Beno's latest interview

[Slomo]

In the other thread (http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75581&page=4)we discussed a quote by Beno on why he didn't play last season. It turns out the quote is from a longer interview he gave to the sport newspaper EKIPA on August 7th.

Here's the article:

Link (http://www.ekipa-sport.si/index.php?pid=2&mid=2&lib_id=45207)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

BENO UDRIH - nosilec dveh prstanov prvaka lige NBA si še ni opomogel po težavah pri San Antonio Spursih
Psihično na dnu

Za Benom Udrihom je, čeprav je 5. julija dopolnil šele 25 let, impresivna kariera. V sezoni 1999/2000 je bil proglašen za novinca leta v 1. SKL, v sezoni 2000/01 je skupaj z Jirijem Welschem Union Olimpijo popeljal do dvojne krone (prvenstvo in pokal) in bil imenovan za najboljšega igralca slovenske lige, v sezoni 2001/02 je vodil Union Olimpijo do ponovitve dvojnega naslova in temu dodal še naslov prvaka lige Goodyear, v sezoni 2002/03 je z Maccabijem osvojil dvojni naslov v Izraelu, v sezoni 2003/04 je v ruskem prvenstvu dosegal povprečno po 20, ob prestopu v Italijo pa po 10 točk na tekmo. V ligi NBA se kot edini slovenski košarkar lahko pohvali z dvema prstanoma prvaka lige NBA. Za slovensko člansko reprezentanco je prvič nastopil 24. januarja 2001, zanjo pa odigral 17 uradnih tekem (139 točk). Z Udrihom smo se pogovarjali ob njegovem obisku Bleda.

http://www.ekipa-sport.si/www/media/images/library/thumbs/06082007-194342901b7fa989e8bc91a3e0a33735-1.jpg Po odličnem začetku sezone pri San Antonio Spursih se je Beno Udrih preselil na klop Ostrog, s katerimi ima še enoletno pogodbo, nato pa se bo lahko samo odločal, kje nadaljevati kariero.
foto: Reuters
Kako to, da ste se znašli na Bledu?
Že več kot sedem let si nisem mogel mogel privoščiti pravih počitnic. Mojemu dekletu, ki je Američanka, sem hotel pokazati nekaj lepot Slovenije. Najprej sem ji kajpak pokazal najlepši konec Slovenije, Bled in Bohinj z okolico. Drugi razlog, da sva obisk Slovenije začela na Bledu, je bratranec mojega očeta, Štefan Udrih, ki sva ga obiskala. Z dekletom sva bila tudi na dvanajsturnem pohodu po Triglavskem narodnem parku, po katerem naju je vodil vodič, moj bratranec Aleš Udrih (Štefan Udrih je poznan odbojkarski delavec, Aleš Udrih pa je bil še pred dvema sezonama aktiven odbojkar, op. p.). Vesel sem bil tudi geste KK Radovljica, ki mi je že drugič izročila priznanje ob podelitvi prstana za prvaka NBA. Prvič na uradni tekmi Slovenije in Finske, ki smo jo odigrali v Radovljici, drugič pa zdaj, ko se vodstvo kluba trudi stabilizirati klub in z mojo pomočjo pritegniti k delu čim več mladih. Sodelovanja nismo dorekli, občutki pa so odlični, saj so mimo Laščanov, ki so se me spomnili pred dvema letoma, edini kolektiv, ki čuti potrebo po zahvali, če že od KZS o čem podobnem ni ne duha ne sluha.

http://www.ekipa-sport.si/www/media/images/library/thumbs/06082007-c0d76c40938c8fab43257d9c17fbc89a-1.jpg foto: Janez Urbanc
Ste edini Slovenec, ki ima dva prstana, ki ju podeljujejo košarkarjem za osvojitev naslova prvaka lige NBA. Kje ju imate?
Prvi prstan hranim doma, v Sloveniji, drugega pa še nisem prejel. Naj vam zaupam anekdoto, ki sem jo doživel ob prejetju prvega prstana. V garderobi San Antonio Spursov smo ob naslovu prvaka NBA napisali, da smo svetovni prvaki (world champions). Argentinec Manu Ginobili je nato prečrtal besedo 'svetovni' in namesto nje napisal kratico 'NBA' ter dopisal, da je samo on izmed nas svetovni prvak.

Kako ste zadovoljni s preteklo šampionsko sezono?
Pred sezono mi je trener obljubil, da bom na vsaki tekmi dobil priložnost. Ob takšnih zvezdah, kot sta Manu Ginobili in Tony Parker, sem se zavedal, da mi bo pripadlo 10 do 15 minut na tekmo. Sezona se je zame začela zelo dobro, saj sem dobil obljubljeno minutažo. Prvi del prvenstva (približno 40 tekem) sem odigral odlično, saj sem ob omenjeni minutaži v povprečju dosegal osem točk in tri podaje.

Kar naenkrat so vas v klubu posadili na klop. Veste za razlog?
Za moje neigranje je kriva majhna napaka, ki se mi je prikradla na tekmi proti Dallasu. Na tej tekmi sem igral minuto ter 31 sekund in v eni akciji sem odigral premalo agresivno. Trener me je takoj zamenjal, na mojo nesrečo pa se je igralec, ki me je zamenjal, za eno izgubljeno žogo požrtvovalno vrgel po tleh in priletel na trenersko klop. Trener mi je po tekmi dejal, da je od mene zahteval točno to.

http://www.ekipa-sport.si/www/media/images/library/thumbs/06082007-0f1610504ff25555265e1ee3cc79fb32-1.jpg foto: Janez Urbanc
Toda na klopi ste potem dobesedno obsedeli drugo polovico prvenstva?
V NBA smo Neameričani (še posebej Evropejci) v nekakšni nemilosti in za vsako napako moramo drago plačati. V šampionski ekipi, kakršna je San Antonio Spurs, na položaju branilcev igrajo takšna imena, kot sta ob omenjenima Ginobilliju in Parkerju še dva odlična Američana Brent Berry in Michael Finley. Mojo napako je letos izkoristil Jacques Vaughn, ki ima v klubu podoben status kot jaz - skupaj se boriva za svojih 10 minut.

Vas je to zelo potrlo?
Kaj me ne bi potrlo. V štiridesetih tekmah sem dokazal, da sem iz pravega testa. Vedel sem, da sem v odlični formi, a kaj ko nisem dobil priložnosti. Ne morete si predstavljati, kako to vpliva na psiho. Po dobrih predstavah moraš sedeti na klopi in spodbujati soigralce ob njihovih napakah in jim govoriti, da bo drugič bolje. Ob tem pa veš, da bi sam odigral bolje - le če bi dobil še eno priložnost. Te pa ni in ni bilo.

http://www.ekipa-sport.si/www/media/images/library/thumbs/06082007-df3b962505b5869c21ec8def71e1c28e-1.jpg foto: Janez Urbanc
V Sloveniji in kasneje v Evropi smo vas poznali kot racionalnega in mirnega košarkarja. Verjetno vam je tudi to pomagalo?
Na svoji košarkarski poti sem imel veliko sreče. Začelo se je z 'bratsko pomočjo' na Polzeli, ko se je grdo poškodoval brat Samo (zlom kosti na podplatu). Takrat sem kar naenkrat kot šestnajstletnik postal prva zamenjava Mihi Čmeru in v 1. SKL sem dobil veliko minutažo. Moje dobre igre so me pripeljale v Olimpijo, kjer sem spet imel srečo, saj so se v Ljubljani pri nakupu Američana ušteli. Takrat sem kot osemnajstletnik v evroligi igral 25 minut na tekmo. Zelo mlad sem nato dobil priložnost tudi v Maccabiju. Po dveh dvojnih naslovih (prvenstvo in pokal z Olimpijo ter Maccabijem) in mojih dobrih igrah sem se poškodoval in takrat sem prvič doživel, kako se moraš spet postaviti na lastne noge. V sezoni 2003/04 sem nato odšel v Rusijo (Avtodor Saratov) in po dobrih igrah še v Italijo (Breil Milano). Prav v Milanu sem navezal stik z NBA-skavtoma Dankom Drakulićem in Goranom Jablanom. Sledil je nabor NBA, na katerem so me izbrali San Antonio Spursi. Pri svojih 22. letih sem že dobil priložnost igranja v ligi NBA. Vse do danes sem v svoji karieri dobil le eno tehnično napako, na prijateljski tekmi mladinskih reprezentanc Slovenije in Hrvaške, kar potrjuje, da sem res miren igralec. Čeprav mi je bilo letos najtežje, sem se pač s svojim položajem v San Antoniu moral sprijazniti. Takšno je pač življenje, po sreči pridejo tudi krivice in tudi te moraš vzeti v zakup.

