Free Agent: Fabricio Oberto

[Manu'sMagicalLeftHand]

http://www.acb.com/fotos/8507_2_09690_2.jpg
Fabricio Oberto
Position: PF-C
Born: Mar. 21, 1975
Height: 6-10/ 208 cms.
Weight: 110 kgs./ around 245 pounds, don't know the exact conversion.
College: Argentina

If he accepts a low salary, he could be a great addition, if the Spurs choose to pass on Scola, or trade Rasho. Anyone who has watched international basketball for the past ten years, knows that he should be considered.

[E20]

Has he declared himself for the draft?

[Manu'sMagicalLeftHand]

Has he declared himself for the draft?

He's 30 years old. He finished his contract in Spain and is an unrestricted free agent.

[Marcus Bryant]

IIRC, he's too old (or otherwise ineligible) for the draft.

[E20]

So if you're too old for the draft and not in a contract with anybody you can just sign with an NBA team if they decide to sign you?

[Manu'sMagicalLeftHand]

So if you're too old for the draft and not in a contract with anybody you can just sign with an NBA team if they decide to sign you?

If the player contract is within the team salary cap limits, I believe the answer is yes.

[Marcus Bryant]

Something like that.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Yep.

[Mark in Austin]

Even though they would fill totally different roles, for me Oberto > Nachbar. I think I'd rather have three Argentinian gold medalists with a flex offense background than three Slovenians on the team. (No disrespect implied or intended to our Slovenian posters - just think they would fit the SPurs motion offense better.)

In fact, I'd sign Oberto over every other player Marcus has posted thus far, except for Glenn Robinson.

If you're the Spurs and have really decided on trying to extend Nazr, then I think it makes sense to bring in Oberto as the Backup big at 2-3 million per year and see what kind of legit long three you can get for Rasho.

An eventual 4-5 rotation of
Duncan
Mohammed
Scola
Oberto
Horry

would be pretty sick.

[Manu'sMagicalLeftHand]

An eventual 4-5 rotation of
Duncan
Mohammed
Scola
Oberto
Horry



No disrespect to Rasho, TMass or Marks, but that would be very sick.

[Mr. Body]

Oberto would be a step up over Rasho. The guy's a hoss. I don't see us having too much money to throw at him, although I'd definitely take him over some twinkie SF like Bostjan Nachbar who won't give you anything. Oberto vs. Scola, though, you obviously take Scola.

[Gummi]

I'm very high on Oberto. I would really like to see him with us next season. He's tall, well build and has alot of experience. He's an important role player for the Argentine national team which means he a good basketball player.

Bring him over if the price is right.

[Marcus Bryant]

Assuming that the Spurs do not move one of their current centers, re-sign Horry and bring in Scola next season, the only room for Oberto would be on IR. Perhaps entering the NBA and being on the same squad as a couple of his fellow countrymen would be enough to make that bearable for him...

[ChumpDumper]

Oberto would be a step up over Rasho.In what way?

[FoxMulder]

Is a hard nose player

Better than Rasho in
defense, rebounding, and good feet moves. Not much

[ChumpDumper]

So he's automatically an NBA starting center?

[FoxMulder]

No way

Is a good backup player, but not a starter...
and that´s because of Nazr. Not Rasho

[ChumpDumper]

But Rasho could start at center for over half the teams in the NBA right now. Would those teams sign Oberto with the same in mind for him?

[Marcus Bryant]

Oberto would find room on this Spurs team in a season or two, assuming that the Spurs don't trade away any of their bigs in the interim. It could be a coup for the Spurs if they could get him signed now.

[FoxMulder]

We are talking about the Spurs. And they sign Nazr because Rasho didn´t fit. Oberto could play for teams in the past (Indiana, Knicks) but since he has troubles with his agent and the Knicks then he fired his agent and decides to play in Europe.

I dont know if Oberto is better than Rasho, but maybe, for his style he could fit to the Spurs more than Rasho. One handicap to Oberto is that he´s less taller than Rasho but a lot quicker.

But if I could choose, I would choose Scola over Oberto any day of the week. He´s younger and a has a lot of cap to improve and develop in a great low post player.

[ChumpDumper]

We are talking about the Spurs.I'm not.
And they sign Nazr because Rasho didn´t fit.Nope.
I dont know if Oberto is better than RashoThank you.

