The Truth About Rasho Nesterovic

[timvp]

Rasho has been playing horrible basketball and is showing no heart. If you can't see that, you are blind apologist.

I thought Rasho was doing fine earlier in the season, but now he's playing worse than ever. He still never finishes games, which is what you want most starters to do. At best, he's a stop gap until the Spurs put in a real basketball player. I'm sure Popovich expected more out of him when the Spurs signed him to that big deal.

Right now, it looks like they should just start someone like Sean Marks and then let Robert Horry or Malik Rose finish games. At least put someone who cares about whether the team wins or losses in the game. This heartless and gutless play is just down right sickening.

Hopefully Rasho can show an ounce of courage and snap out of this funk.

[Manu20]

I like Rasho but this past game was his worst as a Spur but the thing is that he did not seem interested in the game. I know everybody has a bad game but at least show some hart.

[timvp]

YEAR TEAM G GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG
98-99 MIN 2 0 15.0 .250 .000 1.000 1.50 2.50 4.00 .5 .00 .00 .50 2.50 4.0
99-00 MIN 82 55 21.0 .476 .000 .573 1.60 3.00 4.60 1.1 .26 1.04 .87 3.20 5.7
00-01 MIN 73 39 16.9 .461 .000 .523 1.40 2.60 3.90 0.6 .34 0.86 .75 2.60 4.5
01-02 MIN 82 82 27.0 .493 .000 .549 2.40 4.10 6.50 0.9 .55 1.33 1.15 3.20 8.4
02-03 MIN 77 77 30.4 .525 .000 .642 1.90 4.60 6.50 1.5 .51 1.51 1.29 3.30 11.2
03-04 SAS 82 82 28.7 .469 .000 .474 3.10 4.60 7.70 1.4 .62 2.01 1.30 3.00 8.7
04-05 SAS 20 20 25.6 .444 .000 .333 2.80 3.80 6.60 1.3 .30 1.25 1.20 2.70 6.1
Career 418 355 24.9 .486 .000 .549 2.10 3.80 5.90 1.1 .45 1.35 1.08 3.10 7.6

Is this the worst year of his career?

[Marcus Bryant]

Rasho is getting beat out by a man 7" shorter than him in the rotation.

If he continues to play like this, Malone looks all the more appealing.

[timvp]

Rasho is now the 8th leading scorer on the Spurs. He's playing over 25 minutes per game.

Something isn't right. Either he is asleep, he has regressed or he's just sitting around waiting for his $42M to roll in.

Hopefully he wakes up.

[T Park]

IMO it is.

I dont know what the deal is. Could it be an injury that hes hiding?

It doesnt make sense for the sudden decline. Nothing does.

Damn, someone break out the film of what he did in 02 03.

11.2 and 7 boards a game??

SOB.

[timvp]

Good point, T Park. Everyone said KG was being a big meanie by yelling at Rasho all the time. Well, in his one and a half seasons with the Spurs ... he hasn't played anything like that final year in Minnesota. He'd be a city legend if he could average 11.2 points and shoot 52.5% from the field.

[whottt]

Right after we signed Rasho Shoenig did an interview with Minny's PlaybyPlay guy about Rasho...

The guy said Rasho was a talented offensive player and weak defender(he was wrong about Rasho's D IMO)...

He said the main problem with Rasho was that Rasho was a "floater"...IOW, he'd just float away on you mentally at times during the season...He was right.

Seems to be a problem with a lot of other bigs as well...Drob spoiled us.

Anyway, blame Pop :), his pick up.

[SpursFanInAustin]

We need Robertas Javtokas

[Kori Ellis]

Javtokas isn't even putting up decent numbers in the league he's playing in. I'm not sure he's the answer.

[Marcus Bryant]

Rasho is technically decent on the defensive end because he can get in the right position. Where he struggles is when it comes to establishing a physical presence in the paint. For you boxscore jockeys this is borne out by his paltry rebounding averages. On the offensive end his weak paint play shows up in his sorry FG%.

[Kori Ellis]

Javtokas
10.5 ppg
6.2 rpg
1.4 bpg

Not great considering the competition. Also a bit down from his stats last season.

[Kori Ellis]

For anyone who cares, here's Scola's numbers.

