Nazr's future with the Spurs!

[TwoHandJam]

"he is always aggressive"

NOT on defense, where he's liability. He doesn't take responsibility for stepping up and into the drivers to cut them off. If he even arrives in the plany, he's late, then backpeddles while trying to block shot until he's under the basket. Useless.

He's not a thug in any sense. His fouls are like Rasho's, out of pure clumsiness.

I often see him spectating a shot ball, like a cat watching a bird, instead hustling into position under the basket and blocking out.

This "he's not season player, but a playoff-only guy" is pure bul . He doesn't have the career and track record of playoff success to go AWOL all season.

He hasn't "gone AWOL" all season seeing as we've only played 17 games and likely won't since he doesn't have a history of this. If you want to see someone "go AWOL" during a season like say, the "postseason", try looking up Rasho's playoff numbers.

His regular season numbers are fool's gold. This guy does not deliver when it counts and I don't want Oberto being our only backup in the postseason this year. Nazr is no panacea but we've got him on the books for one more year and I say we need him for insurance.

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

There is some truth to TwoHandJam statement that he might be better suited for the playoffs in terms of physicality than Rasho, but a good center can adjust from one mentality to the other as needed. Right now all I'm seeing from Nazr is him fouling in bunches on both ends of the court.

He did look aggressive on the offensive end of the court against the Heat, but everything he did was butt ugly. He bricked a pair of jumpers (possibly on back to back possessions, I think) and botched a shots in the paint. In the Rasho vs. Nazr debate the one thing that Nazr had going for him was that he finished better in the paint than Rasho and even that's not true any more. If he keeps playing like this the Spurs might be able to get him for peanuts at the end of the year, but right now I think I'd look more at getting Oberto more minutes. Both look lost out on the floor but Oberto has been with the Spurs only half as long as Nazr and is in his first NBA season, so I have to believe that he's legitimately got some room to improve. Nazr should really be looking much better than he is right now.

[TwoHandJam]

There is some truth to TwoHandJam statement that he might be better suited for the playoffs in terms of physicality than Rasho, but a good center can adjust from one mentality to the other as needed. Right now all I'm seeing from Nazr is him fouling in bunches on both ends of the court.

He did look aggressive on the offensive end of the court against the Heat, but everything he did was butt ugly. He bricked a pair of jumpers (possibly on back to back possessions, I think) and botched a shots in the paint. In the Rasho vs. Nazr debate the one thing that Nazr had going for him was that he finished better in the paint than Rasho and even that's not true any more. If he keeps playing like this the Spurs might be able to get him for peanuts at the end of the year, but right now I think I'd look more at getting Oberto more minutes. Both look lost out on the floor but Oberto has been with the Spurs only half as long as Nazr and is in his first NBA season, so I have to believe that he's legitimately got some room to improve. Nazr should really be looking much better than he is right now.

There's no doubt Nazr is looking horrid right now, not even displaying his usual strengths but I'm confident his game should return. All players have slumps and I dare say Rasho's slumps in the past have been equally bad. I wouldn't be against Oberto seeing some more minutes but he hasn't made a strong case for it so far.

[coopdogg3]

There's no doubt Nazr is looking horrid right now, not even displaying his usual strengths but I'm confident his game should return. All players have slumps and I dare say Rasho's slumps in the past have been equally bad. I wouldn't be against Oberto seeing some more minutes but he hasn't made a strong case for it so far.

It's kinda funny. With all the talk about how Oberto would be an improvement, how Nazr would improve with more time on the team (both of these points I agreed with BTW) - it turns out that our best center is Rash. Funny ol world, isn't it?

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

There's no doubt Nazr is looking horrid right now, not even displaying his usual strengths but I'm confident his game should return. All players have slumps and I dare say Rasho's slumps in the past have been equally bad. I wouldn't be against Oberto seeing some more minutes but he hasn't made a strong case for it so far.

You're probably right about Rasho, which is why I think I'd prefer the Spurs to hold onto Nazr til the end of the season instead of trading at the deadline, barring some crazy ass deal where they can get someone like Luol Deng. I'll give you that Oberto isn't making a strong case for a lot of minutes, but right now neither is Nazr. I would play Oberto more since 1) he's probably going to be here longer than Nazr will and 2) he has less time with the Spurs than Nazr, and a lot less time in the NBA, so I'm thinking that what problems he has are more likely due to lack of experience than Nazr's are. Of course, I'm not in practice with the Spurs. The coaches could be seeing all sorts of signs that Oberto is worthless. Time will tell.

[wildbill2u]

Feel free to post your solution on Nazr's future in San Antonio.

1. Scola is not a center and therefore is not the answer to either replacing Slovakenstein or as a center backup with a future.

2. Nazr is gone no matter what happens on the court this year. If he plays extremely well, his contract as a FA will be far more than the Spurs should or could pay. If he plays bad--or mediocre--why keep him and sign him to a higher paying contract?

