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Luis Scola News & Rumors

Love's story — he had nowhere else to put his big feet … won't fly. Suspension for Kevin Love should be coming.
February 5
Houston Chronicle
 columnist Jonathan Feigen
"Despite their best efforts, Kevin Love and the Timberwolves should have no chance of convincing the NBA it was just a Love tap. Love went Savion Glover on Luis Scola's face. Love might be one of the league's best young players, but the league presumably still frowns on players treating other players' faces as starting blocks. Knowing he is in jeopardy of getting hit with a suspension – and this should be a no-brainer one-game suspension — Love did his best to spin the answer. In fact, he danced around it so well, he could have tap-danced on the head of a pin, which makes it difficult to buy his argument that he has feet so large, he just could not miss Scola's face. He did, however,"
Love pleads innocence over stomp on Scola
February 5
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"There were about 8 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter Saturday when Houston's Luis Scola put the ball on the floor and drove towards the basket. Timberwolves forward Kevin Love appeared to foul Scola, though none was called. But what happened next was on YouTube within minutes and had people talking after the game. Scola went to the floor. Love, as he was getting ready to run up court, stepped on Scola's face and chest with his left foot. Referees didn't see it. But that moment changed the tenor of the game. At the other end, the Rockets bench got called for a technical for complaining about the no-call. Luke Ridnour hit the free throw, extending the Wolves lead to 13. Emotionally"
Scola's solution to Rockets' issues is to work harder
February 1
Houston Chronicle
 
"Long after Monday's game and again after Tuesday's practice, Rockets forward Luis Scola pushed himself through sets of shooting drills, cutting through imaginary screens to take 18-foot jumpers. "I try to do it all the time," Scola said of the extra work. "Sometimes we don't have time. I don't like the way I'm playing. I know just one way to get back to what I do — just work hard." Rockets coach Kevin McHale described the effort as typical of Scola but not everyone. "Luis is just a hard worker," McHale said. "There's a reason that guy's a winner. … He's just a grinder; he's a worker. He makes it easy to come to work. I can't say that for everybody.""
Revised deal reached to send Paul to L.A.
December 10
CBSSports.com
 
"The Lakers, Hornets and Rockets reached agreement on the framework of a revised trade sending Chris Paul to the Lakers Saturday, pending the resolution of some moving parts and approval by the commissioner's office, multiple sources told CBSSports.com. Houston would still get Pau Gasol from the Lakers in the three-team swap, while the Rockets would send Luis Scola and Kevin Martin to the Hornets, as in the original version that was killed by commissioner David Stern in his role as final decision-maker on major personnel moves for the league-owned Hornets. It wasn't immediately clear how the Hornets were satisfying the league directive to acquire young players and valuable draft picks in"
Hornets, Lakers, Rockets resume Paul talks
December 9
Yahoo! Sports
 
"The New Orleans Hornets, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers have resumed negotiations in an attempt to find a way to complete a blockbuster trade that would send Chris Paul to L.A., league sources told Yahoo! Sports. "All three teams are engaged," one source told Y! Sports. "Not sure if it will work." The resumption of talks comes less than 24 hours after the three teams agreed on a trade only to have NBA commissioner David Stern veto it. Stern released a statement on Friday saying he blocked the trade because the league-owned Hornets were "better served with Chris in a Hornets uniform than by the outcome of the terms of that trade.""
Stern kills Lakers' deal for Paul
December 8
Yahoo! Sports
 
"NBA commissioner David Stern has killed the New Orleans Hornets' trade of Chris Paul after several owners complained about the league-owned team dealing the All-Star point guard to the Los Angeles Lakers, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Some owners pushed Stern to demand that trade be nullified, and the Hornets be made to keep Paul on the roster for the foreseeable future, sources said. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban was one of the most vocal in a chorus of owners irate with the belief that the five-month lockout had happened largely to stop big-market teams from leveraging small-market teams for star players pending free agency. Before Stern intervened, the Lakers had reached an"
Lakers set to land Paul
December 8
Yahoo! Sports
 
