Rasho's numbers in March

[Kobayagi]

22 points on 10/12 shooting, 14 rebounds (7 off) and 3 blocks in 38 minutes.

[remingtonbo2001]

It's nice to see Sho' doing well.

[angel_luv]

I wish I was getting to watch these games.

[ploto]

Consecutive 20 and 10 on b2b games is no joke. Too bad the season is coming to an end, or he'd be considered for MIP.

Marv Albert was saying he has been the MIP the last 2 months of the season.

The most amazing thing is that in the past 4 games, Rasho has shot 12 free throws!! 12!! And even more surprisingly he has made 11 of them. He is really just playing off Bosh and finding his spots and scoring. PJ Carlesimo always said that if you gave Rasho starter's minutes, he would produce.

I said when he left SA that his best was still to come. I just hate that I have to watch it on TV.

[angel_luv]

I said when he left SA that his best was still to come. I just hate that I have to watch it on TV.

You called it.

I knew it, too.

[ploto]

I want Rasho nominated for player of the week. This week he has played 4 games; shot 60.7% from the field; 91.6% from the FT line (11/12); averaged exactly 20 points and 9.75 rebounds per game; and had 3 double-doubles.

[angel_luv]

I second it.

I bet Sho gets picked. He should.

[Kobayagi]

I want Rasho nominated for player of the week. This week he averaged exactly 20 points and 9.75 rebounds per game

I think he has a really good chance. Are you kidding me...those are this year's Kevin Garnett numbers right there.

[RashoFan]

I second it.

I bet Sho gets picked. He should.

I would like to "third" that!
I am glad the Rasho is finally in his comfort zone.

He is young and is healthy. Staying in Toronto, there will be more to come from the Rasho!!!
BOOK IT!!!!

[HighLowLobForBig-50]

i always like rasho's position D

[Obstructed_View]

You probably gave Angel_luv an orgasm

Lucky bastige.

[Bruno]

Rasho > Scola

[BgT]

i always like rasho's position D

Yeah, but in the meantime his overall D became equally good and he keeps surprising me at the offensive end. He'd be getting a very nice paycheck if he was a free agent. I actually believe, that there are many teams, who wouldn't mind trading for his 8M last season contract. People believe that he is going to be traded this summer.

[timvp]

I want Rasho nominated for player of the week.

ROFL. You do realize that the Raptors lost three of those four games, right? Including the last three games. Somehow I don't see that little tidbit mentioned in this thread

Don't judge the player the way he was misused in San Antonio. Rasho has also become stronger and faster, he's in best shape of his career.

First of all, I agree that Rasho is in the best shape of his career. Well, the best shape of his career since he left Minnesota.

I've defended Rasho all season in saying he's vastly superior to Bustnani, however I lost a little bit of respect for him. I used to think that he didn't produce in San Antonio because he just was incapable of doing what the Spurs wanted. Now it's starting to look more and more like Rasho just has Beno-itis in that he just plays well when it's time for a new contract. Rasho can opt out of his contract this summer ... and suddenly he's actually in the best shape of his life and giving huge amount of effort on both ends of the court. Coincidence?

You can say the Spurs misused him offensively if you want. But if Rasho would have ever rebounded like he's rebounding now, he wouldn't have fallen out of favor. Rebounding is all about effort; there's no "misuse" that would make a player rebound as poorly as Rasho did at times while in San Antonio. Why didn't Rasho get into this kind of shape while in San Antonio? If he was as mobile as he is now, Pop could have used him against Dirk in the 2006 playoffs. Has he matured as a basketball player and his work ethic has grown, or was it because he wasn't going to be a free agent for a long time?

I hope I'm wrong but now I feel dirty for defending him all year. It's hard for me to rationalize that Rasho has now magically played his best basketball right before becoming a free agent both times. He's now showing that Pop was right to demand more rebounding, more heart and better conditioning. Rasho had it in him all along.

Oh and I don't really get the supposed Raptors/Rasho fans being all excited about his recent play. Has no one noticed that since Rasho has exploded onto the scene that the Raptors have gone into the tank? Rasho has been playing well for 20 games now ... in which the Raptors are 6-14. Before that they were 32-25.

