Bruno
01-27-2006, 05:20 PM
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA012706.1D.BKNspurs.oberto.1cb20a64.html
Web Posted: 01/27/2006 12:49 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
Fabricio Oberto could have stayed in Spain last summer. He had built a successful career, the country embraced Argentine players and his family enjoyed a comfortable living.
Instead, life as a 30-year-old rookie with the Spurs appealed more. During his first three months in the NBA, Oberto has been asked to come early to practice, stay late and sit near the end of the bench.
When he has received the chance to play, the game's outcome usually has been decided by the time he steps on the floor.
So why is he still smiling?
"I'm so happy to be on this team," Oberto said. "These guys won a championship last year. They know how to play, how to win.
Fabricio Oberto, shooting over the Nuggets' Kenyon Martin, was happily learning and sitting until called upon to fill minutes in place of the injured Robert Horry.
"For me, it's a great time to keep learning."
Oberto has done more than learn the past week. With Robert Horry sidelined by a lower abdominal strain, Oberto has averaged 7.0 points and 4.8 rebounds in 20.0 minutes the past four games.
During the Spurs' back-to-back victories over Charlotte and New Orleans, he totaled 16 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in 51 minutes.
"When you're in his position, it's about waiting your turn and being ready to play," Tim Duncan said. "I think he's done just that."
Oberto also knows his minutes could evaporate when Horry returns.
Duncan and Rasho Nesterovic start at power forward and center, and Horry usually closes games with Duncan. Nazr Mohammed, whose play also has improved the past few games, typically receives the leftover minutes.
Before Horry's injury, Oberto averaged only 5.1 minutes in the Spurs' first 38 games, including 11 where he didn't play at all. It's the least he has played since his first pro season in Argentina.
But if Oberto has any regrets about signing with the Spurs — he received a three-year, $7.3million contract with the third season at his option — he's kept them hidden. He knew the competition for playing time among the big men would be tough.
"But the season has so many games," Oberto said. "That's why you have a long bench. So when someone likes Robert has an injury, a player has to cover his spot."
Oberto, like most international rookies, has needed time to adjust to the NBA's speed and athleticism. His transition was further slowed when he sprained his left ankle and missed part of the exhibition season.
Because the Spurs like their big men to space the floor for Duncan, Oberto also has worked to develop more of a face-up game. In Europe, he primarily was a back-to-the-basket player who rarely shot from the perimeter.
As part of that process, assistant coach Chip Engelland has worked with Oberto before practice and games to retool his shooting form. Coaches have long grimaced at the awkward release point of Oberto's shot.
In all but two of his six seasons in Spain, he shot below 50percent from the free-throw line.
"You should see video of me with the (Argentine) national team," he said with a laugh.
The Spurs hardly consider Oberto's shot a finished product, but they have noticed improvement. In Tuesday's victory over Charlotte, he made a pair of midrange jump shots. He's also hit eight of his last 11 free throws.
"He looked good at the line to me," said Tony Parker, who is trying to undergo a similar transformation.
Oberto's biggest contributions, however, usually come in what coach Gregg Popovich calls the "blue-collar" areas: rebounding, setting screens, passing. In each of the past four games, he's had at least two offensive rebounds — one of the team's biggest areas of concern.
"He knows his role, and he's sticking to it," Duncan said.
Oberto, like Manu Ginobili, is a high-energy player, which can make him foul- and mistake-prone like his good friend. His aggressiveness can be both infectious and irritating.
Tired of Oberto buzzing around him last week, Shaquille O'Neal knocked the rookie backward. O'Neal picked up his third foul in the process and went to the bench for the remainder of the half.
Oberto's upbeat personality also has fit well in the Spurs' locker room.
"The guys have been excited to see him do well these last few games," assistant coach Mike Budenholzer said. "During the grind of the middle of the season, that means something."
Whether Oberto has the size and athleticism to become an everyday player in the NBA remains to be seen. Playing well against the Bobcats and Hornets isn't the same as, say, blocking out the Wallaces in Detroit.
