Luis Scola excited to be with Phoenix Suns
Jul 17, 2012, 10:00 PM | Updated: 11:18 pm
Luis Scola won’t have much time for rest and relaxation
this summer. The veteran forward is gearing up for the
2012 Summer
Olympics, where his Argentinian squad begins their medal
quest July 29 against Lithuania.
Upon returning to the U.S. following the games, Scola will
also have to get used to playing for a new NBA franchise
after the Phoenix Suns won an auction for his services
after the Houston Rockets exercised their amnesty rights
on him.
Scola was introduced to the local media Tuesday via
conference call, and admitted he didn’t think he’d end up
in Phoenix.
“I was a little surprised because there was a lot of
talking between other teams that were supposedly going to
bid and I was expecting one of them — Cleveland and
Dallas were two teams that called us and they were very
aggressive saying they were going to bid,” Scola said. “I
never heard anything from Phoenix so I wasn’t expecting
anything from Phoenix. When they called me, I was a
little surprised.”
The Suns may have been surprised themselves when learning
they won the bid, considering the bargain price at which
they were able to land the 32-year-old forward.
Arizona Sports 620’s John Gambadoro reported
Monday that
Scola would be paid $4.1 million, $4.4 million and $4.9
million over the next three seasons, although only
$440,000 of that third-year figure is guaranteed.
Scola, a five-year NBA veteran, averaged 15.5 points and
6.5 rebounds per game in 2011-12 and has been a fixture in
the Houston starting lineup since his arrival in the U.S.
in 2007.
“I am not a young guy; I’m 32 years old so my game is
pretty much what it is right now. Hopefully I can a
little better and polish some stuff and continue to be
productive along the years,” he said. “What you saw in my
career is pretty much what I am right now. The same
things that I brought to Houston is what I’m bringing to
Phoenix.”
Scola is familiar with Phoenix, having played against them
16 times in his Houston career, averaging 14.9 points and
nearly seven rebounds per game against the Suns.
“I think this is a great situation. We’ve got a good
team, I get to play with Goran (Dragic) again and I’ve
always liked Gortat’s game and I think he could be a big
help to me,” Scola said. “I felt from the calls that we
had with the people in the Phoenix Suns organization that
they’re happy with me and that they want me there, and
that’s a good thing.
“I’m happy, I’m excited. The more I think about it, the
more I wanted to go there and play.”
