Nesterovic Makes Some Strides

SAN ANTONIO — Rasho Nesterovic was simply a face on the team photo, one of many players that came to the San Antonio Spurs during their off-season spending spree.

He’s now earning extra attention, distinguishing himself among the players who weren’t around for last season’s NBA title run.

Nesterovic had 10 points and six rebounds in Sunday’s 88-78 victory over the Lakers and was singled out by Laker Coach Phil Jackson for his defense on Shaquille O’Neal, who had 19 points.

Nesterovic also fared well in the mental game, calmly avoiding a Kobe Bryant tirade in the fourth quarter with the game in the balance.

Bryant, upset over a missed layup, went toe-to-toe with Nesterovic and was hit with a technical foul.

“He didn’t get too caught up in the verbal part, but you always stand your ground, no matter who it is,” Spur forward Kevin Willis said. “He did that.”

Nesterovic played well enough in two seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves to pique the interest of the Spurs, who had to replace David Robinson, who retired.

He was, however, an important part of the Spurs’ game-turning, 19-2 run in the fourth quarter Sunday.

He stole the ball at one end and sank a six-foot hook shot at the other to give the Spurs the lead for good, 71-69. He then scored the Spurs’ next basket on a fastbreak.

“His numbers are the same as David’s numbers in the last couple of years, maybe even a little bit better in blocks rebounds, scoring,” Spur Coach Gregg Popovich said. “He’s doing a really fine job and he’s going to places on the court where we want him to be for our team defense.”

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The questions were offered in veiled cliches before the game -- Will there be some rust? Is this too long of a layover? -- but the Spurs said they were ready to play despite having six days between games.

“Coach handled it pretty well in practice,” forward Robert Horry said. “I know one day it felt like I was back in training camp. He kept us sharp, a lot of running.”

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Horry, who has a few spots reserved for him in Laker lore, said he’s all business with his former teammates when they’re in uniform.

“It was pretty weird playing against friends on the Lakers,” he said. “But like I told them, we aren’t friends until after the game.”