Kori Ellis
10-12-2005, 12:24 AM
Lessons in NBA life come fast for Udrih
Web Posted: 10/12/2005 12:00 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA101205.01C.SPURS_udrih.12b2d826.html
COLUMBIA, S.C. — On the night before he flew home to Slovenia this summer, Beno Udrih stopped by Best Buy to purchase a few last-minute gifts for friends.
He arrived to find hundreds of people lined up outside the store. While they were waiting for an autograph session with Robert Horry, they soon spotted the Spurs' rookie.
Overwhelmed, Udrih phoned one of the team's media relations officials to rescue him.
"It was nice to sign some autographs," he said. "But it was crazy."
Udrih learned more than a little about the zealousness of the Spurs' fans, as well as the red-faced intensity of his coach, in his first NBA season. His goal is to put the experience he gained as a rookie to good use.
For one night, at least, he left his coach impressed. Matched against Gary Payton during Monday's exhibition in Miami, Udrih totaled six points, three steals and a pair of assists in just under six minutes.
"He played with some passion," coach Gregg Popovich said. "Like he wanted to show something or prove something."
Udrih will have to show more of the same if he wants to stay on the court for any length of time this season. Given the backup point guard job on the first day of camp a year ago, he now finds himself backing up the backup.
Udrih's rookie season was productive enough: He averaged 5.9 points and 1.9 assists in 14.4 minutes, made a team-best 40.8 percent of his 3-point attempts and played in the All-Star rookie game. In the first start of his career, he scored a season-high 25 points.
His season, however, didn't end as well as it started. Udrih's inability to weather Lindsey Hunter's full-court pressure helped spark Detroit's victories in Games 3 and 4 of the NBA Finals. His struggles were so evident one Pistons fan pleaded with Popovich to put the rookie on the floor in Game 5.
Popovich didn't. While the Spurs have never questioned Udrih's skill level — he might be the best passer on the team — they used the summer to find a veteran point guard to toughen him.
"He got a little spoiled last year, probably," Popovich said. "Now, he realizes he has a long way to go and he's going to have to fight every single season to be the best player he can be. There's always somebody else coming."
In August, somebody else arrived. By signing Nick Van Exel, the Spurs added not only a gutsy late-game shooter, but also a battle-tested tutor for both Udrih and Tony Parker.
"Just like guards used to learn from Avery (Johnson) around here, they're going to learn from Nick," Popovich said. "It's as simple as that. Beno will benefit in that regard.
"Secondly, it will make him serious in understanding that there are always other players out there who are pretty darn good, so you just have to keep your aggressiveness and keep improving your game."
Udrih said he wasn't disappointed when he heard the Spurs signed Van Exel.
"Nick was here 12 years in the league, so it's not bothering me," he said. "I think I can learn a lot from him. I'll just try to be ready, whatever minutes they want me to play."
Though the Spurs could eventually decide to trade Udrih — his potential and attractive rookie contract would sweeten a package involving Rasho Nesterovic — he figures to still get some playing time if he remains with the team. Popovich wants to make sure Van Exel, who has an arthritic left knee, is healthy for the playoffs. Limiting his minutes when the team plays on consecutive nights would help do that.
Popovich also paired Udrih with Parker on a few occasions last season. And Parker himself won't be immune from losing minutes to either Van Exel or Udrih.
Udrih said he knows this much: He feels good enough to play. The knee injury, which caused him to leave Slovenia's national team before the start of this summer's European Championship, hasn't troubled him in training camp.
Last season, Udrih played in 101 of the Spurs' 105 games — a contrast from his injury-checkered days in Europe.
"He got over that because we didn't allow it," Popovich said. "If he had any kind of bumps and bruises last year, we just ignored it because we knew they weren't serious."
Having spent much of last season becoming acclimated to the competitiveness and athleticism of the NBA, Udrih thinks he's better equipped now to maintain his own aggressiveness.
"When I step on the court, I feel much more comfortable then I did in the first season," he said. "I know the players a little bit more. I know our plays, offensive and defensive."