17.1 ppg
8.4 rpg
56 FG%

His scoring has fallen off quite a bit from his hot play at the beginning of the season.

[Manu20]

If he is not soft sign him up.






http://www.blacktop.8k.com/javtokas.jpg

[whottt]

MB, I don't think Rasho is soft...I think he just doesnt' care sometimes...

Remember, when Duncan went out last season Rasho went for 18p & 10b a game...against some pretty tough comp.

I don't think Rasho's mental aspect as a side kick is going to change...but I disagree that he's not talented...on offense and defense...he's not Drob or Duncan but he has the skills to be arguably the most complete center in the West behind Yao...

And Yao's kind of a floater too...

I think the biggest difference between superstars and merely good players...the superstars bring it every night mentally...Rasho just doesn't have the mental make up to be more than he is.


I don't know why you bitch at everyone in the forum about it though, yeah a lot of us disagree with the soft tag...but it wasn't like the forum was saying Rasho was a must sign(unless it was a choice of him or Olo)......This was all Pop's deal on the side and Pop has been Rasho's biggest fan.

Point the finger where it is deserved.

[Useruser666]

So what about Chandler as mentioned in another thread?

[Kori Ellis]

The Bulls would have to trade a lot more than Chandler to the Spurs to get the salary to match Rasho's. And I'm not sure why they'd want Rasho anyway.

[timvp]

I don't get how someone can say that Rasho isn't soft. He's gone to the line nine times in 511 minutes this season. If that's not soft, what is?

I don't think soft is necessarily a bad thing. The Spurs weren't going to be able to sign a seven-footer who was aggressive and didn't back down, but then also fit into a team concept that focuses on a switching defense. That type of player doesn't exist.

Rasho is what he is. A soft giant who plays good defense when motivated and can sometimes hit jumpers. Now if the Spurs can somehow get him and keep him motivated, then they'd be fine. It's these unmotivated times that are hard to watch.

[Marcus Bryant]

How about Brenda Haywood? Yeah, Spurs would be hardpressed to come up with an appealing offer but then again he plays for the Wizards...

[Spurminator]

MB, I don't think Rasho is soft...I think he just doesnt' care sometimes...

To me, that is the very definition of soft.

[ALVAREZ6]

33% FT's !!!!!!

wow, Rasho sucks

[timvp]

I've stumbled upon a stat that that proves that Rasho is getting softer as the years go by.

Free Throw Attempts Per 48 Minutes

98-99: 3.2
99-00: 2.9
00-01: 2.5
01-02: 1.5
02-03: 1.9
03-04: 2.3
04-05: 0.8

How the hell does a seven-footer average less than one free throw attempt per 48 minutes? That's a sign that he just doesn't care. You can make excuses for him all you want, but that is just glaring.

I like Rasho and I think he is a very good defender when he wants to be, so I really want him to break out of this slump. I want him to play well and possibly even finish some games.

But right now it's pretty sad how he's playing.

[Useruser666]

The Bulls would have to trade a lot more than Chandler to the Spurs to get the salary to match Rasho's. And I'm not sure why they'd want Rasho anyway.

I think the Bulls would love him!

Sincerly,

http://www.grandstandsports.com/images/11739.jpg

[whottt]

I don't get how someone can say that Rasho isn't soft. He's gone to the line nine times in 511 minutes this season. If that's not soft, what is?

I don't think soft is necessarily a bad thing. The Spurs weren't going to be able to sign a seven-footer who was aggressive and didn't back down, but then also fit into a team concept that focuses on a switching defense. That type of player doesn't exist.

Rasho is what he is. A soft giant who plays good defense when motivated and can sometimes hit jumpers. Now if the Spurs can somehow get him and keep him motivated, then they'd be fine. It's these unmotivated times that are hard to watch.


I guess it's just depends on how you define soft. To me the guys that are soft are the guys like Peja and Dirk...that never give hard fouls, that never foul out of games, who do nothing more than take weak swipes at the ball and get 0 OBoards.

Rasho gives hard fouls, he put Fortson on his ass last night for instance, and last season he was a good O rebounder...I think he just doesn't care all the time.

And his mental outlook will never change permanently...you can't change it...How many years did Sloan try to change Ostertag?

