Beno Better than Van exel ???

[pineflatt]

I think so!

“Nick the former Quick” was supposed to be the solution to our backup problems at the Point. It really has not worked as advertised.

He was supposed to be able to efficiently run the offence, yet things bogs down and stagnates when he comes in. He was supposed to provide an offensive spark, but he has been erratic and inconsistent. Offensive momentum built up by the first unit goes out the window when Nick comes in. Worst of all, he can’t guard his shadow and he gets beat all the time. Remember, DEFENSE is our priority, but even modestly quick guards are beating him at will.

On the other hand Beno played well last year; especially for a rookie. I admit that Detroit ate his lunch and his play got shaky after that. Now he is probably looking over his shoulder when he hits the floor—turn the ball over he’ll go to the bench. But, last year he proved he could run the offense and that he is a reasonably good defender. If Pop gave his the same slack that he giving Van Exel, Beno would settle down and do well.


We need some one who can run the second unit and defend. Beno will do the job better than Van Exel. The problem is that Pop has lost confidence in him and won’t make the change.

Bottom line: It’s time to send Nick to the Bench.

[T Park]

who can run the second unit and defend. Beno will do the job better than Van Exel.

Beno Udrih couldn't guard his own shadow so your wrong there.

Once again.

Nick Van Exel was the only one with Nazr Mohammed today who wanted to win and play today.


He missed a couple of threes.

He makes those, and your threads go from bench Van Exel, to Van Exel for president.

[Brutalis]

NVE is better.

Hell, the starting PG Kareem Reid of the NBDL RimRockers is better than Udrih.

[Tek_XX]

I think we should give Udrih a chance. What does Van Exel give you if he can't score?

[MannyIsGod]

I definetly think Beno deserves a shot at this point. NVE has been way worse than I envisioned and his shot selection kills me. I don't know if he has that green light, but I think Beno deserves a shot to see what he can do.

[TDMVPDPOY]

warm banch seat

[mookie2001]

between finley, barry and NVE, NVE fucks up the least
they should be giving mins to beno instead of barry and finley, jesus these dudes are playing like shit

[ShoogarBear]

To anybody who has been paying the slightest attention to NVE in his 10+ years in the league, what he is doing now is exactly what you should have expected from him.

The guy has always been a 40% shooter who can take and hit big shots but needs a ton of them if he is to scoring in significant numbers. Did you think he was suddenly going to become a 50% shooter?

He gives us a dependable (a word that can't be used for Beno) veteran backup PG, who doesn't screw things up when he's in there. We don't lose games because of him. He hasn't squawked about minutes or shots or his role on the team.

I can't imagine what else you thought he was going to be.

[2centsworth]

Beno was terrific for 80% of the year last year. He was just in over his head in the finals. Beno at this point is a better defender, shooter, and smarter than nick the not so quick. However, if Pop benchs nick, which he won't because he's scared of nick, Nick would become a freakin cancer. The reason I hated the signing.

[leemajors]

we don't really have any younger players that he could be a cancer too. this is a veteran team, i don't think he could do too much harm.

[angel_luv]

I think having Nick is great because Beno can learn without so much pressure being on him. However, I do wish Beno got more game time minutes so he could gain that experience.

Well, for that and because I love watching him play. ;) :lol

[Kori Ellis]

It's funny that there's 3 threads hating on Nick after yesterday's game. He shot 4-for-8 from the floor. I'm not sure what you guys expect from him.

As many people have stated, his whole career he hasn't been a percentage shooter and he has jacked up shots early in the shot clock. That's what he does. :lol He also comes to play in big games and is pretty good in the clutch.

I just don't get what people thought he was going to be.

[Dre_7]

Thanks Kori!!

NVE > Beno!

[ChumpDumper]

I didn't see Nick choking against any traps or fullcourt pressure this season -- largely because other teams don't even try it on him. Can't say the same for Beno -- he has a rep.

[WalterBenitez]

Beno Udrih couldn't guard his own shadow

:lmao

Anyway I think Beno deserves some minutes to play and improve his confidence.

[SLOVENIAN 8]

Beno : http://sportal.siol.net/default.asp?article_id=10361020601231622070

Right now i have no time too translate it...

[angel_luv]

Ahhh! Awesome pictures! Thanks!

