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“They (the Spurs) don’t want him. They don’t want to trade him,” Nocioni said.
http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/bulls.asp?id=269631
Spurs’ 2002 second-round pick Scola still out of NBA
By Mike McGraw
Daily Herald Sports Writer
Posted Monday, January 15, 2007
The San Antonio Spurs, who visit the United Center today, have something the Bulls could use.
Something besides most of their players, that is.
The Spurs have held the rights to Argentinian power forward Luis Scola since making him a second-round draft pick in 2002. Scola, 26, is arguably the best big man playing in Europe. In 11 Euroleague games for Spain’s Tau Ceramica, Scola is averaging 16.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and is shooting 61 percent from the field.
Bulls forward Andres Nocioni calls Scola one of his closest friends. In addition to playing together on the successful Argentinian national squad, they were Tau Ceramica teammates for four seasons.
But Scola can’t join the NBA until the Spurs either sign him or trade him, and San Antonio has done neither. Even when the Spurs went looking for big men last summer, they settled on free agents Francisco Elson (from Denver) and Jackie Butler (New York).
San Antonio also signed another Argentine big man, Fabricio Oberto, who is playing well in his second NBA season.
Asked to compare Scola and Oberto, Nocioni said Scola is much better. But he’s a different kind of player. Scola is more offensive-minded; Oberto is a much better defender.
“For me, Scola has more talent offensively. He’s not a bad defender, but he’s not as good as Oberto,” Nocioni said. “The height is similar, but I think Scola is more (power forward) and Oberto is more (center). But Scola is an unbelievable talent. Offensively, he’s may be one of the best in Europe right now.”
Scola is listed at 2.07 meters tall on the Tau roster, which is about 6-feet-9¨. There may be some question as to whether he’s tall enough to succeed in the NBA.
The Bulls might like to find out. Adding competent big men is one of the their top priorities. Nocioni understands Scola’s frustration about being kept out of the NBA.
“They (the Spurs) don’t want him. They don’t want to trade him,” Nocioni said. “Just bad luck for him, because he could play here in Chicago and help us a lot. He’s a really, really good player.”
Chapu ready for new role: Andres Nocioni is expecting to come off the bench against San Antonio as coach Scott Skiles adjusts the starting lineup to include Ben Gordon. Nocioni’s new job is to bring scoring to the second group.
“I’m ready and prepared and thinking about my new role right now,” Nocioni said Sunday at the Berto Center. “I think the team needed a little bit of change because we lost too many games. I’m fine. I’m ready to come off the bench and help my team.”
P.J. Brown appears to be the most likely candidate to start in Nocioni’s place, but Tyrus Thomas and Viktor Khryapa are also possibilities. Brown had 9 rebounds and 5 blocks but hit just 1 of 8 shots in Saturday’s win over Memphis.
Suspension revisited: Nocioni voiced no complaint about being suspended by the league for the Memphis game. Nocioni was punished for hitting New Jersey center Mikki Moore with an elbow on Thursday.
“Sometimes worse things happen on the court and nothing happens.” Nocioni said. “But I have my reputation. You know how it is. But that’s it. I’m fine. I don’t have any problems. I want to play.”
Bull horns: The Bulls’ locker room was animated following Saturday’s win over Memphis as the team’s three Louisiana natives (P.J. Brown, Chris Duhon and Tyrus Thomas) were riveted by the end of the Saints-Eagles playoff game. … Ben Wallace shot around following Sunday’s brief practice and seems likely to play today against the Spurs after sitting out Saturday’s contest with a sore back. … Malik Allen returned to practice Sunday after missing three games with a left calf strain.
Today’s tipoff
Bulls vs. San Antonio Spurs at the United Center
When: 1 p.m.
TV: Channel 9
Radio: WCKG 105.9-FM
Update: The Spurs (27-11) aren’t on a ridiculous winning streak like Dallas or Phoenix, but they are cruising along with the league’s third-best record. As usual, PF Tim Duncan (19.9 ppg), PG Tony Parker (19.5) and SG Manu Ginobili (16.3) do most of the damage. San Antonio also leads the league in 3-point shooting percentage (.403). They busted up the Bulls in San Antonio 100-83 on Nov. 17.
Fast facts: The Spurs are tied with Dallas for the NBA’s best road record at 13-5 and have won five straight at the United Center. San Antonio ranks second in points allowed with 90.3. Sharpshooter Matt Bonner, who hurt the Bulls in the first meeting, suffered a knee injury Saturday and is expected to miss several weeks.
“They (the Spurs) don’t want him. They don’t want to trade him,” Nocioni said.
Actually, Tau doesn't want to let him go. If the buyout weren't in the MILLIONS, I'm sure he'd be playing in the NBA somewhere by now. If Chicago wants him, well, they're overloaded with youth at the swing spots (Deng, Nocioni, Krhyapa, Sefolosha). Make an offer, es.
I think of those players the only one they would't give up is Deng
The bulls need a big man, not a 6-9 power forward.
Nah, they need an inside scorer. Doesn't matter a whole lot how big he is.
They have Mike Sweetney for their unathletic, undersized post scoring.
If Scola's not fat, he and Skiles could get along better than Skiles and Sweets, maybe.
They already tried the under-sized big man experiment with Elton Brand. Not sure they want to do it again with Scola.
EB plays as well as any other big man in the league...
Oh man, Chicago would love to go back in time and rescind the Brand trade.
If the Spurs don't want him, why wouldn't they want to trade him? Chapu is talking out of his ass.
The Spurs hate Mexicans, that's why.
Fixed it.
Oh, and Elton Brand is arguably the best PF Chicago ever had.
I forget how much Scola would cost to bring over. Does anyone actually know what the current buy-out would be? I know we had thread after thread about it last summer. I was wondering if he could replace Bonner in an emergency buyout at a reduced price since the season is half gone... ???
Probably impossible for lots of reasons.
Even though bonner may not need surgery, I'm apprehensive that he won't be able tocome back, get in shape, and contribute much this season.
Oberto is much better defense player than Scola, WTF. Now I know why the Spurs don't want him. He may be the worst defense player all-timeAsked to compare Scola and Oberto, Nocioni said Scola is much better. But he’s a different kind of player. Scola is more offensive-minded; Oberto is a much better defender.
His team won't let him go in the middle of the season. Euroleague is no NBDL or CBA. Tau has big issues and Scola is a huge part of it.
Concerning his height, is it 6'9 with or without sneakers ?
I'm sure the Bulls are still holding out hope for Kevin Garnett. And, they could be one long Minnesota losing streak in the next month to getting him.
Stacey King!!!
Bob Love
Last edited by Solid D; 01-15-2007 at 02:41 PM.
SCOLA WOULD BE A GREAT FIT IN CHICAGO....We need to sell this trade....Chicago has some talent we could benefit from...What about Chris Duhon...Maybe Beno and Scola...I don't think that adds up.....Would probabily need to throw in some picks, if we have any left.
There are worse things than the Spurs having a scoring big available on the bench.
I'd like having Scola HERE, but if they aren't ever going to try to get him over, they may as well trade him.
Dennis Rodman anyone???
Brand >>> Rodman
Butterbean Love was pretty damn good though.
The Spurs need to "come to grips" with the age, lack of talent and athletic limitations on this roster. The FO is guilty of organizational arrogance. They should stop trying to build the second coming of the Argentinian Olympic team and focus on making upgrades to the roster with a couple of younger (below 30), domestic players.
This would give them a more balanced roster. If they can leverage Scola's rights into making a logical trade - so be it.
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