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maybe top 12-16 teams ... but I don't see em getting that elite.
Rasho Nesterovic is more adept with rebounds than rim shots, but he did provide reporters with a laugh yesterday.
Chuck Swirsky, the highly-enthusiastic voice of the Raptors, could hardly contain himself during a radio interview with the team's new centre, closing out their on-air chat with: "Rasho, you're going to love it here in Toronto. Trust me!"
After a slight delay, with a perfect dead-pan delivery, Nesterovic replied: "Yeah ... I trust you."
Now all he has to do is trust his instincts that Toronto is a good place to be. The Raptors acquired the 7-foot centre from the San Antonio Spurs, along with cash, for Matt Bonner, Eric Williams and a second-round draft pick on Wednesday.
In a conference call from his native Slovenia yesterday, Nesterovic assured everyone he is excited to be going from a perpetual winner, where he played alongside Tim Duncan, to a team that hasn't qualified for the playoffs in four years.
"It's a new challenge," Nesterovic said. "The Raptors are a really young and talented team and with some work and some luck, there's a big possibility in the next three, four years to become one of the top four, five teams in the league."
Nesterovic, 30, provides the Raptors with a legitimate starting centre who actually wants to play in Toronto. That's something that could not be said about the likes of Alonzo Mourning of the world champion Miami Heat, Eric Williams, Vince Carter, etc.
The Ljubljana native said he is looking forward to playing in Toronto because this burg most resembles a European city.
But the big question is how is he going to fit in with young all-star Chris Bosh in the Raptors frontcourt? Nesterovic said he will do everything he can to just fit in with the 22-year standout.
"I will do the best I can, defensively and offensively, to fit in, because I'm the new guy," he said.
Nesterovic added he is looking forward to playing under head coach Sam Mitc , the same guy he played with for four seasons at Minnesota.
The Raptors confirmed the hiring yesterday of former Benetton Treviso boss Maurizio Gherardini as their new vice-president and assistant GM, the first hiring of a European to a senior management position in the NBA.
Gherardini, 51, built Benetton Treviso into one of the most recognizable basketball organizations outside the NBA. He has led Benetton to four League championships, three Italian supercups, two Eurocups and four appearances in the Euroleague's final four.
Gherardini assured reporters yesterday his hiring does not mean that Italian forward Andrea Bargnani, a key player on his Benetton team, is a slam dunk to be drafted by the Raptors first overall on June 28.
-Toronto Sun
maybe top 12-16 teams ... but I don't see em getting that elite.
Good for Rasho...hopefully he will be a better fit with Bosh than he was with Duncan.
People forget how well Rasho played when Duncan was injured in 04. Duncan went down and Rasho started putting up 15 and 10 a game, while blocking over 2 shots per game.
Rasho has skills, on both sides of the ball...he's talented offensively and defensively, he is just too passive to get the most out of his talent. unfortunately...but he was very decent on offense before coming to SA....and he was very, very decent on D in SA.
He was a class act while he was here(as is just about every Slovenian I have encountered on this board) and I wish him nothing but the best.
With the East as weak as it is, I wouldn't be surprised if they are a playoff team next season.
Colangelo has some solid assets to work with. If the new coach works out and he can surround Bosh with a group of guys who can play together, they could certainly start securing a home court playoff series. I'm not sure if they have what it takes to go beyond that.
maybe top 12-16 teams ... but I don't see em getting that elite.
12th best in the league is good enough for home court advantage in the East.
sad, but partially true.
Damn...what the is Rasho smoking?
One of the four of five top teams in the league?!?!?!?!?!
Funny.
Yea Rasho will like it there. Just like Minnesota, its cold and he won't have to stick around after the regular season. His former coach knows what he is getting
I find the statement about Bargnani interesting if not beliveable. I think
Bargnani is a lock for the # 1 unless Bosh wants his good friend Aldridge.
First of all, you just quoted yourself.
Second, the East has won two out of the past three les.
First, that has nothing to do with anything.
Second, a near .500 record gets you a 5th seed in the East, so my point holds water.
Good points.
what he said
What did you expect him to say?
maybe top 12-16 teams ... but I don't see em getting that elite.
"Hopefully with 3-4 years of hard work and luck we'll be a very very average team. Cooooooooooooooooooookieeeeeeeeee".
That would have been much better.
What we talking about again?
You are talking about the streaches. In streaches almost every player can play beyond his skills
Rasho will have plenty of streaches without Duncan, so he's got a chance to improve.
Well he is not getting younger you know, but the worse thing is I'm not getting younger also
How can he imrove? He will get more PT and that's it. It will be difficult to him play the ball like Toronto are playing. But Colangelo thought maybe Rasho will put some inside presents on D where Toronto sucked last season.
Rasho isn't going to improve.
He is what he is. A 7 footer with a little hook shot who takes up space and can hit the occasional free throw line jumper when needed. I don't see what you guys were hoping he would turn into, but hopefully Toronto uses him right.
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