Je tudi tu razlog za odpoved slovenski reprezentanci?
Najprej naj se slovenskim ljubiteljem košarke opravičim, da me letos ne bo na EP v Španiji. Vem, da bodo moji privrženci razumeli, da sem resnično psihično na dnu in da se še zdaj pobiram. Drugo leto mi poteče prva pogodba s San Antoniem (tri plus eno leto) in za to sezono se moram maksimalno pripraviti. Po sezoni 2007/08 bom prost igralec, kar pomeni, da bom lahko sam izbiral klub, v katerem bom nadaljeval kariero. Naslednje leto bom vsekakor na voljo KZS in selektorju. Na prvem mestu bi kariero rad nadaljeval v NBA. Toda pri izbiri bom pozoren predvsem na to, da si bom izbral klub, kjer bom lahko igral. Lani sem imel odlično ponudbo Barcelone, ki sem jo moral zaradi ambicij v NBA zavrniti. Evropska košarka je ena izmed možnosti, vendar se zavedam, da se je le malo kateremu košarkarju uspelo vrniti nazaj v NBA. Podobno izkušnjo, kot sem jo v San Antonio Spursih doživel sam, je pred mano doživel tudi Manu Ginobili. Argentinski košarkar je na klopi San Antonia presedel dve sezoni in čakal na svojo priložnost. Kakšna zvezda je Ginobili danes, vemo vsi. Upam, da se ne bom preveč hvalil, če povem, da sva z Manujem podobna igralca. Oba sva levičarja, oba sva strelca in podajalca obenem, oba prodirava pod koš, menim pa, da imam sam več organizacijskih sposobnosti, saj Manu igra več na dvojki. Da to drži, se pokaže na treningih, predvsem pri igri 1:1, kjer Manu vedno za sparing partnerja vzame mene. Če mi bo klub ponudil v podpis novo pogodbo in seveda večjo minutažo, bom seveda podpisal za San Antonio. Šampionske ekipe se pač ne menja. Toda jaz bi predvsem rad igral.

Je kakšna razlika med evropsko in košarko v NBA?
Ogromna. Predvsem moraš dojeti, da je v Ameriki košarka le posel, kjer ni prostora za občutke. Gledalci hočejo spektakel, delodajalci zaslužiti denar. Pred dvema sezonama so tako v klub pripeljali Nika van Exla, košarkarja s 13-letnim stažem v NBA. Mladi igralci nismo dobili priložnosti, saj so gledalci hoteli videti legendo ameriške košarke, ki je za nameček Američan. Razlika je tudi v organizaciji. Naj kot primer povem, da sem v NBA-košarki že zaslužil pokojnino. Vsak igralec, ki tri leta igra v NBA, po dopolnjenem 65. letu starosti dobi pokojnino. Ta pokojnina se poveča z leti igranja v NBA, poveča pa se tudi z boljšo finančno pogodbo. Letos sem resnično doživljal hude psihične pritiske. Po vsem, kar sem preživel na klopi, se je nekdo v Sloveniji našel, da je upal napisati: 'Beno do novega naslova brez kapljice znoja.' Temu piscu se niti ne sanja, da sem opravil vse treninge, ki so za tiste igralce, ki ne igrajo, še bolj naporni. Ko igralci prve peterke in njihove menjave opravijo svoj del treninga, nas, ki čakamo na priložnost, čaka še ura trdega dela. V glavi premlevaš, zakaj ne igraš, od tebe teče znoj v potokih. Potem pa prebereš nekaj podobnega...

[duncan228]

Any way to get a translation?

[Slomo]

I was going to post a translation of the article with a lot of comments, but I realized that I wouldn't be saying anything that the more knowledgeable posters in here wouldn't figure out for themselves - I don't care much for the other posters.

He's saying some pretty bad things and even compares himself to Manu at one point so if you are easily annoyed, have a heart condition or are a member of the church of Manu - please close this thread now.





























Last chance.....

[Slomo]

Ekipa, 07.08.2007



Beno Udrih - Owner of two NBA championship rings hasn't recovered yet from his problems with the San Antonio Spurs



Psychically hitting bottom.



Beno has, despite only celebrating his 25th birthday on July 5th, already had an impressive career. During the 99/200 season he was named rookie of the year in the Slovenian 1st league, during season 00/01 he, together with Jiri Welsch, led Union Olimpija to a double crown (championship and cup) and was the mvp of the Slovenian league. During the 01/02 season he led Union Olimpija to a repeat of both titles adding in the process a third 0ne (Goodyear League). During 02/03 he became Israeli champion with Maccabi and during 03/04 he averaged 20 points a game in the Russian championship and 10 points a game after his transfer to the Italian premier league. He’s the only Slovenian player to boast 2 NBA rings. He played for the Slovenian NT on January 24th 2001 for the first time and since then played in 17 games during which he scored 139 points. We met with Udrih during his visit to Lake Bled.



How come you decided to visit Bled?



I haven’t had the opportunity to have some real holidays in the last 7 years. I wanted to show to my American girlfriend some of the beauties of Slovenia. I of course started with the most beautiful parts: Bled and Bohinj and their surroundings. The other reasons why we started our visit to Slovenia in Bled is a visit to my father’s cousin Stefan Udrih. My girlfriend and I went on a 12 hours trek in the Triglav National park led by my cousin Ales Udrih. I was also happy at the news that Radovljica basketball club honored me for the second time as an NBA ring recipient. The first time it was at the NT game against Finland, that was played in Radovljica and the second time was now during a celebration since the club management is trying to stabilize the situation in the club and with my help attract as much young talent as possible. We were happy to help them and the feelings were great since they are, with the exception of the people of Lasko – who honored me two years ago, the only organization that felt the need to thank me, something similar from the National Basketball Organization never happened.



You are the only Slovenian with two NBA rings. Where do you keep them?



The firs ring I keep at home in Slovenia, I haven’t received the second one. A funny anecdote that happened at the first ring ceremony was a banner in the locker room that read “World Champions”, Manu striked out the word “world” and wrote in “NBA” instead and followed to write that he was the only world champion present.



How satisfied are you with the past championship season?



Before the season the coach promised me that I would get a chance to play during every game. Playing with stars like Manu and Tony I knew I could get 10 to 15 minutes max. The first part of the season (approx. 40 games) I played great, since I was averaging 8 points and 3 assists playing the aforementioned minutes.



All of the sudden you were confined to the bench. Do you know why?



The reason for me not playing was a small mistake that snuck up on me during a game against Dallas. During that game I played 1 minute and 30 seconds and during a play I didn’t play aggressively enough. The coach immediately yanked me out of the game and to my bad luck the player that replaced me dove after a lost ball and hit the coaches bench. The coach told me after the game that that was what he demanded from me.



But you were confined to the bench for the whole remainder of the season?



The non-American (especially European players) in the NBA are discriminated against and have to pay dearly for every mistake we make. In a champions team like the Spurs we even have big names like Barry and Finley that come from the bench after stars like Tony and Manu. Jacques Vaughn, who has a similar status to mine in the team, took advantage of my mistake - we both fight for the same 10 minutes of playing time.



Were you sad about that?



Of course I was. During 40 games I proved I had what it takes. I knew I was in excellent form, but couldn’t do anything because I wasn’t given a chance. You have no idea how much that influences one’s psyche. After good performances you are forced to seat on the bench and support you teammates, tell them to get over mistakes and comfort them that it’ll be better next time. At the same time you know you could do a better job than them if you would only get another chance – a chance that never came.



In Slovenia in later in Europe you were known as a rational and calm player. Did that helped you in that situation?



<long boring answer basically saying that he only got T’ed once in his whole career and I’m too lazy to translate the end however is quite funny:> Although this year was for me the hardest I had to come to term with my situation in San Antonio. That’s life and with luck will also come injustices and you have to take them in your stride.



Is this also the reason for your absence from this year’s NT?



