"He Look OK": Bidding Farewell to an Absolute Legend, Luis Scola

Today marks what are likely the international exits of at least two basketball legends, especially on the international scene. Pau and the Spanish national team lost to the US earlier today and moments ago, Argentina was just eliminated thanks to a torrid second half from the Aussies, the US' next opponent in the semis. Of course, that means our own, erstwhile Luis Scola - the player who means perhaps as much to his country as Manu Ginobli as a key cog in that 2004 national team that upset the Americans in Athens - has likely played his final game on this stage.

To those not around during the tail end of the Yao and T-Mac's tenures and the lean years which followed, you may find it hard to believe one of the highlights of that era for our Rockets was Dork Elvis fleecing the dynastic Spurs for some future 2nd round, absolute garbage to pick up one of the most likeable, hippie-haired players in the Association. I won't forget the night he scored an NBA career high 44 points with his mid-range pick and pop, and scoop after scoop of ice cream and gelato. (You would think post defenders would stop biting after the maestro continually faked the bejeezus out of them). And who could forget the suspense the one - perhaps two? - times he exceeded his typical 4-inch vertical to successfully dunk the ball?

His international renown will always usurp his NBA play, his legend evidenced as both benches stopped play when he was subbed out for the last time during a standing ovation that seemed to last an eternity. But what others will likely not know about him is what we at Clutchfans will always cherish - this meme:

 

You're goshdarn right. My B