Luis Scola - Interview with elcorreodigital

This article is from Sunday July 22nd...I would have posted earlier but it took me some time to translate. So it is a little old but I didn't see it posted anywhere.

Enjoy,

jsm

Luis Scola article link

<b>I have realized how difficult is going to be to leave Vitoria</b>
<i>The Buenosairean is on his way to a challenging career in the NBA but he is well aware of the necessary changes needed to adapt.</i>
22.07.07 - JOSE EMILIO GOMEZ BUST

Luis Scola confronts his future with mixed feelings. On one hand, the fully matured Spanish star will face a personal challenge that he has longed for a long time: to play in the NBA. On the other hand, this adopted “vitoriano” must leave his past with TAU. “I will have to leave the team of my life, the city where my family and I have achieved personal growth”, Scola confesses in an interview granted to “elcorreodigital”. Words can’t describe how the Buenosairean felt prior to making one of the most important decisions of his life.

<b>Please, tell us how it all unfolded from the initial sequence to the final outcome.</b>

- The truth is that everything went very fast. I didn't find out about Houston until practically 24 hours before I signed. It was very quick. They Spurs traded my rights and everything was fixed immediately.

<b>Did the agreement between you and the Rockets take place immediately?</b>

- The moment that my rights were traded by the Spurs to Houston, the negotiation were purely exclusive with the Rockets. Houston spoke with us prior to the trade, but we officially found out half an hour before I signed.

<b>There is an agreement with the Rockets, with which already has been presented. Therefore, the only thing left is the payment of the buyout clause?</b>

- Yes, fulfillment of the buyout is all that remains. The clause has terms and is to be fulfilled when it is called on to fulfill them.

<b>In Vitoria, the TAU buyout is a topic that is highly discussed. Can you say what the cost of the buyout is?</b>

- That is privileged information between myself and the team. I thank you for the interest, but nothing will be said in this regard. The important thing here is the reality of the facts and that is that a decision already has been made.

<b>I was only asking about the buyout because I wanted to know how much money will TAU have to fill out the roster hole created by you.</b>

I can guarantee that Baskonia will have a good team the next season. I have no doubts.



<b><u>“TAU must move on”</u>


The feeling between the fans is that your presence in the team is going to be impossible to replace.</b>

- At the sport level, TAU has had great players throughout their history. The club has known to improve their roster when needed. Great players have left before, but the team has always maintained to be among the best. So I have no doubt that, when any player leaves the team - in this case it is my turn to leave, TAU will still be a competitive team and is going to follow the winning trend of all these years, competing for titles.

<b>What are you thinking of in these times of change?</b>

- For me these times are about mixed feelings. I am going to fulfill my dream of playing in NBA. But at the time when everything had been resolved, the madness encountered in these last few days, I sat down to think for a little while and that is when I realized that it is going to be tough to leave Vitoria. In Vitoria, I am going to leave many fond memories, many friends and a city which I have learned to adore. I have no words that will allow me to express my gratitude to Vitoria for all that they have done for me. I had formed a family there, my son is Basque, he grew up there, and we have been very happy there. I leave as a basketball player, but as person I am going to be returning constantly.

<b>You arrived at the capital Alava for the first time when you were 17 years and here is where you have grown inside and outside the basketball court.</b>

I have grown in all the aspects of my life; in all, with no exception. For that reason , I will be been thankful eternally.

<b>Will you still have ties to Vitoria, like your house in Betoño?</b>

By all means, I am going it to continue having that house. I will visit that house as soon as we have free time.

<b>With a story to tell at the age of 27, a family and consistency in your game throughout your carrier, do you believe that this opportunity coincides with a moment where your life feels complete and has fully matured?</b>

- I would like to think yes. Once decisions are made and I have chosen a certain path I would like to think that that is the best thing that could have happened to me. I always think positive upfront because later as time progresses you start to think too much in to it. But, I believe that this can be a good time for me. Now we shall wait and see what happens.

<b>It seemed that this year was not going to be the year (for you to fulfill your dream of playing in the NBA). How is it that in one week everything can change in the NBA?</b>

- What happened is that people were not so immersed in which happens in NBA. We knew that San Antonio had intentions to trade me and it only a matter of time to see what team it was going to be, we had agreed that I would be traded. As the days went by we began to think about the possibility that a trade would not happen; however, we always knew that San Antonio was looking for a way to trade me to avoid paying the luxury tax. The only thing that we didn’t know was which team was going to be involved.

<b>For four summers there have been talks of the possibility of you arriving at San Antonio, and in the end you are going to be a short distance away.</b>

- Yes, that is how the NBA and other sports work, where pieces are moved constantly, in general terms. I am happy in the way things have gone.

<b>The difference between the two franchises is that the Rockets wanted you?</b>

- Well, it is obvious that in Houston a great team has been made and I believe that they are happy that I could be part of that. I believe that that is a good sign for both the Rockets and myself.

<b>The last name Scola has always been in the top lists of agents and specialists that would like to bring you to the US. But the situation somehow didn’t work out but in the meantime, you have seen how your other Tau and Argentinean national teammates have arrived at the best league of the world, has this been frustrating to you?</b>

- I always felt OK because the majority of them are my friends. In addition, each case is unique and I knew that sooner or later I was going to have the opportunity. I believe that I was not mistaken.


<b><u>“The future depends on me”</u>

Do you see yourself playing significant minutes?</b>

- Who knows? What we know for sure is that it is going to depend on me.

<b>They say that the first year always is hard and that it requires an adaptation period. You dominate the English language, is it possible to say that in some ways you have been preparing to play in NBA?</b>

- Yes, I believe the change is going to be difficult because there is an adaptation period. I am one of those that believe that if you work hard, that the change is going to be as pleasant as possible or, at least, as less painful possible.

<b>Are you aware that that you are going to be sharing the court with with two authentic stars of this sport: Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady?</b>

- They are really two great superstars and everything is going to be worked around them. We must try to help them in the best way possible so that the game is easier for them.

<b>How do you take the fact that a player at your level who is considered a star here will have to demonstrate your abilities in a league like the North American?</b>

- It will be a challenge. A challenge that one must take in the best possible way. I believe that it is good. I will take it as a personal challenge and an opportunity to be able to demonstrate that I can be a good player and help the team.

<b>In the American league you will play with ex-teammates: Calderón, Nocioni, Oberto, Burke, Arroyo, Raja Bell…</b>

It is going to be fantastic to be able to go eat with them and to share tons of memories that we have in common.

<b>The NBA has always been present in their speeches. Is this the last dream that you have to fulfill?</b>

- It was something that I had to do. I needed to live this opportunity. It was something that I was constantly thinking about in terms of my future. I am lucky that I am on the verge of fulfilling it. This is not something that I plan for the future, it something that is going to happen now and I must take full advantage of it. I do not think that I will disappoint anybody or myself.

 

No problem...I figured it would give something fresh and new to read during these quite times.