timvp
03-16-2006, 05:56 AM
Signs (even from fans) point to Udrih filling Spurs' backup needs
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
As he waits for his left elbow to heal, Nick Van Exel sits behind the Spurs' bench and offers advice to Beno Udrih, as well as the occasional scouting report.
Sunday, Van Exel told Udrih to look across the court during a home game against Houston. Seated near the baseline was a girl whose sign read: "Beno, Will You Be My Prom Date?"
"If I wasn't shy," Udrih said with a smile, "I would go."
Udrih's teammates would laugh at that. Off and on the court, the Spurs' 23-year-old backup point guard has shed a lot of his naiveté.
Stronger and more confident, Udrih has done more than fill in for Van Exel. He has given the Spurs another valuable option off the bench, averaging 11 points on 57.1 percent shooting in 19.8 minutes over his past six games.
"I think he really understands there's a bright future in front of him," Brent Barry said.
As Udrih's role has grown, so has his popularity. Google "Beno Udrih" and among the thousands of responses is a fan site declaring him "The Slovenian Phenom." If Sunday was any indication, "Beno's Girl" T-shirts may be on street corners by the playoffs.
Of course, 10 months ago the only people clamoring for Udrih were Detroit Pistons fans.
After a productive rookie season in which he averaged 5.9 points and 1.9 assists while backing up Tony Parker, Udrih struggled in the NBA Finals. Lindsey Hunter stapled him to the sideline in Games 3 and 4, and Udrih responded to the pressure by losing the ball, helping trigger Detroit's two lopsided victories.
After coach Gregg Popovich benched Udrih and shortened the rotation to seven players for the rest of the series, Pistons fans pleaded with Popovich in Game 5 to put Udrih back in. Even when the Spurs visited Detroit on Christmas, a group of hecklers shouted, "We want Beno!"
"From a pride perspective, it definitely hurt," said Spurs assistant coach Brett Brown, who has worked with Udrih the past two seasons. "So he didn't deliver in his first NBA Finals at (22)? There are a lot worse things that could happen."
Popovich made it clear after the season that Udrih needed to mature and get tougher. Signing a veteran point guard became a priority.
Van Exel's arrival initially made Udrih question his future, but he soon embraced the chance to learn from him. He also spent part of last summer training with Slovenia's national team and became a more frequent visitor to the weight room.
As a rookie, Udrih tested the patience of Brown and the other coaches. He arrived late to workouts, and when he did get there, he didn't fully dedicate himself.
"From a professional standpoint, he's improved dramatically," Brown said. "He's grown up."
And out. After losing some weight while suffering from the flu in January, he since has packed on more muscle.
"I feel stronger, more aggressive," Udrih said. "I have more energy. Last year, I was maybe shy, maybe not confident."
Udrih also is more knowledgeable about the NBA and his job. He admitted that, last season, when the coaches quizzed the Spurs on the morning of games about who they would be guarding, his usual response was, "I don't know him."
Popovich and his staff soon tired of Udrih using his inexperience as an excuse.
"Sometimes players need a hard hand, or somebody who's harsh on you," Udrih said. "I appreciate everything Pop did for me. I think that made me a better player."
Udrih also has needed thick skin to survive in the Spurs' veteran-filled locker room.
"If something's going on and Beno's around," Barry said, "he will be targeted."
When Udrih showed up for a game in Utah wearing red corduroy pants and a red corduroy overshirt with beige and white trim, Barry snapped off 10 photos. Barry initially planned to send the pictures to NBA commissioner David Stern in hopes of getting the league's dress code repealed. Now, he and Sean Marks may start a Web site to distribute them.
"Soon," Barry said, "they could be coming to an iPod near you."
Udrih has handled the ribbing well, in part, because Barry is his closest friend on the team. The two frequently go to lunch together on the road, and Barry has helped ease Udrih's transition.
"You can talk to him about anything," Udrih said. "I'm really lucky and happy he's here."
Udrih's also glad to have Van Exel, whom Popovich credits for helping Udrih and Parker. On those days when Van Exel's elbow troubled him, he reminded Udrih to stay ready.
Most of the time, he has been. In the 12 games in which he's played at least 15 minutes, Udrih has averaged 10 points. He ranks behind only Parker, Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan on the team in points per minute.
Udrih has given the Spurs another shooter — he's made 7 of 15 3-pointers in the past six games — as well as someone who can play behind and with Parker, helping the team match up against small lineups. With Popovich leaning toward resting Van Exel at least another three weeks, Udrih figures to get more time to contribute.
