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good that the team supports rasho...i think he is improving defensively but still has a lot to go offensively...
As do I! Fear the Sho!
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b....180b21fa.html
Mike Monroe
Express-News Staff Writer
Rasho Nesterovic didn't score a point in the Spurs' 95-92 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks at the AT&T Center, missing his only shot and both his free throws.
There is an element among Spurs' fandom that will see this as further reason to lobby management to trade Nesterovic before the Feb. 23 trade deadline.
His teammates and coaches, though, understand the depth of Nesterovic's contribution to their 30th victory of the season. He was as vital on the defensive block and on the offensive glass as Michael Finley was important behind the 3-point line.
In the final 5 1/2 minutes Nesterovic blocked a shot by Milwaukee's Jamaal Magloire, grabbed two offensive rebounds, one of which was turned into a Finley 3-pointer, blocked a would-be layup by the Bucks' T.J. Ford, and altered a shot by Michael Redd with 56 seconds left and the Spurs ahead by just two points.
It has been rare to see Nesterovic on the court in crunch time of close games this season. Ordinarily, 14-year veteran Robert Horry joins Tim Duncan for the late stages of such games. But on Wednesday Horry was on the bench, in street clothes, nursing a lower abdominal strain, so Nesterovic had a chance to make some of his most meaningful plays of the season. He did not disappoint, no matter how tepid his box score line might appear.
"Nobody is ever going to say, 'Oh, look at what Rasho is doing,'" said Manu Ginobili, as popular as any Spur, even on a night when he missed nine of 14 shots. "But there are reasons why he is starting and playing so many minutes and doing good. The team trusts him. We know that he is most of the time in the right spot at the right time, so we can trust him and rely on him."
Nesterovic has started all but one of the Spurs' 39 games this season and played nearly twice as many minutes as backup center Nazr Mohammed, who replaced him in the starting lineup late last season and then started every playoff game in the Spurs' championship run. He is the least productive of the Spurs' starters, but content with his role, especially when he knows he has made a solid contribution to a victory.
Spurs' coach Gregg Popovich, while occasionally frustrated by Nesterovic's reluctance to assert himself on offense, was happy to see his aggression on the offensive glass and at the defensive end.
"He had a blocked shot and got some rebounds and gave us that blink that we needed," Popovich said. "We were prepared that (Andrew) Bogut wasn't going to do to us what he did to us in Milwaukee, where he got every offensive board and stuck it back in. But Rasho did a good job."
One of the things Bogut did to the Spurs on Dec. 20, in Milwaukee, was to make a shot off an in-bounds lob pass at the end of overtime, giving the Bucks a 109-107 victory. Nesterovic had the defensive assignment on Bogut on that play, but he insisted he gave no thought to it as he approached Wednesday's game.
"No," he said. "It's done. We just wanted to come in and not let them outrebound us like in that game. We tried to do as good a job on the boards as possible."
good that the team supports rasho...i think he is improving defensively but still has a lot to go offensively...
"Nobody is ever going to say, 'Oh, look at what Rasho is doing,'" said Manu Ginobili, as popular as any Spur, even on a night when he missed nine of 14 shots. "But there are reasons why he is starting and playing so many minutes and doing good. The team trusts him. We know that he is most of the time in the right spot at the right time, so we can trust him and rely on him.""He had a blocked shot and got some rebounds and gave us that blink that we needed," Popovich said. "We were prepared that (Andrew) Bogut wasn't going to do to us what he did to us in Milwaukee, where he got every offensive board and stuck it back in. But Rasho did a good job."
any points a spur center scores are gravy. the block he had was great, and he was really going after rebounds, ripping them away from people. it was nice to see.
Next game comes the opportunity for Rasho. He will make a statement if he stops Shaq, which is possible now unlike in the past. Rasho's value will then be more appreciated and his starter status more secure.
he and nazr will probably both rack up fouls, but we'll see.
Considering the fact that it seems that players are always yelling and pointing at Nazr, having to show him where to go, I wonder if this quote by Manu isn't meant as a knock on Nazr.The team trusts him. We know that he is most of the time in the right spot at the right time, so we can trust him and rely on him."
