ploto
03-20-2009, 08:52 AM
A winning endorsement from Rasho Nesterovic
“Ettore Messina with the Raptors could change everything and they’d become a winning team.” This is according to former Toronto Raptors player Rasho Nesterovic, and it’s the best reference letter a coach can get.
The Slovenian centre – now with the Indiana Pacers – was once under the tutelage of the current CSKA Moscow coach, and is now prepared to bet on Messina’s success with the professionals as well.
“There are only two European coaches able to coach in the NBA,” said Nesterovic. “One is Ettore Messina, and the other is Zemilir Obradovic. The others are all good, but they don’t have the charisma, the character, the determination, and the knowledge of basketball that they do.”
Nesterovic does not seem overly concerned about misgivings over Messina’s possible arrival. Firstly, he is familiar with his former teammates and former coach. Secondly, because working together with president Bryan Colangelo and vice president Maurizio Gherardini, the future would be better planned out and adjustments made to the roster based on team requirements.
“The project could be risky but at the same time could be the right solution for a team like the Raptors,” he continued. “It’s clear that Messina needs to be given the best conditions, maybe making a trade to shore up the team where it’s needed most.”
The Pacers pivot strongly emphasizes that the former Benetton Treviso coach’s most valuable asset is the mentality he brings to the game. Much has been said about the problems a European coach landing in the NBA would face, without ever mentioning what Messina would bring to the world of American professional basketball.
“The European mentality along with a team of strong players from the European leagues could be a winning mix,” he added. “Europe isn’t like America where you play so much that you lose count. There, each game is meaningful, and under the guide of Messina, the Raptors could finally have the right mentality and play each game like it was an NBA final.”
Nesterovic’s experience with Virtus is well remembered by the Slovenian champion. The years spent under the guidance of the CSKA coach and alongside a champion like Sasha Danilovic transformed him, allowing him to take the next step and come to America to play among professionals. This is why when speaking about Messina, he refers to him as his basketball mentor – the man who more than any other has contributed most to his maturity as a person and above all as a player.
“Messina and Sasha Danilovic gave me a lot,” Nesterovic said. “That’s why I say that in Europe and throughout the world, there are really very few people who know basketball like Messina does.”
Finally, Nesterovic expresses a wish that, based on the mutual respect the two have for each other, that he could make a sensational return to his former team, although that is likely just a dream.
“If Messina really did come to Toronto I’d like to come back and be coached by him again,” said Nesterovic. “In reality, I’d like to be coached by him wherever he goes to coach. With Messina, you always play to win, and when the players are able to achieve that mindset, it’s easier to obtain great success.”
http://www.corrieretandem.com/viewstory.php?storyid=8998&page=2
“Ettore Messina with the Raptors could change everything and they’d become a winning team.” This is according to former Toronto Raptors player Rasho Nesterovic, and it’s the best reference letter a coach can get.
The Slovenian centre – now with the Indiana Pacers – was once under the tutelage of the current CSKA Moscow coach, and is now prepared to bet on Messina’s success with the professionals as well.
“There are only two European coaches able to coach in the NBA,” said Nesterovic. “One is Ettore Messina, and the other is Zemilir Obradovic. The others are all good, but they don’t have the charisma, the character, the determination, and the knowledge of basketball that they do.”
Nesterovic does not seem overly concerned about misgivings over Messina’s possible arrival. Firstly, he is familiar with his former teammates and former coach. Secondly, because working together with president Bryan Colangelo and vice president Maurizio Gherardini, the future would be better planned out and adjustments made to the roster based on team requirements.
“The project could be risky but at the same time could be the right solution for a team like the Raptors,” he continued. “It’s clear that Messina needs to be given the best conditions, maybe making a trade to shore up the team where it’s needed most.”
The Pacers pivot strongly emphasizes that the former Benetton Treviso coach’s most valuable asset is the mentality he brings to the game. Much has been said about the problems a European coach landing in the NBA would face, without ever mentioning what Messina would bring to the world of American professional basketball.
“The European mentality along with a team of strong players from the European leagues could be a winning mix,” he added. “Europe isn’t like America where you play so much that you lose count. There, each game is meaningful, and under the guide of Messina, the Raptors could finally have the right mentality and play each game like it was an NBA final.”
Nesterovic’s experience with Virtus is well remembered by the Slovenian champion. The years spent under the guidance of the CSKA coach and alongside a champion like Sasha Danilovic transformed him, allowing him to take the next step and come to America to play among professionals. This is why when speaking about Messina, he refers to him as his basketball mentor – the man who more than any other has contributed most to his maturity as a person and above all as a player.
“Messina and Sasha Danilovic gave me a lot,” Nesterovic said. “That’s why I say that in Europe and throughout the world, there are really very few people who know basketball like Messina does.”
Finally, Nesterovic expresses a wish that, based on the mutual respect the two have for each other, that he could make a sensational return to his former team, although that is likely just a dream.
“If Messina really did come to Toronto I’d like to come back and be coached by him again,” said Nesterovic. “In reality, I’d like to be coached by him wherever he goes to coach. With Messina, you always play to win, and when the players are able to achieve that mindset, it’s easier to obtain great success.”
http://www.corrieretandem.com/viewstory.php?storyid=8998&page=2