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Kori Ellis
02-09-2005, 12:52 AM
Nesterovic shines in return
Web Posted: 02/08/2005 11:00 PM CST

Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA020905.1C.BKNspurs.bobcats.gamer.8c8120bf.html

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Tim Duncan left Wake Forest University more than seven years ago, but he hasn't been forgotten here. News of his sprained right ankle made the front page of Tuesday's local sports section. Reporters peppered him with more questions about the ACC than the NBA.

More than a few of the Demon Deacons faithful came to the game hoping to see Duncan play, including a handful of his friends. His wife, Amy, made the trip from San Antonio.

Unfortunately for them, Duncan was confined to watching the Spurs' 104-85 victory at the Charlotte Coliseum from the bench. His teammates were among the few who didn't miss him.

Especially Rasho Nesterovic.

After spending the previous six games on the injured list, Nesterovic had 15 points and eight rebounds as the Spurs won their fifth consecutive game.

"After six games sitting behind the bench, you get really bored," Nesterovic said. "I came in and tried to do like I do every game: I tried to do my job."

The Spurs were grateful he contributed a little more offense than usual. For the first time this season, they had to play without Duncan.

Duncan, who also will miss tonight's game in Washington, sprained his right ankle in practice. He can only hope his recovery goes as well as Nesterovic's.

Nesterovic, who had sprained his left ankle, delivered one of his best performances of the season. He made his first seven shots, and his 15 points were one off his season high.

"Every time Timmy's not playing, Rasho seems to play great," Tony Parker said.

Passed over for the Western Conference All-Star team earlier in the day, Parker had 20 points, six assists, six rebounds and four steals. Manu Ginobili, who was named to the All-Star team, had 12 points and seven rebounds.

The Bobcats were in no position to take advantage of Duncan's absence. Already short on talent, the expansion team did well enough to put nine bodies in uniform.

Emeka Okafor, Charlotte's starting power forward and the NBA's leading Rookie of the Year candidate, missed his fourth consecutive game with a sprained left ankle. Backup center Jahidi White (right shoulder) and starting shooting guard Kareem Rush (back spasms) also were out with injuries.

Earlier in the day, the Bobcats waived another of their reserve big men, Jamal Sampson.

"The best part about that one is that it's over," Charlotte coach Bernie Bickerstaff said. "Even though Tim Duncan was missing, that's still a 50-win basketball team. They've been in championships, and they can play the game."
T Park
02-09-2005, 12:58 AM
that's still a 50-win basketball team

Try 60 there Bernie.
Nikos
02-09-2005, 01:00 AM
Try 60 there Bernie.

I think you mis-read that Tpark.
Kori Ellis
02-09-2005, 01:00 AM
You think the Spurs would win 60 games without Duncan?
T Park
02-09-2005, 01:02 AM
pardon me.

I misread.
exstatic
02-09-2005, 02:19 AM
Already short on talent, the expansion team did well enough to put nine bodies in uniform.
Yet they cut Jamal Sampson earlier in the day. :lol Was there some kind of deadline today? I though non-guaranteed contracts had to be cut by mid or late January.
SLOVENIAN 8
02-09-2005, 02:58 AM
I must have this game. :smokin
TwoHandJam
02-09-2005, 10:53 AM
"Every time Timmy's not playing, Rasho seems to play great," Tony Parker said.Again, Rasho plays well without Tim. It's happened too often now to be a fluke. As I've said before, I really think Pop should have experimented with Rasho coming off the bench and Horry starting. Horry is no slouch as a shotblocker and he spreads the floor for Tim while Rasho seems to shine when he's the only option in the post.

Rasho could still log more minutes than Horry off the bench so Horry can stay fresh and he also would spend time on the floor with Beno who he's played with on the national team.
T Park
02-09-2005, 10:54 AM
I would be for that.

I think though if Malone comes, BIG IF!!

Then itll be Malone starting, and then Rasho coming off the bench.

If so, then itll be good for everyone involved.
Useruser666
02-09-2005, 11:15 AM
I would be for that.

