9 Worst Toronto Raptors starters of the short Chris Bosh era
By Alex Murray
6. Rasho Nesterovic, C, 2006-2008
Born in the former Yugoslavia in what is now Slovenia, Nesterovic was another European big man who amassed many trophies and successes during his professional career on the continent, including a EuroLeague title in 1998.
He migrated to the NBA that year, averaged a career-high 11.2 points for the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2003, and was a member of the San Antonio Spurs’ 2005 championship team. His Toronto tenure never reached such illustrious heights.
Rasho Nesterovic struggled with the Raptors.
The Raptors acquired Nesterovic in a trade with the Spurs in 2006, and the seven-footer started 112 games over two seasons. While the Raptors made the playoffs in both those years, Nesterovic was a fringe contributor putting in 6.9 points and 4.6 rebounds per game despite receiving a starting nod on most nights.
Nesterovic had only been the latest in a long line of whiffs as the Raptors attempted to find a suitable pairing for Bosh in the frontcourt. While Nesterovic’s more traditional style of play could have helped him stick around in a different era, he certainly did not do enough to keep himself off of this list.