Won't happen and it's a waste of time and energy to try, he is what he is...

Start Malik..

Edit: and I think you are going to run into this problem with just about every none elite center in the NBA who isn't in a contract year, and most cost more than Rasho and lack his all around talent on both sides of the ball. So you may as well keep Rasho until you know you are getting someone better.

But you are just banging your head against the wall if you expect Rasho to become more agessive or make a huge mental change.

[Marcus Bryant]

I've stumbled upon a stat that that proves that Rasho is getting softer as the years go by.

Free Throw Attempts Per 48 Minutes


Ouch. Maybe he does need someone in his face constantly.

[ALVAREZ6]

I think the Bulls would love him!

Sincerly,

http://www.grandstandsports.com/images/11739.jpg


the bulls?
fine

trade Rasho for Nocioni!

[Useruser666]

Geez if we can get Bowen to hit free throws then we can get Rasho to dunk. :lol

[whottt]

Geez if we can get Bowen to hit free throws then we can get Rasho to dunk. :lol

Bruce wanted to be able to hit FT's, he was embarrassed about his FT shooting.

Rasho doesn't want to dunk and isn't embarrassed about it...

You can lead a horse to water...

[timvp]

Come on now, Whottt. Rasho has dunked this season.


















Once.

[BigVee]

Rasho just seems too damn polite. To the refs, the other team, even to his teammates. He always defers to them, rarely looks for his shot on his own. Throws the ball back out when he gets an O rebound 2 feet from the basket. Maybe he is just too nice to play in the NBA. He has skills, but Geez, my grandkids are more aggressive at the table going for the last cookie.

[emmo]

tonight we have the battle of the giant creampuffs

rasho vs. yao

i wonder who will get the "summers eve" player of the game.

[whottt]

Just out of curiosity...did Flip ever bench him in Minny?

Maybe benching him will get his attention, maybe it hasn't been tried before...I doubt it though.

[SLOVENIAN 8]

If he goes out of San Antonio to Chichago he would have 16 points per game and 10-11 reb, 2-3 blok!

[whottt]

If he goes out of San Antonio to Chichago he would have 16 points per game and 10-11 reb, 2-3 blok!

Why won't he do it here then? If he did it here people wouldn't complain about him...he'll, we'd probably retire his jersey.

[BigVee]

No kidding, if he went 16 and 11 I'd vote for him for the All-Star team.

[SLOVENIAN 8]

Why won't he do it here then? If he did it here people wouldn't complain about him...he'll, we'd probably retire his jersey.

Becouse of Spurs system of a game, and Duncan.

[PM5K]

I think it's the same for many players, you take the Spurs and split them into two seperate teams and what do you have, you have guys like Rasho playing much better. As someone mentioned earlier he played really well when Duncan was out and he is still the same player but this offense isn't designed around him.

I am fully confident that if for some reason Rasho was playing 35 minutes per game and getting thirteen to seventeen shots per game he would wind up with some pretty good numbers....

I believe he had thirteen double doubles last year and three in a row, in almost all of those games he was playing major minutes and taking a lot more shots than he averages...

[Manu20]

If he goes out of San Antonio to Chichago he would have 16 points per game and 10-11 reb, 2-3 blok!

:lol your crazy.

[Kori Ellis]

Becouse of Spurs system of a game, and Duncan.

Duncan stops him from being aggressive around the rim and paying attention on defense?

[whottt]

Becouse of Spurs system of a game, and Duncan.

Sorry Slov, I know you are just trying to defend your countryman...but you are making excuses for him plain and simple, and blaming the victim for the problem.

Drob was able to average 15 points on 50%, 10 boards, and 2 blocks as an old man...Malik has been able to average 10 and 6 off the bench...

Rasho just doesn't bring it every night...

A truer statement would be "Rasho could average 16, 11 and 2-3 bloks"...not would...and he could do it here as well...

You think it's a coincidence that Rasho's best seasons came in a contract year and his first year with this team?

Rasho doesn't play hard every night, Rasho doesn't want to play hard every night. He's quite comfortable getting $$ and letting Duncan do most of the work. He's not seeking the glory or the responsibility of being an All Star caliber big...

Rasho is a classic underachiever.