[FoxMulder]

Again if Rasho is so good why the Spurs need Nazr?
How many MPG played Rasho in the Playoffs?
He was injured?
He was healed since the spurs played with the Suns!
The starter center is Nazr. If other teams think Rasho could be a starter ... then trade him and bring another backup center as he is now

[Karl Mundt]

When a player plays in Europe somewhere, away from NBA audiences and NBA competition, people tend to get unrealistic expectations. There were many centers in Europe past few years about whom people said could easily start in the NBA, even considered them as one of the top centers in the world, but eventually when they came to the NBA they had to settle for back up roles or not even that. Rebraca and Nate Huffman were considered to be big players in the NBA and it hasn't worked out that way. Rebraca has an excuse with his heart problem but Huffman on the other hand ended up on the injury list in Toronto. They were both agile 7-footers and were more dominant in Europe than Oberto probably ever was. If it hasn't worked out for those two, i think it's too early to start calling Oberto better than someone who has started for two NBA teams in over 400 games.

[ChumpDumper]

He was injured? Yes, and Pop didn't want to mess with the rotation when he got back. It's not like he was putting up a double-double.
The starter center is Nazr.Says who? Training camp will decide that.
then trade him and bring another backup center as he is nowWhy?

[FoxMulder]

I don´t think in Oberto
To me, he is too old.

But I should trade Rasho and sign Dalembert any day of the week.

[Karl Mundt]

I don´t think in Oberto
To me, he is too old.

But I should trade Rasho and sign Dalembert any day of the week.

Why Dalembert when you could sign Shaq?

[MaNuMaNiAc]

When a player plays in Europe somewhere, away from NBA audiences and NBA competition, people tend to get unrealistic expectations. There were many centers in Europe past few years about whom people said could easily start in the NBA, even considered them as one of the top centers in the world, but eventually when they came to the NBA they had to settle for back up roles or not even that. Rebraca and Nate Huffman were considered to be big players in the NBA and it hasn't worked out that way. Rebraca has an excuse with his heart problem but Huffman on the other hand ended up on the injury list in Toronto. They were both agile 7-footers and were more dominant in Europe than Oberto probably ever was. If it hasn't worked out for those two, i think it's too early to start calling Oberto better than someone who has started for two NBA teams in over 400 games.
Yeah, lets not forget Rasho comes from Europe as well. If Rasho could manage, who's to say Oberto can not? The only problem I have with Oberto is his attitude, which suck I might add. Other than that, I could see him starting for an NBA team, I don't know about us specifically but there are other teams that could use him.

[FoxMulder]

Nazr was the starter in the Playoffs.
Horry was the backup center (Horry!!).
Rasho just say played in garbage time at games 3 and 4.
That´s an starter center?
If I could choose a proven center then I´ll try to sign Dalembert or Zydrunas Ilgauskas (Much, much better scorer, defender and rebounder than Rasho and Oberto together...)

[Karl Mundt]

Yeah, lets not forget Rasho comes from Europe as well. If Rasho could manage, who's to say Oberto can not? The only problem I have with Oberto is his attitude, which suck I might add. Other than that, I could see him starting for an NBA team, I don't know about us specifically but there are other teams that could use him.

I'm not saying he couldn't, i'm just saying it's not as easy as some people tend to imagine it.

[FoxMulder]

Why Dalembert when you could sign Shaq?
Because Dalembert is a Free Agent

[FoxMulder]

Ditto with Ilgauskas

[Karl Mundt]

Nazr was the starter in the Playoffs.
Horry was the backup center (Horry!!).
Rasho just say played in garbage time at games 3 and 4.
That´s an starter center?
If I could choose a proven center then I´ll try to sign Dalembert or Zydrunas Ilgauskas (Much, much better scorer, defender and rebounder than Rasho and Oberto together...)

Well i see you've thought this through. I agree, sign Ilgauskas to back up Nazr.

[ChumpDumper]

English might be your second language, so I'll just let you know that you can't use the words "Ilgauskas" and "defender" in the same sentence.

[FoxMulder]

English is not my second language. Is Portuguese... :)

[ChumpDumper]

Point taken.

[FoxMulder]

:lol but if you are talking about Ilgauskas defense I still think he´s better than Rasho....

[ChumpDumper]

Point ridiculed.

[FoxMulder]

Check some stats man...

www.nba.com

Oh and I forgot it!
Ilgauskas is also an All Star Player...

[Seru Giran]

Oberto would be a step up over Rasho. The guy's a hoss. I don't see us having too much money to throw at him, although I'd definitely take him over some twinkie SF like Bostjan Nachbar who won't give you anything. Oberto vs. Scola, though, you obviously take Scola.

The thing with Fabricio is that he's dying to play in the NBA and given the fact that he would play alongside Manu and Luis it's really a no brainer for him. Not to mention going to the World Champs and playing under the hoop with the best ever, TimmyD, the Spurs have the leverage if they really want him on the team.
I'm not saying he'll play for free but I believe he'll be open to some reasonable discussions about money.

