Kori Ellis
10-10-2004, 01:23 AM
Udrih finally shows his stuff
Web Posted: 10/10/2004 12:00 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA101004.1C.BKNSpursUdrih.103dadd18.html
Since moving to San Antonio two weeks ago, Beno Udrih has limited much of his sightseeing to his apartment, the Spurs' training-camp hotel and practice facility and the always popular MRI tube.
He did, however, catch a quick glimpse last week of the one locale that makes the must-see list of every Spurs rookie.
The doughnut shop.
"I saw it on my way to practice," Udrih said.
While Udrih apparently already has a good handle on his first-year delivery duties — a couple dozen the morning of every game — the Spurs are happy enough now that he has also found his way onto the court.
"I think he thought it was going to take longer to get healthy and have contact," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "As he's watched everybody play, I think he's shown a little toughness and worked through it a little more quickly than he originally planned."
Udrih still has some soreness in his right knee, but he held his own during Thursday and Friday's workouts. Prior to Thursday, the Spurs' first-round draft pick had not received contact since he bruised the knee last month helping Slovenia qualify for next year's European Championships.
Said Popovich: "So far, so good."
If the Spurs have any concerns about their rookie point guard, it's his durability. Udrih sprained his ankle while playing in Russia last season, then left the team when he couldn't get paid. He bruised his left knee at the Chicago pre-draft camp in June, then banged it again a month later during a three-on-three game at the Spurs' practice facility.
Soreness in Udrih's left knee kept him out of the first two games at the Rocky Mountain Revue. When he did make his summer-league debut, he hurt his left hand midway through his second appearance and had to sit out one more game.
After injuring his right knee in early September while playing for Slovenia, Udrih did not practice for two weeks. He underwent an MRI after arriving in San Antonio, but the exam did not reveal any structural damage.
Though Udrih has good size for a point guard — the Spurs list him as 6-foot-3, 205 pounds — he needs to get stronger to make a successful transition to the NBA. Tony Parker had to do the same his rookie season.
"He's real weak right now," Popovich said of Udrih. "He's really going to have to change his body to be able to get stuff done."
Udrih can't match Parker's quickness, but he has shown to be deceptively athletic. During the Rocky Mountain Revue, one rival Western Conference coach compared him to a young Sarunas Marciulionis, Golden State's former Lithuanian guard.
Like Marciulionis, Udrih is left-handed. Popovich has described him as "crafty."
"He's clever in a decision-making sense," Popovich said. "In pick-and-rolls he can throw that bounce pass to the roll man the way (John) Stockton did. He will see people on the court in situations that maybe other people wouldn't. He'll find people.
"He really has a good feel for the game. I think he'll help other people know where they have to be as he gets used to the offense."
Udrih showed his poise this summer. He was named MVP of the Efes World Cup tournament in Turkey after averaging 16.8 points and 4.8 assists and leading Slovenia to a 4-0 record. The even pace of his game also could make him a nice complement to Parker.
"His style is sort of nonchalant with how he dribbles; he has good fakes," said Parker, who used to play against Udrih in junior national competitions. "He might not be that fast, but he has some good tricks."
Though Parker is only six weeks older than Udrih, he already has three years of NBA experience. If nothing else, he should be able to give Udrih some valuable advice he received as a rookie.
Tim Duncan gets the coconut one.
Notebook: The Spurs did not practice Saturday. They will hold an open scrimmage at 2 p.m. today at the SBC Center. Admission and parking are free. Doors open at 1:30 p.m.
Web Posted: 10/10/2004 12:00 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA101004.1C.BKNSpursUdrih.103dadd18.html
Since moving to San Antonio two weeks ago, Beno Udrih has limited much of his sightseeing to his apartment, the Spurs' training-camp hotel and practice facility and the always popular MRI tube.
He did, however, catch a quick glimpse last week of the one locale that makes the must-see list of every Spurs rookie.
The doughnut shop.
"I saw it on my way to practice," Udrih said.
While Udrih apparently already has a good handle on his first-year delivery duties — a couple dozen the morning of every game — the Spurs are happy enough now that he has also found his way onto the court.
"I think he thought it was going to take longer to get healthy and have contact," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "As he's watched everybody play, I think he's shown a little toughness and worked through it a little more quickly than he originally planned."
Udrih still has some soreness in his right knee, but he held his own during Thursday and Friday's workouts. Prior to Thursday, the Spurs' first-round draft pick had not received contact since he bruised the knee last month helping Slovenia qualify for next year's European Championships.
Said Popovich: "So far, so good."
If the Spurs have any concerns about their rookie point guard, it's his durability. Udrih sprained his ankle while playing in Russia last season, then left the team when he couldn't get paid. He bruised his left knee at the Chicago pre-draft camp in June, then banged it again a month later during a three-on-three game at the Spurs' practice facility.
Soreness in Udrih's left knee kept him out of the first two games at the Rocky Mountain Revue. When he did make his summer-league debut, he hurt his left hand midway through his second appearance and had to sit out one more game.
After injuring his right knee in early September while playing for Slovenia, Udrih did not practice for two weeks. He underwent an MRI after arriving in San Antonio, but the exam did not reveal any structural damage.
Though Udrih has good size for a point guard — the Spurs list him as 6-foot-3, 205 pounds — he needs to get stronger to make a successful transition to the NBA. Tony Parker had to do the same his rookie season.
"He's real weak right now," Popovich said of Udrih. "He's really going to have to change his body to be able to get stuff done."
Udrih can't match Parker's quickness, but he has shown to be deceptively athletic. During the Rocky Mountain Revue, one rival Western Conference coach compared him to a young Sarunas Marciulionis, Golden State's former Lithuanian guard.
Like Marciulionis, Udrih is left-handed. Popovich has described him as "crafty."
"He's clever in a decision-making sense," Popovich said. "In pick-and-rolls he can throw that bounce pass to the roll man the way (John) Stockton did. He will see people on the court in situations that maybe other people wouldn't. He'll find people.
"He really has a good feel for the game. I think he'll help other people know where they have to be as he gets used to the offense."
Udrih showed his poise this summer. He was named MVP of the Efes World Cup tournament in Turkey after averaging 16.8 points and 4.8 assists and leading Slovenia to a 4-0 record. The even pace of his game also could make him a nice complement to Parker.
"His style is sort of nonchalant with how he dribbles; he has good fakes," said Parker, who used to play against Udrih in junior national competitions. "He might not be that fast, but he has some good tricks."
Though Parker is only six weeks older than Udrih, he already has three years of NBA experience. If nothing else, he should be able to give Udrih some valuable advice he received as a rookie.
Tim Duncan gets the coconut one.
Notebook: The Spurs did not practice Saturday. They will hold an open scrimmage at 2 p.m. today at the SBC Center. Admission and parking are free. Doors open at 1:30 p.m.