Spurs Brazil
05-25-2007, 08:16 PM
http://www.sportsline.com/nba/story/10197603
SAN ANTONIO -- Fabricio Oberto remembers being in Spain, watching childhood buddy Manu Ginobili win his first NBA championship. Oberto wasn't jealous -- too good a guy, too solid a friendship -- but he did covet.
Who wouldn't?
Oberto didn't want fame or fortune. He had already made a nice living for himself, turning pro at age 17 in his native Argentina and taking his talent to Greece and Spain. He has never been glory hog, demonstrated by his acceptance to do whatever his team needed, including coming off the bench for his national team.
He simply wanted an opportunity to join the world's top league, and San Antonio had noticed him years back while scouting Ginobili. The circumstances for bringing Oberto over just weren't right. Things never seemed to fall into place. Other teams noticed him, too, especially after he helped Argentina to the 2004 Olympic gold medal, but no one ever pulled the trigger.
Countryman Luis Scola was drafted by the Spurs. Andres Nocioni went to Chicago. Carlos Delfino was signed by Detroit. Ginobili had already blossomed into a star. Oberto wondered if his chance would ever come.
In 2005, it finally did. At 30 years old, Oberto was brought in to play a role on a veteran perennial contender. He joined his buddy Manu on the Spurs, signing a three-year deal. Having won European championships and Olympic gold, Oberto finally got the opportunity to reach the pinnacle of his profession.
"There's definitely a difference in the NBA, and last year, I had to get adjusted to all the new dimensions, and I definitely took time to enjoy and appreciate it," Oberto said in Spanish. "But in the playoffs, you see something even more special. You can really feel the buzz around the city and the love from the fans. This is what you always dream of."
And he is making the most of it.
Of big men Tim Duncan, Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur, Oberto is the only non-All-Star starting in these Western Conference finals, but he's putting up great numbers, posting 14 points and seven rebounds in each of the first two games -- both San Antonio victories. He's averaging 31 minutes, about 14 more than he did during the regular season, and has been pivotal with his fundamentally sound approach next to the Big Fundamental, knocking down 12 of 15 shots.
If there was one concern the Spurs had regarding facing Utah, it was matching up with its size and keeping pace on the boards. Oberto has helped in both aspects.
"Fabio is playing great. He's had a lot of big games in Europe and internationally and I think he's playing like he's not scared," Spurs point guard Tony Parker said. "He's played hard, been physical, he's always there at the right time, in the right position, setting great picks and we're finding him. He's rolling all the time and with all the help, maybe they have a tendency of forgetting about him since they're so focused with me, Manu and Timmy."
It's no coincidence that Oberto's strengths involve basic basketball. He might as well be Argentina's version of Duncan, not necessarily because of his dominance, but rather because of his approach to the game. Rarely do you see Oberto make a mistake, and it's that dependability that has endeared him to head coach Gregg Popovich and his teammates. Despite being a year younger than Oberto, Duncan has been a major influence on his game.
"I used to watch him on television and emulate his moves," said Oberto. "His ability to control the game, to dominate on both ends, is incredible. Seeing it up close daily makes you appreciate it even more. Being able to assist, alter shots, rebound, score and do all the things he does really makes it easy for his teammates, makes it easy for me alongside him."
The fact he has no illusions to be a Duncan, to be a star, also makes Oberto a perfect fit for a San Antonio squad that puts the sum of its parts above everything else. That, fundamentally -- using that word a lot here -- is who Oberto is.
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In Argentina, he is the man. He is a legend. Similar to how the country jumped on Popovich for bringing Ginobili off the bench a few years back, stopping just short of declaring war on San Antonio and ambushing the Alamo, there was outcry over why Oberto didn't make an immediate impact.
Oberto wasn't concerned, though. He knew exactly what he was getting into, joining a squad not as a hungry kid, but as a hungry veteran. There's a major difference.
Anything that he needed to prove to himself, he got out of the way in Europe, winning championships with two separate teams in Spain after winning an MVP in Argentina. Coming to America was not about validation, but rather, about fitting into a winning climate. The Spurs roster is filled with players like him, making for an atmosphere that he says is conducive to success because everyone realizes the sacrifices it takes to win a championship.
Oberto sat through nearly 30 DNPs, including six in San Antonio's 13-game postseason run last season. He only scored in two of those games, but chalked up his rookie year as a success. He sat back and learned, got accustomed to his new surroundings and concentrated on fitting in. This season, he has made more of an impact, starting with an 11-for-11 effort back in November and continuing forward to this recent surge. Whatever the situation, Oberto simply does what he's asked to.
"He's the ultimate professional. His approach to the game is exceptional, He really just adds fiber to your roster and organization," said San Antonio assistant GM Sam Presti. "He's a great fit for us because he plays for the team and lives for the team.
"I think it's neat to watch Manu and Fab play off each other, because you have visions of those guys making the same play in Argentina as 15-year-olds. You'll watch a play unfold and wonder how many times they made that play, and where it all started, back in some empty gym back home. There's a symmetry to their game and their ability to read each other."
Ginobili was a major incentive in Oberto's arrival to the United States, not only easing his transition, but just giving him something to look forward to. Presti is right about where the games of these two developed, but above everything, a friendship was born as well. Now they have an opportunity to win another championship together.
"It's just been an incredible ride, but it's not over yet," Oberto said. "You have to be careful to take it in stride. To even think ahead that if you get past this series, you're going to be playing in an NBA Finals is awesome, but you have to get their first. You have to maintain your cool, keep a clear head, and keep bringing the fire."