But Oberto promised this much: "I'll keep working."
Web Posted: 01/27/2006 12:49 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
Fabricio Oberto could have stayed in Spain last summer. He had built a successful career, the country embraced Argentine players and his family enjoyed a comfortable living.
Instead, life as a 30-year-old rookie with the Spurs appealed more. During his first three months in the NBA, Oberto has been asked to come early to practice, stay late and sit near the end of the bench.
When he has received the chance to play, the game's outcome usually has been decided by the time he steps on the floor.
So why is he still smiling?
"I'm so happy to be on this team," Oberto said. "These guys won a championship last year. They know how to play, how to win.
Fabricio Oberto, shooting over the Nuggets' Kenyon Martin, was happily learning and sitting until called upon to fill minutes in place of the injured Robert Horry.
"For me, it's a great time to keep learning."
Oberto has done more than learn the past week. With Robert Horry sidelined by a lower abdominal strain, Oberto has averaged 7.0 points and 4.8 rebounds in 20.0 minutes the past four games.
During the Spurs' back-to-back victories over Charlotte and New Orleans, he totaled 16 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in 51 minutes.
"When you're in his position, it's about waiting your turn and being ready to play," Tim Duncan said. "I think he's done just that."
Oberto also knows his minutes could evaporate when Horry returns.
Duncan and Rasho Nesterovic start at power forward and center, and Horry usually closes games with Duncan. Nazr Mohammed, whose play also has improved the past few games, typically receives the leftover minutes.
Before Horry's injury, Oberto averaged only 5.1 minutes in the Spurs' first 38 games, including 11 where he didn't play at all. It's the least he has played since his first pro season in Argentina.
But if Oberto has any regrets about signing with the Spurs — he received a three-year, $7.3million contract with the third season at his option — he's kept them hidden. He knew the competition for playing time among the big men would be tough.
"But the season has so many games," Oberto said. "That's why you have a long bench. So when someone likes Robert has an injury, a player has to cover his spot."
Oberto, like most international rookies, has needed time to adjust to the NBA's speed and athleticism. His transition was further slowed when he sprained his left ankle and missed part of the exhibition season.
Because the Spurs like their big men to space the floor for Duncan, Oberto also has worked to develop more of a face-up game. In Europe, he primarily was a back-to-the-basket player who rarely shot from the perimeter.
As part of that process, assistant coach Chip Engelland has worked with Oberto before practice and games to retool his shooting form. Coaches have long grimaced at the awkward release point of Oberto's shot.
In all but two of his six seasons in Spain, he shot below 50percent from the free-throw line.
"You should see video of me with the (Argentine) national team," he said with a laugh.
The Spurs hardly consider Oberto's shot a finished product, but they have noticed improvement. In Tuesday's victory over Charlotte, he made a pair of midrange jump shots. He's also hit eight of his last 11 free throws.
"He looked good at the line to me," said Tony Parker, who is trying to undergo a similar transformation.
Oberto's biggest contributions, however, usually come in what coach Gregg Popovich calls the "blue-collar" areas: rebounding, setting screens, passing. In each of the past four games, he's had at least two offensive rebounds — one of the team's biggest areas of concern.
"He knows his role, and he's sticking to it," Duncan said.
Oberto, like Manu Ginobili, is a high-energy player, which can make him foul- and mistake-prone like his good friend. His aggressiveness can be both infectious and irritating.
Tired of Oberto buzzing around him last week, Shaquille O'Neal knocked the rookie backward. O'Neal picked up his third foul in the process and went to the bench for the remainder of the half.
Oberto's upbeat personality also has fit well in the Spurs' locker room.
"The guys have been excited to see him do well these last few games," assistant coach Mike Budenholzer said. "During the grind of the middle of the season, that means something."
Whether Oberto has the size and athleticism to become an everyday player in the NBA remains to be seen. Playing well against the Bobcats and Hornets isn't the same as, say, blocking out the Wallaces in Detroit.
But Oberto promised this much: "I'll keep working."