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Ebi?
Learning curve at any age: Spurs' Oberto is 30 and has pro base, but NBA game poses challenge
Web Posted: 11/17/2005 12:00 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b....167eeb58.html
At 30 years and 225 days, Fabricio Oberto is the oldest rookie in Spurs' history. Which, by any standard, means he's still a rookie.
And, like most rookies, Oberto has had to learn, quickly, the value of patience. Last week in Chicago, he didn't get off the bench. Tuesday night against Atlanta, he stayed on the floor for 21 minutes, totaling eight points and eight rebounds.
"Last night, I think was the first game I wasn't thinking what I had to do," Oberto said. "I was doing it."
Oberto hopes to do more of the same as he becomes acclimated to the NBA.
As a veteran of Spain's top professional league, Oberto knew what to expect from most players in Europe. Since joining the Spurs, he's had to adjust to the size and athleticism of NBA players — in addition to new teammates, a new system, a new country and a different language.
"He's learning slowly but surely," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "He obviously has a great effort level and works hard every night. I think he'll just get better and better as he gets comfortable."
Oberto acknowledges he's had to adjust to the speed of the NBA game. And while he's a good passer, he hopes to improve his mid-range shot to allow him to better space the floor in the Spurs' offense.
"The key for me every day is to keep working," he said.
So far, Oberto — whose long hair has earned him the nickname Fabio from his teammates — has done most of his work in practice. In the Spurs' recent five-game road trip, he averaged about four minutes a game.
With Houston visiting the SBC Center tonight, Oberto's playing time might drop again if Popovich needs Rasho Nesterovic and Nazr Mohammed to better match up with the Rockets' 7-foot-6 center, Yao Ming.
Robert Horry, meanwhile, has taken most of the minutes behind Tim Duncan and Nesterovic. The Spurs also have been concerned about finding time for Mohammed, who was away from the team for much of training camp.
With more opponents using smaller lineups, the Spurs don't figure to settle on a rotation for their big men anytime soon.
"Everyone is having to sacrifice, but it's also helped me," Oberto said. "Because we have so many talented, good players, they already know what to do. The key for me is to get into the system."
Like Nick Van Exel and Michael Finley — the Spurs' two other newcomers — Oberto sometimes thinks instead of reacts. He's also used to pacing himself because his Spanish team needed him to play substantially more minutes.
"I need to play with more intensity, be more aggressive, try to improve on defense," Oberto said. "I think that's the thing I have to do to really help the team when I have the (chance) to get in and play."
Oberto made the most of his opportunity against Atlanta. Though still prone to fouls, he had six points, four rebounds and a block in a 91/2-minute stretch of the fourth quarter.
"Every day is one or two mistakes less," he said. "One day, it's going to be like no mistakes."
Spurs looking for help: Although the Spurs signed rookie Melvin Sanders last week to provide depth while Brent Barry and Finley are sidelined, the team expects to add another young wing player, possibly as soon as today.
The absence of Barry and Finley the past four games has made it difficult for the Spurs to match up with opponents who use small lineups.
Popovich said Barry and Finley are doubtful to play tonight.
Both players scripted plays during Wednesday's light workout. The Spurs did not scrimmage, so neither Barry nor Finley has yet to go through a contact practice.
"Maybe in another four or five days, they'll be ready to go," Popovich said.
Ebi?
any ideas?
Theron Smith come on down.
You meant to say "another tractor" right?
These players will be gone by Christmas (well at least Sanders will be). Good to see that Holt and the Spurs fans are seeing why this team needs more than 13 players.
Congrats on seeing the light.
I said all along they would. The injuries just made them do it quicker.
When Finley gets back, they should let him settle in for 5 games, get some minutes and package him, Beno, Rasho and Nazr for Garnett.
If Finley and Barry weren't hurt, they probably wouldn't even think of signing another player. But now they likely realize that one or both of them may be injured on and off this season and carrying another decent swingman isn't a luxury, it's a necessity with the age of the bench.
What this basically means is that Sanders is garbage and they need an NBA caliber swingman to fill in for now.
Not too surprising.
Dude can't shoot a jumper or make a layup and his range from the 3 line is suspect.
Trade someone for Devin Brown.
Yeah, get someone who can't get off the pine in Utah and is still having injury problems
Maybe we can bring back the ghost of Vinney Del Negro too...
Somewhere Marcus is rubbing one out right now.
Hmm.... how about getting players that Duncan can make look good and play with, rather than players that have weak labias.Yeah, get someone who can't get off the pine in Utah and is still having injury problems
Maybe we can bring back the ghost of Vinney Del Negro too...
Somewhere Marcus is rubbing one out right now.
Devin Brown is not a good fit for Utah, that's not rocket science.
Loul Deng????
i read this one article one columnist was asking why Chicago is contemplating trading this sop re player to another team. He's young and he's from Chicago. And
that's where Nazr wants to go besides San Antonio.
or am I a moron to think Nazr might be leaving us so soon?
Nesterovic will leave Spurs sooner
what about tariq abdul wahad ? Very very Good defender, great athlete, possibly a great fit to san antonio ... can take place of bowen in year to come ... not a great shooter but can he score.
He's a great professionnal, just don't talk religion or politic with him ... :-)
He was released by Dallas after 2 years of quarantaine ...
He's the one of the best free agent.
So, why not ?
Drclic.
watever happen to that luis williams that was in summer camp??
i thought of Radmanovic, a good 3pt player. but this player wants MINUTES so.........
Nachbar-3point man
naraja or nachbar?
He turned down a $50M contract this summer and stayed with the Sonics for one year. Now he's ing about playing time and his agent says they'll press for a trade in a couple weeks if he doesn't start getting a lot more minutes (he wants to play at 25-35 mpg).i thought of Radmanovic, a good 3pt player. but this player wants MINUTES so.........
In other words his at ude sucks, and the Spurs can't afford him. I don't see how we can pick up either Najera or Nachbar either given thay are both under contract, as far Tariq has he been waived? I missed that.
I hear Glenn Robinson is still available.......
It says a YOUNG wing player. I thought we were getting some guy from Europe, but that never came to pass over the summer. I think Ebi might be a good guess.
While this quote is about Oberto, I was going to mention that I saw Chip working with Nazr on his mid-range shot-- but I can't call it a jump shot. For everyone's claims that Rasho's playing time is all about defense, it also helps that he is back to hitting this shot this season.And while he's a good passer, he hopes to improve his mid-range shot to allow him to better space the floor in the Spurs' offense.
See this CD. Just like I said yesterday- it's about other teams going smalll and match-ups.With more opponents using smaller lineups...
Last edited by ploto; 11-17-2005 at 07:02 AM.
How about Spree? He's not young but, if we signed Van X, Why not Spree?
The Sean-Marks-at-the-3 Experiment is now over.
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