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Spurs notebook: Nesterovic understands trade was just business
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
TORONTO — Rasho Nesterovic was "surprised and not surprised" when he received a call about a month after the season telling him he was being traded to Toronto.
Nesterovic spent three seasons with the Spurs, about 2 1/2 of which he served as the team's starting center. He was an effective defender, but barely got off the bench in last season's Western Conference semifinals against Dallas.
Needing to become more versatile and athletic to keep pace with the Mavericks and Phoenix Suns, the Spurs didn't think Nesterovic would play enough to justify the $23.5 million remaining on his contract. So they sent him to the Raptors for Matt Bonner and Eric Williams.
"I knew there were going to be some changes when we didn't win," Nesterovic said. "Maybe if we had gone to the Finals, it would have been different. But it's a job, it's a business."
Nesterovic likes where he is now. Toronto is a diverse city and the Raptors now have a deep international influence: Six of their players were born outside the United States.
"It's similar to (the Spurs)," he said.
Nesterovic said he's had to adjust to the Raptors' fast pace, but some around the team already consider him the franchise's best center since Kevin Willis left in 2001. Though Nesterovic starts, the rest of his minutes are usually determined by matchups.
Nesterovic hugged coach Gregg Popovich before the opening tip. After the Spurs arrived in town Saturday night, Nesterovic took Fabricio Oberto, Beno Udrih, Brent Barry and Manu Ginobili, his best friend on the team, to dinner.
Where's the subway? During his two seasons in Toronto, Matt Bonner was known as the "Red Rocket" because his primary source of transportation was the city's identically named subway.
After being traded to the Spurs, Bonner quickly realized San Antonio's VIA bus system wasn't going to be as efficient a way to get around town. So he broke down and purchased a car.
A white Pontiac Grand Prix. Which probably makes him the first NBA player to own a white Pontiac Grand Prix.
"I souped it up with some 12-inch rims," Bonner said. "Stock radio. Pretty cool."
Bonner purchased the car in his native New Hampshire to avoid paying sales tax.
Like any savvy buyer, Bonner did some research before making his purchase.
"When it comes to a car, there's two things, to me, that equal satisfaction," Bonner said. "No. 1, leg room. The Grand Prix has the best legroom out of any car in the country.
"No. 2, gas mileage. I respect the environment and I get good gas mileage. That's good."
Heading to a different court: Tonight will be the second time in a little more than a month that Popovich has faced the New York Knicks. He flew to New York the day before the Spurs left for France to testify in the arbitration hearing between the Knicks and former coach Larry Brown, one of Popovich's best friends.
"It's a pain in the neck to have to do it, and you hate to see any coach go through what he's gone through," Popovich said. "It was just a big negative the whole summer. I'm glad it's all over with."
Out of pocket: Spurs assistant coach Brett Brown has the flu and didn't accompany the team on the trip. Rookie forward James White had a passport problem and also didn't make the trip. He'll rejoin the team in New York.
Briefly: Udrih was kicked in the left shin near the end of the Spurs' victory Sunday, but was walking better when he left the locker room. ... Raptors forward Chris Bosh has been playing on a sore left foot aggravated by a case of plantar fasciitis. The same injury slowed Duncan last season. "I wouldn't wish that on anybody," Duncan said.
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