He knows what to expect. From his coach, as well as the fans.
Web Posted: 10/12/2005 12:00 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA101205.01C.SPURS_udrih.12b2d826.html
COLUMBIA, S.C. — On the night before he flew home to Slovenia this summer, Beno Udrih stopped by Best Buy to purchase a few last-minute gifts for friends.
He arrived to find hundreds of people lined up outside the store. While they were waiting for an autograph session with Robert Horry, they soon spotted the Spurs' rookie.
Overwhelmed, Udrih phoned one of the team's media relations officials to rescue him.
"It was nice to sign some autographs," he said. "But it was crazy."
Udrih learned more than a little about the zealousness of the Spurs' fans, as well as the red-faced intensity of his coach, in his first NBA season. His goal is to put the experience he gained as a rookie to good use.
For one night, at least, he left his coach impressed. Matched against Gary Payton during Monday's exhibition in Miami, Udrih totaled six points, three steals and a pair of assists in just under six minutes.
"He played with some passion," coach Gregg Popovich said. "Like he wanted to show something or prove something."
Udrih will have to show more of the same if he wants to stay on the court for any length of time this season. Given the backup point guard job on the first day of camp a year ago, he now finds himself backing up the backup.
Udrih's rookie season was productive enough: He averaged 5.9 points and 1.9 assists in 14.4 minutes, made a team-best 40.8 percent of his 3-point attempts and played in the All-Star rookie game. In the first start of his career, he scored a season-high 25 points.
His season, however, didn't end as well as it started. Udrih's inability to weather Lindsey Hunter's full-court pressure helped spark Detroit's victories in Games 3 and 4 of the NBA Finals. His struggles were so evident one Pistons fan pleaded with Popovich to put the rookie on the floor in Game 5.
Popovich didn't. While the Spurs have never questioned Udrih's skill level — he might be the best passer on the team — they used the summer to find a veteran point guard to toughen him.
"He got a little spoiled last year, probably," Popovich said. "Now, he realizes he has a long way to go and he's going to have to fight every single season to be the best player he can be. There's always somebody else coming."
In August, somebody else arrived. By signing Nick Van Exel, the Spurs added not only a gutsy late-game shooter, but also a battle-tested tutor for both Udrih and Tony Parker.
"Just like guards used to learn from Avery (Johnson) around here, they're going to learn from Nick," Popovich said. "It's as simple as that. Beno will benefit in that regard.
"Secondly, it will make him serious in understanding that there are always other players out there who are pretty darn good, so you just have to keep your aggressiveness and keep improving your game."
Udrih said he wasn't disappointed when he heard the Spurs signed Van Exel.
"Nick was here 12 years in the league, so it's not bothering me," he said. "I think I can learn a lot from him. I'll just try to be ready, whatever minutes they want me to play."
Though the Spurs could eventually decide to trade Udrih — his potential and attractive rookie contract would sweeten a package involving Rasho Nesterovic — he figures to still get some playing time if he remains with the team. Popovich wants to make sure Van Exel, who has an arthritic left knee, is healthy for the playoffs. Limiting his minutes when the team plays on consecutive nights would help do that.
Popovich also paired Udrih with Parker on a few occasions last season. And Parker himself won't be immune from losing minutes to either Van Exel or Udrih.
Udrih said he knows this much: He feels good enough to play. The knee injury, which caused him to leave Slovenia's national team before the start of this summer's European Championship, hasn't troubled him in training camp.
Last season, Udrih played in 101 of the Spurs' 105 games — a contrast from his injury-checkered days in Europe.
"He got over that because we didn't allow it," Popovich said. "If he had any kind of bumps and bruises last year, we just ignored it because we knew they weren't serious."
Having spent much of last season becoming acclimated to the competitiveness and athleticism of the NBA, Udrih thinks he's better equipped now to maintain his own aggressiveness.
"When I step on the court, I feel much more comfortable then I did in the first season," he said. "I know the players a little bit more. I know our plays, offensive and defensive."
He knows what to expect. From his coach, as well as the fans.