[Bruno]

Beno : http://sportal.siol.net/default.asp?article_id=10361020601231622070

Right now i have no time too translate it...

Nick has more than one name in Slovenian ?
"Nicka Van Exla "
"Nickom Van Exlom"
:drunk

[rashofan1]

Beno Is A Hottie!!!!!!!!!! But,my Heart Still Belongs To Rasho

[SLOVENIAN 8]

Nick has more than one name in Slovenian ?
"Nicka Van Exla "
"Nickom Van Exlom"
:drunk

That are not diferent names... I dont know how to tell you, but that is one complicated thing of Slovenian language to tell USA and other people :spin :lol

[angel_luv]

It has to do with present and past tense right- how the name is used in the sentence?

[Rummpd]

A lot of people are forgetting multiple big games by Beno last year - the media was raving about "this Spurs find".

Some were also calling him potentialy better than Parker (I did not agree with that) but the guy is a true point.

Beno also was at time a great three point shooter.

.

Meanwhile Van Exel is shooting 41% and 31% from downtown and throws up too many friggin shots = that stinks while Beno was at 44% and 41% last year!

Beno also may not yet be a great defender, but then again neither is NVE period.

[Bruno]

That are not diferent names... I dont know how to tell you, but that is one complicated thing of Slovenian language to tell USA and other people :spin :lol

French is strange too and complicate :spin
Does it depends on the function (like subject) of the name in the sentence ?
The same kind of thing that the 's put behind names in English ?
In German, they do it with adjective and I just find funny that you do it with guy's names in Slovenian.

[ChumpDumper]

A lot of people are forgetting multiple big games by Beno last year - the media was raving about "this Spurs find".Then Detroit destoyed him and every team now presses him like they did. Same thing happened to Jason Hart. Now when Beno iss actually used in games he doesn't even bring the ball up most of the time and is used as a spot up shooter. I'd prefer to send him down to Austin for a few weeks to see if he can improve running an offense in real game situations without screwing up our team in games anymore.

[timvp]

To anybody who has been paying the slightest attention to NVE in his 10+ years in the league, what he is doing now is exactly what you should have expected from him.

The guy has always been a 40% shooter who can take and hit big shots but needs a ton of them if he is to scoring in significant numbers. Did you think he was suddenly going to become a 50% shooter?

He gives us a dependable (a word that can't be used for Beno) veteran backup PG, who doesn't screw things up when he's in there. We don't lose games because of him. He hasn't squawked about minutes or shots or his role on the team.

I can't imagine what else you thought he was going to be.

:tu

NVE is playing exactly as expected. He hits big shots sometimes and misses big shots sometimes, but he's not afraid to shoot 'em.

He'll have his moment at some point this year.

[timvp]

Then Detroit destoyed him and every team now presses him like they did. Same thing happened to Jason Hart. Now when Beno iss actually used in games he doesn't even bring the ball up most of the time and is used as a spot up shooter. I'd prefer to send him down to Austin for a few weeks to see if he can improve running an offense in real game situations without screwing up our team in games anymore.

Exactly. Beno not being able to handle the press is like when pitchers figured out Pedro Cerrano couldn't hit a curve ball.

:smokin

[BigVee]

Exactly. Beno not being able to handle the press is like when pitchers figured out Pedro Cerrano couldn't hit a curve ball.

:smokin


Yep, and it is a shame because there are a lot of things he does well. Too bad they can't find a way to spot him up....has a nice looking shot.

[ShoogarBear]

Beno not being able to handle the press is like when pitchers figured out Pedro Cerrano couldn't hit a curve ball.


Beno ask Jobu to come, take fear from press.

[timvp]

Yep, and it is a shame because there are a lot of things he does well. Too bad they can't find a way to spot him up....has a nice looking shot.

I can't figure out why they don't send him to Austin. He just needs a lot of basketball action to figure out how to break the press. He's not the first point guard to struggle with that aspect. It is a relatively easy fix if given the playing time ... at any level.

[ChumpDumper]

And Austin is just screaming for another true point guard this season -- it's not like he wouldn't play. Hell, DJ runs so many three-guard lineups it would probably mimic what the Spurs would do with Beno even if he didn't play the point.

