Vet Scola imparting wisdom on youngsters

The Nets didn’t just sign Luis Scola to score or rebound, but to lead and teach. On that front, coach Kenny Atkinson insists the veteran Argentinian is worth every penny.

“I don’t think you can overstate it, everything he brings to the table, how he’s shown our young guys how to work, how to be professional, how to play the game, intelligence, composure,” Atkinson said. “I know it’s early, but he’s been everything, as advertised.”

Atkinson got to know Scola when he was the Rockets’ director of player development in 2007-08, and knew the 36-year-old power forward could not only bring needed 3-point shooting and the ability to guard smaller centers in a pinch, but also impart some wisdom to a young, rebuilding Nets team.

“Scola, being the oldest guy here, he’s an animal, works extreme hard. He sets the bar high for all the younger guys,” Rondae Hollis-Jefferson said.

“It’s great for our team, for our young guys and for our coaches,’’ Atkinson said. “Pick his brain, ‘Hey, how’d you do this against this team?’ or ‘What could we do better?’ At this level, you definitely lean on guys like that.”

Caris LeVert is just 22, while Hollis-Jefferson, Isaiah Whitehead and Chris McCullough were all born in 1995, the year Scola inked his first pro deal in Argentina. And while Scola has plenty left to give — he started 76 games last year for Eastern Conference finalist Toronto — the most lasting gift might be the pearls of wisdom.

“You’re not expecting to help all of the young guys, you’re just expecting to make an impact somewhere,’’ Scola said. “Eventually, hopefully if I and they did the right thing, in 8 or 9 years they’re going to get in a position where they’re going to be talking to a young guy and they’re going to be saying the same things and they’re going to remember, ‘Remember that dude? He was right, man. I was laughing at him behind his back, but he was right. I’m saying the same things.’

“I wish I knew back then what I know now, and I wish these guys knew what older people know so they don’t have to go through the process when they’re struggling. They can do it before then. If you can get young guys to start behaving like a real pro before they really, really need it, that’s the best input you can give [them].”