No one can question that value of Rasho's defensive contributions. The late block was a testimony. Also, his attempt at a two-handed slam off the Parker lob pass was funny to watch. Even though he missed the slam it was a good aggressive move.
Despite his contributions on defense, he typically comes up short against a more physical, quicker frontline such as Detroit. As a result, Pop is forced to used Duncan at the 6 and Horry at the 4 spot, for longer stretches of those games.
Last edited by SenorSpur; 01-19-2006 at 01:21 PM.
I only have to say that spurs´players are really NICE and GOOD people!!!!!!!
I don't care to see the Spurs make a single move roster wise. Stick with this roster, the deepest, most talented ever assembled in San Antonio. Every season about this time there are these mini-crises in many fans' minds that will prevent the team from reaching the pinnacle. Then comes late March and the teams is feared by all. Rasho does what he does, however invisible as it may be at times, and you don't want to trade him. He knows the sets, knows his teammates. If you want to trade him after the season, that's another story altogether.
I think if we do a trade it'll probably be another salary dump including Barry or Rasho -- maybe a horizontal move with Nazr, but not much else. Otherwise we'll begin our annual post-waive deadline vet search and maybe take a flyer on a guy like Tim Thomas or whoever else may be on his way to the dustbin of NBA history.
Trade all the white guys except for Manu
I agree.
I can't help but wonder why Rasho can't be more consistent though. Why can't he play like he did the last 5 minutes of the Bucks game all the time? He has the tools but his inconsistency as a starter is maddening.
and why can't he play all game the way he opens some 1st qtrs?
One thing is that that Tony seems ready, even looking, to throw him the ball in the opening minutes, and then never afterwards.
See, the thing about rasho is, He has shown us he has the ability to be a great center, well not great, but pretty darn good. I will not question his defensive ability, his presence alone deters players from driving to the basket (Tim and Rasho are pretty formiddable defensively at the basket), and he is great against Shaq, but that only helps us twice a year now.
When Duncan was out last year 'Sho was a beast! Why can't he do that all the time?? I never bought into the "defers to Duncan" talk, but what is it with this guy? I'm just not comfortable with Rasho as our starting center in the playoffs, he withdraws when people start to play physically, which we all know the playoffs are all about, especially the Pistons.
This reminds me of those threads where everyone is hopefull for the success of a young prospect who everyone thinks will have an huge impact and then has a great game once every two months, and all of a sudden threads and articles pop up about "Told you so!", or "He's on his way".
We need more than 5 inspired games a year.
well, I guess Im glad someone has faith in him....
not that he's bad but to me it seems like he is always doing just enough to make a passing grade and not putting forth that extra effort.
I guess I cant blame him, I did that all through highschool when I was there. Just give me the D teacher and STFU
This is the reason why I've pretty much given up hope on him remaining our starting center. If he hasn't changed as a player after all this time in the league, he likely never will.
Here's an example of the difference between Rasho and Nazr .. and this isn't even about D.
Last night, the play was called for an ISO for Tony at the top. Tony spent several seconds of the shot clock waving Nazr out of the center lane so he could drive. Tony was becoming more and more frustrated as Nazr would move but still be in the wrong space.
In the second half, same play was called with Rasho in the game instead of Nazr. Not only was Rasho out of Tony's way, he boxed out the Bucks player from the lane and Tony had a clear path to the basket.
It's a good question, but as the game moves on, it becomes less of a role for Rasho to score. He ends up being asked to screen, rebound and defend. He's actually the best screener Tony and Manu have for their penetrations and TP especially owes Rasho a lot credit for his points in the paint...as much so as a great running back in football owes credit to his lead blocker.
if he rebounds I will be happy tp had more rebounds then him last night
Good catch.
I think it is sad that a column and fellow players have to go out of their way to try and pump up a guy that has some moments but usually disappoints. If he hasn't learned to play with total passion by now he never will. He is what he is.....not very good.
Sounds like Rasho is afflicted with the dreaded disease "Erick Dampieritis"
an article like this comes out now and pop says that nazr can not get playing time
trying to resign nazr is going to be more difficult now
I think this thread did not turn into the LoveFest that angel_luv might have expected it to be.
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