First I’d like to apologize for my absence from this year’s European championship to all the Slovenian basketball aficionados. I know that my fans will understand that I ‘am drained psychically and that I am still struggling with my recovery. Next year my contract with the Spurs runs out and I have to be prepared to the max for this season. After the 07/08 season I’ll be a free agent and will get the opportunity to pick the team where I’ll continue my career. I will definitely be at the disposal of the NT coach next year. My personal wish would be to continue playing in the NBA. But when deciding where to play I will pay special attention to the playing time that they will be able to offer me. Last year I got a great offer from Barcelona that I had to refuse because of my NBA ambitions. European basketball is definitely an option for me, but I also know that almost nobody has succeeded to come back to the NBA after leaving. Manu had a similar experience to mine in San Antonio where he spent the first two years riding the bench and waiting for his opportunity. We all know how big a star Manu is now. I hope I will not brag too much when I say that Manu and I are very similar players. We are both left handed, we’re both shooters and distributors while capable of penetrating to the basket, I do feel however that I am a better play organizer (leader would probably be a better translation?), since Manu plays the number 2 spot more. That this is true is best proven during one on one training sessions where Manu always picks me as his opponent. If the Spurs would offer me a new contract, and of course more playing time, I would definitely sign with them. You don’t change from a championship winning team. But playing time is my main priority right now.



Is there a difference between European and NBA basketball?



Enormous. Above all you must understand that in America basketball is a business where there's no room for sentimentality. The spectators demand a show and the owners demand a profit. Two seasons ago they brought Nick Van Exel to the Spurs, a 13 years veteran NBA basketball player. Us the younger players did not get a chance to play since the spectators demanded to see a legend of basketball play who on top was also an American. Another difference is the organization itself. As an example I’d like to tell you that I have already earned my NBA pension. Any player that plays in the NBA for more than 3 years will after he reaches the age of 65 receive a pension from the NBA. Of course the value of this pension depends on the number of years played and the value of the contract(s). This year I really suffered mentally, after all that I experienced while following the games from the bench somebody in Slovenia had the audacity to write an article titled “Beno reaches his second champions title without breaking a sweat”. This writer doesn’t have the faintest idea that I’ve attended all the training sessions that are even more strenuous for the bench players. After the training is finished and the starting 5 and their backups leave, the rest of us that are waiting for an opportunity have to do another full hour of hard work in the training facility. In you head you are full of doubt and keep wandering why you’re not playing, you are sweating rivers and then you read a title like that…

[VaSpursFan]

beno is really clueless...wow.

[Slomo]

P.S.

"Is there a difference between European and NBA basketball?"

I can't believe the journalist is getting paid for coming up with questions like that.

[duncan228]

Thanks for the translation Slomo.

And thanks for the warning.

He really does say some bad things.
I liked him. This changes my opinion. He's got talent but I don't think he's going to make it in this league.

[duncan228]

The title of the interview sure is right on, it sounds like he has hit bottom.

[Spurs Brazil]

How satisfied are you with the past championship season?



Before the season the coach promised me that I would get a chance to play during every game. Playing with stars like Manu and Tony I knew I could get 10 to 15 minutes max. The first part of the season (approx. 40 games) I played great, since I was averaging 8 points and 3 assists playing the aforementioned minutes.

8pts 3 asts????? Is Beno crazy???? Playing great???? That must be a joke


Manu had a similar experience to mine in San Antonio where he spent the first two years riding the bench and waiting for his opportunity. We all know how big a star Manu is now.

:lol :lol :lol

Terrible interview

If the Spurs can't trade him waive him, We don't need a player like that on the team

I can't believe he said those stupid things

[ducks]

maybe that is why he was having those parties
he knows his days with the spurs are numbered


tp paid for his mistakes early
he got yanked and he was not an american

[ashbeeigh]

How come you decided to visit Bled?



I haven’t had the opportunity to have some real holidays in the last 7 years. I wanted to show to my American girlfriend some of the beauties of Slovenia. I of course started with the most beautiful parts: Bled and Bohinj and their surroundings. The other reasons why we started our visit to Slovenia in Bled is a visit to my father’s cousin Stefan Udrih. My girlfriend and I went on a 12 hours trek in the Triglav National park led by my cousin Ales Udrih. I was also happy at the news that Radovljica basketball club honored me for the second time as an NBA ring recipient. The first time it was at the NT game against Finland, that was played in Radovljica and the second time was now during a celebration since the club management is trying to stabilize the situation in the club and with my help attract as much young talent as possible. We were happy to help them and the feelings were great since they are, with the exception of the people of Lasko – who honored me two years ago, the only organization that felt the need to thank me, something similar from the National Basketball Organization never happened.


A little part of me died reading that. :lol

But seriously. How cocky is he, really?

[ShoogarBear]

Oh, man. I see what you mean, Slomo.


We were happy to help them and the feelings were great since they are, with the exception of the people of Lasko – who honored me two years ago, the only organization that felt the need to thank me, something similar from the National Basketball Organization never happened. Wow, he feels the need to be honored in Slovenia because he rode the bench to a couple of rings?


A funny anecdote that happened at the first ring ceremony was a banner in the locker room that read “World Champions”, Manu striked out the word “world” and wrote in “NBA” instead and followed to write that he was the only world champion present. :lol That is pretty funny. I hadn't heard that one before.


Playing with stars like Manu and Tony I knew I could get 10 to 15 minutes max. The first part of the season (approx. 40 games) I played great, since I was averaging 8 points and 3 assists playing the aforementioned minutes.
WTF? :lmao If he could average 8 and 3 in 15 minutes, he would be starting over Parker.


The non-American (especially European players) in the NBA are discriminated against and have to pay dearly for every mistake we make.
Pathetically lame.


Another difference ids the organization itself. As an example I’d like to tell you that I have already earned my NBA pension. Any player that plays in the NBA for more than 3 years will after he reaches the age of 65 receive a pension from the NBA. I don't understand the point he was making here.


I can't believe the journalist is getting paid for coming up with questions like that. What would have been impressive is if he had asked him about the nightlife and breakfast burritos.

[Kamnik]

he is a bloated frog

if any of his teammates reads this..... omg

[Hemotivo]

he is a bloated frog

if any of his teammates reads this..... omg
That's What I Was Thinkin'

[Slomo]

Oh, man. I see what you mean, Slomo.
yep, I knew you would.


Wow, he feels the need to be honored in Slovenia because he rode the bench to a couple of rings?I instantly felt sorry for him while reading it. I hope that one days I get the opportunity to "honor" him personally.



I don't understand the point he was making here.I think he was trying to illustrate how much better the NBA is taking care of its players as opposed to FIBA or the national org. Otherwise there are many vague points in this interview and he's all over the place in some of his answers - I tried very hard not to edit/interpret them, since it illustrates further what his state of mind is.



What would have been impressive if he had asked him about the nightlife and breakfast burritos.That would have meant he actually did some research before the interview - can't have that.

[vander]

man, I really hope he gets traded, or bought out.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Waive his ass and bring in Hudson.

[spursfaninla]

Whoa. I mean, wow. If this gets back to the Spurs, any of the players or the coaches, I think it does some damage to his career here.

I guess it is important for him to be confident and even cocky. Players need to have an ego to impose their will and dominate when they can. But, PLEASE. This guy really thinks he can be a starter, its obvious. If he really could, and if he was playing as well as he claims he was, then it MUST be because he is not an American unlike...how many of the Spurs starters? I think IF you could Finley, two (bowen). Manu, parker, tim, and either of the center options are foreign born.

He is gone, in all senses of the word.

[Darkwaters]

Waive his ass and bring in Hudson.

Hudson? I'd rather bring in some young gun with potential. Not an injury laden vet.

[ggoose25]

slide barry over to 3rd string point and dump this guy.

[ducks]

As an example I’d like to tell you that I have already earned my NBA pension. Any player that plays in the NBA for more than 3 years will after he reaches the age of 65 receive a pension from the NBA intersting

[Switchman]

Get this guy out of here.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Yeah, uh, Beno, your regular season stats were:

4.7pts 1.7asts 0.77TO in 13mpg, shooting 0.369 and 0.287 from 3... great form! :rolleyes

What a sadly deluded young man. He wouldn't have lost his spot to Jacques if he had been playing as he think he was playing. In fact, he was one of the reasons the Spurs were flagging in January, and the moment they benched his arse we started playing better! Spurschick and I foresaw it all.

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

Wow.

[ducks]

does beno play for the spurs or suns?

[CubanMustGo]

Thanks for the find and translation, Slomo. Hard to believe he would think that the interview wouldn't get back to the States ...