3. The likelihood that we could sign him and trade him is laughable. Why would anyone try to make a deal on a soon to be free agent--and why would Nazr sign such a deal as a soon to be FA?

3. Let's hope he comes out of his funk and plays well this season and enjoy having two good centers.

[Brodels]

1. Scola is not a center and therefore is not the answer to either replacing Slovakenstein or as a center backup with a future.

2. Nazr is gone no matter what happens on the court this year. If he plays extremely well, his contract as a FA will be far more than the Spurs should or could pay. If he plays bad--or mediocre--why keep him and sign him to a higher paying contract?

3. The likelihood that we could sign him and trade him is laughable. Why would anyone try to make a deal on a soon to be free agent--and why would Nazr sign such a deal as a soon to be FA?

3. Let's hope he comes out of his funk and plays well this season and enjoy having two good centers.

There are obviously two ways of looking at this:

- The Spurs might need contributions from Nazr to win another le, especially if Rasho gets hurt or struggles. And it can happen this season because it happened last year. Having Oberto or Horry starting is not an ideal situation, and if Nazr left and Rasho got hurt, there wouldn't be much frontcourt depth at all. The Spurs are about winning now, and if Nazr can help them do that this season, the Spurs should keep him and let him walk this summer.

- Nazr could be an attractive, valuable commodity to some teams. Teams seeking an expiring contract (not that the Spurs would be likely to take on long-term salary in return) and a serviceable big man could show some interest. The Spurs are pretty old at the swing positions, and if a team offered a solid, young three who could replace Bowen down the road, why not make a move?

I think the best solution would be for the Spurs to listen to offers but not hurry to trade him. If the right kind of player is offered (a player that the team couldn't refuse), pull the trigger. Otherwise, plan on keeping Nazr because it's likely that he's going to contribute at some point.

3. The likelihood that we could sign him and trade him is laughable. Why would anyone try to make a deal on a soon to be free agent--and why would Nazr sign such a deal as a soon to be FA?

That's true, but soon-to-be free agents like Nazr at the most attractive kind of players in trades because they have expiring contracts. That doesn't apply here as much as it does in other cases because the Spurs are unlikely to take back long-term salary, but it makes Nazr potentially attractive.

[ploto]

look at the money j-james got for having one good series against the kings and one good game against us in playoffs.

he will get his money

elsewhere

[SouthernFried]

Rasho and Nazr are the two most frustrating guys to watch on the court.

Rasho moves like Mark Eaton...in slow motion.

Nazr..geesh. I've never seen a big guy do so many pump fakes in my life. 6'2" guards are blocking his shot. And how do you get in the NBA with hands like those?

Still, there are pluses. Rasho has good court awareness and game IQ. He can hit a shot. Nazr is a big body, and when he uses it right...it can be effective.

And they both have experience with the Spurs system. And seeing as it always takes people a long time to get comfortable with it...thats a big plus.

Man, if we had a Ben Wallace, or even David back...or, as much as I hate the guy, Alonzo Mourning... the league would tremble. Center is definetly our weak point...but, we seem to be doing alright with it.

No changes this year...next year's a different game.

[ChumpDumper]

3. The likelihood that we could sign him and trade him is laughable. Why would anyone try to make a deal on a soon to be free agent--and why would Nazr sign such a deal as a soon to be FA?

I assume you are talking about this summer as that is the only time a sign-and-trade could happen. Players and agents love sign-and-trades because it can mean higher yearly raises for them. GMs can find them a nice way of getting something in return for a player who would otherwise walk.

[KEVIN78250]

Send Nazr To Chicago And Make An Attempt To Get Deng. Send Nazr, Scola, Draft Picks Something To Get This Kid. Chicago Needs A Big Man And We Need Someone To Fill Behind Bowen. An Athletic Wing Who Could Pull Down Some Boards Would Not Hurt To Have On Our Team.

[SenorSpur]

Send Nazr To Chicago And Make An Attempt To Get Deng. Send Nazr, Scola, Draft Picks Something To Get This Kid. Chicago Needs A Big Man And We Need Someone To Fill Behind Bowen. An Athletic Wing Who Could Pull Down Some Boards Would Not Hurt To Have On Our Team.

Acquring Deng would be the only way I would pull the trigger - but at the end of the season. Let's not tinker with championship components. After all, Detroit may be coming again.

[prerok]

get Erazem Lorbek

another slovenian and the best young euro player
kid has potential

he's not only good rebounder, good hustler, he can also hit 3p
and that's a lot for a guy who can play on positions 4-5

[bigzak25]

I've been thinking about Nazr's future with the Spurs and I'm curious what the rest of you think about it.