"The Los Angeles Lakers are nearing an agreement to acquire All-Star point guard Chris Paul in a three-team trade that will cost them Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. The Lakers are finalizing the trade with the New Orleans Hornets and Houston Rockets. Under the terms of the deal, the Lakers would send Gasol to the Rockets. The Hornets would receive Odom, Rockets guards Kevin Martin and Goran Dragic and forward Luis Scola, league sources said."
Three-team trade discussed that would send Paul to Lakers
December 8
SI.com
 
"The Lakers, Hornets and Rockets are discussing a three-way trade that would send Chris Paul to L.A. and Pau Gasol to Houston, league sources told SI.com. New Orleans would receive Rockets swingman Kevin Martin and center Luis Scola. The Lakers have been in the hunt for Paul since the beginning, but L.A.'s refusal to include Andrew Bynum in any deal for Paul has prevented talks from advancing. The Lakers prefer to hold on to Bynum as the possible centerpiece of trade talks with Orlando for Dwight Howard. The Hornets are not interested in Gasol (who has three years and $57 million left on his deal), but in the last 48 hours they have put out feelers to try and gauge league-wide interest in"
Luis Scola says he might play for Yao Ming's China team
July 25
Pro Basketball Talk
 
"Luis Scola, the Houston Rocket's forward, isn't going anywhere. He has four years, $46 million left on his NBA deal. But throw him in the "flirting with overseas" category during the lockout, although the Argentinian forward is not exactly thinking what you are thinking. At least according to the Argentinian sports site Ole. Scola prefers Yao Ming's land as a destination if the NBA season does not start because of the lockout."It's a more open market, it has so much potential and the country is appealing to me," he told Ole."
Scola undergoes arthroscopic knee surgery
April 19
Houston Chronicle
 
"Rockets forward Luis Scola underwent arthroscopic procedure to remove loose bodies in his left knee on Monday. Scola missed five games with the injury suffered March 7 in Sacramento and struggled with it through the rest of the season."
Rockets' Scola, Lowry miss game with injuries
April 10
Houston Chronicle
 
"With no reason for guard Kyle Lowry and forward Luis Scola to continue to play through the pain that would not leave them this past week, the Rockets expected to be short-handed Saturday night. But their absence was nothing compared to the void the Rockets created in the Los Angeles Clippers. Blake Griffin played and even had a few memorable dunks — and misses — though nothing compared to the jaw-droppers on his greatest hits collection. Then Chuck Hayes and the Rockets removed the young Clippers star from their offense, and the Clippers had little left. With Griffin making just six of 18 shots and just three after the first quarter, the Rockets rolled to a 26-point lead and a 99-78"
Injury doesn't deter Scola's 2011-12 plans
March 25
Houston Chronicle
 
"One way or another, Rockets forward Luis Scola plans to play next season. Scola, 30, said his knee injury, the first of his NBA career, has not made him reconsider his plans to play overseas next season if there is an NBA lockout. Scola would have to be able to get out of his contract at the end of the work stoppage to fulfill his contract with the Rockets, limiting some of his options. The risk of forfeiting his contract should he be injured will not be a factor. "You can cross the street and get hit by a truck," Scola said. "You'll still cross the street." Scola missed five games with a sore right knee, the only games he has missed in his four NBA seasons. After struggling in his first"
Scola shaking off rust
March 23
Houston Chronicle
 
"For Luis Scola, who doesn't even like to take off days off, missing so much time while rehabilitating his sore left knee resulted in some rust upon returning. After missing five games, Scola played Sunday, missing four of five shots and scoring just four points, though he had eight rebounds in 20 minutes. "I think part of it is in my head," Scola said. "I'm thinking 'I didn't practice in 10 days, I'm going to be rusty, I'm going to be rusty.' In my head or in my body, I was a little rusty." Forward Chase Budinger's ankle was not as severely sprained as it initially appeared, leaving the Rockets optimistic he will be out only one or two games."
Scola ready to return to action
March 20
Houston Chronicle
 
