http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...k.25e3c63.html
Spurs notebook: Pop: Nesterovic has been 'awful'
Web Posted: 12/10/2004 12:00 AM CST
Mike Monroe
Express-News Staff Writer
HOUSTON — Wondering why Spurs coach Gregg Popovich sat center Rasho Nesterovic the entire second half of Wednesday's 102-96 loss to the Seattle SuperSonics?
It wasn't because Popovich wanted to "go small" against a quicker, smaller Sonics team.
"I thought he was awful," Popovich said. "I just tell the truth. I can't start giving bull, because you forget what bull you gave last week, so I just tell the truth, and if somebody doesn't like it, tough."
Added Popovich before Thursday's game: "I think he's been awful for a couple of weeks. I'm very disappointed in his play. I don't think he's competed well. I think he's played without confidence. He's taken a back door offensively.
"All of a sudden it's like he hit this wall and decided he's going to be a different player than he was last year or even the first part of this season, and I'm not sure why. But if he wants to play he's going to have to compete and I don't think he's done that for a while."
Nesterovic competed well Thursday against Houston. Playing with defensive aggression Popovich thought had been lacking for too long, Nesterovic had eight rebounds and, more importantly, four blocks in 24 minutes.
Worth noting: Tracy McGrady's 33 points were the highest for any Spurs opponent this season and his 17 fourth-quarter points were one off the high for a Spurs opponent. Seattle's Ray Allen had 18 in the second quarter of Wednesday'sgame at the SBC Center. ... Tim Duncan blocked a season-high seven shots, two of them on 7-foot-6 Rockets center Yao Ming.
According to a caller on GNR, its Rasho's fault they lost the game too.Playing with defensive aggression Popovich thought had been lacking for too long, Nesterovic had eight rebounds and, more importantly, four blocks in 24 minutes
GO fig.
IMO, he shouldve gotten 33 Mins, but what the do I know.
But please, hug Barry.
Mr. Radoslav, this is your wake up call.
Wake up call for Mr. Radoslav.
Yeah, brent could use some lovin.
Maybe thats the problem, the model wife is bein a prude and not puttin out.
Mr. Radoslav, this is your wake up call.
Wake up call for Mr. Radoslav
Anyone that has a problem with how he played tonight is an idiot.
Rasho played very well, and deserved more minutes.
Id say he got his wakeup.
Now if his jumper would fall, hed be getting 10 and 8 a game.
Here's a thought, maybe run a play for him more often than once every 5-6 games.He's taken a back door offensively.
I thought I was wrong to rip Rasho. That's what Rasho apologists like ChumpDumper have been saying.
Thanks, Pop.
What kind of play do you want to run? He should score off of offensive rebounds and open jumpers. You run plays for Duncan, Manu and Parker.
Rasho should get his without plays.
Show me where I said not to rip him. Hedo taught us all.
You're the one saying don't yell at Devin.
Give him a big Hedo hug.
If a guy sucks, let him know.
You have been saying Rasho is working hard. Working hard on what?
He's been horrible.
I wonder how Rasho will react to being called out.
Step up?
Shut down?
Well at least he went to the line tonight. That way he isn't due back for another 10 games.
Yes, please change the question. That's better. I said Rasho works hard in general, especially when compared to guys like Dalembert and Swift.You have been saying Rasho is working hard. Working hard on what?
Rasho has definitely sucked lately.
So what?
No one outside of Duncan is going to bring it every night. This has been proven in every ing game this year.
You want more consistency? Trade for it.
I would trade Rasho or Malik for Kurt Thomas in a heartbeat (note to MB -- it's better to suggest guys who are actually available) because he's more consistent than either.
Expecting solid play every game from anyone save Duncan is foolish. This is exactly why the team is made up this way, and this is exactly why this team is going to pursue Malone no matter what inane protests may arise. When someone sucks, someone else is there to play the minutes.
Give him some high pick and roll looks out at that spot just past the FT line he likes.
He also has a nice little baby hook that he surprises everyone with.
The Spurs didn't run plays for David Robinson. They aren't going to run plays for Rasho Nesterovic.
There's a long list of players that need plays before the Spurs get to Rasho.
Every game? I'd settle for every other game or every third game from Rasho.
Especially for someone we agreed before the season should average around 10 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks.
Right now he's barely doing half that.
Well if you're not going to run plays for him, don't criticize him for "not being involved in the offense."
That's all I'm saying on that.
Yes, and every other player has been aces every night.
You make a great argument for Malone.
Is he not allowed to get offensive rebounds and hit the jumpers and small put backs he gets?
What is he like 2-16 in the last three games?
A 50-year-old Malone who is trying to recover from an injury that no one has recovered from will just add to the problem. Instead of trying to find minutes for Rose and Horry ... Pop will have to find minutes for Rose, Horry and Malone.
If Rasho doesn't want to play, just start Rose or Horry and then bring the other one off the bench and play them in a three man rotation. Having 73 bigmen off the bench isn't going to solve anything.
One of those or Rasho is pretty much a lock to suck, so that's a nonissue.Instead of trying to find minutes for Rose and Horry ... Pop will have to find minutes for Rose, Horry and Malone.And when (not if) they suck?If Rasho doesn't want to play, just start Rose or Horry and then bring the other one off the bench and play them in a three man rotation.
They'll change back.
Just like tonight.
Funny how that works.
Maybe it's time to see Sean Marks out there on the court ???
I'm all for it.
Nice Thought Agg, the problem is he has had those looks come his way and I've seen him more than once pass to someone else rather than take the shot. The Sonics/Rockets games are proof of that. No confidence or self-esteem for Mr. Nesterovic.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
