be big for bball since he was 15 years old. Oberto was the other guy that was considered w/a great future but back in the days, the b/os were more reasonable. Manu and Nocioni improved playing in Europe. Nocioni had a bigger b/o than Scola (5mill euros) but being undrafted helped him to get a bigger contract.

[Athenea]

What's better: Oberto now and Scola in a year or Scola now and no Oberto ever?

Hmmm...

In the long run, this is the best for the Spurs. I would like that things were handled differently esp when Ludden comes out w/a bs article.
We r fans but not stupid (bah...most of the day... ).