article about oberto & scola

[SPURSX3]

Buck Harvey: No Scola, no loss? What will be missed
Web Posted: 08/04/2005 12:00 AM CDT


San Antonio Express-News

The Spurs weren't to blame. And when things went wrong with Plan A, they reacted well finding Plan B.

No Luis Scola?

The Spurs merely switched to another Argentinean, and Fabricio Oberto could turn out to be a better fit this season than even Scola would have been. Oberto's size also allows the Spurs another option; if they give away Rasho Nesterovic this summer, as reports suggest they are trying to do, Oberto can help at center.

Still, the Spurs lost something when Scola couldn't get out of his contract with a Spanish team. The Spurs needed another scorer, a young bull to come off the bench and change games, a talent who would do more than fill a role.

Scola, not Oberto, was it.

There are no guarantees Scola would have starred. Some scouts wonder if his size would translate to the NBA low block, and even Spurs execs saw some potential issues.

Scola is accustomed to scoring, for example. If he had arrived and found himself with few minutes and fewer shots, would he have reacted well? Oberto, described as a great teammate, won't be a problem.

But even NBA top-10 draft picks come with the same questions, and that is Scola's status. Still in his mid-20s, he was considered the best forward in Europe last season.

A way to measure: Orlando in June drafted another forward from the Spanish league, Fran Vazquez, with the 11th pick.

The Magic's move also measures something else. Global networking — or the lack of it. The Magic didn't do their homework on Vazquez, because he says he's not coming. "I was afraid to adapt to the American way of life," he told a Spanish newspaper, "and of not giving the level they have asked."

Orlando will retain his rights, just as the Spurs retain Scola's. But the Magic invested a lot in Vazquez without connecting with him.

The Spurs know the field better than that, which is why they keep stocking their roster with international talent. In doing so, the Spurs have created a culture that welcomes the world, and Manu Ginobili will take that a step further with Oberto.

Whereas Vazquez feared "the American way of life," Oberto knows he has his best friend waiting to walk him through it. That's why Oberto will help more than a rookie should next season.

Oberto's basketball IQ and passing ability will ease the transition, too. He's a non-shooting version of Robert Horry, a smart man who knows how to win. At times next season, when Oberto is setting hard picks and catching the ball with soft hands, he will be better than Nazr Mohammed.

Then there's the Nesterovic factor. A source outside the Southwest Division confirmed Wednesday that the Spurs offered Nesterovic to Dallas for Tariq Abdul-Wahad, and the Mavericks turned it down.

Why would the Spurs want Abdul-Wahad, an injury-plagued swingman who has played only 14 games over the past three seasons? To dump a large portion of Nesterovic's contract.

With Oberto aboard, the move would be less painful. But if this is about Peter Holt saving money, then the move could be costly in other ways. Nesterovic plays Shaquille O'Neal and Yao Ming well, and both Miami and Houston could line up against the Spurs in the playoffs next spring.

Scola wouldn't have helped at center, and he isn't known as a ferocious rebounder. Besides, Oberto started for the Argentina national team, not Scola.

But starting status is often a nod to seniority, and Argentina also had great depth. When Scola did enter Olympic games last summer, he averaged over 17 points.

That would have been his role for the Spurs, too, and Ginobili had a similar part in 2003. After being stolen in the second round and groomed in Europe — just as Scola was — Ginobili provided power off the bench.

The Spurs have struggled to find the same since, the reason Ginobili twice has returned to the bench. The Spurs can still solve this by signing someone else this summer, and reports indicate they are interested in both Michael Finley and Nick Van Exel. Dallas might release Finley this month, and Portland cut Van Exel on Wednesday.

But Scola would have been younger, still developing, with long-term potential.

He was Plan A for a reason.

 

[Guest_Randy]

The Magic's move also measures something else. Global networking — or the lack of it. The Magic didn't do their homework on Vazquez, because he says he's not coming. "I was afraid to adapt to the American way of life," he told a Spanish newspaper, "and of not giving the level they have asked."

Don't players have to actually DECLARE themselves for the NBA draft?  You don't just draft a player without them declaring, do you?

Also, while Buck seems to berate the Magic for not doing their homework -- why not admit that the Spurs didn't do their homework when it came to Scola's contract?  