"With forward Luis Scola returning today after missing five games with a strained left knee, he was pleased to not have to go through the nightly disappointment of finding out he would sit out. "I thought I was going to be playing," he said. "I was like that every game. It was a little bit my fault, or most of it was my fault because of my anxiety. I was so anxious about it. I kept trying. It's finally over. There is not a lot of time left in the season, so it will be a little sore the rest of the season, but I think it will be manageable." Coach Rick Adelman and teammates said Scola looked to be over the injury. "He came out in practice and he was the old Scola," Courtney Lee said. "He hit"
Scola optimistic about return
March 18
Houston Chronicle
 
"For the first time since he left the floor in Sacramento on March 7, Luis Scola sounded confident he would return, despite his best efforts to control his optimism. Scola, who missed the Rockets' last four games with a sore left knee, went through Thursday's light practice and will test it again at today's shootaround in hopes of playing tonight against the Boston Celtics at Toyota Center. "We're definitely doing everything we can to try, but we didn't test it all the way to the end," the 6-9 forward said. "I am tempted to say I'm pretty close to coming back, but they are going to be angry with me if I say so. We need to do more tomorrow, see how it reacts. I'd like to be optimistic, but I"
Scola receives injection in left knee
March 17
Houston Chronicle
 
"With Brad Miller struggling with soreness in his left knee, coach Rick Adelman has sought to limit Miller's playing time, often using him in shorter stints to help direct the Rockets' offense. In the past five games, Miller has played an average of 17 minutes, averaging four points on 27.3 percent shooting and four rebounds. "I don't believe Brad's healthy," Adelman said. "He's not moving like he was moving before. He's not shooting the ball the way he was shooting it. We played small some of the time, which I think you'll see us do whenever we can do it and can get away with it. Everybody has to respond and step up." Miller said he has had soreness since his January knee injury largely"
Scola likely out tonight with strained left knee
March 14
Houston Chronicle
 (scroll down)
"Forward Luis Scola missed a third consecutive practice and is expected to miss a third consecutive game with his strained left knee. But unlike last week's game against the Suns, the Rockets had time to try to get his replacements ready for assignments against the Phoenix offense. "I'd be surprised if he was ready to go tomorrow," coach Rick Adelman said."
Scola could miss second game of career with injured knee
March 12
Houston Chronicle
 
"After 311 games of day-by-day consistency, Rockets forward Luis Scola's current day-to-day uncertainty represents a challenge for Scola and for the team's coaching staff entering tonight's game at Toyota Center against the San Antonio Spurs. Scola, who for the first time in his four-year NBA career missed a game Tuesday in Phoenix because of a sore left knee, did not practice Friday. Rockets coach Rick Adelman would not speculate as to whether his second-leading scorer (18.5 per game) and leading rebounder (8.1) will play tonight, and said the novelty of the situation compounds the uncertainty. "He's never been hurt, you know, before, so I don't have any guess as to if he's going to play"
Rockets notes: Scola's iron man streak ends at 311
March 9
Houston Chronicle
 
"Luis Scola never made it to his pregame warmup. He was headed that direction and went through a few exercises to get his sore left knee ready for the test. Before he could take the first shot in his pregame routine, he headed to the locker room knowing he could not play, ending his streak of 311 consecutive games played to start his NBA career. "It was hurting every move I made," Scola said. "I wasn't going to be able top play any decent basketball. Even if I was going to trying knowing the game was key, I wasn't going to be able to play any basketball. It's just hurting too much." Scola is considered day-to-day with a strained left knee. He had played the past four games with as strained"
Scola has backup plan
February 5
Houston Chronicle
 
"Forward Luis Scola, who spent seven seasons with Tau Ceramica of the Spanish league before joining the Rockets in 2007, said Friday he would play overseas next season if there is a protracted NBA lockout. "I'll play somewhere next season," Scola said after the Rockets' meeting with NBA Players Association director of player programs Purvis Short. "I'm a basketball player. That's what I'll do. If it is in Houston, that would be better. That's what I want, but I will play." Scola is optimistic the league and union will come to an agreement. Though Short said the meetings are to help keep players informed, he added that he hopes for progress in negotiations after the meeting during the"
Scola, Lowry show fight in recent losses
January 31
Houston Chronicle
 
