Oberto makes most of his surprising chance to play early

[Kori Ellis]

Spurs' Oberto makes most of his surprising chance to play early

Web Posted: 05/15/2006 12:00 AM CDT
Mike Monroe
Express-News Staff Writer

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/storyindex.html

DALLAS — Of all the lineup shakeups in the first three games of the NBA Western Conference semifinal series between the Spurs and Dallas Mavericks, Fabricio Oberto's emergence Saturday as the Spurs' first big man off the bench might have been the most surprising.

When the playoffs began, the 30-year-old rookie from Argentina was playing behind Tim Duncan, Nazr Mohammed, Robert Horry and Rasho Nesterovic in the power forward-center rotation, more insurance policy than expected contributor. In the eight playoff games that preceded Game 3, he logged only 23 minutes. He did not play at all in two games of the first-round series against the Sacramento Kings, nor did he play in Game 1 against the Mavericks.

So when Horry picked up his second foul only 3 minutes, 51 seconds into the first quarter of Game 3 and Spurs coach Gregg Popovich called on Oberto to replace him, a few eyebrows were raised on the Mavericks' bench.

Popovich and his assistant coaches have been looking for some way to counteract the Mavericks' attack that is built around Dirk Nowitzki, a 7-footer who does not play in the post. They recalled that Oberto had done a good job defending Nowitzki in the final regular-season game against Dallas, and decided to give him a crack at the Mavericks' star on Saturday.

Based on Popovich's assessment of his play, he likely will get another turn tonight in Game 4.

"I enjoyed him," Popovich said. "He's a really active guy, always trying to do the right thing. Real aggressive and really understands the game. I liked his play."

For Oberto, the early call came without warning, but he said he was thrilled.

"I'm just trying to be ready every time, whenever we play," said Oberto, who scored five points and grabbed three rebounds in his 10:41 on the court. "Sometimes, maybe depending on the plan of the game, I can get in there, like last night. But we have a (deep) team. I understood from the beginning of the season I need to keep my shape up and be ready."

When Oberto was signed as a free agent last summer, Spurs general manager R.C. Buford called him "a great teammate" who does "whatever it takes to help his team." With so many big men already on the roster, however, Oberto's role was something that Buford said Popovich would figure out.

Oberto played in only 59 of 82 games, averaging a little more than eight minutes. Now he is being called on to help the Spurs handle one of the NBA's most potent offensive players.

"When I get to the court I try to do everything with energy," Oberto said. "I try to run and be aggressive. Sometimes I get some (foul) calls, but I've got to adjust to the level of the game."

Manu Ginobili, Oberto's teammate when Argentina won gold in the 2004 Olympics, was as surprised to see Oberto in the game early as he was when he learned he would not be in the starting lineup. In fact, Oberto was the first Argentine off the Spurs' bench, not Ginobili, who entered nearly two minutes later than Oberto.

"It was great to see him perform, play with aggressiveness, and execute well the things Pop asked him to do," Ginobili said.

[Sense]

Oberto can't do playoffs right now....


Seriously I hate seeing him on the floor against this team.

[T Park]

If he can bring that same energy.

Make those easy hooks, and get some more boards, and the Spurs win game 4, this will be looked back on as another genius move by Pop.

[boutons_]

It's depressing that Nazr and Rasho are so useless that Pop has to throw Fabricio into the the deep end of the pool in his rookie NBA season. But his hustle and basketball smarts already puts him above Nazr and Rasho with greater height and more NBA years.

[T Park]

Seriously I hate seeing him on the floor against this team.

Oberto was great against the Mavericks in that second half.

His buckets and decent D was a small part of how they were in it.


His rebounding nad energy helped too.

I would start him, then bring Horry off the bench.

[Sense]

I'm never going to be happy if we're down in the game and Oberto is in the court....


It just doesn't seem right...

[T Park]

afraid to tell you, but Nazr and Rasho stink and arent any better

[timvp]

Oberto should have been starting the whole year. Nazr and Rasho aren't playoff players. Nazr was decent in some series last year but he was just a place holder for Horry.

