Chronicle: Nice article about Grega (Boki's brother, poster here)

Room to Share
Rocket's brother hopes to discover own game at UH
By MEGAN MANFULL

LADO Nachbar knew something wasn't right as soon as he saw his sons running through their home in Slovenia last summer.

Grega Nachbar sprinted past him first, and Bostjan Nachbar was right on his heels trying to tackle him.

"What's wrong?" Vlado asked.

"He lost! He lost!" Grega shouted happily as he tried to remain out of his older brother's reach.

The two had just finished a game of one-on-one basketball at their home, and Bostjan, the Rockets' forward, was not pleased with the outcome. Grega, a freshman walk-on at the University of Houston, was trying to escape his wrath.

"They love each other," their father said. "Sometimes they fight, but they fight only on the basketball court. There is no mercy there. After that, though, everything is OK."

Maybe that's why the two have avoided playing one-on-one since Grega joined Bostjan in Houston in August. Instead, they are each other's biggest supporters in a city twice as large as their native country.

Grega has been to a couple of Rockets games, and Bostjan has visited a few UH practices. He hopes to be able to attend games once Grega is deemed eligible by the NCAA, which is currently certifying that he did not play professional or semi-professional basketball in Slovenia. The Nachbars say Grega will qualify.

The wait is hardly bothering Grega, who is focusing on practice while he adjusts to the American style of basketball.

Bostjan understands what his brother is going through. He made a similar transition after the Rockets chose him with the 15th overall pick in the 2002 NBA draft.

"College and NBA basketball are different in the way that they are more physical," Bostjan said. "Everybody is more stronger and faster here. In Europe, everything is more finesse, more technique. It's about a soft shooting touch and stuff like that.

"He needs to get used to playing more physical, and he has to lift weights and work a lot on his body. But that's not going to be a problem. Everybody can do that. He's going to do that, too. He's going to get better in the next couple of months, physically, and then he'll be able to show what he can do."

Grega, 19, quickly learned there are a number of adjustments he must make, but he is eager to adapt. He is also enjoying the fresh start he has with the Cougars. While the coaches know about his background, he is not only known as Bostjan's little brother.

That's how he was constantly recognized in Slovenia.

"In Slovenia, he is a very important guy," Grega said. "In basketball, everyone knows him, and I was definitely in his shadow. If they know you and you're somebody's brother, then they always expect something from you."

Bostjan's skills were impossible for Grega to emulate. Four years younger than Bostjan, Grega is also six inches shorter. He is 6-3 and plays either point guard or shooting guard. Bostjan is more of a slasher who drives to the basket.

The pressure of trying to be like his older brother was difficult.

"Because I was successful, a lot of coaches looked at him as if he has to be successful just because his last name is the same as mine," Bostjan said. "He was always yelled at and screamed at by coaches, like, `You're the NBA player's brother. You're not that good. You have to do this, and you have to do that.' He didn't like that a lot."

But Grega also was motivated by his brother's success. Pushed by his father to keep trying, Grega became skilled at fundamentals and focused on his shooting and ball handling. He also studied the game, which helped him become adept at running offenses during high school.

Grega dreamed of playing college basketball. The goal didn't seem attainable until Bostjan was drafted by the Rockets. During a visit to Houston last year, Grega visited UH.

Cougars coach Ray McCallum was thrilled by the visit and even more pleased when Grega decided to walk on.

"We're going to play him at the point guard position, and he can play off the ball as well," McCallum said. "We expect him to shoot the ball. Being a Nachbar, it's kind of in the family, and being a European player. He's a great worker, and he wants to learn the American game. It's a real plus having him."

Grega said he is slowly adjusting to the high-paced game and intense practices. And even though the move to Houston still has him standing somewhat in Bostjan's shadow, he doesn't feel the same pressure he felt back in Slovenia.

"It's good when there's no pressure or anything," Grega said. "I'm just here to play basketball, just as he is. And I'm just trying to do my best."

Bostjan is confident his little brother will make an impact with the Cougars as soon as Grega adds muscle to his 175-pound frame and adjusts to the physical college game.

"He really understands the game," Bostjan said. "He has never been the guy who has jumped the highest or been the fastest guy. But he really understands the game and also where to put the ball at the right moment. I think in a couple of years, he can really develop into a leader of this college team."

After that, Grega dreams of joining his brother in the NBA and possibly beating Bostjan on a more regular basis in one-on-one.

Their father has his own ambitions for them, however, and it has nothing to do with the basketball court in Slovenia.

"The last wish I have is to see them play together; it's not important where," Vlado said. "On the same team together, on the same court. When I see them play together, they are unbreakable. They are complete when they play together."

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/2257331


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Backup point guard for the Rockets, anyone? Could Grega be worse than Moochie?

I remember that Grega asked me a few questions about UofH last year or so in chat during a game, glad he made it there.

Good luck.