"Though the Rockets spent much of the first two games of their road trip trying to avoid blowouts, forward Luis Scola stood out for keeping them in both. He had 30 points and eight rebounds in Dallas, scoring 10 points in the fourth quarter. He had 23 points and 10 boards in San Antonio, scoring six points in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter. "I thought Luis did and I thought Kyle (Lowry) did the same thing. They tried to fight through," coach Rick Adelman said. "That's the attitude you have to have no matter what the score is, what is going on. "That was our trait last year. It seems like we don't have that consistently this year. It's an attitude you have to have, that you're not"
The NBA's International incident: Perspectives clash
August 4
Houston Chronicle
 columnist Jonathan Feigen
"Luis Scola looked horrified even at the suggestion that something might have kept him from playing for Argentina in the FIBA World Championship this month. He was familiar with the dilemma teammates have faced. San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili, long an Argentina national team star with Scola, has battled injuries, some incurred while playing international events. He will not play this summer, a decision Scola endorsed. Rockets teammate Yao Ming, a frequent lightning rod of debate about the risks and rewards inherent in national team commitments, has repeatedly indicated he'd retire from international competition. Under the circumstances, Scola can't blame him. Scola, however, reported"
The Nets' Plan B
July 8
ESPN.com
 columnist Chad Ford
"The New Jersey Nets are on the verge of becoming the team with crazy cap room this offseason that got shut out from all of the major free agents. If LeBron spurns them tonight, the Nets will have lost the recruiting battle for LeBron, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire, Rudy Gay and Carlos Boozer, among others. And it sounds like they're not front runners for landing David Lee, either. I don't think that's what new owner Mikhail Prokhorov anticipated going into the summer."
Rockets extend qualifying offers to Scola, Lowry
June 30
Houston Chronicle
 
"In the hours before the free agent marketplace would open, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey took care of some business at home. Morey confirmed Wednesday that the Rockets extended qualifying offers to forward Luis Scola and guard Kyle Lowry, keeping their rights to match any offers they receive when they become free agents tonight. The offers are not made as proposals for their next contract; only to make them restricted free agents. Morey has said that Rockets owner Leslie Alexander has directed him to match any offers Lowry or Scola receive."
Keeping Scola becomes Rockets' top summer priority
April 9
Houston Chronicle
 
"Luis Scola wants to be back with the Rockets, but the adventurer in him is open to moving on. He prefers to remain in the NBA, but enjoyed his seasons in Spain. As much as he appreciated Rockets general manager Daryl Morey's declaration that the team would sign Scola this off-season or match any offer he gets, Scola knew general managers often say such things to scare off offers to restricted free agents. Morey, however, sought to end any lingering doubt. "He will be back," Morey said. And in case that were not clear enough, Morey added the weight of owner Leslie Alexander's marching orders to his prediction. "Leslie gave us the resources and said whatever it takes," Morey said. "He's"
Scola's season goes beyond 82 games
April 1
Houston Chronicle
 
"Rockets forward Luis Scola met with Argentina national team coach Sergio Hernandez on Tuesday at Toyota Center, reaffirming his intention to play in the world championships this summer in Turkey. "It was just the routine visits he always does," Scola said. "I wouldn't call it recruiting. He's checking, more than trying to convince. I like this about him. He knows everybody wants to play. When somebody wants to do something, the worst thing you can do is push him and ask him all day long. He's just like, 'Hey, we'd be happy to have you. We'll be waiting for you. But take your time and make your decision.'?" Scola said he has no plans to recruit Spurs guard Manu Ginobili because he would not"
New Jersey Nets can't hold off Houston Rockets as Luis Scola scores 44 points in latest debacle
March 14
New York Daily News
 
