Dec. 11, 2002, 9:54PM Nachbar pines away Forward logjam keeps rookie on bench By JANNY HU Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle UPDATE • Tuesday: Rockets 103, Kings 96. • Record: 12-8. • Friday: At Memphis, 7 p.m. • TV/radio: Ch. 51; KILT (610 AM) and in Spanish on KYST (920 AM). Garbage time isn't a new phenomenon for Rockets forward Bostjan Nachbar, nor is playing in it. The rookie from Slovenia frequently played throw-away minutes in his first year in the Italian League, then again during Euroleague play, where coaches often ran up the score to enhance their team's overall standing. The greater the margin of victory, the higher a team's ranking. So even if you were a starter -- as Nachbar was with Italy's Benetton Treviso last season -- chances were you were in the game during the final moments of a blowout victory. "Coaches wanted more and more and more," Nachbar said. "So they don't put many young guys in for the garbage time. We starters had to play the garbage time, even if the difference was 20 or 30 points. Every point counted. "I hated garbage time, because you can't really show what you can do." If Nachbar didn't like garbage time in Europe, when it at least served a team purpose, then he likes it even less in the NBA, where it is almost always reserved for those out of the regular rotation. It's a place Nachbar didn't expect to be this summer, when the Rockets selected him with the 15th overall pick in the NBA draft. But with the Rockets jammed at the forward positions -- and minutes barely being spared for players like Maurice Taylor and Eddie Griffin -- Nachbar has found himself a staple on the bench. And a natural for garbage time. "It's tough, because I at least expected to be in the rotation, which I'm not right now," Nachbar said. "We have a lot of players, and coach (Rudy Tomjanovich) gives the minutes to the veterans before the rookies at my position. I just have to wait a little bit. "But I'm the person who takes this as motivation, and I know when I get back, I'll just get back stronger." Twenty games into the season, Nachbar has played in only four, starting one. He has logged a total of 32 minutes -- fewer than anyone else on the team except fellow rookie Tito Maddox, who has spent the majority of the season on the injured list -- as he continues his adjustment to basketball in the big leagues. The NBA has been faster, more physical and more isolation-oriented than what the 22-year-old Nachbar experienced during his five seasons in Europe, and he has struggled accordingly. In Europe, Nachbar was a slasher and spent significant time under the basket, averaging 13.7 points on 60 percent shooting from the field during Italian League play last year. With the Rockets, he has had to sharpen his outside game, which has never been bad. It just isn't good enough to earn him permanent minutes in an NBA rotation. So Nachbar attends every Rockets practice -- mandatory or optional, as Wednesday's workout was -- and is among the last to leave the court during pre-game warmups. "If you're not playing, then you've got to find every minute in practice to get better," said Nachbar, who is averaging 2.5 points and one rebound in eight minutes per game. "Even if I have five minutes before the games, I'm going to go on the court and shoot 20 shots. Maybe that'll help. It's one little step." Practices have substituted as games for Nachbar, who is still recovering from July hernia surgery. He injured his groin toward the end of his Euroleague season, and the pain moved upward as he worked out for NBA teams prior to the draft. Post-surgery rehabilitation went slower than expected, and Nachbar has battled through a sore abdomen and sore ankles throughout the process. But he remains as upbeat as he can be about his role with the Rockets. "The minutes aren't there right now for him, but that doesn't mean he's not playing well," said assistant coach Jim Boylen. "He's played well in practice, and he's contributed, but you can only play so many guys. There's not enough minutes to go around. "It really bothers him that he's not playing, but it hasn't been a disruption, and that's a tribute to him. It's painful not to play. We don't expect a guy to be happy and hunky-dory when they're not playing. But they still need to work and not be a disruption. "His attitude has been awesome. He talked about being in this situation before. (In Europe), he came in as a younger guy and worked his way up, and he feels like eventually it's going to happen here." For now, Nachbar's biggest contribution will come from making Yao Ming feel at home. The two rookies, who had heard about each other on the international circuit, hit it off when Yao first arrived from China. And the friendship has grown exponentially with the help of the video game industry. Nachbar and Yao have developed an addiction to Xbox video games, particularly the shoot-'em-up war game Medal of Honor. The two play against each other during nights on the road and individually on airline flights. And if they have their way, they'll be playing together on flights as well. "We're trying to get a cable to connect our laptops, so maybe in a few weeks," said Nachbar. "We're both young, and we come from outside of here, so that's one thing that connects us. We're the best friends on the team." They are buddies on and off the court, but make no mistake -- Nachbar doesn't plan to stake his fame on becoming another player's personal baby-sitter (think Jack Haley and Dennis Rodman). Although playing time is currently scarce, the 22-year-old has every intention of becoming a starter -- if not this season, then next. "I knew I wasn't going to be a starter when I got here, but my eventual goal is to be a starter for this team," Nachbar said. "I'm going to watch the players at my position, but nothing can compare to being on the court. Nobody ever became a good player just from watching the game."
Sad part is that until Rudy stops giving most the backup SF minutes to Moochie Norris, this team will never have time for Nachbar. Imagine if Gasol was drafted by the Rockets. If Taylor was not injured last season, Gasol could of spent the entire season on the bench.
I really believe Nachbar has great potential and he will be a contribution to the Rockets in 2 or 3 years. Rudy pls give him some minutes. I know he will be good.
Nachbar needs minutes to show what he can do. He needs to work his way to full fitness first and to keep on improving in practice but the only way he is going to gain any confidence is by being on the court.Rice is struggling,KT is needed at the four,and T-Mo doesn't have a 3 point shot. Nachbar's time will come and hopefully this season rather than next year.
