NY Daily News When Nenad Krstic returned to Serbia-Montenegro over the summer, the Nets' center couldn't walk down streets without being recognized. Here in the States, Krstic no longer is an unknown, either. After averaging 18.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 56.3% shooting in four playoff games against Shaquille O'Neal and the Miami Heat last spring, Krstic proved he is more than a European project. After the star trio of Jason Kidd, Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson, Krstic has become the player opposing teams discuss on their Nets scouting reports. "It is a different challenge for him now because he is not an unknown commodity," Lawrence Frank said. "Everyone knows what the deal is, so the radar will be out there. It won't be as unexpected as it was in the playoffs." Whereas last season the Nets didn't know what they would get from the rookie, they now clearly have expectations for the 7-footer. After opting not to take on Shareef Abdur-Rahim because of concerns over his knee, the Nets now will rely on Krstic to provide vital inside scoring and rebounding. The second-year pro is the only offensive-minded big man the Nets have on the roster. Jason Collins and Marc Jackson will do all the dirty work, and Clifford Robinson is there to provide defense and perimeter shooting. Krstic will have to provide inside scoring to keep defenses from smothering Kidd, Carter and Jefferson. Judging from early reports, Krstic is ready. "It's night and day," Kidd said of Krstic's confidence now compared to last season. "It's two different players. I think (the playoffs) gave him confidence." Source
Players know how he plays. They won't be suprised and Nenad won't be able to sneak up on them anymore. It's going to be interesting how his season will go.
It'll be interesting to see how Nenad plays this season. Teams aren't going to put their weaker defenders on him anymore, and they know he's a threat, unlike last season. But from what I saw from EuroBasket 2005, Nenad seems to have bulked up and is tougher around the basket. He's going to have a tough season, though.