But yeah, if he keeps this up he can opt out and get one last good contract. Props to him for the forthcoming money

[ploto]

ROFL. You do realize that the Raptors lost three of those four games, right? Including the last three games. Somehow I don't see that little tidbit mentioned in this thread

I talked about that plenty in the Raptors thread. This thread was about his numbers.

I used to think that he didn't produce in San Antonio because he just was incapable of doing what the Spurs wanted. Now it's starting to look more and more like Rasho just has Beno-itis in that he just plays well when it's time for a new contract. Rasho can opt out of his contract this summer ... and suddenly he's actually in the best shape of his life and giving huge amount of effort on both ends of the court. Coincidence?

You have no clue of what you speak. First off, it is very different for Rasho playing alongside Bosh than Tim. It is much more like when he played with KG because Bosh and KG play more alike. Tim plays more in the post and there was never enough room for Rasho to operate in the post alongside Tim.

As for his shape: When the Spurs signed Rasho, THEY asked him to bulk up- THEY wanted him to get bigger to deal with Shaq primarily. THEY created for him a program that made him get larger and bigger and hence slower. It was him doing what the SPURS wanted that made him bigger than when he played in Minnesota. The Spurs started to want to play smaller and Rasho's last year in SAn Antonio he worked to shed some of the bulk he gained AT THE SPURS REQUEST. The Raptors want to run, and Rasho worked hard over the past 2 years to lose the bulk he gained in San Antonio.

As for his contract, Rasho has NO desire to opt out to try to gain a new contract elsewhere. I told you a year ago, and we still have a bet, that Rasho would opt out and sign a new deal with less money up front to stay in Toronto- if the Raptors want to keep him.

I hope I'm wrong but now I feel dirty for defending him all year. It's hard for me to rationalize that Rasho has now magically played his best basketball right before becoming a free agent both times. He's now showing that Pop was right to demand more rebounding, more heart and better conditioning. Rasho had it in him all along.

Rasho worked his ass off in San Antonio- you can ask anyone. Maybe he has a coach again who knows how to use him. As much as I hate KG, he said numerous times that the Spurs used Rasho wrongly.

Rasho has been playing well for 20 games now ... in which the Raptors are 6-14.

You know Bosh has been hurt and all Raptor fans know that without Rasho, they would have lost even more.

I am sad to say that I have lost all respect for you. You have to bash Rasho instead of admitting the truth that the Spurs did not make use of the skills he had. And he has a PG now who even passes him the ball.

[timvp]

I talked about that plenty in the Raptors thread. This thread was about his numbers.

So there are separate threads for wins and numbers?

You have no clue of what you speak. First off, it is very different for Rasho playing alongside Bosh than Tim. It is much more like when he played with KG because Bosh and KG play more alike. Tim plays more in the post and there was never enough room for Rasho to operate in the post alongside Tim.

Where did I say anything about operating in the post?

As for his shape: When the Spurs signed Rasho, THEY asked him to bulk up- THEY wanted him to get bigger to deal with Shaq primarily. THEY created for him a program that made him get larger and bigger and hence slower. It was him doing what the SPURS wanted that made him bigger than when he played in Minnesota. The Spurs started to want to play smaller and Rasho's last year in SAn Antonio he worked to shed some of the bulk he gained AT THE SPURS REQUEST. The Raptors want to run, and Rasho worked hard over the past 2 years to lose the bulk he gained in San Antonio.

There is a difference between bulking up and losing stamina. Rasho these days can play for 48 minutes without breaking a sweat. With the Spurs there's no way he was in condition to do that.

As for his contract, Rasho has NO desire to opt out to try to gain a new contract elsewhere. I told you a year ago, and we still have a bet, that Rasho would opt out and sign a new deal with less money up front to stay in Toronto- if the Raptors want to keep him.

Good luck winning that bet. I still say he isn't going to opt out and sign for less money with the Raptors. The only way that happens is if they officially give up on Bustnani.

