Forgotten Players: Fabricio Oberto (Feat. Aaron B.)
We have watched so many important players in San Antonio’s history. There’s so many that you can think of that you may forget a few names from the past. Like I always say, Coach Gregg Popovich knows how to get the best out of each guy on his team. Even the players you would think did not contribute are always the ones who make one of the biggest factors.
Fabricio Oberto may have been drafted in 1997, but he remained overseas for another eight years. This was a golden opportunity for Oberto to learn better tactics of the game before he would make his official NBA debut. As we know San Antonio to be, the organization loves to bring in overseas players who can make an impact. Oberto was on the teams radar for a while before he officially signed his contract.
It was a perfect situation for Oberto to go into San Antonio. Not only because he was playing for the best team in the NBA, but because he was able to reunite with fellow Argentine Manu Ginobili in the Spurs rotation. Having that comradely already as a new player brings so much to the team going forward. In his four seasons in the Silver and Black, Oberto made sure to be a dominant factor under the basket.
Oberto was a career 3.4 points per game scorer while grabbing 3.6 rebounds in his four seasons in San Antonio. Let’s forget numbers for a second though. Oberto’s impact as San Antonio’s rim protector was phenomenal. He was a terrific compliment to Tim Duncan in the front court. The two bigs eventually found chemistry with one another through the years. An underrated part of Oberto’s game was his passing ability and attention to detail. As he got comfortable reading his teammates, his impact led to many players, even himself, being in the right place at the right time. San Antonio’s ball movement has a significant amount of credit for that to happen. But moving without the ball, Oberto was great at and it resulted in a basket or an assist for him.
In the playoffs where it mattered most, Oberto made sure to remain a strong factor. He had huge moments in the 2007 Finals and provided a spark amongst their fourth championship. Oberto also had key contributions against the Utah Jazz in the Conference Finals with two double digit scoring games. While he also showed great defense against the likes of Mehmet Okur and Carlos Boozer. The Utah series showed that when the Spurs make a priority to have Oberto more involved, he can be a fantastic force. It was definitely a lift that the Spurs needed in order to move past a hectic Utah Jazz team.
It may have been only four seasons with the organization, but Fabricio Oberto was deeply appreciated by his teammates, coaching staff, and fans across the world. Anytime a player is a part of a championship team, they will never be forgotten. Although Oberto did not have the sexiest numbers, his impact on the floor was a huge contribution to San Antonio’s success.
Aaron B.
Let’s track back to the 2004 at the Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. In the Semifinals USA basketball team vs an Underdog team in Team Argentina. This team had future Hall famer Spurs Legend Manu Ginobli, former NBA journeyman big man Luis Scola and Argentinan/Spain superstar Fabricio Obreto.
This team beat the USA team 89–81, with fundamental blue collar basketball. After beating the USA basketball team and going back to Argentina with the Gold. One player on the team caught the eye of the Spurs Coach Greg Popovich. That player turned out to be Fabricio Oberto.
In 2005, Oberto voided his contact Spain league team Pamesa to join the recently crowned NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs.
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Fabrico’s Role in the NBA
Before his run in the NBA, Fabrico was playing pro basketball in Spain,Greece and in native country Argentina, where he begin playing pro basketball at the age of 17. In his time overseas, Oberto was FIBA South American MVP (1998), LNB MVP & Finals MVP (1998) and top it off with Gold Medal in Athens. This man knows about being a winner and being apart of winning program.
But when Oberto got to San Antonio in 2005, he was a 30 year old NBA rookie with over 10 years pro basketball experience. So the wear and tear of pro level basketball slowed his game down. No longer a star anymore, but a key role player to big man rotation to the Spurs. With the Rotation of Hall of famer Tim Duncan, Francisco Elson, sharpshooter big men vet Robert Horry let say the depth was stacked.
But in 2007 in the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, I believe this were Oberto’s role expanded. In the Finals, he made crafty layups, pick and roll plays, and setting his teammates for big plays.
This Spurs went on 4–0 run to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers. Oberto played another two seasons with the Spurs until he was involved in to get Richard Jefferson from the Milwaukee Bucks. But never played for the Bucks. He played two seasons in the NBA with the Wizards and Blazers. By then, Oberto’s role dwindled as he began to age and his playing style did not fit what teams needed.
We can possibly go all day and say “What if he came in the NBA sooner? “ He could have possibly had a better career. That could be true. But I think Oberto achieved alot before he made his NBA debut. This man is a Gold medalist, alongside an NBA & LNB champion. In 2019, he was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame. Not many players can say that. I believe Oberto fulfilled his journey and it is something that nobody can take from him. So salute to you, Fabricio Oberto!
Follow Aaron on Twitter @Aaronb901
