This is a great deal for the Spurs PROVIDED

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Pop moves Rasho to the bench and starts Nazr next to Tim. Mohammed's skills are a better compliment to Tim's, which is what we need on the front line.

Bringing Rasho off the bench gives him time to assert himself on the court without TD out there. Every time in the last year and a half Tim has been out, Rasho has put up a double double, and been much more aggressive on the offensive end than he is with Tim out there on the court.

If Pop makes this move, I see Nazr averaging a double double next to Tim along with increasing his block numbers. And I see Rasho's numbers going up across the board being the man on the second unit.

Oh, and those of you worried about draft picks we gave up, relax.

Our #1 this year is Scola, and there's a lot of time left to deal for next year.

[ChumpDumper]

Nazr has to stay healthy too. Dalembert never scored 12 in a half against Nazr this season at any rate. It's tough to see Nazr displacing Rasho in the starting lineup -- Rasho's effect on opponents' FG is still one of the most criminally underrated facets of his game. Nazr hasn't had a similar effect in New York and I'm not sure that's going to change with the uniform.

[T Park]

agree 100%.

But, it won't happen for a while.

Gotta give Mohammed time to get integrated.

IMO the rest of the year, Mohammed probobly comes off the bench.

Next year he starts.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

I don't think you can judge Nazr based on what's going on up in NY. That team is a wreck, and after the coaching change Nazr hasn't been the same.

Of course, it's hard to have any kind of success on the front line for the Knicks when you've got Starbury and Crawford out top, and Tim Thomas and Ariza duking it out to see who gets to start on the three.

And why all the negativity against Nazr? Everyone expects boosts in the games of players we acquire due to coaching, the team environment, and playing with Tim, why does anyone expect different with Nazr?

[sungo99]

And why all the negativity against Nazr?

Because Nazr kicked Malik right in the nuts. Bastard.

[ChumpDumper]

I don't think you can judge Nazr based on what's going on up in NY.I think some things can be judged. He's a fine rebounder but not all that great a defender. The Spurs' defense is going to help that, but is he going to have the same type of defensive impact Rasho has? I can't say that's going to happen.

[exstatic]

When Nazr picks up the defense, I can see him blocking 2 shots per game. He's athletic enough, and with the "funnel effect" of the defense sending drivers right to the bigs, he should increase his blocks. I think it will take him this season, plus training camp to really "get" the defense, though. Until then, he'll play off the bench and learn while he earns.

[RobinsontoDuncan]

Any big can be a good defender in Pop's system. Especially athletic ones.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Chump - I saw him go toe to toe with Jermaine O'Neal earlier this year. The capability is there.

[T Park]

^^^ We watched that same game.

Mohammed had a hell of a game that night and really impressed me.

[ChumpDumper]

He'll be great for those kind of matchups, I agree. I'm talking about overall impact.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Pop turned Jax, Rose, Parker, Udrih, and Brown into players, what makes you think he won't strengthen Nazr's game?

[ChumpDumper]

Nazr himself. I'm not saying it's impossible. He has to prove it.

[T Park]

Id wait till the summer of 06 before I completely judge Nazr Mohammed.


Until then, lets support him, hes wearin the silver and black and is one of the good guys.