Rasho worked his ass off in San Antonio- you can ask anyone. Maybe he has a coach again who knows how to use him. As much as I hate KG, he said numerous times that the Spurs used Rasho wrongly.

There is no such thing as using someone wrong to the point that they stop rebounding and lose stamina. Those two things point to effort ... not coaching. And I know he worked pretty hard in SA. But it's also obvious he has worked harder this season than he ever did in SA.

You know Bosh has been hurt and all Raptor fans know that without Rasho, they would have lost even more.

Lose even more? Five of the six games the Raptors won were against teams in full tank mode -- Miami (twice), New York, Seattle and Charlotte. I'll give you the Detroit game but 5-15 isn't much different than 6-14.

I am sad to say that I have lost all respect for you. You have to bash Rasho instead of admitting the truth that the Spurs did not make use of the skills he had. And he has a PG now who even passes him the ball.

ROFL. I'm devastated

I've backed Rasho all year. Even back when you thought Bustnani was the second coming, I said Rasho was the better player. I'm just pointing out that his energy level is reminiscent of his final year in Minnesota. He's rebounding and can run all day. You can believe that it's a coincidence that he's having a breakout stretch of games a couple months before he can become a free agent. And while it may very well be a coincidence, I'm not sure if I buy it.

Again, props to Rasho for the breakthrough. I'm not surprised by the offensive production because, like I said earlier in the thread, he's actually a good low post scorer when made the first option. He just hasn't had a chance to show off that part of his game a whole bunch. But I am surprised about his added toughness, rebounding and stamina. Hopefully he can continue his improvement into the playoffs to help Toronto give some of those Eastern Conference teams a tougher time.

If you are the Rasho fan you claim to be, you should hope Rasho signs with a team that will let him start all year next season and let him be a main low post threat. For example, he'd be pretty dominant on a team like the Bobcats or even *gulp* the Mavs. If Rasho stays with the Raptors, he's going to keep getting jacked around as they keep trying to force Bustnani into the lineup.

It'd be nice to have him back on the Spurs someday ... just this time with a one-year contract.

[T Park]

It'd be nice to have him back on the Spurs someday ... just this time with a one-year contract.

no thanks too many better options in the pipe.

[T Park]

I thoroughly convinced that a basketball player with talent and promise can generally feel good about himself and after a few "hiccups" Pop can have that person thinking he should take a long walk of a Short peer.

I think P.J. was a BIG part of the success that the Spurs have enjoyed and he is sorely missed. He has more coaching pedigreed than Pop For Sure. He (P.J.) has coached on every level and had success.

I know Pop doesn't ask for it but he gets WAY to much run for the success of the team.

Tim Ducan would be a winner in many different organization and it was only by God's grace that we lucked out on that lottery ball that year. I think that David is such a Saintly person that when he had such a bad run of it from 92-96(he'd put up unbelievable numbers and then fail miserably in the play offs) topped of by him being injured in 96, GOD said

"DAVID....I WILL GIVE YOU TIM DUNCAN...AN THY SOUL WILL BE HEALED"


Come on Manu...well he is just MANUIFICANT...the guy was an unbelievable compe or with an indomitable personality BEFORE he got to the Spurs...so he was Pop Proof....


Parker is just such an phenomenally physically gifted athlete he also would have been GREAT in any other franchise...Kudos to R.C. for FINDING those players...


I think this stems from Pop's Academy training. You know where they BREAK YOU DOWN only to BUILD YOU UP...

Well that approach doesn't always work sometimes Positive re enforcement works....

[ata]

...
You can say the Spurs misused him offensively if you want. But if Rasho would have ever rebounded like he's rebounding now, he wouldn't have fallen out of favor. Rebounding is all about effort; there's no "misuse" that would make a player rebound as poorly as Rasho did at times while in San Antonio. Why didn't Rasho get into this kind of shape while in San Antonio? If he was as mobile as he is now, Pop could have used him against Dirk in the 2006 playoffs. Has he matured as a basketball player and his work ethic has grown, or was it because he wasn't going to be a free agent for a long time?
....

