Nesterovic a Raptor...Yay or Nay
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by user Wtt02005
The Toronto Raptors recently acquired Rasho Nesterovic from the San Antonio Spurs. He is expected to be their starting center, but will he play well for them?
The History of Rasho Nesterovic
Minnesota Timberwolves
I first heard of him during his time with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Timberwolves were a pretty successful franchise, always making the playoffs usually as the fourth or fifth seed. The team rode the backs of Nesterovic and Kevin Garnett. At the time, Nesterovic was a decent double-digit scorer (11.2) and average rebounder (6.5) for a center.
San Antonio Spurs
After the Wolves' glory run, Rasho Nesterovic became a Spurs and was one of the three big men who played in the shadow of Tim Duncan and did not score much. It was the trio of Rasho Nesterovic, Robert Horry, and Nazr Mohammed who never found the playing time. I do not blame them; Tim Duncan is perhaps one of the top three centers in the league. As a result of Duncan's dominance in the paint, Rasho Nesterovich's numbers were cut in half.
Toronto Raptors
Now a Raptor (and he is excited about this which is really good for the team), Nesterovic's fate not only depends on him but who the team drafts. If Bryan Colangelo drafts Andrea Bargnani, then Nesterovic assures himself of the starting spot because Bargnani is a shooter. He is another Dirk Nowitzski as many people are saying. If the Raptors draft Adam Morrison, then we will have another Jamaal Magloire-Andrew Bogut battle that cannot be solved by just switching the former to the PF position. There are three spots in the frontcourt, and I believe Chris Bosh, Charlie Villanueva, and Morrison/Nesterovic will man those spots. I do not expect having Morrison will be too much of a problem though as Nesterovic will still probably be more of a backup even if he has the starting spot. Well, considering he's excited about being a Raptor, hopefully he'll play with some passion and make his numbers skyrocket.
Date
Sat 06/24/06, 10:00 am EST