I hate butt-kissing from hometown sportswriters!

[SPURSX3]

The Magic's move also measures something else. Global networking — or the lack of it. The Magic didn't do their homework on Vazquez, because he says he's not coming. "I was afraid to adapt to the American way of life," he told a Spanish newspaper, "and of not giving the level they have asked."

Don't players have to actually DECLARE themselves for the NBA draft?  You don't just draft a player without them declaring, do you?

Also, while Buck seems to berate the Magic for not doing their homework -- why not admit that the Spurs didn't do their homework when it came to Scola's contract?  

I hate butt-kissing from hometown sportswriters!

My understanding is that the Spurs drafted scola prior to his current contract.  when the spurs told him he would stay in europe is when he should have signed with his current team.  That's my understanding of the issue.  Since the spurs only held his right, not any monetary obligation, scola was able to sign whatever contract he wanted to.  he got a big one.


Buck ticks me off usually, he is the reporter that will write about how it's all over for the Spurs and point out everything that is wrong for with the team when they are deep in a playoff run.  he did that this season, he did it in 2003, and he did it in 1999.  It was great to see this fool eat his words about the Spurs in those seasons.

[SPURSX3]

The Magic's move also measures something else. Global networking — or the lack of it. The Magic didn't do their homework on Vazquez, because he says he's not coming. "I was afraid to adapt to the American way of life," he told a Spanish newspaper, "and of not giving the level they have asked."

Don't players have to actually DECLARE themselves for the NBA draft?  You don't just draft a player without them declaring, do you?

Also, while Buck seems to berate the Magic for not doing their homework -- why not admit that the Spurs didn't do their homework when it came to Scola's contract?  

I hate butt-kissing from hometown sportswriters!

as for this fran guy....you are right, why was he even IN the draft if he were not going to play in the US???  Maybe there is an added bonus to a player if you are drafted by the NBA and want to play in Europe??  other wise, why did he even bother?

[Guest_Randy]

The Magic's move also measures something else. Global networking — or the lack of it. The Magic didn't do their homework on Vazquez, because he says he's not coming. "I was afraid to adapt to the American way of life," he told a Spanish newspaper, "and of not giving the level they have asked."

Don't players have to actually DECLARE themselves for the NBA draft?  You don't just draft a player without them declaring, do you?

Also, while Buck seems to berate the Magic for not doing their homework -- why not admit that the Spurs didn't do their homework when it came to Scola's contract?  

I hate butt-kissing from hometown sportswriters!

My understanding is that the Spurs drafted scola prior to his current contract.  when the spurs told him he would stay in europe is when he should have signed with his current team.  That's my understanding of the issue.  Since the spurs only held his right, not any monetary obligation, scola was able to sign whatever contract he wanted to.  he got a big one.


Buck ticks me off usually, he is the reporter that will write about how it's all over for the Spurs and point out everything that is wrong for with the team when they are deep in a playoff run.  he did that this season, he did it in 2003, and he did it in 1999.  It was great to see this fool eat his words about the Spurs in those seasons.

Are you sure about that, X3?  That doesn't make much sense with what I have been reading.  If Scola had already been chosen by the Spurs, then why wouldn't he have had his contract written in such a way that the buyout was clear based on when he actually WENT in the draft rather than when he might have been drafted.  I don't see how he could have already been drafted based on the contract points that I have seen written down.

[Reality]

The Spurs merely switched to another Argentinean, and Fabricio Oberto could turn out to be a better fit this season than even Scola would have been. Oberto's size also allows the Spurs another option; if they give away Rasho Nesterovic this summer, as reports suggest they are trying to do, Oberto can help at center.

There are no guarantees Scola would have starred. Some scouts wonder if his size would translate to the NBA low block, and even Spurs execs saw some potential issues.

Scola is accustomed to scoring, for example. If he had arrived and found himself with few minutes and fewer shots, would he have reacted well? Oberto, described as a great teammate, won't be a problem.


The Spurs know the field better than that, which is why they keep stocking their roster with international talent. In doing so, the Spurs have created a culture that welcomes the world, and Manu Ginobili will take that a step further with Oberto.

Whereas Vazquez feared "the American way of life," Oberto knows he has his best friend waiting to walk him through it. That's why Oberto will help more than a rookie should next season.

