Nikoloz Tskitishvili > Articles

Tskitishvili has top role models
By Marc J. Spears
Denver Post Sports Writer

Monday, December 30, 2002 - NBA all-stars Dirk Nowitzki, Tracy McGrady and Kobe Bryant didn't look like all-stars when they were rookies. And knowing that is the perfect motivation for Denver Nuggets rookie Nikoloz Tskitishvili.
"We got the stats of all those players during their first couple years in the league and showed him," Nuggets coach Jeff Bzdelik said. "Statistically, there is not much of a difference. He needs to understand that he needs to stay positive with himself, because we certainly will. He needs to get better on a daily basis, and then one day it's all going to happen."

Tskitishvili, 19, was drafted fifth by the Nuggets in this year's draft. The 7-foot-1, 225- pounder's statistics haven't measured up to the league's other top rookies. The Republic of Georgia native is averaging 3.4 points on 31.6 percent shooting, 69.2 percent shooting from the free-throw line, 29.5 percent shooting from 3-point range and 2.0 rebounds in 13.4 minutes.

"I think I have skills, that's why I'm nervous," Tskitishvili said. "Sometimes I play good, but I have so many ups and downs. ... Sometimes I understand that maybe it's too early.

"But there are so many stars, for example, like Nowitzki, who didn't develop their game in their first year. I sometimes relax myself by thinking about Kobe and other stars. Sometimes it makes me nervous because I want to be good as they are."

Tskitishvili's situation most often is compared with Nowitzki's. Nowitzki was the ninth pick in the 1998 draft. In his rookie season at age 20, he averaged 8.2 points. During his second season, he improved to 17.5. Last season, the 7-0, 245-pounder earned his first all-star appearance, was an all-NBA second team selection and averaged 23.4 points.

"He's going to be fine," Nowitzki said about Tskitishvili. "From what I have seen of him, he can actually move quicker than I can. It's normal to lose your confidence in your first season. The best thing he can do is listen and learn, observe what's going on during the games and be a student of the game."

The Raptors selected McGrady from Mt. Zion (N.C.) Academy with the ninth pick in the 1997 draft. It wasn't until the 6-8, 210-pounder's third season that he started to show flashes of stardom, averaging 15.4 points for Toronto in 1999-2000. McGrady, who averages a league-best 30 points per game, was a 2002 all-NBA first-team selection and the '01 most improved player.

"I took all the criticism and just used it as motivation," McGrady said. "They expect you to come in and do a lot. It's tough for a young guy in this league to come in and make an impact right away.

"Don't worry about what everyone else is saying. You know what you can do on the basketball court, and you're going to get your opportunity to prove what you can do. Right now, things are probably not going the way you want them to go. People that watch the game don't understand what you have to go through to become the player you want to be. You've got to go through the development stage."

Bryant was the 13th pick in the 1996 draft from Lower Marion (Pa.) High. He averaged 7.6 points as a rookie. Now, the Lakers' guard has three NBA championship rings and is a four-time all-NBA selection, including a first-team choice in 2002.

Bryant's advice: "Just work hard. It's a good time for you now. Playing is fun."

Tskitishvili earned career highs of 12 points, four assists and 30 minutes Saturday against the Lakers. During the past three games, he is shooting 46.2 percent on field goals and 33.3 percent from 3-point range. He needs to get stronger, learn how to play in the post and improve defensively. Bzdelik said he plans to play the rookie in half the games the rest of the season.

"Skita is ready to have his minutes increased so we can expedite his development," Bzdelik said.

Tskitishvili's slow start will make it tough for him to be selected for the 2003 Rookie Challenge game during all-star weekend in Atlanta. But his sights are on bigger goals.

"I would like to make it, but it's not a big deal," Tskitishvili said. "I'm trying to be a real all-star in three years. I'll just wait and try to do that."