Stats per 48 min, Pts&Rbd
99-00 13.0 10.5 Min
00-01 12.8 11.1
01-02 14.9 11.6
02-03 17.7 10.3
-----------------------
03-04 14.6 12.9 SA
04-05 11.1 12.4
05-06 11.4 9.9
-----------------------
06-07 14.2 10.3 Tor
07-08 10.4 11.3
-----------------------
L10 24.2 10.7 Last 10

So, I guess, he put his best numbers in SA in first year, because ha wasn't to be FA for a long time? Or has droping the number anything to do with special diet for muscle grow?

As you can see, Rasho is pretty constant with his rebouding numbers, so his effort shouldn't be questioned. It would be interesting to see, how his presence on the court influences rebouding numbers of his teammates (boxing-out etc.)

It is first time I hear, that Rasho's work ethic and/or shape should be questioned.

In last games Rasho suddenly become option in the offensive end. In SA, behind TD, TP and Manu, he didn't touch the ball. How many plays for Rasho was there in the Pop's playbook? When Timmy was injured during Rasho's 1st year in SA, Rasho was able to put nice numbers (points), after Timmy got back, Rasho was forgoten.
Same thing in Toronto, Mitc finnaly realised, that project AB won't work this year, and since Toronto's perimeter players are strugling, Rasho get more chances - and he materialize 60% of them in Last10 games. And to comment Raptors' losses - with perimeter defence Raptors have, they are really able to win againts tanking teams only. BTW: are Bobcats tanking?

EDIT: mismatched Pts&Rbs for L10

[SlovenianGuy]

You can say the Spurs misused him offensively if you want. But if Rasho would have ever rebounded like he's rebounding now, he wouldn't have fallen out of favor. Rebounding is all about effort; there's no "misuse" that would make a player rebound as poorly as Rasho did at times while in San Antonio. Why didn't Rasho get into this kind of shape while in San Antonio? If he was as mobile as he is now, Pop could have used him against Dirk in the 2006 playoffs. Has he matured as a basketball player and his work ethic has grown, or was it because he wasn't going to be a free agent for a long time?

Timvp, I usually agree with you but this time the stats are proving you wrong.

Rebounding numbers are strongly correlated with playing time and if you look at Rasho's rebounds per 48 minutes, he's numbers are worse this season than in the first two years with the Spurs (11.32 vs. 12.91 and 12.34).

Even in the last month, when he was hihgly praised for his play, he's rebounding numbers haven't inceased at all. Actually, his rebounding rate (RBD per 48 min) is below his season average (11.17).

The only thing that makes it look like Rasho has improved his rebounding is increased playing time, he is getting in the last month.

[ChumpDumper]

sub .500 team in the east <> Spurs

[ploto]

The Atlanta Hawks’ Joe Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant today were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, March 31, through Sunday, April 6.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki, Detroit’s Rodney Stuckey, New Orleans’ Chris Paul, Philadelphia’s Andre Iguodala, Sacramento’s Kevin Martin, Toronto’s Rasho Nesterovic and Utah’s Deron Williams.

http://www.nba.com/news/pow_080407.html

Apologies accepted.

[ChumpDumper]

Who nominates players for that award?

[ploto]

If you are the Rasho fan you claim to be, you should hope Rasho signs with a team that will let him start all year next season and let him be a main low post threat. For example, he'd be pretty dominant on a team like the Bobcats or even *gulp* the Mavs. If Rasho stays with the Raptors, he's going to keep getting jacked around as they keep trying to force Bustnani into the lineup.

As big of a fan as I am of the basketball player Rasho and what I wish for him for his own basketball success, I am an even bigger fan of the person and he is happy in Toronto. Management loves him; the coach loves him; his teammates love him; and even some of the fans love him. His family is happy in Toronto, and I believe they would all like to stay there. I know that Rasho has no plans to opt out to go elsewhere. I can tell you that for sure. Either he picks up his option and lives with what may happen-- will they use it to trade for a wing player-- or he tries to work out a new deal to stay in Toronto.

[Kobayagi]

I hope he stays in Toronto, even if that means never having a deep playoff run again.