I'm a huge fan of Boki's, I really really like his game...I think halfway in the season, he'll get more opportunities to play with the first team...He really should be getting T-Mo's minutes...he's in a long line though, both Hawk & Mo-T aren't playing much lately...
Rockets are one of the best teams in the league. I think Rudy knows how to run the team a little better then most of us.
I'm gonna let the coaching staff proceed with him as they see fit. They have done such an excellent job with Yao Ming that I trust them here as well. In the few minutes Nachbar's been in there, IMO he's looked completely lost defensively. Not that he's been in a lot, but when he has been in, he just didn't seem to have much awareness. That will come, but we don't have a whole lot of margin for error. Right now, the team needs stability and consistency. While Rice has been erratic, he is a veteran, a leader, and an intelligent player. He's by far the most experienced player we have, and that's a very useful thing for a team as young as ours. T-Rock has actually been shooting pretty well, he's a very good defender and a nice rebounder. He is one of those players who doesn't show up much in the stat sheet, but he seems to make good things happen, and does a lot without the ball. I mentioned in another thread that he reminds me of a better shooting Stacey Augmon. Good defender, and a semi-competent offensive player. He also seems to run the break pretty well. I don't think there's a lot of doubt that Nachbar is the future at that position. Rudy has said as much a number of times, but it seems that Boki still has a lot to learn. Plus, it's hard to put an inexperienced rookie in the rotation. Add our excellent play of late with the Rice and Morris combo to the reasons Boki won't be playing -- you don't want to shake up a lineup that's doing this well together. Boki just needs some more time to grow and mature. He needs to get more experience learning with the team. It seems that the injury may still be hampering him some. I think that later in the season he may get some more spot minutes as he gets healthier, but I still wouldn't expect a whole lot from him this season. But just take a look at the player who he emulates a fair amount -- Vladimir Radmanovic. Vlad didn't play all that much last year (especially early on), but in his second season he's really showing some flashes. It also seems to me that many european rookies take a while to adapt and learn the NBA game. Pau Gasol came in and played great, but just about every other European player takes some time to get into the flow.
i'm not worried about him. i think boki's game is going to be a tremendous part of this team in the future but with the rockets playing so well i'd let him heal up and learn from the bench. if this was last year then i'd be pissed but now i'm comfortable being patient.
I am absolutely confused about Boki though. What exactly has T Mo done in his major minutes on the floor?????? Anything? How about Rice????? Even for the most part Moochie Norris???? These three guys have given nothing (one great game from Rice and maybe two good games from Moochie) yet still dictate minutes from Rudy. I am baffled. I can understand to a degree why Rice........and to an even lesser degree why Mooch (I mean small ball for the most part has sucked for us) after all he is a PG and running the 3 small guards hasnt worked to well for us this year. I say its time to free up some of T Mo's 15 minutes a night or some of Rice's minutes and just give Boki 5-7 freaking minutes a night. He cant play worst D than Rice. He cant shoot much worst that Rice (Rice is a few misses away from being under 40 PERCENT FOR THE SEASON). He cant average less assists than T MO does. I am baffled at how we cant find a way to fit him in 5 freaking minutes a night at our weakest position? But we manage to give minutes to a poor shooting shooting specialist, who plays no D, and T Mo who is about as invisible on the court as possible.
Rice has actually played above average defense this year. Tmo can always be counted on defensivley. I want to see Boki play as much as any of you, but lets stop bashing Rudy over this.
I am all for NAchbar getting some minutes. Rudy has to know that Nachbar is the future starting SF and has to let him develope. Rudy took some chances with Ming, now he should let Nachbar prove himself by actually giving him some PT. If all goes well Francis Mobley Nachbar Griffin Ming would be a contender for years to come, the team is young and with some experience, we should be the team to beat.
If they are playing games on their laptops, I think Counter Strike is the best shoot 'em up. ...yes...i am a gamer...
Nachbar is going to look lost defensively for a while. Sometimes, though, you've got to bite the bullet and let him learn in a trial by fire. Let's face it: This team does not have a SF who is remotely adequate.. Rice is good in limited, specialized duty... but has lost a step, and was never exactly known for his defense. I don't really think "veteran leadership" is worth much in the first place... but Rice has never been noted for being a leader. Tmo, had we only expended a 2nd rounder on him, would be a good IR reserve player, suitable for minutes during injury crises. As it is, he's a SF who can't shoot. That's possibly the least valuable type of player imaginable. Especially in Rudy's system. KT is serviceable at the 3, but isn't really quick enough nor is a good enough shot. I thought Griffin was our 3 of the future when we drafted him. But the same applies to Griffin as w/KT. That leaves Nachbar. He might never live up to his high draft pick status. But you never know. And among the guys we have, he's the only one who has a chance. I'm not saying he should start. I'm not saying he should be our 6th man. But I do think he should be a rotation player. From what I've seen, he can shoot and handle the ball decently. That's something at least.
Hey when does 610 do that show where fans ask RUdyT questions? Has anyone ever called in and asked Rudy why he doesnt play Nachbar more? I can understand if ppl are playing good and he doesnt want to pull them out, but there are times when ppl are flat out sucking and rudy doesnt give Nachbar a chance.
Vengeance There is no need for lengthy explanation; Boki's lack of playing time has nothing to do with phantom (IMO) "being completely lost defensively" claim but simply due to the Houston Rockets log jam at the 3 position. Period. Yao Ming looked "lost" earlier on but that did not push Rudi into sitting him down and develop his game by watching from the bench. He developed his game and confidence with more games under his belt. In my opinion I feel Boki will still get his chance this year - I believe Rudi is just trying to figure out who he can rely on at the 3 position so he starting with the "older players".
I feel sorry for Boki. It's something that he needs to swallow, especially when your best friend in the team emerges from rookie state to become a starter. KH