[BigVee]

Okay...most agree Rasho ain't cuttin it. But, what to do? Bench him? Don't think you can trade. Can't brow beat him into being aggressive....just doesn't have it. So, what options does the coaching staff have?

[timvp]

They gotta just keep on him and hope that he starts to bring it. Maybe Duncan needs to pull a KG and get in his face.

I have faith in Rasho. He just needs a wake up call.

[whottt]

Okay...most agree Rasho ain't cuttin it. But, what to do? Bench him? Don't think you can trade. Can't brow beat him into being aggressive....just doesn't have it. So, what options does the coaching staff have?

We're not going to get anyone who cuts it better for cheaper unless we get lucky in the draft...the solution is live with Rasho, accept him for what he is, a talented good value but inconsistent big, and be glad we have Malik and Horry to back him up...But it really is a waste of time trying to get him to change his mental outlook. He won't do it.

[SLOVENIAN 8]

I think it's the same for many players, you take the Spurs and split them into two seperate teams and what do you have, you have guys like Rasho playing much better. As someone mentioned earlier he played really well when Duncan was out and he is still the same player but this offense isn't designed around him.

I am fully confident that if for some reason Rasho was playing 35 minutes per game and getting thirteen to seventeen shots per game he would wind up with some pretty good numbers....

I believe he had thirteen double doubles last year and three in a row, in almost all of those games he was playing major minutes and taking a lot more shots than he averages...

PM5K told you everything! Rasho is doing for Duncan. I think that there is also some other things wrong. I think that he is afraid to tell what.

[whottt]

PM5K told you everything! Rasho is doing for Duncan. I think that there is also some other things wrong. I think that he is afraid to tell what.


Duncan doesn't want Rasho's gift and neither does Pop...please let Rasho know this. Duncan would be quite happy to see Rasho go for 16, 11 and 2 or 3 bloks per night in SA and make the All Star Team alongside him, so he can take a night off once in a while.

Please let Rasho know this...No need for him to be so generous.

[timvp]

I think SLOVENIAN 8 is right that Rasho is trying too hard to not get in Duncan's way. But Rasho just needs to come out swinging.

[SLOVENIAN 8]

Duncan doesn't want Rasho's gift and neither does Pop...please let Rasho know this. Duncan would be quite happy to see Rasho go for 16, 11 and 2 or 3 bloks per night in SA and make the All Star Team alongside him, so he can take a night off once in a while.

Please let Rasho know this...No need for him to be so generous.

Then go to Rasho and tell him that some Slovenian 8 told you, that it is better that he starts to play and do what he had to do or i will came in SA and kick him in his lazy ass!!! :smokin

[BigVee]

That's what I meant about deferring to others. But can you really change his personality?

[johnny00]

Why won't he do it here then? If he did it here people wouldn't complain about him...he'll, we'd probably retire his jersey.




:lmao

[timvp]

Then go to Rasho and tell him that some Slovenian 8 told you, that it is better that he starts to play and do what he had to do or i will came in SA and kick him in his lazy ass!!! :smokin

Nice:spin

That should be someone's signature.

[whottt]

I think it's the same for many players, you take the Spurs and split them into two seperate teams and what do you have, you have guys like Rasho playing much better. As someone mentioned earlier he played really well when Duncan was out and he is still the same player but this offense isn't designed around him.

I am fully confident that if for some reason Rasho was playing 35 minutes per game and getting thirteen to seventeen shots per game he would wind up with some pretty good numbers....

I believe he had thirteen double doubles last year and three in a row, in almost all of those games he was playing major minutes and taking a lot more shots than he averages...


Actually he had like 5 double doubles in a row...all that proves is what Rasho is capable of doing...unfortunately it doesn't prove that he wants to do it night in and night out.

Man this team is an unselfish team, if Rasho wanted more shots, he'd get them. Everyone would like to see Rasho make the AS team...including Pop, Duncan, the city of SA, Slovenia, and Spurfans everywhere.


Even Marcus Bryant.

[BigVee]

Damn right, Rasho couldn't ask for a more unselfish team with a more unselfish superstar anywhere.

[Useruser666]

Maybe Duncan told him not to dunk?

