Why Nazr started- Pop quote

[ploto]

"I think if somebody plays like that over and over again it should be respected or at least noticed."

Did anyone else find this quote from Pop odd? Maybe it is not entirely in context. I have never, ever heard Pop give as a reason for anything that some player needed personal recognition or notice. Where are the usual comments about the team playing better if this guy starts- or this one comes off the bench? Where are the usual Pop quotes that they are all professionals and just doing their job and need no other impetus? Manu was an All-Star and he did not need to start to be noticed or respected. I just found the answer a little strange coming from Pop- for him to mention having to be concerned about individual notice at all.

[GINNNNNNNNNNNNOBILI]

Nazr is a better player, and only playing time is going to help him learn the system

[ploto]

Nazr is a better player, and only playing time is going to help him learn the system
But Pop didn't say that he was starting Nazr because he needed playing time to learn the system. And you can get playing time off the bench. Rasho played more than Nazr last night.

[MoSpur]

I think you're reading way too much into it. The Spurs do play better when Nazr goes for something like 15pts and 15rbds.

[GINNNNNNNNNNNNOBILI]

Basically, I think he said that so people think the change is more due to Nazr playing well instead of Rasho not playing well.

[ChumpDumper]

Well, you can subscribe to a couple of conspiracy theories.

1) Nazr was being showcased against a nonexistent frontline for a trade.

2) Nazr won't play at all next game to keep his re-signing value down.

Or you can just conclude that Pop felt that the Spurs need boards from the outset, and Nazr hasn't been such a liability on D lately to keep him from starting.

[ChumpDumper]

One more thing to dovetail with another thread. Duncan's offensive output is way down this month. Both Nazr and Rasho are picking up the slack, but Nazr is more aggro and is actually catching passes down low. Now if he could only keep from getting blocked so often.

[SilverPlayer]

Or you can just conclude that Pop felt that the Spurs need boards from the outset, and Nazr hasn't been such a liability on D lately to keep him from starting.
I think this is dead on.

[spurster]

CIA Pop. Keep 'em guessing.

[blaze89]

CIA Pop. Keep 'em guessing.

Popovich must be a helluva poker player.

[leemajors]

pop also gave rasho more minutes. it's not about who he thinks is better.

[E20]

pop also gave rasho more minutes. it's not about who he thinks is better.
NBA boxscore says Nazr 21 mintues, Rasho 20 mintues.

[ChumpDumper]

Nah, the NBA boxscore says Nazr 21:01, Rasho 21:51.

Not that it really matters.

[E20]

Let me rephrase

Yahoo box score..........:lol

Nazr: 21
Rasho: 20
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/boxscore?gid=2006022124

[exstatic]

I think you're reading way too much into it. The Spurs do play better when Nazr goes for something like 15pts and 15rbds.
Except they lost the last game he exceeded those numbers...

[exstatic]

Pop thinks Nazr>Rasho



what do the Rasho lovers say to that?
Enjoy watching Nazr in another uniform next year...

[ChumpDumper]

Enjoy watching Nazr in another uniform next year...No way! Nazr will be in the IR next game to drive his asking price down again.

[ploto]

Today Don seemed to be trying to get Pop to say this meant Nazr would start the rest of the season, but I got the impression (I will admit I was driving at the time) that Pop was more of a - we're going to try this for a while and see what happens. Anyone else get that impression? I thought it strange (again) that Pop excused Nazr's poor first half last night on being nervous starting.

[yeahone]

go nazr

[SouthernFried]

You know Pop is pissed Nazr didn't sign the deal they offered him. Nazr want's to test the market. Pop wouldn't start, or play Nazr many minutes...if he didn't actually have to.

I guess he has to.

[ploto]

You know Pop is pissed Nazr didn't sign the deal they offered him. Nazr want's to test the market. Pop wouldn't start, or play Nazr many minutes...if he didn't actually have to.

I guess he has to.
But Rasho actually played more minutes. :lol

[Dre_7]

Nazr is being showcased to Chigaco. He will be traded for Tyson Chandler. :lol

I wish!

[wildbill2u]

"I think if somebody plays like that over and over again it should be respected or at least noticed."

Did anyone else find this quote from Pop odd? Maybe it is not entirely in context. I have never, ever heard Pop give as a reason for anything that some player needed personal recognition or notice. Where are the usual comments about the team playing better if this guy starts- or this one comes off the bench? Where are the usual Pop quotes that they are all professionals and just doing their job and need no other impetus? Manu was an All-Star and he did not need to start to be noticed or respected. I just found the answer a little strange coming from Pop- for him to mention having to be concerned about individual notice at all.

I think he meant that the player's production should be respected and noticed by the coaches and the appropriate measures taken, in this case putting NAZR into the starting lineup. He didn't mean that NAZR should be getting personal recognition.

[WalterBenitez]

Good for him, I hope he take his chance!!!

[BigZak]

Enjoy watching Nazr in another uniform next year...


If Naz walks and #8 is back at center?

no more rings.

Resign Naz at all costs.
Unless Pop has a cia plan to pull ben wallace out of his ass.

[Peter]

If Naz walks and #8 is back at center?

no more rings.

Resign Naz at all costs.
Unless Pop has a cia plan to pull ben wallace out of his ass.


Unlikely. The Spurs supposedly balked at giving him a $28 mil extension last summer. The Spurs were hot to deal Malik for him because of the remaining $28 mil or so on his contract. Mohammed's deal ending in 2006 is why they gave up two picks to the Knicks.