Mike Monroe: If healthy, Udoka will sign this week

[Solid D]

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...n.33ad358.html

Web Posted: 08/16/2007 12:36 AM CDT

Mike Monroe
San Antonio Express-News

Pending results of a physical exam scheduled for today, small forward Ime Udoka expects to sign a contract that will make him a Spur for at least two seasons.

Udoka, a 6-foot-5 forward who started all 75 games he played last season for the Portland Trail Blazers, was to arrive in San Antonio on Wednesday evening. With all other terms of a two-year contract agreed to by both Udoka and the Spurs, an official announcement of his signing should come by the end of the business week.

The NBA office must approve the contract before Udoka can sign it.

The deal is believed to be a two-year guaranteed deal for slightly more than $2 million.

The Spurs officially have remained mum about a contract offer to Udoka, but his agent, Erin Cowan, said the team and his client came to full agreement on terms on Wednesday morning. Udoka then booked a flight to San Antonio for the physical exam.

"Ime will arrive tonight and take a physical (today)," Cowan said Wednesday. "That's the only thing that is pending."

The physical will give the Spurs a chance to test Udoka's right knee. The 30-year-old forward suffered a partially torn meniscus in April and missed the final seven games of the season. Cowan said the injury was not severe and that Udoka wanted to continue playing.

The Blazers, who had long since been eliminated from playoff contention, held him out of action for his own protection.

"Teams looked at that and that hurt us a little bit," Cowan said of his attempts to get a more lucrative deal. "But the Spurs will find out that, just like Bruce Bowen, Ime is a freak of nature physically and just as dedicated to being in shape.

"Ime's very, very excited to join the Spurs. I think it's a win-win situation. It gives Ime a chance to continue his career on the grand stage and, frankly, I think the Spurs are getting a steal of a deal. Maybe we could have gotten more money elsewhere, but the free-agent market dried up a bit, and the longer you wait to make a deal, maybe you're gambling a bit."

Cowan said the contract to which Udoka agreed is guaranteed for two years. Udoka had wanted a player option for the second year.

Cowan said he agreed to the two guaranteed years without the opt-out clause in anticipation of Udoka's ability to prove his worth as a lock-down defender in the mold of Bowen, who will be 38 by the time Udoka becomes a free agent again.

Udoka is the son of a Nigerian who came to the United States. Vitalis Udoka received a business degree from Portland State, became a U.S. citizen, married a woman he met in college and raised his family in Portland.

Udoka graduated from Jefferson High School and remained in town to play at Portland State. Tragically, Vitalis Udoka died the day his son was to play his first preseason game for the Blazers last fall.

Udoka has endowed a scholarship at Portland State in his father's name.

"Udoka's family is excited for him to join the Spurs," Cowan said. "They're on TV 25 times this season, so they will get to see him play a lot."

Parker playing: NBA Finals MVP Tony Parker's injured left ankle has improved enough to allow him to participate in the last two games the French national team has played in preparation for the FIBA European Championships, scheduled to begin Sept. 3 in Spain.

Parker, who returned to San Antonio on Aug. 2 for treatment on his sore ankle after suffering the injury in a practice session, played last weekend in France's loss to Greece in a tournament in Strasbourg, France. He followed with a longer stint in a victory over Slovenia.

Parker is expected to be at full strength by the time France begins its quest for a berth in the 2008 Olympic Games at the European Championships.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
mikemonroe@express-news.net

[VaSpursFan]

sweet...2 lockdown defenders with bowen and ime...when we go small i will no longer have fear.

the spurs FO are pimps no matter how much i question them...

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

I think it's safe to say it's done now.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

His knee does not concern me at all. He's had plenty of time to rest and hasn't participated in any charity/community/basketball with borders-related games that I know of.

[Dex]

Originally Posted by ElliottFan

I think it's safe to say it's done now.

Pending the physical. Which if he fails that, we prolly don't want him anyways.

Offseason - check.

Ready for October.

[Bruno]

Cowan said the contract to which Udoka agreed is guaranteed for two years. Udoka had wanted a player option for the second year.

Cowan said he agreed to the two guaranteed years without the opt-out clause in anticipation of Udoka's ability to prove his worth as a lock-down defender in the mold of Bowen, who will be 38 by the time Udoka becomes a free agent again.

Spurs will have a lot of holes next summer. 5 players of this year 10 men playoffs rotation will be free agents in 08. The fact that Spurs won't have to spend a part of their MLE to re-sign Udoka, if he plays well, is a great news.

[TheAuthority]

Man... you know you are a Spurs homer when you're getting this excited over the signing of Ime Udoka. I mean, it's a good signing for the price, but come on... Ime Udoka. Ime Udoka.

[TDMVPDPOY]

they should just start the damn season now!!!

[Leetonidas]

Originally Posted by TheAuthority

Man... you know you are a Spurs homer when you're getting this excited over the signing of Ime Udoka. I mean, it's a good signing for the price, but come on... Ime Udoka. Ime Udoka.

He's a good defender and rebounder. For teams with two stars at both wing positions, Ime and Bruce can take them, and we no longer have to have Barry get pwned. It is great news.

[Spurs Brazil]

Originally Posted by Bruno

Spurs will have a lot of holes next summer. 5 players of this year 10 men playoffs rotation will be free agents in 08. The fact that Spurs won't have to spend a part of their MLE to re-sign Udoka, if he plays well, is a great news.

True, great job by the FO

[Darkwaters]

Originally Posted by TheAuthority

Man... you know you are a Spurs homer when you're getting this excited over the signing of Ime Udoka. I mean, it's a good signing for the price, but come on... Ime Udoka. Ime Udoka.

