Scola enjoys playing in China to continue long career
Tuesday’s preseason game against the Shanghai Sharks brought former Rockets player and fan favorite Luis Scola back to Toyota Center. It was no surprise that a player who loved playing more than most has not yet called it a career.
“Playing is playing,” Scola said. “I’m having fun.”
Scola played his first five NBA seasons with the Rockets from 2007-12, averaging 14.5 points and 7.7 rebounds. He also played with the Suns, Pacers, Raptors and Nets in a 10-year NBA career after his career in Spain.
Scola, 38, said he would like to play in a fifth Olympics in 2020 if Argentina qualifies, a goal that will help determine how long he continues to play professionally.
“If we make it to the Olympics, I’ll play,” Scola said. “If we don’t make it to the Olympics, I’ll probably be a little bit more picky. If I like it, I’ll keep going. If I don’t like it, I won’t. My idea is to ideally play one more Olympics.”
Scola, who had his four boys take turns being a part of the locker-room scene during his NBA career, always wanted to have his children see the world with him, with that a factor in his decision to play in Shanghai. He said his family will join him for most of the season once school lets out in Argentina in December.
“That’s exactly a big part of it,” Scola said. “It’s a great place
to interact and get another experience. Shanghai is now a great city. I’m enjoying it a lot. It’s a great opportunity to play in another country and learn some stuff and continue to play basketball, which is for me a lot of fun.”
Scola is the last member of Argentina’s “Golden Generation” teams featuring Manu Ginobili, Fabricio Oberto, Andres Nocioni, Walter Hermann and Carolos Delfino still playing after Ginobili retired this summer. Scola said he understood his friend’s decision.
“He did all the things he wanted to do. He didn’t want to do it anymore,” Scola said. “I was happy he took that decision. He thought his time came. He was sure about it.
“The time comes for everybody. It just comes later for some people.”
Injuries limit who’s available
The Rockets held out more than half their roster for Tuesday’s game against the Shanghai Sharks, most for precautionary reasons. In addition to Nene (right calf tightness) and Brandon Knight (left knee infection) who have missed all of the preseason, guard Eric Gordon was out with the right Achilles soreness and center Clint Capela with the bruised right hand they picked up in Sunday’s game in San Antonio. Centers Isaiah Hartenstein and Marquese Chriss missed their second consecutive game with sprained left ankles. Guard Michael Carter-Williams missed a second game with right knee soreness.
Forward Carmelo Anthony was held out for rest.
Two additions headed to Vipers
The Rockets made a pair of roster moves Tuesday to add players likely headed to their G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, though with so many players out on Tuesday, one was already in uniform.
Brandon Sampson, a guard out of LSU was signed to an Exhibit 10 contract, a deal that would allow the Rockets to have him on a two-way contract with the Vipers if they have one of their two two-way spots available. By spending time with the Rockets in the preseason, they will have the G League rights to him.
The Rockets also reached an agreement with Angel Rodriguez, a guard out of Miami, according to two individuals with knowledge of the deal. The Rockets could not complete the move on Tuesday because Rodriguez played internationally, most recently for Maccabi Haifa, and the Rockets have to receive clearance for him to make the move.