Now this I can respect. Well said. I agree Morey could turn out to be the next jerry West type talent evaluator and this could be just the beginning.
The rockets were in contact with scola over the last few days. i cannot fathom the rockets making this trade without assurances from both sides on deal being worked out. I would think scola coming over would be close to 100%..
We have 17 contracts (assuming Scola and Landry are signed), but 2 of those are an unguaranteed deal to Mike Harris and an only partially guaranteed deal to Sura, who won't be back. Granted, that's without Hayes or Deke, but casting off JL3 for cash or a 2nd rounder shouldn't be too difficult.
I would be shocked if this guy ever plays for the Rockets. Not saying it WON'T happen...but it would be a surprise. How long have the Spurs had his rights? 5 years (correct me if I'm wrong). He hasen't been too motivated to rush to the USA to play for a potential NBA dynasty (at least over the last few years)...what makes you think he's going to drop everything to come and play for the Rockets. A team that can't even get out of the 1st round? This trade is probably a success as far as money goes, but it won't help otherwise. And I'm not one of those people who put a whole lot of stock in NBA unprovens. Sure they turn out over time, but they have to be in the right organizations. I'm not so sure that the Rockets have an environment that supports Euro players. We have a terrible track record. Being that SA has a great ability to develop these type of players...and they gave him away...leads me to believe that he is another potential import problem.
good point. its hard to really tell where the rockets front office is at this point, since it is different. of course, recent history, the spurs are much better of course.
Why would he come to the Rockets over the Spurs? Let's see Tim Duncon plays for the Spurs and Chuck Hayes plays for the Rockets. Where do you think he will get time?
From the reports that I've read Scola had no real power to demand anything. The Spurs initially WANTED him to play but Tau, his team in Spain, was asking for 15 million to release him. That price has now gone down but in the meanwhile the Spurs picked up Oberto and Bonner. I think if you researched a little Scola really does want to play in the NBA and has not had the oppurtunity, until now... muhaha
Great signing! Morey is looking more and more like a ROY candidate at the GM position. We needed to upgrade our PG and PF positioin and damn if he did not accomplish that. I remember when Manu was signed by SA the talk was that he was a ROY candidate, could we have ROY candidate in Scola? Is there anyone in the draft that has more potential at the PF position (over the next couple of years not long term) than Scola? The guy should be NBA ready to step up right now as a legit starter. I can't wait to see him in a Rox uniform. Great move Morey...great move!
From page 5 And then the article from the Chronicle The Spurs permitted the Rockets to talk with Scola, 27, in recent days and, although contract negotiations were not permitted, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey was confident Scola was ready to make the move to the NBA. ``We're planning to sign Luis,'' Morey said. ``He's excited to play in Houston. We expect to see him in a Rockets uniform next year. Luis is very motivated to come to the league and is very motivated to play with Yao (Ming) and Tracy (McGrady). ``The Spurs gave us permission to speak with him about three days ago, and we had a long conversation.'' Teams are not permitted to make offers until the deal is complete, but the Rockets likely will be able to offer Scola between $3 million and $3.5 million for the first year. Morey would not discuss the parameters of the deal he has in mind. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/4965031.html
WIth this and how good Brooks looks so far, I am definitely beginning to have a more positive outlook on this off-season.
If the guy has any competitive fire in him then that doesn't make any sense. Suppose you were the best player in Europe, you know it, everyone else knows it. You've won championships there, climbed the FIBA mountain, reached the summit. Wouldn't you want to test your abilities in the NBA? The best league in the world? That's like saying you're the MVP and a AAA star, therefore there's no reason to go into the majors. Dice-K and Ichiro will cement their legacy in baseball lore not because what they did in Japan, but what they will do here. Everyone wants to play here - unless you're a complete moron like V-Span.
I agree with you 100% if the Spurs could not get him over here what makes you guys think the rockets would be able to and that backup center in only 1 inch taller than Scola and he did not even crack the Spurs summer league. Yeah the spurs have a lot of talent but come on. Don't get to excited about this trade.
Because his buyout was too expensive. He only has 1 year left on his contract now and apparently his current team is more willing to let him fulfill his dream of playing in the NBA now.
I'm just confused by the wording of this: "We expect to see him in a Rockets uniform next year" this means 2007-2008 or 2008-2009? The addition of Jackie Butler is still pretty good, but I'll be less excited if Scola doesn't play until the 2008-2009. Otherwise, so far, Morey is getting an A+, get Francis and do the Luther for Cook trade and we'll be looking pretty good depth wise.
Great post. I'm suprised you didn't get more replies from it. I completely agree with everything you posted. It seems like Morey has a top notch poker face and is really focused on making this team better. We don't need any more All Star caliber players...we already have three...we need championship caliber role players...and I think we are on the way to building that. Great move Morey...I cannot wait for the season to start...just make sure you get Scola signed!
