Nets Should Give Nachbar a Look

by Max Caster


Former New Jersey Net Bostjan Nachbar left the team in 2008 to play in Russia. One year later, he’s back and looking to sign on with an NBA team.

The Nets never properly filled Nachbar’s role on the team. Off the bench, he was a pure shooter who could drive hard to the paint if need be. The bench had no one like that during the 2008-2009 season, and New Jersey suffered. Yi Jianlian was brought on board to be a shooter. He lost his touch in the middle of last season. Bobby Simmons shot a great 45% from downtown but he’s a bit iffy. His speed isn’t where it should be and he has the propensity to get hurt.

At 6’9”, 230 pounds, Bostjan Nachbar is a versatile player, which is something New Jersey doesn’t have much of. His ability to play multiple positions and attack from just about anywhere on the floor would give Lawrence Frank some flexibility when making substitutions. Nachbar has quick moves off the dribble and gets separation for his deadly jumpshot.

Earlier this year, he said to EuroCupBasketball.com:

"Well, my natural position has always been the three - small forward. Even with that, in pretty much every stage of my career and every team that I was with, I played in multiple positions. Whether it was in Slovenia, later in Benetton, in the NBA or even now, for every team and every coach I played anywhere from two to three to four. I think that is one of the strengths that I like to use, which is being really unpredictable. I can play three for five minutes, then change and play guard and the next minute I can be at the four. The opposing team or coach doesn't know what to expect when I am on court and I like to change it up.”

Nachbar has been a great bench player for New Jersey in the past. He averaged 9.5 points a game on 43% shooting in his two full seasons with the team. In the 2007-2008 playoffs, Nachbar came up big, averaging 10 points a contest in 12 playoff games.

This past season while playing for Dynamo Moscow, he led the team in Russian League play with 16.2 points a game, shooting at a 46.2% clip – 42.3% from beyond the arc. He put up similar numbers in the Euro Cup.



The Nets are said to be in the running for a forward and can fill the void via the draft or with other free agents.

If USC’s DeMar Derozan falls to #11 in the NBA Draft, expect him to be taken there. He’s slipping down the boards but he’ll still be taken ahead of New Jersey. Jonny Flynn, the point guard from Syracuse, is player that Devin Harris wants. The Nets’ point guard says that Flynn could provide some rest time to him and his partner in the backcourt Keyon Dooling, who has been rumored to be a starter next season.

Others expect New Jersey to take Louisville Forward Earl Clark – an athletic body to play next to Brook Lopez in the paint.

Free agency offers several names that are due big paydays. Trevor Ariza has upped his worth exponentially with his performances in the playoffs. The numerous clutch shots and hustle plays he made for the Lakers have opened the eyes of many people around the NBA.

Hedo Turkoglu has the ability to opt out of his contract with the Magic after the NBA Finals. He hasn’t made any indications as to whether or not he’ll become a free agent, but there are rumblings that he will. After a few nice seasons with Orlando and this deep run in the playoffs, giving him a national platform, he’ll certainly see some dollars coming his way.

But why would the Nets sign either of those guys when they could have someone who has done it for them before for much cheaper?

If the small forward position remains the same after the draft and the big-name free agents are passed up, New Jersey would need someone who could come in and take minutes away from Simmons and Trenton Hassell. Nachbar, who is dead set on getting back into the league, seems like the guy for the job.

Unfortunately, Nachbar has said of a move back to the Garden State, "As of now, I don't see it -- unless something changes pretty drastically." Given the current players on the roster, Bostjan Nachbar is a guy that the Nets should make room for.