[BigVee]

I can't figure out why they don't send him to Austin. He just needs a lot of basketball action to figure out how to break the press. He's not the first point guard to struggle with that aspect. It is a relatively easy fix if given the playing time ... at any level.

I agree...he could learn some poise under pressure and come back much improved I would think. And he sure as hell isn't getting any better sitting at the end of the bench picking his nose.

[ShoogarBear]

Agreed that any guard with Beno's skills should eventually be able to deal with the press if given the experience. You don't have to have blazing quickness or a great handle, just court awareness and pattern recognition.

[Dario]

Nick has more than one name in Slovenian ?
"Nicka Van Exla "
"Nickom Van Exlom"
:drunk

We got way to many big brains who came up with these sentence "rules". I think we got like 20 different rules or so for these kind of name sentences, many slovenians dont understand it fully, so it would be waste of time to even try to explain it.
Biggest bullshit is they even make more and more every day and they make 10yr kids learn this stuff.
Anyway i got some time, so i'll try to translate that article.

[SequSpur]

The Spurs are losing because Tim sucks and Manu is the new Grant Hill of the NBA.

[Dario]

http://sportal.siol.net/default.asp?article_id=10361020601231622070

Beno Udrih
At the moment i dont think about moving elsewhere

After the big success in his first season in NBA - getting NBA ring - slovenian basketball player Beno Udrih can be disapointed for his limited minutes in his second season. Spurs signed experienced Nick van Exel, who eats the minutes for talented 23 yr Beno. Nevertheless Beno thinks, that the conditions in the club are great for his progress and he doesn't think about looking for new club in USA.

Q: You fell into the mercy of Greg Popovich and you dont get many chances to play and prove yourself. After good performances in last year you must be probably preaty angry for being so much time on the bench?
A: Not at all. I am very happy to be at this club. Organization is very good, if not the best in NBA. I work hard and improve this way. Sure if i would play more i would improve even more. Its not my decision whether i will play or not, its coaches. I have to be ready at all times. We got 3 PG's and you never knows if someone will get hurt. I hope noone will. I believe, that my chance will come. I try to keep my head clear and improve.

Q: Has the arrival of NVA clearly infected your playing time in 2005/2006 season?
A: Definately. He has a very good carier behind him. He is a player, who can help a lot his team with his very good knowledge. This year he will play with us, next year its still not clear. Coach is giving the advantage to him and that is simply his decision.

Q: What is the condition between PG's on training?
A: Normal. We are all training very well. The fight is on - on every ocation, but at the end its coaches decision. Even if you are the best on trainings, it doesn't mean you will play on the next game.

Q: In the last season you averaged good 14 minutes and got 5,9 PPG, but now situation changed. That "fall" in minutes you still didn't expect?
A: After last season i expected more playing time this year. After Spurs signed NVA in the summer, it became clear to me that it wasnt going to be that way. Its like that in the world of basketball. NBA is "busines".

Q: Did you maybe considered to find another club and try to find luck elsewhere?
A: I think that in this moment there is no point to think about moving elsewhere. Organization in the club is really top of the line, we got good coaches, so we can word hard. I talked to Primoz Brezec and Bostjan Nachbar and discovered, that conditions for practice in San Antonio are ideal for improving. I dont know how it would be elsewhere. It could be a lot worse.

Q: Despite you play in NBA only for 2 years, you got yourself a champions ring. With that your story in the strongest league in the world didn't end, because you probably want to write another sucsessfull chapter...
A: Every players goal is to win the ring, expecially for those, who just came in the league. My dream came true right at the start, but i will not satisfy with that, i want to play, get more minutes. I work hard and i know, like i said before, my time will come.

Q: How did you get used to San Antonio in a year?
A: I like the city, because its not to big. There still are 2 mio people in it, but its wide. I like it very much, because there are not to many cars on the roads, so i dont get to nervous. I can be very nervous behind the wheel. (laughter)

Q: There are probably, like in Europe, many fans that are bothering you. Are expecially woman fans (hmm i dont know how to write this word) prizanesljiv indulgent (do to),
forbearing, lenient (do to, towards); something like this :makeout
A: Woman fans are present, but they are not bothering me at all. All fans in SA are very nice. They come to us and we speak a little, but then they leave us alone. They respect our peace and they dont bother us.

