<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Nets have held opponents to 74 points or fewer in their past three games. Krstic has had three blocks in consecutive games and has been dominant on the boards, averaging 9.8 rebounds in his past six. Against the Grizzlies on Wednesday night, he helped Jason Collins and Cliff Robinson defend All-Star Pau Gasol. On Sunday, he's scheduled to go up against the Heat's Shaquille O'Neil and his team doesn't expect a drop-off. "I think he's really improved just as a player on both ends of the floor," Carter said. "We already know what he's done offensively. But defensively, he's blocking more shots now. He's taking more charges. He's altering shots. He's defending some small forwards now. On the switches (Thursday night), I was impressed with him guarding Mike Miller on the wing. His emergence has just been a joy to watch." Krstic, who is only in his second year, points to experience as the reason for his improvement on the defensive end. Learning to help his teammates defend has not been easy. "The first year I struggled a lot (with help defense). This year I'm getting better," said Krstic, who is from Serbia-Montenegro. "Coach talks to me all the time. Every game he says to me, 'You need to get better in this and this.' I always listen to him and try to do the right thing." Krstic doesn't have a bad teacher in assistant coach Bill Cartwright, the center on the Bulls' first three championship teams. "Bill has done a tremendous job with Nenad," Frank said. "Bill's been with Nenad from Day One. He's been a phenomenal mentor and tutor and helped him in all phases of the game." Richard Jefferson has always believed Krstic would become a top player on both ends of the floor and, like Carter, has enjoyed seeing him develop. "His blocks are up, his rebounds are up, just his overall activity is up. He's becoming that presence that we knew he could be and we know he can be," Jefferson said. "He's doing the stuff that he was doing in training camp. Just because he's playing with us, he knows what's going on, and it's good to see that stuff carry over from practice to the court." </div> Source
It greats to know that he is getting better at defense. Once his defense improves more , he will be a big threat on both sides. He seems to be working hard on every aspect of his game and I just hope he keeps improving. Great job Nenad.
