ARG - Scola upbeat as always with Argentina, Houston

HOUSTON (Olympics/NBA) - Argentina basketball star Luis Scola is wearing a big smile on his face at the start of 2009 because of the continued success he has enjoyed with the national team and in the NBA.

The gold medal winner at the Athens Games in 2004 followed up a strong rookie campaign with the Houston Rockets by snatching Olympic bronze in Beijing last summer.

"2008 was a great year," he said.

"To be in Houston, to have won a medal at the Olympic Games and to maintain the level here is very important things.

"My aim this year is to go further in the play-offs."

As a rookie, Scola and the Rockets reached the post-season but lost 4-2 in the first round to Utah.

Scola isn't the only former Tau Ceramica star to be finding success in the NBA.

His old teammate, Jose Manuel Calderon, is the starting point guard for the Toronto Raptors and is redefining the art of free throw shooting.

Calderon has made 75 consecutive shots from the charity stripe - the fifth-best mark of all time in the NBA and a run that ranks number one for all active players.

"What Jose has achieved means a lot," Scola said.

"It's very significant for the Latin American and Spanish players.

"Jose has done incredible things and I hope I can congratulate him in person."

FIBA