And maybe even a few more prom invitations.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA031606.1C.BKNspurs.udrih.1761ba21.html
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
As he waits for his left elbow to heal, Nick Van Exel sits behind the Spurs' bench and offers advice to Beno Udrih, as well as the occasional scouting report.
Sunday, Van Exel told Udrih to look across the court during a home game against Houston. Seated near the baseline was a girl whose sign read: "Beno, Will You Be My Prom Date?"
"If I wasn't shy," Udrih said with a smile, "I would go."
Udrih's teammates would laugh at that. Off and on the court, the Spurs' 23-year-old backup point guard has shed a lot of his naiveté.
Stronger and more confident, Udrih has done more than fill in for Van Exel. He has given the Spurs another valuable option off the bench, averaging 11 points on 57.1 percent shooting in 19.8 minutes over his past six games.
"I think he really understands there's a bright future in front of him," Brent Barry said.
As Udrih's role has grown, so has his popularity. Google "Beno Udrih" and among the thousands of responses is a fan site declaring him "The Slovenian Phenom." If Sunday was any indication, "Beno's Girl" T-shirts may be on street corners by the playoffs.
Of course, 10 months ago the only people clamoring for Udrih were Detroit Pistons fans.
After a productive rookie season in which he averaged 5.9 points and 1.9 assists while backing up Tony Parker, Udrih struggled in the NBA Finals. Lindsey Hunter stapled him to the sideline in Games 3 and 4, and Udrih responded to the pressure by losing the ball, helping trigger Detroit's two lopsided victories.
After coach Gregg Popovich benched Udrih and shortened the rotation to seven players for the rest of the series, Pistons fans pleaded with Popovich in Game 5 to put Udrih back in. Even when the Spurs visited Detroit on Christmas, a group of hecklers shouted, "We want Beno!"
"From a pride perspective, it definitely hurt," said Spurs assistant coach Brett Brown, who has worked with Udrih the past two seasons. "So he didn't deliver in his first NBA Finals at (22)? There are a lot worse things that could happen."
Popovich made it clear after the season that Udrih needed to mature and get tougher. Signing a veteran point guard became a priority.
Van Exel's arrival initially made Udrih question his future, but he soon embraced the chance to learn from him. He also spent part of last summer training with Slovenia's national team and became a more frequent visitor to the weight room.
As a rookie, Udrih tested the patience of Brown and the other coaches. He arrived late to workouts, and when he did get there, he didn't fully dedicate himself.
"From a professional standpoint, he's improved dramatically," Brown said. "He's grown up."
And out. After losing some weight while suffering from the flu in January, he since has packed on more muscle.
"I feel stronger, more aggressive," Udrih said. "I have more energy. Last year, I was maybe shy, maybe not confident."
Udrih also is more knowledgeable about the NBA and his job. He admitted that, last season, when the coaches quizzed the Spurs on the morning of games about who they would be guarding, his usual response was, "I don't know him."
Popovich and his staff soon tired of Udrih using his inexperience as an excuse.
"Sometimes players need a hard hand, or somebody who's harsh on you," Udrih said. "I appreciate everything Pop did for me. I think that made me a better player."
Udrih also has needed thick skin to survive in the Spurs' veteran-filled locker room.
"If something's going on and Beno's around," Barry said, "he will be targeted."
When Udrih showed up for a game in Utah wearing red corduroy pants and a red corduroy overshirt with beige and white trim, Barry snapped off 10 photos. Barry initially planned to send the pictures to NBA commissioner David Stern in hopes of getting the league's dress code repealed. Now, he and Sean Marks may start a Web site to distribute them.
"Soon," Barry said, "they could be coming to an iPod near you."
Udrih has handled the ribbing well, in part, because Barry is his closest friend on the team. The two frequently go to lunch together on the road, and Barry has helped ease Udrih's transition.
"You can talk to him about anything," Udrih said. "I'm really lucky and happy he's here."
Udrih's also glad to have Van Exel, whom Popovich credits for helping Udrih and Parker. On those days when Van Exel's elbow troubled him, he reminded Udrih to stay ready.
Most of the time, he has been. In the 12 games in which he's played at least 15 minutes, Udrih has averaged 10 points. He ranks behind only Parker, Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan on the team in points per minute.
Udrih has given the Spurs another shooter — he's made 7 of 15 3-pointers in the past six games — as well as someone who can play behind and with Parker, helping the team match up against small lineups. With Popovich leaning toward resting Van Exel at least another three weeks, Udrih figures to get more time to contribute.
And maybe even a few more prom invitations.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA031606.1C.BKNspurs.udrih.1761ba21.html