Oberto's basketball IQ and passing ability will ease the transition, too. He's a non-shooting version of Robert Horry, a smart man who knows how to win. At times next season, when Oberto is setting hard picks and catching the ball with soft hands, he will be better than Nazr Mohammed.

With Oberto aboard, the move would be less painful. But if this is about Peter Holt saving money, then the move could be costly in other ways. Nesterovic plays Shaquille O'Neal and Yao Ming well, and both Miami and Houston could line up against the Spurs in the playoffs next spring.

Scola wouldn't have helped at center, and he isn't known as a ferocious rebounder. Besides, Oberto started for the Argentina national team, not Scola.

 

I just filtered out and read the good parts.  This being the best.

Oberto's basketball IQ and passing ability will ease the transition, too. He's a non-shooting version of Robert Horry, a smart man who knows how to win. At times next season, when Oberto is setting hard picks and catching the ball with soft hands, he will be better than Nazr Mohammed.

Scola is accustomed to scoring, for example. If he had arrived and found himself with few minutes and fewer shots, would he have reacted well? Oberto, described as a great teammate, won't be a problem.

For those who think he is just a "14 and 8 Euro srub", i can't wait. :up:

I dunno Xs3, while by no means conclusive, this is more then once I've heard alluded to Long Hair Scola "selfish?, has to have the most shots, maybe not a team player"......in which case we should ship him to the Lakers.  If they had anyone to give in return.  

Sure would like to know what the contract details$$$ the Spurs offered Scola is.  

[SPURSX3]

Well randy, you may be right in some respect.  I founf a website with some details on scola.  this is the first time i have come across so much info on him, and the eurolegue site actually costs money to get more more detail but this one is free.

http://nbadraft.net/profiles/luisscola.htm

Scola looks like he has been playing since he was 16 years old with a team of some level.  1997-1998 he signed for tau, but then played for Gilon Baloncesto for a season, and then for tau again.

the thing funny that i see here is that it says he played for tau from 1999-2002-2003...we knnow he still plays for them....what i CAN'T find anywhere, if IF this guy re-signed a new deal??  the Tau contract contract would have beena 3 year deal if so and he could have enegotiated a new contract that last season...did he carry over another contract from baloncesto??  The Spurs may not have done thier homework on this - but then again, they may have drafted before any new contract could have been worked out....interesting.


http://www.euroleague.net/plantillas/jugador.jsp?id=AJG

http://superguide.telebasket.com/player_in...?id_player=4140

[Guest_Randy]

The Spurs merely switched to another Argentinean, and Fabricio Oberto could turn out to be a better fit this season than even Scola would have been. Oberto's size also allows the Spurs another option; if they give away Rasho Nesterovic this summer, as reports suggest they are trying to do, Oberto can help at center.

There are no guarantees Scola would have starred. Some scouts wonder if his size would translate to the NBA low block, and even Spurs execs saw some potential issues.

Scola is accustomed to scoring, for example. If he had arrived and found himself with few minutes and fewer shots, would he have reacted well? Oberto, described as a great teammate, won't be a problem.


The Spurs know the field better than that, which is why they keep stocking their roster with international talent. In doing so, the Spurs have created a culture that welcomes the world, and Manu Ginobili will take that a step further with Oberto.

Whereas Vazquez feared "the American way of life," Oberto knows he has his best friend waiting to walk him through it. That's why Oberto will help more than a rookie should next season.

Oberto's basketball IQ and passing ability will ease the transition, too. He's a non-shooting version of Robert Horry, a smart man who knows how to win. At times next season, when Oberto is setting hard picks and catching the ball with soft hands, he will be better than Nazr Mohammed.

With Oberto aboard, the move would be less painful. But if this is about Peter Holt saving money, then the move could be costly in other ways. Nesterovic plays Shaquille O'Neal and Yao Ming well, and both Miami and Houston could line up against the Spurs in the playoffs next spring.

Scola wouldn't have helped at center, and he isn't known as a ferocious rebounder. Besides, Oberto started for the Argentina national team, not Scola.

 

I just filtered out and read the good parts.  This being the best.