[Marcus Bryant]

Perhaps...sign Scola to a contract starting at $2 to $2.5 mil, resign Glenn Robinson or another veteran to be the backup 3 with the remainder of the MLE and then sign Oberto using the $1.6 mil exception?

[Rick Von Braun]

Bump

[Manu'sMagicalLeftHand]

Oh, yes, that's why I started this thread, I have great powers in my crystal balls...

:rolleyes :lol

[T Park]

sign Scola to a contract starting at $2 to $2.5 mil, resign Glenn Robinson or another veteran to be the backup 3 with the remainder of the MLE and then sign Oberto using the $1.6 mil exception?

While this would be fantastic, does it happen??

Doesn't sound like it coming from Johnny Ludden.

Ya never know though.

[sa_butta]

Oberto video I found from his website.
Go to Multimedia then video.
sorry if already posted.

http://www.fabrioberto.com/home.html

[GrandeDavid]

English is not my second language. Is Portuguese... :)

E aí, cara!!! Então vamos conversar um pouco, rapaz! Você é brasileiro? De onde você é, meu?

[picnroll]

Oberto video I found from his website.
Go to Multimedia then video.
sorry if already posted.

http://www.fabrioberto.com/home.html
I can see a lot of slipped picks and backdoor oops Manu to Oberto coming.

[bigbendbruisebrother]

The only problem I have with Oberto is his attitude, which suck I might add.

MaNuMaNiA, you've mentioned his attitude a couple of times in prior posts. Specifically, what's been his problem?

[Manu'sMagicalLeftHand]

MaNuMaNiA, you've mentioned his attitude a couple of times in prior posts. Specifically, what's been his problem?

I'm not Manumania, but let me take a guess about what he's saying.

I don't think it is a problem, if Oberto is willing to play in the NBA. He easily gets carried away, whether it is in victory or defeat. He can insult the Serbian National Team and Fans, in every language he speaks after the 2002 controversial World Championships Final. He also can insult them Serbians after Manu's last second winning shot, or shout "son of a bitch" (in Spanish) to Stephon Marbury from the bench after the former injured him. He is emotional, but I never saw that showing those emotions affected his game. Since he is a rookie in the NBA, and he is used to talk with the refs in Europe, he will get a couple of T's this season.

[manubili]

I can see a lot of slipped picks and backdoor oops Manu to Oberto coming.

That's a classic. Manu + Oberto = rock'n roll

[bigbendbruisebrother]

I'm not Manumania, but let me take a guess about what he's saying.

I don't think it is a problem, if Oberto is willing to play in the NBA. He easily gets carried away, whether it is in victory or defeat. He can insult the Serbian National Team and Fans, in every language he speaks after the 2002 controversial World Championships Final. He also can insult them Serbians after Manu's last second winning shot, or shout "son of a bitch" (in Spanish) to Stephon Marbury from the bench after the former injured him. He is emotional, but I never saw that showing those emotions affected his game. Since he is a rookie in the NBA, and he is used to talk with the refs in Europe, he will get a couple of T's this season.

Well, I'll cut him some slack for a while at least. It's not like Stephan Marbury didn't have it coming. And that Serbian "ethnic cleansing" offense isn't exactly very friendly either (I'm sorry, Serb posters, that was not nice).

All horrifically innapropriate kidding aside, this team could use some attitude at times. Hopefully he keeps it focused and doesn't go Rasheed Wallace on us.

[hendrix]

I don't think it is a problem, if Oberto is willing to play in the NBA. He easily gets carried away, whether it is in victory or defeat. He can insult the Serbian National Team and Fans, in every language he speaks after the 2002 controversial World Championships Final. He also can insult them Serbians after Manu's last second winning shot, or shout "son of a bitch" (in Spanish) to Stephon Marbury from the bench after the former injured him. He is emotional, but I never saw that showing those emotions affected his game. Since he is a rookie in the NBA, and he is used to talk with the refs in Europe, he will get a couple of T's this season.

I agree. I never saw his attitude as much as a problem. He's very competitive guy. He feels the game and if someone is pushing, he'll push back harder.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Scola>>>OBerto

Shawn, who plays for what country?

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

explain how Scola isn't better then Oberto................exactly

Give me a fucking break. Several of us broke it down in the in the original Oberto signing thread, and all your sorry ass could contribute was that you saw Scola kick Oberto's ass when they played each other in the Olympics last year (which was an amazing feat seeings they were on the same team).

I'm not going to waste my time typing it out again, your dumb ass didn't comprehend it the first time - and that was with 10 pages of people hitting you over your air headed little skull with facts, stats, and observations.