Two seasons ago they brought Nick Van Exel to the Spurs, a 13 years veteran NBA basketball player. Us the younger players did not get a chance to play since the spectators demanded to see a legend of basketball play who on top was also an American.

Oh yeah, I just remember how we were screaming that we wanted Nick the Dick to play more last season. :lmao

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

NVE = legend?

[ducks]

The firs ring I keep at home in Slovenia, I haven’t received the second one. A funny anecdote that happened at the first ring ceremony was a banner in the locker room that read “World Champions”, Manu striked out the word “world” and wrote in “NBA” instead and followed to write that he was the only world champion present.


they have so much fun in the locker room

[ploto]

This interview is depressing on so many levels. I told someone a long time ago that Beno's cockiness is actually his attempt to hide his true insecurity.

[angel_luv]

Oh good God Beno!
I'm only half way through the interview but for crying out loud. Grow up, sweetheart.
Seriously.

And until you do, best you don't comment. Oy vey.

:(

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

Oh good God Beno!
I'm only half way through the interview but for crying out loud. Grow up, sweetheart.
Seriously.

You're like the Eva Braun of Slovenian basketballers.

[angel_luv]

You're like the Eva Braun of Slovenian basketballers.


The who?

Hitler's Eva!!!!!! What the!!!!!!!!!!

[angel_luv]

Crazy Asian!

[ducks]

is this why hudson is coming into town?

[ggoose25]

I bet Hudson went to Beno's party.

[baseline bum]

The first part of the season (approx. 40 games) I played great, since I was averaging 8 points and 3 assists playing the aforementioned minutes.

This guy is a lying piece of crap. Udrih played 40 of the first 41 games. In the 40 he played, here were his stats:

603 minutes (15.1 mpg)
216 points (5.4 ppg)
79-221 FG (35.7%)
22-77 3FG (28.6%)
80 assists (2.0 apg)
42 turnovers (1.05 to/game)
16 steals (0.4 spg)
1 block (0.025 bpg)
53 fouls (1.33 foul/game)

A pretty far cry from what our chubby-ass pretty-boy is claiming. The shirt says it all...

http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/327/benoshirtpq9.jpg

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

I'm not calling you a Nazi, V... I'm commenting on Braun's willingness to stay by her husband's side as imminent death and turmoil closed in.

[ggoose25]

what were his stats /48 min

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

I still want that shirt.

[Kori Ellis]

Playing with stars like Manu and Tony I knew I could get 10 to 15 minutes max. The first part of the season (approx. 40 games) I played great, since I was averaging 8 points and 3 assists playing the aforementioned minutes.

Is he crazy?

The first 3 months of the season (46 games), he was averaging 4.9 points, barely under 2 assists in 14.5 minutes a game while shooting 36% from the floor :shootme

[angel_luv]

I'm not calling you a Nazi, V... I'm commenting on Braun's willingness to stay by her husband's side as imminent death and turmoil closed in.


I understand. I would scold you for not coming up with a better historical example but off the top of my head I can't think of one.

[ducks]

this guy is not mentally enough to play for the spurs

he needs to be a cav

[Cherry]

"...Manu had a similar experience to mine in San Antonio where he spent the first two years riding the bench and waiting for his opportunity. We all know how big a star Manu is now. I hope I will not brag too much when I say that Manu and I are very similar players. We are both left handed, we’re both shooters and distributors while capable of penetrating to the basket, I do feel however that I am a better play organize since Manu plays the number 2 spot more. That this is true is best proven during one on one training sessions where Manu always picks me as his opponent. If the Spurs would offer me a new contract, and of course more playing time, I would definitely sign with them. You don’t change from a championship winning team. But playing time is my main priority right now…"

WTF Beno :(

[ShoogarBear]

I'm not calling you a Nazi, V... I'm commenting on Braun's willingness to stay by her husband's side as imminent death and turmoil closed in.Sorry, JB. You get the big WTF? for that one. :lol

[ducks]

this is the worse thing that beno could say

[timvp]

Wow. I'm so appalled I have to gather my thoughts before I can respond.

[ducks]

pop is going to need a couple of bottles of wine after reading this on spurstalk. com

[E20]

The sad thing is that nobody would want Beno via a trade, but since he has only 1 year left on his contract, that might be appealing to some teams. I guess he's just gonna have to ride the bench another year until we can let him go through FA.

[ploto]

Manu's second season on the Spurs he averaged 29 minutes per game with 12.8 PPG; 4.5 RPG; and 3.8 APG. Even his rookie year, he played 21 MPG in the regular season and 28 MPG in the play-offs.

[venitian navigator]

I have to say I'm not surprised at all...maybe he's not mentally prepared for a competitive environment like the NBA. Fact is he still have a lot of bitterness for the NVE stuff...and, honestly, we can't say he's totally wrong about it. After been selected (and deserved it) for the rookie team, he sow his minutes disappear 'cause of some some minutes in the detroit finals...
OK, maybe he's mantally weak, but for a promising young player with little minutes to play, show a total lack of confidence after a winning season is not the best move you can make.
You risk to destroy his confidence in the team and in himself.
That's what has happened, obviously...
And, you know, the "yelling style" of Popovich is O.K. 'cause he does the some for all players (Duncan included), but when used for people that think he's been treated unfairly (like, right or wrong, is Beno's case) can have only one effect : hurt that player, and his confidence (in the team and in himself) even more.
I'm really sorry for Beno 'cause he definitely had some skills, and sometimes, in his first season, he played the play maker role better than anyone on the team, Parker included, when given enough minutes...
Now I suppose his days in the team are counted (and I could't exclude he already knew it before talking for this interwiew)...

[Cherry]

Manu's second season on the Spurs he averaged 29 minutes per game with 12.8 PPG; 4.5 RPG; and 3.8 APG. Even his rookie year, he played 21 MPG in the regular season and 28 MPG in the play-offs.

Exactly.

God, this interview is so lame :depressed

[ducks]

beno and james would a great fit they are both cocky

except james plays actually and backs some of it up on the court
beno just whines to the press

[remingtonbo2001]

I wonder if we could ship his ass to MEXICO, maybe for an illegal immigrant or two. At least they'll work hard and not BITCH about it. And I'm sure Holt would be thrilled to save all that cash. :rolleyes

[timvp]

I remember when Beno was drafted and Slomo said that Beno could be a very good player if he shows that he can master the mental part of the game and show that he wants it bad enough. Slomo nailed that analysis about as perfectly as possible.

I have held out hope for Beno this upcoming season and have always wished that he figures it out. But in these interviews lately, especially this one, he comes across so pathetic that I'm not even sure I want him to succeed. He's a miserable person who absolutely doesn't fathom at all how lucky he is to be where he is or to have the opportunity he has. It's quite shocking, really.

One problem is he's dumb as a sack of rocks. He's actually a pretty nice guy but he just isn't bright at all outside of the basketball court. Dumb, arrogant and ungrateful aren't qualities you see in many success people.

How this guy is still around is a mystery. Hopefully he just has no trade value and it's not that the Spurs still hold out hope that he's a player in the making.


haven’t had the opportunity to have some real holidays in the last 7 years. I wanted to show to my American girlfriend some of the beauties of Slovenia.Um, Beno, your livelihood is on the line. Now wasn't the summer to go on vacation for the first time in seven years.


We were happy to help them and the feelings were great since they are, with the exception of the people of Lasko – who honored me two years ago, the only organization that felt the need to thank me, something similar from the National Basketball Organization never happened.
Man, quit your crying. No one should thank you. Thank you for what? Rotting at the end of the bench? Losing your backup job for the second year in a row to a borderline NBA player?

If anything, you should be thanking Slovenia for being the basketball factor that it is and basically making it possible for you to be where you are. Without the basketball programs in Slovenia, you'd have nothing and probably be nothing.


The firs ring I keep at home in Slovenia, I haven’t received the second one. A funny anecdote that happened at the first ring ceremony was a banner in the locker room that read “World Champions”, Manu striked out the word “world” and wrote in “NBA” instead and followed to write that he was the only world champion present.That was random anecdote.



Before the season the coach promised me that I would get a chance to play during every game. Playing with stars like Manu and Tony I knew I could get 10 to 15 minutes max. The first part of the season (approx. 40 games) I played great, since I was averaging 8 points and 3 assists playing the aforementioned minutes.:lmao

What a liar. He played "great" in the first game of the season. After that he sucked in 99% of the games. Pop let him try to play through it longer than he should have. Now he's turning it around on Pop as if Pop broke a promise and Beno doesn't realize how bad he was playing?