"With their record what it is and some of the top-tier free agents seemingly more likely to stay with their current teams anyway, the Nets might have to pick off the scrap heap once they start rebuilding over the summer. If so, Luis Scola wouldn't be a bad option, at least based on what he did Saturday night. Though nothing compared to expected free agents LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, Scola put on a superstar performance against the Nets, pouring in a career-high 44 points in the Rockets' 116-108 win over the NBA's worst team. Scola hit 20 of 25 shots and also grabbed 12 rebounds, helping Houston win a lopsided battle of the boards 43-31. The Rockets had twice as many offensive"
Scola's 44 points animate Rockets
March 14
Houston Chronicle
 
"Usually when Luis Scola scores like this a bunch of guys from Argentina drape medals around their necks. Instead, Scola gave the Rockets something that does come around more often than once every four years, but was five weeks in the making. With Scola scoring a career-high 44 points, the Rockets won a second consecutive game for the first time since Feb. 5, with the Rockets pulling away in the fourth quarter to knock off the New Jersey Nets 116-108 on Saturday night at Toyota Center. "Luis was awesome," Shane Battier said. "They are erecting statues in Buenos Aires, as we speak." Scola made 20 of 25 shots, the most shots a Rocket has made in a game in nearly 20 years, since Hakeem"
Bench lifts Rockets in Philly
December 12
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Rockets were fading fast, taking their annual Philadelphia whipping far earlier than usual, when rookie Chase Budinger looked down the team's bench and delivered a message. Budinger had not experienced the Rockets' four consecutive losses to the 76ers, defeats among the most disheartening of the previous two seasons. He just saw the Rockets down by 17 points and knew there was work to be done. "I looked over to the other guys and said, 'We're going to have to turn this around for us,'" Budinger said. Who knew it could be so simple? The bench ended the Rockets' Philly frustration, and when the starters showed up for the second half, the Rockets had their biggest comeback of the season"
Goggles present challenge for Scola
December 4
Houston Chronicle
 
"Luis Scola might never get used to the protective goggles he is wearing. In a way, this is good. Scola, hoping to play just one more game with the goggles, said he likely will be able to play without the goggles before he adjusts to them. "I have to wear them," Scola said. "I can't blame them. I have to keep going. I have to get used to them as fast as I can. I don't believe I'll have to wear them much more. I believe I won't have to wear them before I get used to them." Rockets athletic trainer Keith Jones said Scola will not have to wear the goggles once the top stitches on his right eyelid can be removed, possibly Monday or Tuesday."
Scola getting used to wearing goggles
December 2
Houston Chronicle
 
"A day after the Rockets announced forward Luis Scola would miss tonight's game against the Clippers because of the gash and swelling above his right eye, Scola said he was not worried about being back in time to play the Warriors on Thursday because he was trying to change the Rockets' position about tonight. "I'm more interested about tomorrow," Scola said Tuesday. "We'll see how it goes. It's just a cut. The position of the cut is a little bit tricky. It's right next to the eye." Scola was required to sit out Tuesday's practice, but he shot to get used to the goggles he will wear for at least a week. That was enough for him to begin lobbying trainer Keith Jones to allow him to play. "I'm"
Rockets to give excited Landry first NBA start
December 1
Houston Chronicle
 
"Rockets forward Carl Landry did not know how he would feel but looked forward to finding out. With Luis Scola out Wednesday because of the swelling and a seven-stitch gash in his right eyelid left by a meeting with Etan Thomas' left hand, Landry will do something he never has in the NBA. He will start Wednesday in Los Angeles against the Clippers. And as much as he has been a solid rotation player for several years and a go-to scorer this season, this is different. "Growing up as a kid, your dream is always to play in the NBA and to put on an NBA jersey," Landry, 26, said. "Having the opportunity to start in the NBA, that's another level. I'm going to be psyched up. "I've never started a"
Scola expects to play next game
November 30
Houston Chronicle
 
