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Chron: Rockets' Nachbar doesn't just shoot, Reserve seals OT win, grabs 8 rebounds

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by rocksolid, Mar 25, 2004.

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  1. rocksolid

    rocksolid Member

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    Rockets' Nachbar doesn't just shoot
    Reserve seals OT win, grabs 8 rebounds
    By MEGAN MANFULL
    Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle

    Jeff Van Gundy had been telling Bostjan Nachbar to be more than a shooter. He wanted to see the second-year forward work on his defense and rebounding. Nachbar listened to all the suggestions and tried to improve his all-around game.

    It was impossible to show off his refined skills, however, since he rarely left the bench. But after seeing no action in the last 13 games, Nachbar got his chance to prove himself Wednesday night in the Rockets' 90-89 victory over Toronto.

    With starters Jim Jackson and Kelvin Cato out with injuries, Nachbar became the team's sixth man off the bench and the only non-starter to play in overtime. Nachbar played all five minutes in the extra period and scored four of the team's eight points to secure the victory. His two free throws with 51.9 seconds to go gave the Rockets a 90-86 lead they never relinquished.

    "I just thought that he gave us our best chance to win," Van Gundy said. "He's got a little size defensively to guard (Jalen) Rose, who has given us problems, so I guess that's the main thing. He made the two free throws, which were clutch, so that was good."

    Nachbar is known for his crisp jump shot beyond the arc, but nothing was falling for him during most of the game. He missed his first five field goal attempts, including four 3-pointers.

    Van Gundy kept him in the game, however, because of his hustle. Nachbar was strong defensively and focused on getting rebounds, picking up a career-high eight boards. Only Yao Ming had more rebounds for the Rockets.

    "It's all about being ready," said Nachbar, who finished with five points. "Although my shot wasn't falling, I tried to be aggressive and just do what coach asked me to do. I know I made lot of mistakes offensively and defensively, but my job was to hustle around a lot and get those rebounds, and I think I did a good job of doing it."

    Nachbar's only field goal was key for the Rockets in overtime. With the Rockets trailing 86-84, a play was called for Cuttino Mobley to drive into the lane for a layup. Mobley was forced to kick the ball out to Nachbar, however, who was waiting to spot up for a 3-pointer. When Vince Carter came at Nachbar, he drove to the lane and laid the ball up over Maurice Taylor and Donyell Marshall, tying the game with 1:43 left.

    "He did a good job," Van Gundy said. "He drove the ball, and Mo did a great job ducking in, which sealed any help, and Boki made a nice shot. So it was good execution by everybody involved."

    The ball also landed in Nachbar's hands in the final minute, and he was sent to the free throw line. He maintained his composure and sank both shots to give the Rockets a three-point lead.

    "I got fouled at the end, and it was my responsibility to make those two shots to finish the game," Nachbar said. "So I stepped up to the line and made both of them. At a moment like this, you don't want to think too much. You just want to step up to the line and think about making the shot, nothing else."

    With so many players injured for the Rockets right now, Nachbar took advantage of his first opportunity to play in a month. He hopes that it may help propel him into the lineup more often, especially now that he proved his ability to be more than a scorer.

    "(Van Gundy) is always reminding me that he doesn't want me to just be an offensive guy but be a guy that can play on both ends of the floor," Nachbar said. "And I'm trying to prove that by working hard, and when I get a chance to really play hard."
     
    #1 rocksolid, Mar 25, 2004
  2. Uprising

    Uprising Member

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    I just read this article, I was also about to post it. Man, Boki is da man!
     
    #2 Uprising, Mar 25, 2004
  3. SWTsig

    SWTsig Member

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    just imagine what he'd be like if his shots started falling.....
     
    #3 SWTsig, Mar 25, 2004
  4. jopatmc

    jopatmc Member

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    I thought Boki played well tonight. It's about time he got some minutes. I really liked the idea of him bringing the ball up the floor. Looks like our two best ball handlers on the break are JJ and Boki. Sure wished he'd get more minutes as the primary backup to JJ. He should spell JJ for 10 minutes a game, Pike should spell Cat for 6 or 8 minutes a game and Mark J should spell Stevie for 5 or 10 minutes a game.
     
    #4 jopatmc, Mar 25, 2004
  5. nyquil82

    nyquil82 Member

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    secret playoff weapon? we can only continue to hope...
     
    #5 nyquil82, Mar 25, 2004
  6. saleem

    saleem Member

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    He deserves praise but his shot isn't crisp by any means. The lack of it is what has kept him from getting major minutes this year.
     