Pathetic.



The reason for me not playing was a small mistake that snuck up on me during a game against Dallas. During that game I played 1 minute and 30 seconds and during a play I didn’t play aggressively enough. The coach immediately yanked me out of the game and to my bad luck the player that replaced me dove after a lost ball and hit the coaches bench. The coach told me after the game that that was what he demanded from me.First of all, that's another lie. He didn't lose his job after that game. That was the 13th game of the year. By his own admission, he was the backup point guard for the first 40 games of the season. In fact, after that Mavs game, he averaged 17 minutes per game over the next 12 games.

And it's not "luck" that Vaughn hustles and Beno doesn't. I can't believe Beno is trying to paint the picture that he was a victim of a dishonest coach and bad luck.


The non-American (especially European players) in the NBA are discriminated against and have to pay dearly for every mistake we make.I don't have a response for a take that stupid.



Of course I was. During 40 games I proved I had what it takes. I knew I was in excellent form, but couldn’t do anything because I wasn’t given a chance. You have no idea how much that influences one’s psyche. :violin

Does he not realized how bad he sucked last year? Excellent form? He shot 35% and 25% on threes. His defense was horrible with him trying to lug around the 20 extra pounds of beer weight. He was just horrible.

And yes Beno, you've been given more chances than any player in recent Spurs history. Players like Jackie Butler, James White, Romain Sato, Linton Johnson, Andrew Gaze, Brandon Williams etc. can say they were never given a chance. But freakin' Beno has been given literally dozens of chances.


After good performances you are forced to seat on the bench and support you teammates, tell them to get over mistakes and comfort them that it’ll be better next time. At the same time you know you could do a better job than them if you would only get another chance – a chance that never came.After good performances? He's acting as if Pop benched him when he was playing well? He lost his job in January, in the middle of a stretch in which he missed 20 out of 21 three-pointers. Beno was sucking and his benching was long overdue.



That’s life and with luck will also come injustices and you have to take them in your stride. :rolleyes @ injustice



I know that my fans will understand that I ‘am drained psychically and that I am still struggling with my recovery.:lmao

Drained from what? Recovering from what? :rollin


Next year my contract with the Spurs runs out and I have to be prepared to the max for this season. After the 07/08 season I’ll be a free agent and will get the opportunity to pick the team where I’ll continue my career. I will definitely be at the disposal of the NT coach next year. My personal wish would be to continue playing in the NBA. But when deciding where to play I will pay special attention to the playing time that they will be able to offer me. So basically Beno is saying he's not satisfied with the playing time he gets on the Spurs. In that case, GTFO. The Spurs don't need you.



Manu had a similar experience to mine in San Antonio where he spent the first two years riding the bench and waiting for his opportunity. We all know how big a star Manu is now. I hope I will not brag too much when I say that Manu and I are very similar players. We are both left handed, we’re both shooters and distributors while capable of penetrating to the basket, I do feel however that I am a better play organizer (leader would probably be a better translation?), since Manu plays the number 2 spot more. That this is true is best proven during one on one training sessions where Manu always picks me as his opponent. If the Spurs would offer me a new contract, and of course more playing time, I would definitely sign with them. You don’t change from a championship winning team. But playing time is my main priority right now.Oh my gosh. Beno just compared himself to Manu. And not only compared, he's kinda saying that he's better than Manu.

The only thing he got right is that they are both left-handed. Manu can actually make the shots he shoots. Beno can order tequila shots. Manu can drive and finish at the rim. Beno can drive to the nightclub and finish at some ho's house. Manu can play defense. Beno can hop over da fence when the ho's parents get home.

Manu is a million times better than Beno could ever be in his wildest dreams. Beno should kiss the ground Manu walks on ... not insinuate that he's actually better but can't show it because he's some sort of victim.

But it does backup my point that not even Beno sees himself as a point guard. As I've been saying for years now, Beno isn't a point guard. He's a small combo guard who needs to play on the court with a point guard. That's how the Slovenian NT uses him and it makes the most sense.

The problem is Beno is too short and too slow to guard shooting guards, so the Spurs are forced to try to play him at point. Unless Beno works hard on his ballhandling and gets in shape, there's no way he could be an NBA point guard.


Enormous. Above all you must understand that in America basketball is a business where there's no room for sentimentality. The spectators demand a show and the owners demand a profit. Two seasons ago they brought Nick Van Exel to the Spurs, a 13 years veteran NBA basketball player. Us the younger players did not get a chance to play since the spectators demanded to see a legend of basketball play who on top was also an American. Amazing.

So not only is he still bitter about Van Exel, he still doesn't realize that Pop gave him every opportunity in the world to beat NVE out of a job. And much like this season, he lost his job to a borderline NBA player. Beno was the original backup PG that season ... he just sucked so much that Pop was forced to ride the broken down Van Exel.

I can't believe Beno thinks there's some sort of conspiracy against him. He's also insinuating that Spurs fans root against international players. That's another amazingly ludicrous take. If anything, Spurs fans give international players even more leeway than American players. The majority of Spurs fans still support Beno, while NVE was hated even during his time with the Spurs.


Another difference is the organization itself. As an example I’d like to tell you that I have already earned my NBA pension. Any player that plays in the NBA for more than 3 years will after he reaches the age of 65 receive a pension from the NBA. Of course the value of this pension depends on the number of years played and the value of the contract(s). Beno is really testing karma by counting on a pension he hasn't really earned in the first place.



This year I really suffered mentally, after all that I experienced while following the games from the bench somebody in Slovenia had the audacity to write an article titled “Beno reaches his second champions title without breaking a sweat”.I'm torn between a ":violin" and a ":lmao".

The writer was telling the truth. Beno did nothing in the playoffs. He didn't even have a token game in which he provided any sort of spark.

Slovenia was telling the truth and suffering mentally is just another weak excuse.



This writer doesn’t have the faintest idea that I’ve attended all the training sessions that are even more strenuous for the bench players. After the training is finished and the starting 5 and their backups leave, the rest of us that are waiting for an opportunity have to do another full hour of hard work in the training facility. In you head you are full of doubt and keep wandering why you’re not playing, you are sweating rivers and then you read a title like that…So Beno needed his vacation because he was exhausted from all the practicing? :rollin

Most NBA players trying to break in don't mind working on their game. This guy hates it. Beno even came out earlier this year saying that he doesn't understand why the Spurs are forcing him to practice his game since he's never had to practice before. That just shows you how lame he is.

Hopefully Beno can rest up from his rigorous 14 hour work week of practicing basketball for six months out of the year. I mean, really, he deserves that vacation and sour attitude because he was *gasp* force to practice an extra couple hours a week :rolleyes

As I said earlier, I'm now just counting down the days in which this failure is off the team. At this point, he has no redeeming qualities at all. He miserable human being with a crap attitude, no drive and doesn't even respect his surrounding or his Slovenian roots.

The day he fails out of the NBA and then goes to Europe and fails out of those leagues, the only person to blame will be Beno. But, of course, he'll have his chorus of excuses lined up to shift the blame to everyone else.

[velik_m]

A funny anecdote that happened at the first ring ceremony was a banner in the locker room that read “World Champions”, Manu striked out the word “world” and wrote in “NBA” instead and followed to write that he was the only world champion present.


em... Manu never won a world championship...

[Pero]

The only thing he got right is that they are both left-handed. Manu can actually make the shots he shoots. Beno can order tequila shots. Manu can drive and finish at the rim. Beno can drive to the nightclub and finish at some ho's house. Manu can play defense. Beno can hop over da fence when the ho's parents get home.

:lol
It`s no wonder then why Beno is sucking. This way of life looks like much more fun. :lol

[aaronstampler]

Obviously I am extremely disappointed with Beno's comments and I agree that he has no future on the Spurs. Really it sounds as if he's trying to force them to cut him with those comments. Most of his opinions are delusional and he's exaggerating about a lot of stuff.

However, there are a couple of things where I disagree with LJ. First off, Beno did have a better season overall in his sophomore season than his rookie year. Per 40 minutes he averaged more points and more assists and was generally playing pretty well as Tony's backup. In fact, the Spurs had this nice little rotation going in the middle 40 games or so of the year with Beno, Brent and Manu all playing together as a second unit and that was working pretty well as I recall. Pop basically yanked Beno as soon as NVE got healthy the final dozen games of the regular season or so because his plan all along was to have the veteran backup PG for the playoffs. He even said after the season he made a huge mistake doing this. The game that Beno haters point to for Udrih deserving his playoff benching was a miserable performance against the Rockets in Game 82, but really the team had the 1 seed clinched and it was a meaningless game.

