Radoslav Nesterovic started his NBA career in 1998 as a Minnesota Timberwolf. He moved to San Antonio Spurs in 2004, where he served as a starting center and earned his first championship ring. Raptors got him for the first time in 2006 in trade for the Red Rocket Matt Bonner, Eric Williams and a second round draft pick. He didn't earn any chip with us, but he got his first 3-pointer. Raptors love their treys... After Matt Bonner's leaving the TTC also noted a huge decrease in the tickets sale, which resulted in their strike last winter.
After a year he was asked to give up his starting role to Andrea Bargnani. Surprisingly his numbers increased slightly and he gave a really solid bench performance. Sadly, we had to say goodbye in 2008, when he was packed with TJ Ford and sent to Indiana for Jermaine O'Neal. He spent there only a year, became a free agent and came back to Toronto.
Advantages:
- Doesn't settle for stupid jump-shots. Besides that buzzer-beating 3-pointer in 2008, doesn't really settle on treys. His 15-foot jumper is decent, though.
- Above average post defender and a decent backup center, doesn't bitch about starting, just makes his job.
- Very needed veteran presence in the locker room and the hardwood. And he's got a jewelery already, not as a 15th man in rotation, but as an actual starter. Shame we have no Tim Duncan to pair with him.
Disatvantages:
- Rather slow.
- Not as good a rebounder for a 7-foot center, seems to lack power sometimes.
Basically, he is not a starter for a team who lacks Tim Duncan as a starting power forward, but as a backup center he is a very good choice. He is also loved by Toronto fans. The only problem I see is that both our center seem to be allergic to rebound the ball. Maybe we should give them Zyrtec or other anti-allergic medicine before every game? Or pray that Bosh and Evans will have their arms outstretched for the ball to fall more often in their laps.
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