[whottt]

I think SLOVENIAN 8 is right that Rasho is trying too hard to not get in Duncan's way. But Rasho just needs to come out swinging.


I don't buy it...you telling me that Pop and Duncan haven't begged Rasho to step up, be more agressive, demand the ball more?

I gurantee you they have.

I gurantee you Duncan has told him...hey man, if you want more shots, just ask.

Rasho likes being in the NBA, without the every night pressure to deliver. He likes getting paid good money, and getting slicked up and going out and picking up chicks in bars after games. That's exactly what Rasho wants to do, he wants to do it without anyone getting in his face about it.....and that's exactly what he does do.

He might have been able to pull off the poor Rasho schtick except...He made the mistake of showing what he could do when Duncan was injured. if he'd sucked when that happened I might buy into the poor misunderstood Rasho BS..but he didn't..he played fucking good...so he's not going to slip the underachiver tag with me...he didn't even look like he was trying hard to put up those numbers...

And every one praised him when he did it, his coach, his teamates, SA, Marcus Bryant......he knows what he needs to do to get praised, there's no fucking secret here...it's just not his top priority.

[T Park]

I dont think Pop has RUN enough plays for him.


Tell me whottt, whens the last time Pop ran the Parker pick and roll for him at the free throw line.


Whens the last time he got set up for any shots period.


Feed him early in the game.

If he takes the shots, he earns more time, if he passes out, you bench his cracka ass and bring in ROse.

That simple.

But to want the guy to change his team first mentality is stupid.


IMO, run more plays, get him involved early on the offensive end.

IE in march last year when Duncan was out, he got lots of plays run for him, and he flourished.

Tonight, get him some looks against Juwan Howard, get a few baskets, and then watch how well hell play.


This hoping he demands the ball and grabs it from Duncan's hands aint gonna happen.

Just like David when DUncna came along, eh got passive and he deffered sometimes too much.
AND Pop didnt run as many plays for him.


IMO pop has failed Rasho as much as Rasho has failed Pop.

[T Park]

Whottt I respectfully disagree.

If he didnt care this sseason, then why early on was he doing well

8 and 8 12 and 9 in the girst game against Brad Miller.


A. Hes been taken out of the offense and doesnt feel involved

B. Hes got something wrong that he aint talking about.

[ALVAREZ6]

Duncan stops him from being aggressive around the rim and paying attention on defense?


Duncan doesn't stop him,
Timmy's effort should encourage Rasho to get active and stop being a softy in games. He should be getting more boards and more blocks...for a 7 footer, his numbers should be way higher.

I don't care about Rasho's scoring, i just wanna see him get more boards and more blocks.

[Ghost Writer]

Please see:

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7183&page=1&pp=26

[whottt]

Whottt I respectfully disagree.

If he didnt care this sseason, then why early on was he doing well

8 and 8 12 and 9 in the girst game against Brad Miller.

He cares sometimes, just not all the time. He floats.



A. Hes been taken out of the offense and doesnt feel involved

Because he's not agressive about taking his shots..



B. Hes got something wrong that he aint talking about.

Then he's hurting the team as well as himself and needs to speak up.

[SequSpur]

Finally joining the sequwagon huh?

Nice topic.

[ChumpDumper]

Yeah, let me add that Tony must go too. His numbers are down the past two years and he had some bad games this year.

Barry too.

We must purge ourselves of every player who does not meet our expectations 1/4 into the season.

Our inflated record (I said it before last nights loss) has everyone thinking this is a 70 win team.

It isn't -- the full-strength teams we have played show us but good.

Rasho needed to be benched for a lot of reasons. I would trade him for Kurt Thomas just like I still would trade Malik for Thomas.

[IcemanCometh]

Chandler while much maligned in Chicago, would be the perfect big for us. He works hard, opposed to Curry and Rasho who don't seem to care. He rebounds like a crazy man he runs the floor and he can defend his position. The only concern is his back and he's as thin as a rail.

Of course a trade like this would be difficult

[Spurminator]

Rasho looked good so far tonight. Frankly I think he deserved more minutes than he got. He's making things happen. Kudos.

[mattyc]

Becouse of Spurs system of a game, and Duncan.
And Chicago's system is the pinnacle of X's and O's. Just look at what it did for Eddy Curry.