    #6 saleem, Mar 25, 2004
  7. SmeggySmeg

    SmeggySmeg Member

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    Great Stuff Boki!!!!

    keep it up
     
    #7 SmeggySmeg, Mar 25, 2004
  8. montgo

    montgo Member

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    Dude has great size and deceptive quicks....I wish his shot were falling more, but I would imagine with more consistent time, it would....it would sure be a nice story if he ended up contributing mightely....I think it would stink to see him in another uniform contributing....heck, the way things are going, I would prefer him over Adrian Griffin...seems to be more potenial upside
     
    #8 montgo, Mar 25, 2004
  9. Dallas Rocket

    Dallas Rocket Member

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    I like Boki's game and he was killer in OT last nite with a key rebound and 4 of our 9 points. He has great speed, good quickness for his size, and a real nose for the ball. I'd like to see him in our rotation on a regular basis. With more PT, his shot will improve. After yesterday, don't know if Pike will ever get out of the doghouse - lousy D and terrible decision making. And Griffin.......he's just never gotten his game back after being out so long.

    Props to Boki & to JVG for sticking with him at crunch time. I think he has a tremendous upside.

    D R
     
    #9 Dallas Rocket, Mar 25, 2004
  10. AMS

    AMS Member

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    "Nachbar is known for his crisp jump shot beyond the arc,"


    Right.....
     
    #10 AMS, Mar 25, 2004
  11. dfbreyes

    dfbreyes Member

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    I'm glad our draft pick got some minutes against Toronto. Hopefully Nachbar will get his confidence and his shot together....to hold the fort while Jim Jackson is injured.

    Speaking of Jim Jackson, is his injury something to worry about? How about Kelvin Cato? When does our starting PF get back to the fold? The Rockets have a big game against Memphis.
     
    #11 dfbreyes, Mar 25, 2004
  12. user

    user Member

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    JJ's shoot did not fall at the beginning of the season, either. I just hope that Boki has enough time to get his shooting touch back before he was traded.
     
    #12 user, Mar 25, 2004
  13. DearRock

    DearRock Member

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    I am not worried about the shot, that will be there. I like his driving ability, defense, rebounding and overall tendency to run. I just believe that it is about time that JVG commit to both Boki and Pike as rotation players. It is a strength and not a weakness to have them play. By the time the playoffs come they would be key players. Pike gets into trouble when we ask him to do things we know he cannot do. You want him in the game with Ming where he is there to stretch the defense and make them pay for doubling Ming. It is not the best idea to have him handling the ball, driving and dishing.
     
    #13 DearRock, Mar 25, 2004
  14. vcchlw

    vcchlw Member

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    JVG, please! Trust Boki!!!

    I hope Boki will have decent playing time every game.
     
    #14 vcchlw, Mar 25, 2004
  15. Toast

    Toast Member

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    He looked a little lost on defense, and very tentative on offense, but what do you expect when the guy hasn't stepped into a game in what, 2 months?

    Scrape off some rust and paint on a little experience and Boki just may turn out alright.
     
    #15 Toast, Mar 25, 2004
  16. hajkov

    hajkov Consummate Member

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    yeah, but his game is still weak for a player drafted in 15th

    but, who knows...
     
    #16 hajkov, Mar 25, 2004
  17. Willis25

    Willis25 Member

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    I don't think quickness is his problem. He needs some playnig time and he needs his shot to fall

    NBDL anyone ?!?!??!
     
    #17 Willis25, Mar 25, 2004
  18. JuanValdez

    JuanValdez Member

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    If you trust that article, you'd have to think Van Gundy sees the opposite of what we see in Nachbar. The article casts him as a shooter who doesn't pay enough attention to defense and rebounding. His rep on the board is a guy who can't shoot (at least not in a real game) but who hustles, defends and boards.

    I was disappointed that the article didn't better highlight his biggest contributions to the win: the offensive rebound he got with 20 seconds left in regulation that deprived Toronto of any significant time to shoot for the win (and give us another chance at it), and his defensive rebound that led to the break that got him the free throws. He was at the right place at the right time at the end of the game.
     
    #18 JuanValdez, Mar 25, 2004
  19. sup123

    sup123 Member

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    i dont understand why jvg dosent play boki more, he has the size we need... and he plays JJ to many minutes.
     
    #19 sup123, Mar 25, 2004
  20. gucci888

    gucci888 Member

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    Good to see Boki get some minutes. He played great D on Rose in the second half, he got Rose very frustrated that led to some big plays for us. Even though his shot wasn't falling, I think he did a lot of other things well. Go Boki!!
     
    #20 gucci888, Mar 25, 2004
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