Edit: mistakes :oops

[Dario]

Oh and please please forgive me for any mistakes

[SilverPlayer]

Great translation thanks for the hard work.

[angel_luv]

Oh and please please forgive me for any mistakes


You're awesome. ;) Thanks for translating! :elephant

[angel_luv]

Q: Did you maybe considered to find another club and try to find luck elsewhere?
A: I think that in this moment there is no point to think about moving elsewhere.

Good boy! :elephant


Q: How did you get used to San Antonio in a year?
A: I like the city, because its not to big. There still are 2 mio people in it, but its wide. I like it very much, because there are not to many cars on the roads, so i dont get to nervous. I can be very nervous behind the wheel. (laughter0

Easy solution: You pay for gas and I'll drive you around. :angel



Q: There are probably, like in Europe, many fans that are bothering you. Are expecially woman fans (hmm i dont know how to write this word) prizanesljiv indulgent (do to),
forbearing, lenient (do to, towards); something like this
A: Woman fans are present, but they are not bothering me at all. All fans in SA are very nice. They come to us and we speak a little, but then they leave us alone. They respect our peace and they dont bother us.


haha I bet! :lol


All fans in SA are very nice. They come to us and we speak a little, but then they leave us alone. They respect our peace and they dont bother us.

Aww, we like you too- well most of us, right guys? ;)

[spurs=bling]

Easy solution: You pay for gas and I'll drive you around.

HEY!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SenorSpur]

I think we should give Udrih a chance. What does Van Exel give you if he can't score?

Exactly. If NVE isn't hitting threes, he's useless. Besides scoring, he shuns other primary PG repsonsibilities, can't play D on the perimeter, doesn't get any steals and dammit - he's old! All things I'm sure the Spurs knew when they signed him.

I'm tired of hearing all this "he'll hit those shots in the big games" bullshit. If you're a good shooter, you're a good shooter. I'm not saying I regret the NVE signing, but I seem him becoming an issue.

[ZStomp]

I think so!

:lmao

[ZStomp]

To anybody who has been paying the slightest attention to NVE in his 10+ years in the league, what he is doing now is exactly what you should have expected from him.

The guy has always been a 40% shooter who can take and hit big shots but needs a ton of them if he is to scoring in significant numbers. Did you think he was suddenly going to become a 50% shooter?

He gives us a dependable (a word that can't be used for Beno) veteran backup PG, who doesn't screw things up when he's in there. We don't lose games because of him. He hasn't squawked about minutes or shots or his role on the team.

I can't imagine what else you thought he was going to be.

:tu Good job.

[boutons_]

"If you're a good shooter, you're a good shooter"

NVE is not a good shooter, a poor career FG% of 40%, which is what he's shooting for the Spurs.

Even poor shooter SJax shot 43.5% as a Spur, and never shot that "good" again.

http://www.nba.com/playerfile/nick_van_exel/index.html

Nicks ASTs are also down as Spur vs his career ASTs.

I find it very frustrating and naive that people think it's alright for Nick to play and shoot poorly all season, while counting on Nick to redeem himself by playing great in the playoffs. Note his career playoff stats are below his career season stats (just like Michael).

Yes, he was scary with 3Gs vs Spurs in the 03 WCFs, but that seems to have been his career peak.

He's needs to settle down, not shoot so much, nor so early in the shot clock, take judicious shots, try to move the ball around and make some ASTs. Be a fucking PG and not a heavy bomber.

[SenorSpur]

"If you're a good shooter, you're a good shooter"

NVE is not a good shooter, a poor career FG% of 40%, which is what he's shooting for the Spurs.

Even poor shooter SJax shot 43.5% as a Spur, and never shot that "good" again.

http://www.nba.com/playerfile/nick_van_exel/index.html

Nicks ASTs are also down as Spur vs his career ASTs.

I find it very frustrating and naive that people think it's alright for Nick to play and shoot poorly all season, while counting on Nick to redeem himself by playing great in the playoffs. Note his career playoff stats are below his career season stats (just like Michael).

Yes, he was scary with 3Gs vs Spurs in the 03 WCFs, but that seems to have been his career peak.

He's needs to settle down, not shoot so much, nor so early in the shot clock, take judicious shots, try to move the ball around and make some ASTs. Be a fucking PG and not a heavy bomber.