Oberto's basketball IQ and passing ability will ease the transition, too. He's a non-shooting version of Robert Horry, a smart man who knows how to win. At times next season, when Oberto is setting hard picks and catching the ball with soft hands, he will be better than Nazr Mohammed.

Scola is accustomed to scoring, for example. If he had arrived and found himself with few minutes and fewer shots, would he have reacted well? Oberto, described as a great teammate, won't be a problem.

For those who think he is just a "14 and 8 Euro srub", i can't wait. :up:

I dunno Xs3, while by no means conclusive, this is more then once I've heard alluded to Long Hair Scola "selfish?, has to have the most shots, maybe not a team player"......in which case we should ship him to the Lakers.  If they had anyone to give in return.  

Sure would like to know what the contract details$$$ the Spurs offered Scola is.

 :rofl:

For those who think he is just a "14 and 8 Euro srub", i can't wait.

You think he's going to be a better NBA player than he was in Euro, huh?  What leads you to that opinion?  Simply because some sportswriter says it?  If so, please share with me which sportswriter that you believe everything he has to say because I want to do some further research into the guys writings about the Lakers and Kobe Bryant!!! lol

I'm sure he is going to be a MUCH better NBA player than he was in Euro -- the competition in Euro is sooo much stronger than it is in the NBA, huh?

Oberto's basketball IQ and passing ability will ease the transition, too. He's a non-shooting version of Robert Horry, a smart man who knows how to win.

Okay, let's see -- Oberto is a non-shooting version of Robert Horry?  Why would you start the non-shooting version of Robert Horry when you can start the shooting version of Robert Horry?  

[Joe Vancil]

Hold on a second.  If he's a 14 and 8 player, WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT?  Those are actually reasonably good numbers.

I'll be surprised if Scolo or Oberto put up 14 and 8 numbers.  But even 10 and 6 is better than most centers/reserve power forwards today.

But to think these guys are going to be 24/12 players is too big of a stretch for me.
 

[Reality]

Whereas Vazquez feared "the American way of life," Oberto knows he has his best friend waiting to walk him through it. That's why Oberto will help more than a rookie should next season.

Oberto's basketball IQ and passing ability will ease the transition, too. He's a non-shooting version of Robert Horry, a smart man who knows how to win. At times next season, when Oberto is setting hard picks and catching the ball with soft hands, he will be better than Nazr Mohammed.

 

Randolph,

I did see GNob play prior to his joining the Spurs.  My eyesight analysis correctly saw he would help lead the Spurs to titles.  While he is only 2 for 3 and I am also disappointed he is not 3-3 with the 2004 title, please forgive me.  I did let you down in the '04 season.  I'm not perfect.  You are correct i have not seen much of Obertos play.

However, I do not base my Oberto stance on just this one writer.  Several other writers have said the same about Oberto.  Plus, he was on the title team in 2002 and 2004.  And I DID see him play.  For a while.  He broke a bone in his hand vs USA in 2004.

T-e-a-m ball.  You just don't get it.  Besides what Joe said about 14 and 8 being decent #s.  You're married to Kobes 30/8/1 being better then GNobs 22/6/7, despite Kobes coming on 38 shot attempts.  Obertos #s are fine in his current teams concept.

Oberto.  64% from field.  Passer.  Rebounder.  Pick setter.  Knock loose balls away.  Tips passes.  Be in the right spot on D.  His role on Spanish was to be a #3 option scorer.  Beyond all that, what the writer said about GNob being his best friend.  Having another Argentine/EuroLeaguer whom you have played a bunch of hoop with.  Its got to help.  

Oberto is going to help.  Timmy Dunker is going to play even less minutes now.  Thats a good thing.  Pop is seeing the light and i couldn't be happier.     Oberto will allow Dunker to either

a) slide over to PF while Oberto is on the floor
Bee) rest on the bench while Obie plays center.

Either way its all good.  He doesnt have to put up big numbers.  I predict when called upon to score he will.  Just as GNob did in '03 and moreso in '05.

Randy, watch the 06 playoffs with us. Let me buy you a ticket from Utah.  Come on down to Realityville.  Kick back, have the beverage of your choice.   Unstress.  Let soothing Spurs light penetrate.  Watch the harmony.  No bickering.  No Meism.  No punk squabbles.  No backstabbing.