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01-21-2011, 03:57 PM
Udrih's career year lost amid the losing
By Ailene Voisin
Published: Friday, Jan. 21, 2011 - 12:16 am | Page 1C
Beno Udrih is getting consistent minutes, contributing career marks in points and shooting percentage, and playing the most inspired, efficient basketball of his seven NBA seasons.
He probably asks himself – and once in a while admittedly he does – why he has turned a career corner while the young, rebuilding Kings are moving in the other direction.
"I would enjoy this so much more if we were winning," the veteran guard said after Thursday's afternoon practice. "We are all a little bit on edge. But what can you do? We're young, and we have a lot to learn. I just look at this as another challenge, and I'm trying to figure out how to help."
Udrih is one of the more thoughtful, analytical players in the league. He absorbs scouting reports with ease. He knows which teammate breaks off a play or blows an assignment and isn't afraid to point the finger. He can be a bit preachy, but he is extremely well-liked within the organization and, given his enigmatic past, immensely respected for rescripting his career.
Beno, see, is all grown up, is the player Gregg Popovich envisioned when he first scouted the skilled, skinny guard from Slovenia more than a decade ago.
"I learned that you better appreciate everything you have because it can be taken away," Udrih said. "I'm very happy now. I'm in love. I'm engaged. I like being in Sacramento."
In the not-too-distant past, he was one of the knuckleheads. He got careless and lost his jewelry. During his first three seasons with the San Antonio Spurs – two of which ended with championship rings – he clashed with the demanding Popovich, eventually earning a trade to the Minnesota Timberwolves. When the T-wolves waived him within hours of the swap, he was signed by the Kings as an emergency replacement for the injured Mike Bibby.
Udrih, 28, responded with an excellent 2007-08 season but, after signing a multiyear contract, arrived the following season in terrible shape and didn't fully recover. He came back last season and found himself on the bench the entire season opener, hardly an auspicious beginning under new coach Paul Westphal.
But Beno keeps coming back. He keeps trying, keeps thinking. In an attempt to improve his conditioning, he gave up soda and became a fiend on the treadmill, transforming his soft 6-foot-3 frame into a lean, toned, 205 pounds.
On the court, he experimented with a one-handed floater to confuse defenders who anticipated his reverse layups and slippery drives. He polished his mid-range jumper near the foul line and, though a natural left-hander, tinkered with right-handed attempts.
"It's a good thing Beno shoots that shot," Kings assistant Pete Carril wisecracked, "because there aren't too many players in this league who still have a mid-range game."
In these days of draw-and-kick offenses, with the dunk and the deep ball dominating, the pullup at the line is as precious as a piece of rare art. And while Udrih might squeeze off a dunk once in a great while, his three-point proficiency continues to improve, he converts 84 percent at the free-throw line, and his fourth-quarter decision-making strongly suggests he deserves more late-game opportunities.
Nonetheless, he might be in the wrong place at what otherwise is the right time, paired with a young, emerging talent (Tyreke Evans) whose unorthodox skill set would probably be more compatible with those of a more conventional point guard. Two hybrid guards in the same backcourt don't necessarily add up to an accomplished floor leader, someone to facilitate an offense, find teammates in their preferred spots, make the passes and intuitive plays that determine the outcome of close games.
Udrih grasps the dilemma. He understands the dynamics. He hears the trade speculation. He realizes that most NBA types regard him as a prototypical third guard – a combo player who could contribute off the bench at both positions, and on a contender.
But he doesn't want to be traded, doesn't want to leave. Except for the losing, life is good.
"I have shown people that I can play," he said, "and I got that opportunity here. I feel that I can do even more for the Kings. I tell (assistant) Mario (Elie) to 'stay on my butt.' I want him to tell me when I do something wrong. I want to get better. I want to be coached."
With that, he laughed. It sounded funny, after all these years.
© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.
http://www.sacbee.com/2011/01/21/3340729/udrihs-career-year-lost-amid-the.html
By Ailene Voisin
Published: Friday, Jan. 21, 2011 - 12:16 am | Page 1C
Beno Udrih is getting consistent minutes, contributing career marks in points and shooting percentage, and playing the most inspired, efficient basketball of his seven NBA seasons.
He probably asks himself – and once in a while admittedly he does – why he has turned a career corner while the young, rebuilding Kings are moving in the other direction.
"I would enjoy this so much more if we were winning," the veteran guard said after Thursday's afternoon practice. "We are all a little bit on edge. But what can you do? We're young, and we have a lot to learn. I just look at this as another challenge, and I'm trying to figure out how to help."
Udrih is one of the more thoughtful, analytical players in the league. He absorbs scouting reports with ease. He knows which teammate breaks off a play or blows an assignment and isn't afraid to point the finger. He can be a bit preachy, but he is extremely well-liked within the organization and, given his enigmatic past, immensely respected for rescripting his career.
Beno, see, is all grown up, is the player Gregg Popovich envisioned when he first scouted the skilled, skinny guard from Slovenia more than a decade ago.
"I learned that you better appreciate everything you have because it can be taken away," Udrih said. "I'm very happy now. I'm in love. I'm engaged. I like being in Sacramento."
In the not-too-distant past, he was one of the knuckleheads. He got careless and lost his jewelry. During his first three seasons with the San Antonio Spurs – two of which ended with championship rings – he clashed with the demanding Popovich, eventually earning a trade to the Minnesota Timberwolves. When the T-wolves waived him within hours of the swap, he was signed by the Kings as an emergency replacement for the injured Mike Bibby.
Udrih, 28, responded with an excellent 2007-08 season but, after signing a multiyear contract, arrived the following season in terrible shape and didn't fully recover. He came back last season and found himself on the bench the entire season opener, hardly an auspicious beginning under new coach Paul Westphal.
But Beno keeps coming back. He keeps trying, keeps thinking. In an attempt to improve his conditioning, he gave up soda and became a fiend on the treadmill, transforming his soft 6-foot-3 frame into a lean, toned, 205 pounds.
On the court, he experimented with a one-handed floater to confuse defenders who anticipated his reverse layups and slippery drives. He polished his mid-range jumper near the foul line and, though a natural left-hander, tinkered with right-handed attempts.
"It's a good thing Beno shoots that shot," Kings assistant Pete Carril wisecracked, "because there aren't too many players in this league who still have a mid-range game."
In these days of draw-and-kick offenses, with the dunk and the deep ball dominating, the pullup at the line is as precious as a piece of rare art. And while Udrih might squeeze off a dunk once in a great while, his three-point proficiency continues to improve, he converts 84 percent at the free-throw line, and his fourth-quarter decision-making strongly suggests he deserves more late-game opportunities.
Nonetheless, he might be in the wrong place at what otherwise is the right time, paired with a young, emerging talent (Tyreke Evans) whose unorthodox skill set would probably be more compatible with those of a more conventional point guard. Two hybrid guards in the same backcourt don't necessarily add up to an accomplished floor leader, someone to facilitate an offense, find teammates in their preferred spots, make the passes and intuitive plays that determine the outcome of close games.
Udrih grasps the dilemma. He understands the dynamics. He hears the trade speculation. He realizes that most NBA types regard him as a prototypical third guard – a combo player who could contribute off the bench at both positions, and on a contender.
But he doesn't want to be traded, doesn't want to leave. Except for the losing, life is good.
"I have shown people that I can play," he said, "and I got that opportunity here. I feel that I can do even more for the Kings. I tell (assistant) Mario (Elie) to 'stay on my butt.' I want him to tell me when I do something wrong. I want to get better. I want to be coached."
With that, he laughed. It sounded funny, after all these years.
© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.
http://www.sacbee.com/2011/01/21/3340729/udrihs-career-year-lost-amid-the.html