:tu Good Job

[Cant_Be_Faded]

So its settled, The Beno Militia will stay in retirement.

[TDMVPDPOY]

beno = 1ring
nve = o

[StillBorn]

beno = 1ring
nve = o

are you serious?

that means nothing...ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

[angel_luv]

HEY!!!!!!!!!!!!


All right, all right you can help.

[angel_luv]

You can wash the car. :lmao


I keed! ;)

[Cant_Be_Faded]

Beno Militia used to score numerous victories but he's too soft to handle the gusto

[tlongII]

NVE was washed up last year and he hasn't gotten any better. The Spurs should stick with Beno. Dude can shoot the rock.

[ChumpDumper]

Too bad Beno can't handle pressure or even the ball this season.

[abelle23]

i think beno is good playmaker, passer and shooter... i love seeing him on the floor w/ manu...we wil need him more in the long run to sub for tony...with more playing time i think he could improve... :spin

[ChumpDumper]

with more playing time i think he could improve.Which is why I want him in Austin for a month or so.

[angel_luv]

You can send people and bring them back at will?

[ChumpDumper]

Yes. Up to three times a year.

[angel_luv]

I am not entirely opposed to the idea.

But since those games are not exactly NBA quality and being in Austin would make Beno miss Spurs' practices, I wonder how helpful it would be?

[Kori Ellis]

I think it would be helpful because he'd at least be getting some game play. No matter how much he practices, there's nothing like playing in a game.

[angel_luv]

I think it would be helpful because he'd at least be getting some game play. No matter how much he practices, there's nothing like playing in a game.


If I could be assured we would get Beno back in a set ( and not too distant) time, I would be okay with sending him.

[Mixability]

I am not entirely opposed to the idea.

But since those games are not exactly NBA quality and being in Austin would make Beno miss Spurs' practices, I wonder how helpful it would be?

send Rasho too, maybe we'll save on travel expenses that way. :lol :angel

[angel_luv]

send Rasho too, maybe we'll save on travel expenses that way. :lol :angel

Hell no! If Beno was getting playing time here I would never send him either.

[Kori Ellis]

If I could be assured we would get Beno back in a set ( and not too distant) time, I would be okay with sending him.

Well the Spurs could bring him back whenever they want. Sending him to Austin doesn't give the Toros any rights to him. It's just a place for the players to get some experience and playing time. The Spurs could bring him back any second they want to.

[ChumpDumper]

PT is PT, and the Spurs can't afford any welfare minutes to find out if Beno has his handle back. Right now I'd rather have guys like Dre Barrett or Derrick Zimmerman bringing up the ball for the Spurs than Beno. The fact the Spurs use other guys to do that even when Beno is in the game tells me they feel largely the same way.

I wouldn't be overly worried about the level of players -- he only really plays against end-of-benchers these days, so how much difference is there? Austin would use Beno as a true point (they only have one) and they run an assload of four-down type plays for Fizer. Hell, they could try it for a week and take him back if they don't think it's working.

[angel_luv]

Any idea on if the Spurs would/ have considered it?

[angel_luv]

Only real down point is Beno might get lonely staying in a strange city away from all the guys.

[ChumpDumper]

Any idea on if the Spurs would/ have considered it?Being the control freaks they are, I doubt it. The Spurs need bodies for practice, too -- keeping only 13 on the roster all season is another strike against it. Austin is unique: it hasn't had a single send down all season. The Spurs have their reasons I listed above. Their other affiliate teams have had a slew of injuries that has made them keep their players in-house.

[ducks]

Only real down point is Beno might get lonely staying in a strange city away from all the guys.I am sure he could buy a cell phone and talk to the guys

[ChumpDumper]

I'm sure the boys would take him down to Sixth Street. Hopefully, Beno will leave his purse at home.