The way I see it, just about any criticism/shot at Beno for '06-07 is warranted, but I do think he got a raw deal in '05-06. I guess his attitude never recovered properly from that.

Also, I think LJ is exaggerating a bit when he says that Beno played terrible in 99% of the games after Game 1. Just off the top of my head I can remember at least four good games from him, all on the road. Both the games at Houston, one at Portland where we literally stole it in the last three minutes and Beno had the go ahead three, and a game at Memphis where Beno started because Tony was out.

Anyway, at this point I expect nothing from Beno, so anything he can give us next year, if he's even on the team, will be a bonus. He is in a contract year, so maybe his agent can convince him to bust his butt to save his career, but from the sound of the interview, it's unlikely.

[aaronstampler]

em... Manu never won a world championship...

I'm guessing he was referring to his Olympic gold.

[Kori Ellis]

The game that Beno haters point to for Udrih deserving his playoff benching was a miserable performance against the Rockets in Game 82, but really the team had the 1 seed clinched and it was a meaningless game.

Umm ... that's exactly the point. He couldn't even handle pressure in a meaningless game. If he couldn't handle it in a meaningless game, what would make anyone think he could handle it in a game that mattered?

[timvp]

However, there are a couple of things where I disagree with LJ. First off, Beno did have a better season overall in his sophomore season than his rookie year. Per 40 minutes he averaged more points and more assists and was generally playing pretty well as Tony's backup.Beno peaked in December of his rookie year. It's been downhill since then.



In fact, the Spurs had this nice little rotation going in the middle 40 games or so of the year with Beno, Brent and Manu all playing together as a second unit and that was working pretty well as I recall.Pop basically yanked Beno as soon as NVE got healthy the final dozen games of the regular season or so because his plan all along was to have the veteran backup PG for the playoffs. Did you miss the part where Beno twisted his ankle in his second start of the season (Game #71)? By the time he was healthy, the season was almost over and the playoffs were around the corner. If Paino hadn't gone down with a minor tweak, he'd have kept the job.

The Spurs doctors didn't regard Beno's injury as anything major. Beno insisted he was hurt. At the same time, NVE was getting his elbow shot up just to try to get back on the court. It was an easy decision for Pop.

Nice attempt at the change of history, though.


He even said after the season he made a huge mistake doing this. CIA Pop trying to instill confidence in a player. You think he's going to back NVE after he's gone?



The way I see it, just about any criticism/shot at Beno for '06-07 is warranted, but I do think he got a raw deal in '05-06. I guess his attitude never recovered properly from that.Beno has had this sour attitude ever since he entered the league.


Also, I think LJ is exaggerating a bit when he says that Beno played terrible in 99% of the games after Game 1. Just off the top of my head I can remember at least four good games from him, all on the road. Both the games at Houston, one at Portland where we literally stole it in the last three minutes and Beno had the go ahead three, and a game at Memphis where Beno started because Tony was out. There is no such thing as 99% in an 81 game schedule. Of course I was exaggerating. And by your count he sucked in 95% of the games.

I apologize for my exaggeration being off 4%.


I'm guessing he was referring to his Olympic gold.
:clap

[TDMVPDPOY]

to beno
http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/7011/getoutxy5.jpg

[carina_gino20]

thanks for the translation slomo, though I must say that that's the most pathetic thing I've read in awhile. I had high hopes for Beno during his rookie season, but the problem with him is that he's stuck on potential mode...probably downgraded by now because of his lame attitude. I wasn't even annoyed about him comparing himself to Manu. I just laughed because it was so pathetic.

And his comment about discrimination against international players is BS. The NBA is embracing them now more than ever. He just couldn't accept the fact that he's not tough enough to stay with the Spurs.

[Obstructed_View]

Never has a single interview put someone into such sharp focus. Spoiled pampered athlete syndrome. He wants to be honored as a basketball hero for sitting on the end of the bench and handing guys towels during timeouts. Suggesting that there's a bias against foreign players when he's on a team full of them just makes no sense.

Beno's so full of crap it defies logic. He's either delusional, or just an outright liar. At no point did he average close to the numbers he claims. There was no Dallas game where his numbers suddenly dropped. It looks like he only missed eight games the entire season, and his stats took a nosedive after the first 20 games of the season, with the exception of his turnovers per minute, which is only limited by the number of times he's allowed to touch the ball. He doesn't stay in shape, doesn't give effort on defense, and milks minor injuries.

I've seen him getting pulled for a single mistake before, and I've pointed it out. Pop was pulling him for being lazy or for not doing something that he's been told to do in practice. I'm sure Pop has very little patience for guys who don't give effort, especially when they don't listen. Why the Spurs kept him still boggles my mind.

Never let it be said that America is the only country that produces pampered primadonna athletes, because Beno is exactly that. If the Spurs can't instill any semblance of a work ethic in this blob, then nobody can, and that's probably why he has no trade value.

[ploto]

Beno's comments especially irk me because of the experiences of those players who paved the way for a guy like him to come from Europe. Some of those players did deal with the attitudes and the less than friendly welcomes because they were from Europe but it is insulting to them for Beno to put himself in the same boat as them. He got drafted to a team with many international players- who have become All-Stars playing for the Spurs. Pop loves these international guys. I always wished that a whole lot of Rasho's humility and work ethic would wear off on Beno, but it never happened.

[Spurs Dynasty 21]

when Beno has his head on straight he can be a really good back up, I hope he rebounds next season

[50 cent]

Fuck Beno. I don't know that I have ever disliked a Spur as much as I do Beno.

Can't we just ship him to the Toros or something?

[ashbeeigh]

to beno
http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/7011/getoutxy5.jpg

Where is the Personal Attack Police Troll?

[aaronstampler]

Beno peaked in December of his rookie year. It's been downhill since then.


Did you miss the part where Beno twisted his ankle in his second start of the season (Game #71)? By the time he was healthy, the season was almost over and the playoffs were around the corner. If Paino hadn't gone down with a minor tweak, he'd have kept the job.

The Spurs doctors didn't regard Beno's injury as anything major. Beno insisted he was hurt. At the same time, NVE was getting his elbow shot up just to try to get back on the court. It was an easy decision for Pop.

Nice attempt at the change of history, though.

I forgot about the ankle injury. Still, I noticed that you didn't deny he was playing well before he got hurt. And I don't see why if any other Spurs player said he was injured you'd give him the benefit of the doubt, but with Beno you're saying he was making it up. What player wouldn't want to play if he could? This guy spends a whole interview saying he wants to play in the games.

Again, trashing him for last season is justified, and being pissed off after this interview is more than justified, but I think it's cheap and revisionist history to bash him for a a pretty decent 05-06 campaign. Pop is a great coach but even great coaches make mistakes sometimes, and not letting Beno take the backup job back in the playoffs that year was a mistake. NVE was that awful.[/quote]

As I remember it Beno did give the team a spark in Game 3 at Sacramento when Pop brought him in in complete desperation since everyone was playing awful and Beno did a nice job and the team made a comeback and should have won the game if not for a bad Manu turnover and a lucky lay-up at the buzzer from Martin. But even after that game Pop still went back to NVE.

Basically, everyone here can hate Beno as much as they want, and I don't blame them, but that doesn't change the fact that

Vaughn >>> Beno >>>>>>>>>>>>> NVE

Udrih can stink the rest of his career and slap my mother and it still wouldn't change my opinion that NVE was the worst backup point we've had under Pop, even worse defensively than the fat Slovenian.