I think though if Malone comes, BIG IF!!

Then itll be Malone starting, and then Rasho coming off the bench.

If so, then itll be good for everyone involved.

OMG!!! That's an about-face! I had said a long while back to bring Rasho off the bench for Tim since he plays better without him on the floor. Oh well. Good game Rasho. Keep up the good work!!!!
T Park
02-09-2005, 11:20 AM
Bout time you agreed with me you dragon holding loon :)

lmao.

Ive agreed with that sentimat for a long time, that Rasho just might be a great bench player, who knows.

He could be the Manu Ginobili sort last year, off the bench but in at the end of games.


Of course, Im sure pop would worry about what this would do to his confidence, but it seems when Rasho is put in a situation that he is needed to perform well, he does, IE last night no Duncan.
spurster
02-09-2005, 11:43 AM
There's no reason why it always has to be TD on the low post if both TD and Rasho are out there.
T Park
02-09-2005, 03:01 PM
I agree.

But Rasho is a good jump shooter.

Part of the reason he was brought in, someone who can knockdown that FT line jumper to take some pressure off of Duncan.


Problem is, his jumper isnt gonna be as good, because he never gets the oppurtunity to shoot it.

Tonight, IMO, it should be the same play set.

Get Rasho goin early witha few hook shots down low, and some wide open FT line jumpers.

You do that, hell have a double double no problem.
TwoHandJam
02-09-2005, 03:04 PM
There's no reason why it always has to be TD on the low post if both TD and Rasho are out there.
True, but TD is out there with the starters most of the time and Rasho is usually the fourth or fifth option with the starters on the floor. If Rasho were to play with the bench more, he would be a higher option most of the time.
bigzak25
02-09-2005, 03:22 PM
we don't need rasho for his scoring, we need him for his defense. we have plenty of people that can score and attack the basket better than rash....and they'll get the respect of a foul call when fouled....rasho ain't gonna get any respect from the refs....he'd have to be assraped on the floor for their to be a whistle....

his energy should be 100% hustle for boards and blocks.
TwoHandJam
02-09-2005, 03:39 PM
we don't need rasho for his scoring, we need him for his defense. we have plenty of people that can score and attack the basket better than rash....and they'll get the respect of a foul call when fouled....rasho ain't gonna get any respect from the refs....he'd have to be assraped on the floor for their to be a whistle....

his energy should be 100% hustle for boards and blocks.
Rasho has been underachieving for some time now and has demonstrated consistently better play when Tim isn't on the floor. He doesn't need to be a scoring monster but there's no reason that with his height and skill he shouldn't average close to a small double double. I don't see why Pop didn't at least experiment with this early in the season when there was not much to lose.
Ballcox
02-09-2005, 03:40 PM
I like Rasho's effort in playing for the Spurs, he's come a long way on the defensive end. However, I wish he would add some more creativity to his offensive game. Yeah, he's got the spot up jumper from the FT line, but he needs some more moves down low. I would love to see him develop a nice little head fake, up and under move. Put some more polish on a jump hook shot, maybe a fade away jumper from the blocks, just add some variety. He is way too predictable at times in the post, other guys can almost predict what he's gonna do next.

I'm not trying to be harsh on the guy, it's just that having played in the post throughout HS and college I tend to be more critical of post players. I think Rasho has the potential to become a consistent player on the offensive end, just needs to try some new moves.

respect the fro :fro
SLOVENIAN 8
02-09-2005, 04:02 PM
15 and 9 is hardly a shining moment. Heck, Olowakandi had a 25 and 15 game!!
And he really help his team. Are they even in Playoffs???
:lol :lol :flipoff :flipoff :flipoff :bang :bang :makemyday :makemyday
bigzak25
02-09-2005, 04:14 PM
all that glitters is not gold....you guys saw what happened to malik when he started to work on his offense instead of just focusing on his hustle and D.

i think Pop knows what Rasho CAN do offensively and realizes that comes in a distant 2nd to what he MUST do defensively.