Nikoloz Tskitishvili would love to have another chance in the NBA
The Georgian was the 5th overall pick of the 2002 NBA draft
Nikoloz Tskitishvili would love to have another chance in the NBA. The Georgian big man was selected by the Denver Nuggets with the 5th overall pick in the 2002 NBA draft.
Tskitishvili has played 143 games in the NBA averaging 3.2 points and 1.9 rebounds shooting 30% from the field.
Per Denver Post, "I just turned 32, but I'm better," he said. "I'm better at this age. I got stronger. I've got confidence. I got smarter."
He's got a comeback on his mind.
"It's very tough to make that decision, to draft a young guy with no experience, not ready physically, mentally," Tskitishvili said. "You risk a lot. They trusted me so much, but I didn't give them a chance."
Kiki Vandeweghe, then the Nuggets' general manager, made the call that would haunt the franchise.
"I feel like it was my fault, not Kiki's fault," Tskitishvili said. "I had to take care of myself better and stay patient. I should have listened to him. I used to tell him: 'I want to get traded. I want to get a new chance.' He was against that. This is why I respect that guy. He liked me, he loved me and I should have listened to him."
And if he got to choose a team to make his comeback? Yes, it would be the Nuggets.
"If I could get a chance to show that it was not a mistake ..." he said, his voice trailing.
"If someone were to give me an opportunity, I'm so sure, I'm so confident that I can play."
Tskitishvili has played 143 games in the NBA averaging 3.2 points and 1.9 rebounds shooting 30% from the field.
Per Denver Post, "I just turned 32, but I'm better," he said. "I'm better at this age. I got stronger. I've got confidence. I got smarter."
He's got a comeback on his mind.
"It's very tough to make that decision, to draft a young guy with no experience, not ready physically, mentally," Tskitishvili said. "You risk a lot. They trusted me so much, but I didn't give them a chance."
Kiki Vandeweghe, then the Nuggets' general manager, made the call that would haunt the franchise.
"I feel like it was my fault, not Kiki's fault," Tskitishvili said. "I had to take care of myself better and stay patient. I should have listened to him. I used to tell him: 'I want to get traded. I want to get a new chance.' He was against that. This is why I respect that guy. He liked me, he loved me and I should have listened to him."
And if he got to choose a team to make his comeback? Yes, it would be the Nuggets.
"If I could get a chance to show that it was not a mistake ..." he said, his voice trailing.
"If someone were to give me an opportunity, I'm so sure, I'm so confident that I can play."
E. Carchia
@Sportando
You must be registered to post a comment