Can't blame the Spurs for not wanting to put up $15 million, but the buyout now is at a more reasonable $3 million or so. Maybe the acrimony built up to the point where the Spurs just wanted to get rid of Scola, like we wanted to get rid of Spanoulis, and with that acrimony gone we can sign Scola.
At the risk of interjecting some reality into the discussion, might I point out that the Spurs plan to use that open roster spot to go after Ime Udako? He'll be a perfect backup for Bowen who is getting a bit long in the tooth. This makes them even stronger considering that they just signed their entire 12 man roster that won the championship this year. I can understand the joy being expressed here but let's not lose touch with reality. Teams like San Antonio did not get to where they are by making the kind of mistakes that hurt themselves while benefiting their opposition. Last time I looked, CD was still in Houston.
First off, there is no spot for him in Spurs. This Scola wants to be a starter and yes he is a NBA starter material, but you know who is Spurs starter PF. And even worse, he can't be a Spurs backup PF either, cause Holly holds that position. Therefore he gets almost no minutes in Spurs. That's very bad for a player at his level (EuroLeague MVP). Secondly, he's not happy with the salary that Spurs would like to pay him. So no minutes, no money, why he should come to Spurs? Just because Spurs is a championship team and his countrymen there? He's not as old as Finley, who just wants to win a ring. Scola is only 27, he wants minutes to play(and even want a starter spot), and he wants $$ as well.
Dude's name is Ime Udoka. He's basically a younger Bowen who's not quite as good on D (and not as dirty) but a bit better on offense, and can shoot the trey well. He'll fit right into Bowen's role. That would be a fine signing by the Spurs.
I was at the Vegas Summer league Tuesday night. The Spurs played in the game just prior to the Rockets - JACKIE BUTLER looked strong! I even commented to my companion (a Spurs fan) that the Rox should go after Butler. Not that Butler looked like a superstar, but he's young and played solid!
I'm excited about playing Panaithakos (SP?) during the preseason. T-mac will show V-mac who the real T-mac is .
Knowing how the front office works I figured this was about money and a roster spot. This leads me to believe they have something in the works and the Udako name makes sense. Truth be known I don't worry about the motives of RC and the boys anymore. Yes they have made mistakes but this move made sense.
Thanks for the correct spelling on his name. I can't type worth a spit. This is a guy I sort of wished we could have gone after.
Again, this isn't Lopez's quote. It was from the ticker. Lopez said he thought he understood Morey to say that it would be this season. The other guy said that they're hearing that's not so definite.
Butler wasn't going to be in SA next season anyhow. The coaching staff had soured on him. Folks here are looking at his physical dimensions and not the fact he is a bigger version of Stromile Swift (all "potential"). I would be surprised if he's still here come November. Also correct me if I'm wrong but they'll cut White also. This trade was done by SA to free up a roster spot and dump Butler's salary. It's true that this trade gives the Rockets that bonafide PF they have desperately lacked but that in and of itself still does not make them (Rockets) championship contenders just yet.
I spoke with one extremely reliable source (in the front page story) who said the Rockets were planning on having Scola this season. Also late last night, Morey told me the plan is to have Scola on the roster this year. That's straight from the horse's mouth. I doubt things have changed so quickly. Obviously they still have to sign Scola though.
Not a matter of not playing him. It would be about him not being available to play for us this season, despite the fact we own his rights among NBA teams.
