ARG - Nocioni, Scola trying to stay fit

MAR DEL PLATA (Olympics) - Argentina’s FIBA Americas Championship winners Andres Nocioni and Luis Scola are doing everything in their power to be ready when the NBA lockout ends.

Scola is a Houston Rockets forward and Nocioni is on the books of the Philadelphia 76ers.

Both are working out with Liga Nacional teams in their homeland during the lockout, which began on July 1.

Nocioni is training with Peñarol and Scola has been working out at Obras Sanitarias.

“I'm living a rare situation,” Nocioni said.

“I do everything with the team but am not thinking about the games.

“For now, I just think (like) a coach.

“The idea of playing with Peñarol is difficult to materialize. The economic issue is a significant barrier.

“The insurance, so you can play, is a very high amount and that is what complicates the situation.

“I came to Mar del Plata without pressure, to get in shape.”

Grateful Luis

Scola says he is thankful that Obras Sanitarias have opened their facilities up for him.

"I'm training with Obras,” he said.

“They give me all they have, which is a lot. I am grateful.

“The ideal thing would be to be in a team but Obras cannot give me that, obviously. And this is not because they don't want to.

“They are treating me very well."

Scola’s intention is not to just receive help, but to also give it.

"I hope to give the players that play here a helping hand in training,” he said.

“They are helping me a lot and I hope I can do the same for them."

Scola can’t stomach the idea that the lockout might not end.

There is no Collective Bargaining Agreement, with the old one having expired at the end of June.

The NBA Players Union (NBPA) and team owners are at odds over the amount of Basketball Related Income each will get.

There is also disagreement about the structure of a salary cap.

Some players want the NBPA decertified and if that happens, there is a very real possibility of the entire campaign being cancelled.

So far, all of the games in the pre-season and month of November have been cancelled, costing both sides millions of dollars.

Scola is not just thinking about the NBA, but also the London Games.

Argentina qualified for the Olympics and want to go after another medal after capturing gold in 2004 and bronze in 2008.

"My idea is to maintain the form as best as possible while we wait for the situation to be resolved once and for all regarding the NBA lockout," Scola said.

"Of course it will be resolved. The problem is when.

“I fear that it would not be resolved soon.

“If we knew that it wouldn't be resolved until next season, then I would find another team and problem solved.

“But we don't know how long it will last. We can't make plans or take any decisions."

Uncertainty for Chapu

Nocioni’s circumstances are more complicated, he says.

“I'm in a difficult situation, different from Luis and Manu (Ginobili) who know they will be important to their teams.

“I don’t know what will happen to me. I want to play in Philadelphia and fulfill my contract, but don’t know if they will look for a way to trade me or negotiate a solution…

“There was also a change of ownership in the franchise, creating even more uncertainty.”

The lockout allowed Nocioni to spend some time watching Argentina in some of their Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico.

While there is plenty of talent, Nocioni believes expectations may need to be tempered with respect to Argentina’s future.

“Some players may be part of the generational change that will soon need to be selected,” he said.

“It will be difficult to see a Ginobili, Scola or an (Fabricio) Oberto.

“But we must not expect that we are always at such a high level.”

FIBA