Even sounds like the Big Fundamental, no?
SAN ANTONIO -- Fabricio Oberto remembers being in Spain, watching childhood buddy Manu Ginobili win his first NBA championship. Oberto wasn't jealous -- too good a guy, too solid a friendship -- but he did covet.
Who wouldn't?
Oberto didn't want fame or fortune. He had already made a nice living for himself, turning pro at age 17 in his native Argentina and taking his talent to Greece and Spain. He has never been glory hog, demonstrated by his acceptance to do whatever his team needed, including coming off the bench for his national team.
He simply wanted an opportunity to join the world's top league, and San Antonio had noticed him years back while scouting Ginobili. The circumstances for bringing Oberto over just weren't right. Things never seemed to fall into place. Other teams noticed him, too, especially after he helped Argentina to the 2004 Olympic gold medal, but no one ever pulled the trigger.
Countryman Luis Scola was drafted by the Spurs. Andres Nocioni went to Chicago. Carlos Delfino was signed by Detroit. Ginobili had already blossomed into a star. Oberto wondered if his chance would ever come.
In 2005, it finally did. At 30 years old, Oberto was brought in to play a role on a veteran perennial contender. He joined his buddy Manu on the Spurs, signing a three-year deal. Having won European championships and Olympic gold, Oberto finally got the opportunity to reach the pinnacle of his profession.
"There's definitely a difference in the NBA, and last year, I had to get adjusted to all the new dimensions, and I definitely took time to enjoy and appreciate it," Oberto said in Spanish. "But in the playoffs, you see something even more special. You can really feel the buzz around the city and the love from the fans. This is what you always dream of."
And he is making the most of it.
Of big men Tim Duncan, Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur, Oberto is the only non-All-Star starting in these Western Conference finals, but he's putting up great numbers, posting 14 points and seven rebounds in each of the first two games -- both San Antonio victories. He's averaging 31 minutes, about 14 more than he did during the regular season, and has been pivotal with his fundamentally sound approach next to the Big Fundamental, knocking down 12 of 15 shots.
If there was one concern the Spurs had regarding facing Utah, it was matching up with its size and keeping pace on the boards. Oberto has helped in both aspects.
"Fabio is playing great. He's had a lot of big games in Europe and internationally and I think he's playing like he's not scared," Spurs point guard Tony Parker said. "He's played hard, been physical, he's always there at the right time, in the right position, setting great picks and we're finding him. He's rolling all the time and with all the help, maybe they have a tendency of forgetting about him since they're so focused with me, Manu and Timmy."
It's no coincidence that Oberto's strengths involve basic basketball. He might as well be Argentina's version of Duncan, not necessarily because of his dominance, but rather because of his approach to the game. Rarely do you see Oberto make a mistake, and it's that dependability that has endeared him to head coach Gregg Popovich and his teammates. Despite being a year younger than Oberto, Duncan has been a major influence on his game.
"I used to watch him on television and emulate his moves," said Oberto. "His ability to control the game, to dominate on both ends, is incredible. Seeing it up close daily makes you appreciate it even more. Being able to assist, alter shots, rebound, score and do all the things he does really makes it easy for his teammates, makes it easy for me alongside him."
The fact he has no illusions to be a Duncan, to be a star, also makes Oberto a perfect fit for a San Antonio squad that puts the sum of its parts above everything else. That, fundamentally -- using that word a lot here -- is who Oberto is.
Advertisement
In Argentina, he is the man. He is a legend. Similar to how the country jumped on Popovich for bringing Ginobili off the bench a few years back, stopping just short of declaring war on San Antonio and ambushing the Alamo, there was outcry over why Oberto didn't make an immediate impact.
Oberto wasn't concerned, though. He knew exactly what he was getting into, joining a squad not as a hungry kid, but as a hungry veteran. There's a major difference.
Anything that he needed to prove to himself, he got out of the way in Europe, winning championships with two separate teams in Spain after winning an MVP in Argentina. Coming to America was not about validation, but rather, about fitting into a winning climate. The Spurs roster is filled with players like him, making for an atmosphere that he says is conducive to success because everyone realizes the sacrifices it takes to win a championship.
Oberto sat through nearly 30 DNPs, including six in San Antonio's 13-game postseason run last season. He only scored in two of those games, but chalked up his rookie year as a success. He sat back and learned, got accustomed to his new surroundings and concentrated on fitting in. This season, he has made more of an impact, starting with an 11-for-11 effort back in November and continuing forward to this recent surge. Whatever the situation, Oberto simply does what he's asked to.
"He's the ultimate professional. His approach to the game is exceptional, He really just adds fiber to your roster and organization," said San Antonio assistant GM Sam Presti. "He's a great fit for us because he plays for the team and lives for the team.
"I think it's neat to watch Manu and Fab play off each other, because you have visions of those guys making the same play in Argentina as 15-year-olds. You'll watch a play unfold and wonder how many times they made that play, and where it all started, back in some empty gym back home. There's a symmetry to their game and their ability to read each other."
Ginobili was a major incentive in Oberto's arrival to the United States, not only easing his transition, but just giving him something to look forward to. Presti is right about where the games of these two developed, but above everything, a friendship was born as well. Now they have an opportunity to win another championship together.
"It's just been an incredible ride, but it's not over yet," Oberto said. "You have to be careful to take it in stride. To even think ahead that if you get past this series, you're going to be playing in an NBA Finals is awesome, but you have to get their first. You have to maintain your cool, keep a clear head, and keep bringing the fire."
Even sounds like the Big Fundamental, no?