Oberto is a Spur- VIDEOS

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Go to "multimedia" on the top bar, once you skip the intro (site is in Spanish). There are a bunch of videos there.<br>
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"Just got off the phone with agent Herb Rudoy. He just told me that the Spurs agreed to a three year deal with Fabrico Oberto, the Argentian big man who has been one of the best players in Europe over the past five years. That pretty much ends talk of Scola coming this year. Abdur-Rahim would still be a possibility if they could get Portland to agree to a sign-and-trade for Rasho Nesterovic. "<br>
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Chad ford of ESPN <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p204.ezboard.com/bsanantoniospurs62937.showUserPublicProfile?gid=blondie4spurs>Blondie4Spurs</A>  <IMG HEIGHT=10 WIDTH=10 SRC="http://homepage.eircom.net/~bray/em/orose.gif" BORDER=0> at: 7/17/05 11:04 am<br></i>

This is an interesting turn of events that might be true. I kinda like it. Oberto is older, around 30. Have him play his last fruitful years in San Antonio. Bring in Scola in a few more years and Scola will still be youthful. <p></p><i></i>

The link is here, by the way. You now need an Insider subscription to read it. I can verify that what usckk posted is exactly what was in the Chad Ford chat.<br>
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For the record, I liked Oberto more than Scola in their play in the 2003 FIBA Tournament of the Americas. If Oberto is indeed coming, I like this move by Spurs management. I just wish we can get both of these guys to play with us at the same time. <p></p><i></i>

After some reasearch, I understand that Oberto has some good low-post moves and can hit a 14-foot jumper. Also, he's a 50% free-throw shooter, fits right in doesn' he, haha. Sounds like a Rasho clone. <p></p><i></i>

This is good news. Oberto gives the Spurs the depth they need at the 5, and makes Rasho expendable. If Portland can do a sign and trade of SAR for Nesterovic, the Spurs will have upgraded greatly. <br>
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However, it's looking doubtful that the Blazers will do any sign and trades, especially for seasoned veterans. They want to continue their youth movement by only offereing sign-and-trades for draft picks or young players. I really don't see why they'd want Rasho on the books. They'd probably rather just let SAR walk. The only thing we have going for us on this is that it's the Blazers. They have a history of taking on contracts that nobody else wants. Of course, they probably are trying to buck that trend, so I predict that there will be no Rasho for Rahim bonanza. Still, Rasho is now available to plenty of other teams out there that need a decent center. Time to start salivating at the trade possibilities... <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p204.ezboard.com/bsanantoniospurs62937.showUserPublicProfile?gid=voraciouswolf>VoraciousWolf</A>  <IMG HEIGHT=10 WIDTH=10 SRC="http://members.vavo.com/schlock/10x10icons/se.gif" BORDER=0> at: 7/14/05 11:18 am<br></i>

The thing is...is that Oberto is a okay defender. If we play Miami and the finals, we're going to need Rasho. <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p204.ezboard.com/bsanantoniospurs62937.showUserPublicProfile?gid=usckk>usckk</A> at: 7/14/05 12:53 pm<br></i>

I'm not sure it's worth it to keep Rasho, just for the possibility of playing Miami in the finals. I think the days of Western teams restructuring themselves to deal with Shaq are done, and the end is in sight for Eastern teams as well. Shaq just doesn't seem to have that much left in the tank. I will be truly surprised if they get past Indiana and/or the Pistons next season. If they do, it's going to take a monumental effort by Wade and the role players.<br>
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Also, I think Rasho is a good defensive force, in that he's a shot-blocker who fits well into the Spurs scheme, but I don't think he's a great at containing Shaq. We really just need 6 fouls, a bulky body, and some heart. Massenburg would be fine in that role. <p></p><i></i>

True. <p></p><i></i>

I still think we should keep Rasho and take Scola and Oberto. We can have a 14 or 15 man roster now. Rasho's a 7 footer who can be a presence to opposing big men in Phoenix, Miami, Detroit, and Indiana. I like this big man front line:<br>
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C Nazr, Rasho, Oberto<br>
PF Timmy, Horry, Scola <p></p><i></i>

But only 12 can be on the active roster. <p></p><i></i>

Yeah, BigzDave, I'm sure they won't trade Rasho unless they can upgrade another position. He still has value for the team, but the team really needs to work on the 3 spot (SAR is just too talented a PF to ignore, even though he's not exactly what the Spurs need). <p></p><i></i>

Yeah, the Spurs need somebody to backup Bowen and eventually replace him. <p></p><i></i>

Yeah, I see. If Oberto comes, it looks like we might be better off waiting for Oberto to leave/retire and then bring in Scola in his mid to late twenties which is his atheltic prime. <br>
Boy I tell ya. Scola is our ace in hand just waiting to be played and that we're dying to play. <p></p><i></i>

ESPN just posted the article:<br>
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<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Oberto captained Argentine team that beat Team USA</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--><br>
By Chad Ford<br>
ESPN Insider<br>
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Once again, it looks like the San Antonio Spurs have made yet another international coup.<br>
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The Spurs have come to an agreement in principle with Argentinean center Fabrico Oberto, according to his agent, Herb Rudoy.<br>
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Oberto, who averaged 14.2 ppg and 7.3 rpg for Parmesa in Spain this season, is widely regarded as one of the top five players in Europe.<br>
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He was the team captain of the Argentina team that defeated Team USA at the 2002 World Championships. He dropped 28 points on Vlade Divac in the finale of that tournament.<br>
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Oberto is a warrior in the paint with polished moves around the post. He's a good scorer, rebounder and defender who has the toughness and aggressiveness to be an excellent role player in the league. He's also a great passer in the post and frequently draws comparisons to Divac on that skill. Don't be surprised if he is the Spurs starting center on opening night.<br>
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Oberto has been hotly pursued by NBA teams for years but has never shown much interest in the past. He's one of the highest paid players in Europe and has been content to be a star over there.<br>
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The fact that he turns thirty this year, is considered a little undersized to play center in the NBA (he's barely 6-10 in shoes) and has the free throw touch of Shaq (45 percent from the line) has hurt his free agent stock in the past two years.<br>
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The move by the Spurs means that it's unlikely they will bring over their other Argentinean big man, Luis Scola, this season. The Spurs drafted Scola in the second round of the 2002 NBA Draft, but have been unable to bring him over because of an enormous buyout provision with his team Tau Ceramica.<br>
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I see no reason why we still could not bring over Scola. This gets us our at worst our 3rd string center. If we trade Rasho for SAR, this would be great. It frees up money to resign Nazr. <p></p><i></i>