[nkdlunch]

beno probably would only miss Rasho, so if they give him a dummy for the time he's gone, he won't know the difference

[ChumpDumper]

Our backup center Jeff Hagen is eerily Rasho-like, and apparently very nurturing....
http://www.startribune.com/stonline/images/news95/ucag0127w.l.jpg

[angel_luv]

You guys are awful. :lol

I knew I would get made fun of for that last post. But I ought to get some props. I'm being really brave to let you send my Beno Boy away- even if it is just for a month. :angel

[ALVAREZ6]

Beno > NVE

[spurs=bling]

You guys are awful. :lol

I knew I would get made fun of for that last post. But I ought to get some props. I'm being really brave to let you send my Beno Boy away- even if it is just for a month. :angel


OUR Beno remember. and no i don't want to wash the car, unless Beno is gonna help :spin

[ShoogarBear]

If I could be assured we would get Beno back in a set ( and not too distant) time, I would be okay with sending him.

Well, then, it's settled!

[Rummpd]

Beno 15 points so far, granted it is against CHA but still!

[ShoogarBear]

It's against Charlotte.

[ShoogarBear]

For calibration purposes, Sean Marks has 9 points in seven minutes.

[Spurminator]

A better question might be if Beno > Finley...

I don't want to overrate what Beno did against a borderline D-league team, but he and Finley were playing the same team and Finley still looked like shit. If his shot isn't on, I'm not sure what he gives us out there. (That probably sounds familiar to Mavs fans)

I'd like to see Beno start a few games alongside Parker while Manu is out. I think as long as Parker or Barry are on the floor in case of backcourt trouble, Beno's most glaring weakness becomes less of a crutch.

[Rummpd]

Agreed.

[Guru of Nothing]

A better question might be if Beno > Finley...

I don't want to overrate what Beno did against a borderline D-league team, but he and Finley were playing the same team and Finley still looked like shit. If his shot isn't on, I'm not sure what he gives us out there. (That probably sounds familiar to Mavs fans)

I'd like to see Beno start a few games alongside Parker while Manu is out. I think as long as Parker or Barry are on the floor in case of backcourt trouble, Beno's most glaring weakness becomes less of a crutch.

Concur. Beno, truly, sucked when pushing the ball up the court in last year's playoffs, and I still want Finely and Van Exel on the roster come playoff time; but they are showing me little thus far.

Free Beno!

[T Park]

I'm not sure what he gives us out there.

that rebounding thing?

nah....



still want Finely and Van Exel on the roster come playoff time; but they are showing me little thus far.


Finley has shown you little??

Guess you missed those games he won single handedly I guess.

VS Memphis, VS Milwaukee, VS LA, on and on and on....

[Spurminator]

that rebounding thing?

You're that impressed with his 3.6 rebounds per game?

Low standards I guess.

[Spurminator]

And before you bark back I'm not saying 3.6 rpg is bad, it's just not exactly a statistic that offsets a poor shooting night from your shooting guard.

If Finley goes 2-11, you don't say "But he had 4 rebounds."



Well, you might.

;)

[austinfan]

It's an undeniable fact that NVE is playing pretty crappy right now. I don't see urgency from him, I don't see good ball movement, I don't see smart shot selection and he slows the game down almost every single time he steps on the court. Increase Beno's minutes, and tell NVE he's going to have to, you know, actually work for a chance to be out there playing. If Beno doesn't work out, you can always go back to the previous plan, but it's worth a shot before we get too late in the season.

[GoSpurs21]

It's an undeniable fact that NVE is playing pretty crappy right now. I don't see urgency from him, I don't see good ball movement, I don't see smart shot selection and he slows the game down almost every single time he steps on the court. Increase Beno's minutes, and tell NVE he's going to have to, you know, actually work for a chance to be out there playing. If Beno doesn't work out, you can always go back to the previous plan, but it's worth a shot before we get too late in the season.dude this makes too much sense for the NVE lovers to see...they will always believe in their delusional dreams that NVE is better than Beno. It's a waste of time to try an argue with the NVE lovers, they prefer fantasy sports vs reality.

[ChumpDumper]

I agree, start Beno whenever we play lottery teams missing five rotation players.

[angel_luv]

Well, then, it's settled!


Trip cancelled. :elephant

[Spurminator]

I agree, start Beno whenever we play lottery teams missing five rotation players.

Not necessarily. But since we're toying with lineups right now with Manu out, it couldn't hurt. Barry and Van Exel got auditions, why not Beno?

[ChumpDumper]

So Beno guards Kirk Snyder tonight?

Or Chris Paul?

[Spurminator]

You trust Van Exel to do better?

[ChumpDumper]

Nope, I didn't like his starting last night either.