[Sense]

afraid to tell you, but Nazr and Rasho stink and arent any better

That's cuz they haven't had that much time in the court to get into it....


Oberto hustles too much....


meaning he will waste too many fouls and create turnovers....

I don't think that's a good thing you want in a critical game. He can't guard Dirk either..

...
If he doesn't get a steal, a block, or score when the Spurs need it the most, there's no point of having him in there period.

[whottt]

I'd like to see Manu get Oberto some easy baskets on his penetrations...All these quick feeds that Nazr and Rasho fumble will be scores for Oberto...it's his game. And he's also tough...probably the most physical big we have on the roster this year(other than Nazr when he is feeling like it). He'll let the Mave penetrators know he is there...

One of things this guy understands, that some of our other C's don't...is that movement plays a huge part of offensive production. Movement and high pct shots off quick, smart cuts = Argentina Basketball.


There is no doubt Oberto is a smart basketball player who plays hard. Is why I have always liked him.

These are the things I liked about Oberto's game and why I wanted him signed in the first place...I've got no problems with him getting minutes and I felt he did make some good things happen in the game on Sat Night...He was actually pretty effective against Dirk in spot minutes...

He'll be even better without it being a surprise.

But if we get the lead late again and the Mavs are running an out play and a rebound off a miss essentially wins the game for us...For the love of God Pop, please shelve the small ball lineup and put Nazr in there.

[T Park]

That's cuz they haven't had that much time in the court to get into it

It is the fucking playoffs.

Fuck this minutes bullshit excuse.

Nazr and Rasho in the time they had in the games, have sucked complete donkey ass.

ESPECIALLY Nazr.

Dude has COMPLETELY dissapeared since game 2.

PERIOD.


Oberto > RASHO + NAZR

period.

Oberto did some great things and actually defended Dirk pretty well.

If Dirk is slowed at all by the ankle, Oberto will be even better.

Start Oberto, bring Horry off the bench.

[T Park]

But if we get the lead late again and the Mavs are running an out play and a rebound off a miss essentially wins the game for us...For the love of God Pop, please shelve the small ball lineup and put Nazr in there.

If we need a defensive stop to win a game,

I don't want Nazr Mohammed no where NEAR the court.

[kobe_bryant]

settle down tpork

[whottt]

If we need a defensive stop to win a game,

I don't want Nazr Mohammed no where NEAR the court.



If we have the lead and a D Rebound can win the game for us...Nazr needs to be on the court...and on top of that, he's about the only big on the team that can hit FT's worth a flip.

[intlspurshk]

I was disappointing to see there is no special chemistry developed between Manu and Oberto. Why wasn't he given more time in regular season if he is that good? Nothing against Oberto but seeing him on the court means how poor both Naza and Rasho are or how desparate the coaches are. Very sad.

[rayray2k8]

settle down tpork

Caught any fish yet? :spin

[Solid D]

When Tim fouled out, I was sitting there discussing that very point - whether Pop should insert Horry or Oberto. Oberto would certainly effort the rebounds and set a decent screen. Horry, on the other hand, is the guy who has traditionally made the "heady" play in a key moment. That's why when Pop went with Horry...he seemed like a logical choice. That's also why when Bowen couldn't box out Dirk and nobody went after the ball, it also brought out the second-guessing discussion "I knew it! They needed the rebounder." :depressed

[J.T.]

I think the entire Spurs team is going to BRING IT tomorrow. Pop should start Oberto, he did badass in game 3.

[T Park]

That's also why when Bowen couldn't box out Dirk and nobody went after the ball, it also brought out the second-guessing discussion "I knew it! They needed the rebounder."

Yeah, Prob should've then put two bigs in there, if anything for the rebound.

Oberto and Horry in there

along with Bowen Ginobili and Parker.

[Tek_XX]

I think we should go back to out original starting lineup

Tony, Manu, Duncan, Bowen, RAsho

They've won a lot of games, let's see if they can get it done again.

[Texas_Ranger]

I think we should go back to out original starting lineup

Tony, Manu, Duncan, Bowen, RAsho

They've won a lot of games, let's see if they can get it done again.