"Luis Scola, who never has missed a game in his three NBA seasons, does not plan to now. He left Sunday's game when he was hit in the right eye by Etan Thomas 22 seconds into the game, opening a gash that needed seven stitches. Scola said he will go for tests today but believed he would play Wednesday in Los Angeles against the Clippers. "We're going to see a doctor tomorrow," Scola said. "I wanted to come back (Sunday) but Keith (Jones the athletic trainer) wouldn't let me." But the Rockets thought Scola would return. "We kept waiting for Luis to come around the corner running," Shane Battier said. "I had his back. People were like, 'Where's Luis?' I said, 'Oh, he's Argentinean. He's going"
Scola provides professional attitude
November 29
Houston Chronicle
 
"Luis Scola had been the only consistent Rockets scorer Friday, making nine of his 14 shots for 18 points in 28 minutes, with 12 rebounds. But he made just one of four shots (the jumper that ended the Rockets' 0-for-16 start) in the second half and did not play in the fourth quarter. Coach Rick Adelman said he was not only sticking with the group that had come back to within a shot of the Spurs, but liked the way David Andersen's 3-point shooting provided spacing against the Spurs' defense and Carl Landry was scoring inside. Scola said he would have liked to have returned to the game, but had no complaints. "You always want to be in the game in the fourth quarter, but I believe in coach a"
Rockets worn down by Spurs
November 28
Houston Chronicle
 
"They might run more, and they certainly score more. But they are still the Rockets and San Antonio Spurs. Some things never change. When they play one another, the games are still low-scoring and decided in the final minutes, and the Spurs are still the team that won four NBA championships that way. After several offensive power failures and a pair of Rockets comebacks, the Spurs held on through the final half-minute Friday night, sending the Rockets to consecutive losses for the first time this season with a 92-84 victory at Toyota Center. "Same Spurs," Rockets guard Kyle Lowry said. "They're a very, very good defensive team. Coach (Gregg) Popovich is a great coach of that. And they have"
Rockets employ alternative fuel
November 27
Houston Chronicle
 
"For all the growing pains of the first 15 games of the Rockets' season, there has been one constant: Change. After every loss, there has been a win. Home or road, with time off or in back-to-backs, the Rockets have not been beaten in consecutive games this season, alternating wins and losses for a franchise-record 12-consecutive games. Never this season have they needed a turnaround win more than tonight against the Spurs. Coming off a 130-99 home loss to the Mavericks, the Rockets were embarrassed and humbled, with one game to avoid falling back to .500 for the first time since the season's second game before heading out on a four-game road trip. "Friday's game is huge," forward Luis"
Rockets' sprint in final quarter subdues Kings
November 22
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Rockets remembered the night in Sacramento, having brought it up often since. They had been outworked in that Nov. 13 loss and often reminded themselves of their failing. But the Kings also had taken a close game and built a lead with a sudden flurry of scoring down the stretch. As if to put that game behind them, the Rockets did the same thing, taking off on an 8-0 run in the final minutes to defeat the Kings 113-106 on Saturday night at Toyota Center, ending a stretch of eight games in 12 nights with five wins and continuing their run of never losing consecutive games this season. "It was a good test for us," said Luis Scola, whose 22 points, 12 rebounds and 9-of-17 shooting almost"
Rockets bounce back against Timberwolves 97-84
November 19
Houston Chronicle
 
"If Wednesday is any indication, by Saturday night, Rick Adelman will be hoarse and worn out. With Rockets weary on the second half of a back-to-back, and struggling to put away the Timberwolves, Adelman was up and loud, pushing hard and taking no chances. Finally, Luis Scola looked over and said, "It's all right, it's all right," then made sure it was, as the Rockets brushed aside the Timberwolves in the fourth quarter, extending their winning streak against Minnesota to nine games with a 97-84 win, pushing the Minnesota losing streak since their opening-night win to 11 games. "I thought we were really sluggish in the first half especially," Adelman said of his more animated, high-volume"
Rockets outworked by Kings in defeat
November 14
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Rockets had enjoyed their little overachieving, early-season run, proudly coming up big while short-handed. But they had not patented the formula. The Kings, already without Francisco Garcia, lost Kevin Martin and then remade themselves as the Rockets had without Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady. The Kings took their revival to a fourth consecutive win by smacking the Rockets 109-100 with an intensity-filled, house-rocking triumph Friday night in which they beat the Rockets with what had been the Rockets' way. "They beat us to every loose ball," center Chuck Hayes said. "They wanted it more. They cut harder. They committed themselves on the defensive end. I mean, every aspect."
Easing in Scola
October 29
Houston Chronicle
 
