Scola, Fredette contribute to Shanghai's CBA success

World
Europe

02:15

Shanghai's overtime win against Beijing means they have won five of their first six games in the new CBA season, with much of the credit going to their international duo of Jimmer Fredette and Luis Scola. Scola, the Argentine center provided a strong inside presence in his first campaign with the Sharks.

Scola joined the Shanghai Sharks after spending his initial campaign in China with the Shanxi Brave Dragons. The Argentine's reaches 15.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game on average after six contests with his new squad, compared to 27.7 and 13.8 last winter.

However, the 38-year-old power forward remains a valuable contributor off the ball, as he fills the lane and helps create more space for his teammates to score.

Due to the time limits on overseas players in CBA, Scola usually takes a back seat to the former MVP, Jimmer Fredette. However, when the South American is called upon, he tries to make full use of every second he's on the floor.

"I just try to help the team win. We do well, so I am excited," said Scola.

Fredette celebrates winning the game with 50 points. /VCG Photo

The addition of Scola not only gives Fredette more room to flourish on offence but also furthers his all-around evolution, in his third season with the Sharks. The American point guard continues to create for his teammates while coming up with new tricks to score in the clutch as well.

"It's really difficult to win. They put it into the overtime, but ultimately we get to win. I feel proud of our guys, they play well and we are now moving to the next one." Fredette said.

Fredette's 50-point outburst shows his best work in the new campaign. Now he's averaging 37.8 per contest.

The 29-year-old carried the Sharks on his shoulders in the extra session to seal a 118-113 victory, which some of their fans no doubt see as an early measure of revenge against the squad which eliminated them in the first round of last CBA Playoffs.