This thread isn't totally depressing though. It took Udrih comparing himself to Ginobili for you to say nice things about Manu. So that was nice to see at least... :downspin:

[RussN]

Man, Beno is terrible, I was really looking forward to seeing him play well this year, especially when there were statements at the begining of the season from some spurs members that he was possibly the "best shooter on the team" stuff.
Him making excuses like Nick played because the fans wanted to see him play because he was an american, WTF, we dont care if they are american, If we did we would obviously not be spurs fans or even NBA fans at this point of the due to all the foreign players in the NBA . We want to see hard working, non whiny/bitchy, team players.
When he was crying about not playing he reminded me of shitty players/and there parents that sat on the bench and made excuses like....I don't play because coach likes Manu better than me, I'm really better than manu, but I just don't play because coach doesn't like me,,,blah blah blah. They have something right, coach doesn't like the way you PLAY not, not like you. You suck, practice harder and maybe you will get better, don't bitch about it.
Beno is lucky he is not on a team where the players are assholes, we used to haze the hell out of guys like him on a team, They would usually quit which was eventually better for the team, because all they did was bring the team down with there negative attitude. Essencially it sounds like he has quit. I can't believe there are pro athelets like this, especially on the Spurs, CUT HIS ASS!!!

I hate being negative towards are own players but we should all get the Beno Sucks Shirts and wear them to the games next year. That or have the words read CUT BENO on it.

I'm really pissed at him after this article, I hope his teammates or Pop don't get ahold of it.

[E20]

Is there anyway we can just cut Beno and give him the remaining on his salary and be done with him?

[timvp]

I forgot about the ankle injury. Still, I noticed that you didn't deny he was playing well before he got hurt.He wasn't playing well compared to the first couple months of his career. If you want to compare it to how he sucked at the end of his rookie season, then I guess you could say he was playing well compared to a sucky Beno. Not exactly a high standard.

On top of that, Beno's defense tailed off tremendously his second season in the league. He want from a slightly below average defender to a horrible defender.

Considering his defense and how he never played as well as he played for stretches in his rookie season, I'd still rate his rookie season as the better season. I'd take a couple months of very good and a couple months of very bad over a season of bad.


And I don't see why if any other Spurs player said he was injured you'd give him the benefit of the doubt, but with Beno you're saying he was making it up. What player wouldn't want to play if he could? This guy spends a whole interview saying he wants to play in the games.Seriously, do you even know the history of Paino Udrih? Search on the site and find his questionable injury history.

Beno is so notorious for being a wimp that Pop has called him out numerous times. Pop has even instructed Sevening not to attend to an "injured" Beno during a game unless Pop gives him approval.

Talking about that time specifically, Beno played through a "sprained ankle" in that game. The Spurs said he was fine and there was minimal swelling. Beno insisted ... and ended up missing six games.

And this is the same season in which almost the whole team came down with the flu. Some players missed a game, most didn't. Beno was out two weeks.

I really don't think you want to travel down a road in which you end up defending Beno's injury history.


Again, trashing him for last season is justified, and being pissed off after this interview is more than justified, but I think it's cheap and revisionist history to bash him for a a pretty decent 05-06 campaign.Have you watched him attempt to bring the ball up the court or play defense since the middle of his rookie season? Revisionist history is pretending that Van Exel was simply given the job for no reason for the final dozen games as you claimed. Revisionist history isn't pointing out a bad player as being a bad player.


Pop is a great coach but even great coaches make mistakes sometimes, and not letting Beno take the backup job back in the playoffs that year was a mistake. NVE was that awful.Pop went with the player who was working hard to get on the court over the drama queen who had ballooned and could no longer play defense. It didn't turn out that well, but I don't think Beno could have done much more.


As I remember it Beno did give the team a spark in Game 3 at Sacramento when Pop brought him in in complete desperation since everyone was playing awful and Beno did a nice job and the team made a comeback and should have won the game if not for a bad Manu turnover and a lucky lay-up at the buzzer from Martin. But even after that game Pop still went back to NVE.Talk about some revisionist history.:lol

Nick Van Exel didn't play in Game 4 of that series. Udrih had the backup job all to himself ... and went 3-for-10 from the field, played horrible defense and led the Spurs to a 20 point loss. But yeah, let's revise that history and pretend Beno got benched after Game 3.


Basically, everyone here can hate Beno as much as they want, and I don't blame them, but that doesn't change the fact that

Vaughn >>> Beno >>>>>>>>>>>>> NVE 2006-07 Beno < 2005-06 NVE


Udrih can stink the rest of his career and slap my mother and it still wouldn't change my opinion that NVE was the worst backup point we've had under Pop, even worse defensively than the fat Slovenian. Van Exel was a bad defender because he knee was shot. Beno is a bad defender because he's fat and doesn't really understand the concepts. I'll go with the gimp over the guy who lets himself get out of shape and hasn't learned the defense after three seasons.


This thread isn't totally depressing though. It took Udrih comparing himself to Ginobili for you to say nice things about Manu. So that was nice to see at least... :downspin:Now only if you liked Parker as much as you like Beno, the universe could even out.


:downspin:

[Clutch20]

I posted this thought back in Mar. :
"Beno plays as if a string has snapped, probably Pop cut it at some point and so now Beno's freefloating."

It felt weird for me to see him play like that. It was such a contrast to see him play like that alongside other Spurs during SPAM time.

[L.I.T]

Indefensible comments.

Of course, now this makes that sequence during one of the championship games when Barry shoved Beno away from him understandable (I think Beno was trying to dry hump him though).

[ducks]

if spurs cut beno does beno get his nba pension?

[Dex]

Beno just graduated to fuckface level.

We don't need any fuckfaces on this team.

[The Truth #6]

Beno may not have been anywhere near good his second season but he was clearly better than NVE. From what I remember every Spurs board was calling Pop an idiot/stubborn/blind for continuing to play NVE. It was like Pop had George Bush blinders on and couldn't face reality.

Pop likes to have players in his doghouse. Since Malik I can't remember a time when someone wasn't in his doghouse. I'm not saying Beno hasn't clearly deserved it for a great deal of the time, but Pop gave NVE a total pass when he was even more lazy than Beno. I suppose Pop somehow thought NVE was going to pull a Robert Horry and take it up several notches. It didn't happen and Beno has been confirmed dead ever since then.

[remingtonbo2001]

No, guys your going about this all wrong. Beno wants to be cut. Let him be the BALL BOY for the remainder of his contract, or designate him as Marcus William's personal bell hop. If he is going to blame someone else for the lack of playing time he recieved other than himself, then let's give him a good reason to do so, by sitting his ass on the bench all season. Now let's see how many offers you get come 08'

[ducks]

Beno may not have been anywhere near good his second season but he was clearly better than NVE. From what I remember every Spurs board was calling Pop an idiot/stubborn/blind for continuing to play NVE. It was like Pop had George Bush blinders on and couldn't face reality.

Pop likes to have players in his doghouse. Since Malik I can't remember a time when someone wasn't in his doghouse. I'm not saying Beno hasn't clearly deserved it for a great deal of the time, but Pop gave NVE a total pass when he was even more lazy than Beno. I suppose Pop somehow thought NVE was going to pull a Robert Horry and take it up several notches. It didn't happen and Beno has been confirmed dead ever since then.

if you do not practice hard why in the hell should you play in the games

[HJNTX]

Hmmmmm...Europeans are discrimated against, huh? I'm very disappointed that Beno would make a comment like that .. I don't think Pop discriminates against any of the players .. He's probably an "A," to all equally ---except maybe Tim ...

[angel_luv]

:lol Pop is a grump but a consistent one, eh?

[ploto]

Talking about that time specifically, Beno played through a "sprained ankle" in that game. The Spurs said he was fine and there was minimal swelling. Beno insisted ... and ended up missing six games.

If I remember correctly, Beno tweaked his ankle in the first quarter but played until part of the way through the third quarter when HE then claimed that he could not play on it anymore. It was really weak. I have been more inclined to believe that after that fiasco Pop made him sit for the full length of an IR stint to prove a point to him. Many players have played hurt or sick-- until the point at which they have been told to go home or stop.

Looking over the interview, what bugs me the most is that he takes some true statements and then tries to apply them to himself when they simply do not apply. He says that the NBA is a business and there is no sentimentality and the profit motive. That is true- but that would apply if you were explaining why Malik or Rasho got traded or why Barry almost got traded-- not why NVE played instead of Beno. And the whole notion that Nick played over Beno because he is an American is ridiculous! Again, there are Euro players who were given a hard time- who had teammates who were not supportive... but that does not apply to Beno at all. His logic makes no sense.

Most disappointing is his acting as if putting in some extra time after practice is too much work. Last season Rasho had a game for the Raptors in which he did not play. After the game without a word being said to him, he went and worked out that night-- lifted, ran, shot,... to simulate playing in a game for his body and conditioning. That is what a player should do when you are a professional basketball player.