I think that to

[exstatic]

Nazr sucks ass, and Rasho is a bad matchup for Suns, Jr. Oberto is at least smart and has good hands.

[ploto]

Play Oberto all you want-- put him on Dirk when Horry is not in there. Just don't hang him out to dry as the only big on the floor.

As for those who wanted Oberto to start all season- he is a power forward in the NBA-- not a center. Tim would never defensively play center all regular season long.

[WalterBenitez]

Can he catch and hold the ball for at least .50 second without making a turnover? if so ... he's better than NAZR.

Besides that if will reveive a tons of calls against us .. why don't we start to make hard fouls on them, why? hey if you stare on dirk you get a call, if you try to avaoid him (like Manu .. you get a call), if you whisper next to him it is a foul ... just make some hard fouls ... send our big boys to kick his ass .... :oops

[Solid D]

As for those who wanted Oberto to start all season- he is a power forward in the NBA-- not a center. Tim would never defensively play center all regular season long.

I think Pop knows that. He played Oberto in lieu of Horry at the 4 throughout the season. That's not to say he wouldn't occasionally defend the opposing 5, when needed.

[JoeChalupa]

What ever it takes.

[Jimcs50]

Rasho can stay with the limping Dirk. and is longer. I want Rasho to get the start.

[1Parker1]

The problem with Oberto...and Horry also is that they're aren't great at guarding the paint. Guys like Devin Harris, Jason Terry, etc. are strolling into the paint for easy layups these past two games. Yes, a lot of it has to do with the fact that Pop went small ball with Duncan and 4 guards...but even when Oberto and Horry were playing, our interior defense sucked. That is the only reason I think Pop needs to consider starting either Rasho or Nazr. I don't care if Dirk gets 40...it's Dirk getting 20, Harris, getting 20, Terry getting 20, etc that's killing us. We need to stop the other guys.

[SuperManu!!!]

The last time nazr entered..he made so many mistakes in less than 2 minutes that costed us 8 points. Sorry no NAZR!!!! Trade him. Also Rasho, he is a big man but he looks like a dead guy, no energy, no defense.....its like watching frankestein! Oberto is not the best center, but for now is our best option against the mavs.

[Nbadan]

Horry costs the Spurs valuable time on offense everytime he's on the floor, and he simply can't guard Howard, then again when Howard muscles Bowen to within 3 feet of the basket neither can Bruce. Oberto and Horry should only be playing spot duty against Dirk in this series.

[whottt]

Horry costs the Spurs valuable time on offense everytime he's on the floor, and he simply can't guard Howard, then again when Howard muscles Bowen to within 3 feet of the basket neither can Bruce. Oberto and Horry should only be playing spot duty against Dirk in this series.


Geezus...that post makes your political opinions look good.

[Nbadan]

I did the analysis myself, when Horry is on the floor the Spurs offense takes longer to set and ball movement decreases.

[whottt]

Ya but when Rasho or(especially) Nazr are on the floor they are the Mavs best player. You need to go back and rewatch...it's definitely Rasho and Nazr that need to be the specialists in this series.

[Nbadan]

Ya but when Rasho or(especially) Nazr are on the floor they are the Mavs best player. You need to go back and rewatch...it's definitely Rasho and Nazr that need to be the specialists in this series.

Rasho and Nazr are too slow. The Mavericks would eat their lunch on offense.

The Spurs need to stay small with Barry, Finley, Manu, Bowen, and Parker getting key minutes. Dallas can't handle Duncan and all that speed for 48 minutes. It will be a Spurs blow-out by the mid-point of the 4th quarter.

[whottt]

Fair enough...but should we get the lead I do want to see us using the bigger lineups, Horry and Oberto can do that just fine in those situations, and late and close with us up I do want Nazr in there for his rebounding, if only situationally.....the small ball lineup can't rebound or defend the paint worth a flip.

And Horry always plays smart...it's seldom bad for him to be on the floor.

[Nbadan]

Yes, when Dirk is gassed, Horry and Oberto should get a few minutes, but starting Horry is ludicrious. It cost the Spurs game 3.