This month’s SLAM Magazine report is featured in the “In your face” section and focuses on the Argentine, Euroleague superstar, and NBA rookie, whom really made a name for himself this season.

Luis Scola may have finished third in the NBA Rookie of the Year ballot, but there was nothing novice in his inaugural season in Houston, where he filled a perpetual hole at power forward with his soft hands, irascible physicality, and international experience.

The 6-9 native of Buenos Aires was the Spanish league Rookie of the Year in 2000 and was widely considered the best pro player not playing in the League after the San Antonio Spurs drafted him in 2002.  Due to contractual snags, Scola opted to remain with Tau Ceramica and led his squadto the Euroleague final in 2001, then three consecutive Euroleague Final Fours between 2005 and 2007.  His outstanding performances earned him an All-Euroleague Second Team selection in 2005, as wel as two all-Euroleague First Team selections (2006 and 2007).  

The Olympic gold medal he won in 2004 with Argentina and the MVP honors cap the 2007 FIBA Championships foreshadowed the huge role he played in the Rocket’s surge toward the top of the Southwest Division last season.

From late-December with T-Mac was sidelined with an injury, through the last two months of the season when Yao Ming caught his own injurt, Scola averaged nearly a double-double.  He played an even more prominent role in the Playoffs, averaging 14 points and 9 rebounds against the Utah Jazz.  Scola’s season may have ended prematurely, but his playing days were far from over.  In Beijing he was even more impresive, finishing third overall in scoring, averagin 19ppg and 6 rpg in leading his team to the bronze medal.  His best performance came after Manu Ginobili twisted his ankle in the first quarter if the semi-finals against Team USA, when Scola stepped up for 28 points and 11 rebounds to keep the underdogs in the game.

If the Rockets keep him in the starting lineup alongside Yao Ming and Ron Artest with Shane Battier coming off the bench, the 28-year old Scola’s contribution is certain to be even greater in ’08-09, as the Rockets try to make it past the first round for the first time in a dozen years. –Sherman Johnson

Source and links: Slam Magazine, issue 122 (November 2008), Argentina Basketball Forum (IBN)