"Luis Scola struggled on Tuesday in his first game back from his sprained ankle, making just one of six shots and grabbing four rebounds in 22 minutes. But Rockets coach Rick Adelman thought Scola was hindered by the time lost to the injury more than the injury itself. "It also had an effect on us, too, because we haven't had him for very many games and we only had him for one practice," Adelman said. "We just have to let him get back into it, and as long as he stays healthy, he's going to be OK." Welcome to the bigs Having not experienced even a hint of nervousness through the preseason, Chase Budinger did not see it coming. With the first game of his NBA career, however, it hit him hard."
Trail Blazers' size to be a test
October 27
Houston Chronicle
 
"With the Rockets uncertain about how things will work given their lack of size, Portland's wealth of size — with seven-footers Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla at center and LaMarcus Aldridge at forward — offers an immediate test of life without Yao Ming. "It's going to show us a lot because of their size, the way they can play," Rockets coach Rick Adelman said. "We know what they're doing, but it's a lot different when we had Yao in that playoff series. He was a big factor. With our size, can we nullify their size? That's what we're going to find out. I think it's going to be a good measuring stick for us." The Rockets do have Luis Scola back from a sprained ankle, increasing their options to"
Scola's ankle keeps him day-to-day
October 19
Houston Chronicle
 
"After coming back Friday from last week's sprained ankle, forward Luis Scola did not practice Sunday and will be held out of tonight's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Toyota Center. "He's just day-to-day," athletic trainer Keith Jones said. "It's a very mild high ankle sprain, not bad at all. We said he'd rest a couple days and see how he felt in the middle of the week. After the half (on Friday), he was a little stiff. We took him out because he was limping. We said, 'These games don't count.' We'll let it settle down and see how it feels." Tracy McGrady on Sunday continued to substitute in during portions of practice. McGrady is not playing longer stretches of the scrimmage"
Scola 'OK' after sprained right ankle
October 13
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Rockets' 37.8 percent shooting and 18.8 percent shooting from the 3-point arc, were their worst of the preseason, but Rockets coach Rick Adelman said the team's execution led to the poor shooting. "I think it's a really good learning tool for our team," Adelman said. "Offensively, I did not think we played well enough. We have to find a way when we get guys to the paint to do what they did to us and find people open. We're forcing the issue. We're forcing stuff. Guys are doing stuff that aren't to their strengths."
Scola Misses First NBA Game
October 10
Houston Chronicle
 
"Scola kicks back Rockets forward Luis Scola was given the night off, part of the Rockets' plan to monitor his workload after a busy summer with Argentina's national team. In his third NBA season, Scola had never missed a regular-season or preseason game, and he could not remember the last game he missed. "It's a good way to relax, save some energy and work harder tomorrow," Scola said. "I usually play every summer like this summer. It's pretty much the same." Ariza reflects The Rockets' Trevor Ariza was back in the Amway Arena visitors' locker room for the first time since it was soaked in champagne as Ariza and the Lakers celebrated the title. But this game was nothing special. "I feel"
Scola gives team gritty consistency every game
February 4
Houston Chronicle
 columnist Richard Justice
"HE leads the Rockets in floor burns. Also in energy, passion, rebounding and defense. Luis Scola is easy to overlook because he’s surrounded by stars, because he does things that don’t always show up in the box score. There he was again Tuesday night, throwing in 13 points, grabbing 18 boards and handing out two assists as the Rockets beat Chicago 107-100. “He was so active,” Rockets coach Rick Adelman said. “He rebounded consistently all night long. He has really had a solid year. You can’t give him enough credit, and it’s all effort.” Afterward, the talk was about Yao Ming, who was terrific on both ends of the floor. And the talk was about Tracy McGrady, back again, running easily,"