A lot of the Portland fans were bummed that he left. And not just that he left...but that he came here. Hes a solid player. Don't hate on him because you don't know him.

[Kori Ellis]

I wonder if he'll pass the physical. With two torn ACL's and a torn meniscus, it's not a lock yet.

[Obstructed_View]

It might be nice to have a defense minded, hustle-rebounding energy guy again. It's been missing since the Spurs overpaid the last one and sent him to New York.

[MoSpur]

Its weird that they mention the physical the way they did. When I read that article it stuck out to me, but maybe I am reading too much into it.

[CubanMustGo]

The health issues are a big reason why he couldn't get a better offer elsewhere. If he signs he's getting basically Beno money.

[Solid D]

Originally Posted by TheAuthority

Man... you know you are a Spurs homer when you're getting this excited over the signing of Ime Udoka. I mean, it's a good signing for the price, but come on... Ime Udoka. Ime Udoka.

Hey, people here get into it on 12th men. Folks were all giggly over bringing "The Predator" in from Summer League and tatted Cherokee Parks. Predator was cool.

[SenorSpur]

Originally Posted by Solid D

Hey, people here get into it on 12th men. Folks were all giggly over bringing "The Predator" in from Summer League and tatted Cherokee Parks. Predator was cool.

Jog my memory. Who was "the Predator"?

[Solid D]

Amal McCaskill. He drew his nickname from the dreadlocks he wore and the not-so-close resemblance to the movie Predator.

[SenorSpur]

Originally Posted by Solid D

Amal McCaskill. He drew his nickname from the dreadlocks he wore and the not-so-close resemblance to the movie Predator.

I remember that dude very well.

Haven't thought about him in years.

The moniker definitely fits him.

Thanks for the clarification.

[timvp]

Originally Posted by Kori Ellis

I wonder if he'll pass the physical. With two torn ACL's and a torn meniscus, it's not a lock yet.

Exactly.

This won't be an open and shut physical for Udoka. I'm sure they'll put his knee through all sorts of exercises to see how it reacts. The Spurs, ever since the Anthony Carter fiasco in 2004, have been extra cautious regarding pre-existing injuries.

I would say chances are Udoka passes the physical, but it's far from an open and shut case at this point. The never ending drama that is the signing of Ime Udoka will continue until ink hits that contract.

[timvp]

Originally Posted by Bruno

Spurs will have a lot of holes next summer. 5 players of this year 10 men playoffs rotation will be free agents in 08. The fact that Spurs won't have to spend a part of their MLE to re-sign Udoka, if he plays well, is a great news.

Agreed. I was hoping against a player option because that'd make re-signing him in the summer very difficult. If he had a player option, the likelihood would have been high that he would turn out to be a one year rental.

Now with at least two years to evaluate him and get his Bird status, the probability is much higher that Udoka could be a Spur for a long time. If he can pass the physical, he's going to be a very good signing, especially considering he's getting less than Jacque Vaughn money.

My only concern with him will be whether he can continue to shoot well in the Spurs' system. Most shooters struggle with the Spurs their first season. If that's the case with Udoka, he probably doesn't do enough other things well enough to warrant more playing time than some of the other swings in the mix.

However, if he can shoot it, I really like his future. It gives the Spurs another very good one-on-one defender on the perimeter, which will make the Spurs' league best defense even better.

[phxspurfan]

Originally Posted by Dex

Offseason - check.

What about re-upping Beno??

[Avitus1]

Looks like hes pretty much locked in but who else are the Spurs going to sign? Dont they have 2 more open spots?

[rayray2k8]

RealGM Staff Report -
The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have signed guard/forward Ime Udoka. Per team policy terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Udoka spent last season with the Portland Trail Blazers where he averaged 8.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists while starting in all 75 games in which he appeared. He led the Blazers – and ranked 19th in the NBA – in three-point shooting during the 2006-07 season, knocking down .406 (89-219) of his attempts. He also scored in double-digits 29 times and grabbed 5 or more rebounds on 21 occasions In addition to Portland, Udoka has spent time with the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ar...ly_sign_udoka/

[CubanMustGo]

http://www.nba.com/spurs/news/udoka_070816.html

August 16, 2007
Spurs Sign Ime Udoka

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have signed guard/forward Ime Udoka. Per team policy terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Udoka spent last season with the Portland Trail Blazers where he averaged 8.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists while starting in all 75 games in which he appeared. He led the Blazers – and ranked 19th in the NBA – in three-point shooting during the 2006-07 season, knocking down .406 (89-219) of his attempts. He also scored in double-digits 29 times and grabbed 5 or more rebounds on 21 occasions In addition to Portland, Udoka has spent time with the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks.

Undrafted out of college Udoka has spent time in NBA Development League, USBL, IBA and internationally in Spain and France. In 2005-06 he was named to the All-NBA D-League First Team and was also the recipient of Jason Collier Sportsmanship Award after averaging 17.1 points and 6.2 rebounds in 45 games for the Fort Worth Flyers. Udoka began his D-League career in 2002-03 with the Charleston Lowgators. He also represented Nigeria at the 2006 FIBA World Championships, where he averaged 14.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists.

The 6-5, 220-pound Udoka closed out his college career at Portland State where he led the Vikings in scoring, rebounding, steals and blocked shots during the 1999-2000 season. He was also named first team All-Big Sky Conference and selected as the league’s Newcomer of the Year. Udoka began his college career at Eastern Utah and spent a year at University of San Francisco before arriving at Portland State.

Looks like RealGM ripped off the Spurs' site pretty blantatly there ...

[Streakyshooter08]

I hope this really is official! Will there be a press conference?

Edit: It is!

http://www.nba.com/spurs/news/udoka_070816.html