Christ, it took you til' page 8 to figure out that they played on the same damn team.

Have a nice day, and like I said - check back in when you know who plays for what team without having to look it up.

[timvp]

The only thing Scola does better than Oberto is score.

[Marcus Bryant]

Where's the cloud between the silver lining here? The Spurs haven't lost Scola and they've gained Oberto in the process. Spurs fans were already counting on the Spurs adding a badass Argentine bigman who's been playing in Europe this offseason...and they've got that. In addition, the Spurs maintain Scola's rights and at age 25, it's not like his career is anywhere close to being over.

If the Spurs move one of their centers, as expected, within the year, the need for a center is greater than for that of another power forward.

The Oberto signing is exactly what the Spurs should be doing...continuing to capitalize on their ability to evaluate international talent as well as on their relationships abroad. I'd be very surprised if Ginobili did not have a hand in recruiting Oberto to join the Spurs.

So the Spurs get a talented center for 3 years and $7.5 mil. This could turn out to be a steal. Plus they maintain their rights to Scola.

Pretty fucking good.

[King]

The rich get richer. That's about as good as you can sum it up.

[Marcus Bryant]

Also, the Spurs have about $2.3 mil from their MLE, their $1.7 or $1.8 mil exception, Rasho or Nazr to trade, as well as Scola's rights to help them address the one position which is somewhat thin at the moment, the 3 spot.

If they elect to bring Scola in next summer or beyond, they will have their full MLE to do so.

Life is good for Spurs fans, even if they don't recognize it.

[BigDiggyD]

Also, the Spurs have about $2.3 mil from their MLE, their $1.7 or $1.8 mil exception, Rasho or Nazr to trade, as well as Scola's rights to help them address the one position which is somewhat thin at the moment, the 3 spot.

If they elect to bring Scola in next summer or beyond, they will have their full MLE to do so.

Life is good for Spurs fans, even if they don't recognize it.

Yep.. its a lot of chips on the table to play with on a team that could stand pat and be the odds on favorite to repeat as champs. If its true that Scola would be easier to acquire next year, then this is probably the right move. The Spurs have been operating in a mode that trys to allow wiggle room to make adjustments year after year. They need to avoid overpaying and losing financial leverage as much as possible.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

But Marcus, Oberto got his ass kicked by Scola in the Olympics last year.

This move sucks[/Shawn Michaels]

[BigDiggyD]

But Marcus, Oberto got his ass kicked by Scola in the Olympics last year.

This move sucks[/Shawn Michaels]

Hey cut him some slack. He may have saw them playing 21 or HORSE before the game.

Plus if you own FIBA 2004 you can put them on any team you want :angel

[TMSKILZ]

Shawnmichaels is gay!

[Spurs košarka kultura]

Is Oberto's free throw really uglier that Shaq's? I'm not sure a I can fathom that.................seriously.

[BigDiggyD]

Shawnmichaels is gay!

Marty Janetty rulz!!!!

[caspian]

I've really never seen these guys (Oberto & Scola) play. How much upside are they proported to have? I remember Ginobili being so exciting to me because he was genuinely as athletic as you can ask, and you just knew he had major potential. I believe the same about Mahinmi.

Can someone in the know tell me what they think about these guys with respect to potential/upside? Are they peaking?...just beginning?...

[BadlyDrawnBoy]

I've really never seen these guys (Oberto & Scola) play.

Just go to Fab's website (fabrioberto.com) and click on multimedia and check out some video of the dude in action.

Think a faster, smoother, healthier looking Vlade Divac.

[caspian]

Just go to Fab's website (fabrioberto.com) and click on multimedia and check out some video of the dude in action.

Think a faster, smoother, healthier looking Vlade Divac.

Cool...yeah, I see what you're saying.

Scola's similar?

[BadlyDrawnBoy]

Cool...yeah, I see what you're saying.

Scola's similar?

No, Scola is more offensive oriented. He's not as good a rebounder, defender, blocker, low post player as Oberto. What Scola has on Oberto is a nice shot from 15 out and freethrows.

Oberto is also a better passer.

[caspian]

No, Scola is more offensive oriented. He's not as good a rebounder, defender, blocker, low post player as Oberto. What Scola has on Oberto is a nice shot from 15 out and freethrows.

Oberto is also a better passer.

I see. And what is Scola's particular draw then...that he's big (6'9"?) and can shoot?

[Athenea]

No, Scola is more offensive oriented. He's not as good a rebounder, defender, blocker, low post player as Oberto. What Scola has on Oberto is a nice shot from 15 out and freethrows.

Oberto is also a better passer.
Scola doesn't have low post game??? That's new!!! :oops