IMO and if I were the Spurs front office people, I'm going to keep Nazr throughout this season and let him explore free agency next summer. Why? Well IMO there really isn't anything that interesting out there that the Spurs could get in return for him execpt players with long contracts.

Now if the Spurs front office does that, that is let him play out the season with the Spurs, they'll most likely lose him and most likely get nothing in return. Which
is kinda fine by me. With the play of Rasho thus far, the Spurs have a center that is more then capable of starting for a top team. We all know that. So Nazr after this season is pretty expandable IMO. We have Horry for another two seasons after this one is over and the same with Oberto. We obviously would have to find a big man somewhere, i.e. the Draft, free-agency, or what I would like the Spurs to do, bring Luis Scola here if possible. Now I don't know excactly Scola's contract structure, but I'm sure that Pop wants him here at some point.

Feel free to post your solution on Nazr's future in San Antonio.

i will NOT POST FOR A YEAR if Pop trades Nazr before Rasho.

You stat worshippers are amazing...

Trade the Rash, Re-sign Nazr. Period.

[Slo spurs fan]

get Erazem Lorbek

another slovenian and the best young euro player
kid has potential

he's not only good rebounder, good hustler, he can also hit 3p
and that's a lot for a guy who can play on positions 4-5

Already drafted!

[Slo spurs fan]

i will NOT POST FOR A YEAR if Pop trades Nazr before Rasho.

You stat worshippers are amazing...

Trade the Rash, Re-sign Nazr. Period.

It will be boring not having bigzak on the board for whole year

[bigzak25]

It will be boring not having bigzak on the board for whole year

that's sweet of you man. i'm just joking though.

i got love for rasho. but regular season means man.

If/when Pop starts him in the playoffs and our Spurs win a championship?

THEN, i'll have his back.

I support him as a Spur. But i don't believe he is the future. He is an adequate stop gap. And i'm sorry to Rasho if he reads this. No offense man. Just SAC up and all will be well. Dunk that Rasho, your 7 ing feet. And the only outside shot i want you taking is 10 footers in FRONT of the basket.

I still think Rasho is gone before march. We shall see.

[Kori Ellis]

Right now, Rasho is a much better player all around for the Spurs than Nazr. Nazr still doesn't rotate on defense and he mostly gets in the way on offense. He gets some rebounds and he occupies space but that's about it.

Even if he cuts down on pumpfaking and some how gets rid of his hands of stone, he needs to find his way defensively. He's taking baby steps in that direction, but he's no where close to the defensive player that Rasho is and their offense output is similar.

In key minutes in the postseason, it's Duncan and Horry upfront. So it doesn't really matter.

[bigzak25]

Oh but it does matter. That's why i believe rasho must be moved. The Spurs need more help up front.

I have a hard time believing that Naz learns the D last year in time to shine in the postseason and then magically forgets it in the offseason.

I believe in Pop. He knows this is a pivotal (no pun) moment for the Spurs regarding the bigmen that are gonna be in the trenches with Tim Duncan for the next few years.

Rasho's half inch vertical and zero respect from the referees just isn't gonna get the job done. And the funny part is we all know this. We all saw it first hand the last 2 years. Same with Tony Parker. He can put up all the points he wants now. In June? He's back to being very speedy but very average. And while our Spurs may be the top team in the league at This present moment? All it takes is a trade or two to catapult an also ran into the next champion. See detroit, two years ago.

[Kori Ellis]

I have a hard time believing that Naz learns the D last year in time to shine in the postseason and then magically forgets it in the offseason.

He didn't. He didn't know the defense last year in the postseason. He was just winging it and not doing that well. But he played well offensively and was hungry on the boards. He didn't know the defense then and he doesn't now.

[bigzak25]

well that speaks volumes about last years playoffs. Cuz a nazr that hustled that didn't/doesn't know the defense was still better than a Rasho in his 2nd year in the system. wow.

[Kori Ellis]

well that speaks volumes about last years playoffs. Cuz a nazr that hustled that didn't/doesn't know the defense was still better than a Rasho in his 2nd year in the system. wow.

What playoffs were you watching?

Nazr's defense was pitiful compared to Rasho's. Team easily got/get into the paint on Nazr because he doesn't help or rotate. He's slowly coming along but the interior defense is much much better with Rasho on the floor than Nazr.

[bigzak25]

C'mon K. The Spurs don't win last year without Nazr.

, the Denver series would have gone 6 or 7...and that's cuz Najera was out.

[Kori Ellis]

You do realize that Nazr's averages were the same in the playoffs as Rasho's were in the regular season.

They are pretty much interchangeable in regards to offensive output.

[bigzak25]

all i know is Naz can dunk the damn ball and his vertical is over 1 inch.

i like Nazr's foot speed just a tad bit more than Rasho's too. I mean, i'm sure Rash could beat Frankenstein in an all out sprint, but i think it would be close, that's all i'm sayin...