I drew the conclusion barely halfway through his rookie year that as a younger player things came too easy for Beno. He is like the smart kid in school who never had to put forth any effort. At some point in life- you reach the point at which other people are just as good, or just as smart, or just as talented, and you finally have to put forth the effort and rise-- or fall by the side. Beno has fallen by the side, and he does not appear to be getting up.

His NBA career is on the line and his priority is a vacation. The season ended almost 2 months ago. Sure- take a couple of weeks off, but that is it. It was time to get back to work a month ago.

[hater]

Beno is a pussy

[ducks]

beno is happy he got a chance in the nba
and has a nba pension


he is soooooooooooooooo braindead

[ca®lo]

I Lost All Respect For Beno After Reading This.

Piss Off Beno. You Dont Deserve To Belong To The Spurs.

Other Players Would Kill To Be In Your Position. And Youre Fucking Whining About It.

[Beno Udrih]

:depressed

[smrattler]

Come on people. Most of you sound up in arms and shocked and/or surprised about his attitude and reponses here.

What did everyone know about Beno? If it's one thing, the one reason he doesn't get on the court is he is mentally weak. Not mentally strong/tough enough to play for Pop. Period. All this interview shows is what we already knew, he's giving answers of a mentally weak and dillusional person.

YEah, his defense sucks. YEah, his shooting has gone south. But Pop can put up with sorry ass shooting for a long time as long as the shooters keep shooting. As long as the effort is there on defense, doesn't care if you're Steve Kerr or Barry or NVE with half a knee. The EFFORT and mental toughness will keep you on the court until your shot comes back.

Pop knows this guy can shoot, he doesn't care if he's struggling with his shot. But while your shot sucks, you better do the other things. Beno didn't. Despite what Beno says, his shot sucked early this year. When you do that AND make mistakes on D, don't put the desperate effort on D, don't show mental toughness... you have literally become worthless. And to be given 15mins/gm for half the season to right yourself, consider yourself lucky.

Bye Beno.

[xamila rey]

wow Beno. this is even worse than ur space.... :depressed

[timvp]

If I remember correctly, Beno tweaked his ankle in the first quarter but played until part of the way through the third quarter when HE then claimed that he could not play on it anymore. It was really weak. I have been more inclined to believe that after that fiasco Pop made him sit for the full length of an IR stint to prove a point to him. Many players have played hurt or sick-- until the point at which they have been told to go home or stop. Exactly.

Beno has been a drama queen regarding injuries since his days back in Europe. The odd thing is he's never been seriously injured. He gets everyday bumps, bruises and illnesses and he can't handle it.

Perhaps you can explain to stampler why trusting Beno when it comes to injuries isn't a good idea.


Looking over the interview, what bugs me the most is that he takes some true statements and then tries to apply them to himself when they simply do not apply. He says that the NBA is a business and there is no sentimentality and the profit motive. That is true- but that would apply if you were explaining why Malik or Rasho got traded or why Barry almost got traded-- not why NVE played instead of Beno. And the whole notion that Nick played over Beno because he is an American is ridiculous! Again, there are Euro players who were given a hard time- who had teammates who were not supportive... but that does not apply to Beno at all. His logic makes no sense.As Slomo said in another thread, Beno is hurting all the future Slovenians who try to make it in the NBA. It's human nature for GM's to look at the history of players from the same background when judging a young player. Beno is single-handedly skewing Slovenia's reputation more and more with not only his play and the way he can't handle the physicality of the NBA, but also now his words in which he comes across as bitter and a bad apple.


Most disappointing is his acting as if putting in some extra time after practice is too much work. Last season Rasho had a game for the Raptors in which he did not play. After the game without a word being said to him, he went and worked out that night-- lifted, ran, shot,... to simulate playing in a game for his body and conditioning. That is what a player should do when you are a professional basketball player. I still can't believe what Beno was spouting last year.

"I've never had to work on my game or my shot so I don't know why I have to start now." -- Beno

That's just insanity coming from a professional athlete.


I drew the conclusion barely halfway through his rookie year that as a younger player things came too easy for Beno. He is like the smart kid in school who never had to put forth any effort. At some point in life- you reach the point at which other people are just as good, or just as smart, or just as talented, and you finally have to put forth the effort and rise-- or fall by the side. Beno has fallen by the side, and he does not appear to be getting up. Slomo and others drew that conclusion when Beno was drafted. I saw that in him in summer league. He's a very talented player and a nice guy to boot.

But he has zero drive to improve. He's soft in all aspects of the word. And to top it off, he might be the dumbest Spur of the last two decades. He's not bright at all -- which explains some of his comments and some of his approach. A person with a half a brain cell wouldn't openly lie like he's doing and would realize how lucky he is.


His NBA career is on the line and his priority is a vacation. The season ended almost 2 months ago. Sure- take a couple of weeks off, but that is it. It was time to get back to work a month ago.Yeah, I've been saying this all summer. Although some in Beno camp tried to float rumors that Beno was trying to get in shape. The truth is Beno is just as lazy as ever, if not more lazy.

Lazy + Dumb + Arrogant + Dishonest + Spoiled + Two-Faced + Conceited != A successful person in any area of life, especially a field as competitive as the NBA

[timvp]

YEah, his defense sucks. YEah, his shooting has gone south. But Pop can put up with sorry ass shooting for a long time as long as the shooters keep shooting. As long as the effort is there on defense, doesn't care if you're Steve Kerr or Barry or NVE with half a knee. The EFFORT and mental toughness will keep you on the court until your shot comes back.

Pop knows this guy can shoot, he doesn't care if he's struggling with his shot. But while your shot sucks, you better do the other things. Beno didn't. Despite what Beno says, his shot sucked early this year. When you do that AND make mistakes on D, don't put the desperate effort on D, don't show mental toughness... you have literally become worthless. And to be given 15mins/gm for half the season to right yourself, consider yourself lucky.Great take.

That's what some people don't understand. Yeah, NVE was horrible but he was giving it 100%. He was getting cortisone shots in his elbow just to get out there and limp around on his bone-on-bone knee condition. On the other hand you had Beno taking his time coming back from the flu and a mild ankle sprain.

Give me the option 100 times and 100 times I'll go with the desperate veteran who is putting his future health on the line to win a championship over the chubby diva who doesn't care about winning.

[Dex]

The funny thing is, he said himself that he knows that on a team with the likes of Parker and Ginobili and Finley, he shouldn't expect more than 15 minutes a game.

He averaged 13 mpg this season, and that was spending the majority of the time in Pop's doghouse. So it's not like he isn't getting any time. And considering he's out there to be a three-point threat, that 28% from the arc wasn't impressing anybody. A damn near 2-1 assist-to-turnover ratio ain't nothin' to scream about for a point gaurd, either.

What more does this dude expect?

[Dex]

As Slomo said in another thread, Beno is hurting all the future Slovenians who try to make it in the NBA. It's human nature for GM's to look at the history of players from the same background when judging a young player. Beno is single-handedly skewing Slovenia's reputation more and more with not only his play and the way he can't handle the physicality of the NBA, but also now his words in which he comes across as bitter and a bad apple.


I'd hate to see the committee that looks at the likes of 'Beno Udrih' and 'Rasho Nesterovic' on the chalkboard, and thinks it might be adding up to something. :lol

Then again, someone apparently thought a sequel for Fantastic Four was a good idea, so anything is possible.

[Pero]

Say what you want about Rasho, but the truth is, if Beno had his work ethic and relation to the press this thread (and many others) wouldn`t be here.

[aaronstampler]

Great take.

That's what some people don't understand. Yeah, NVE was horrible but he was giving it 100%. He was getting cortisone shots in his elbow just to get out there and limp around on his bone-on-bone knee condition. On the other hand you had Beno taking his time coming back from the flu and a mild ankle sprain.

Give me the option 100 times and 100 times I'll go with the desperate veteran who is putting his future health on the line to win a championship over the chubby diva who doesn't care about winning.

If letting Terry or Harris go by you every single time like you're a pylon is giving it 100%, then I can give Pop 110%. The only good thing about signing NVE was that it was a package deal that brought Fin here since NVE recruited him. But he sucked ass, plain and simple.

And for the love of God, stop using the term "takes." You're not Jim Rome, this is not "The Jungle" and Jim Everett didn't whoop your ass on live TV 15 years ago. They're not takes, they're opinions. You're like being a poser of a poser.

[Slomo]

There's a few very good posts here.

Regarding the discrimination of foreign basketball players. There have been cases in the past (probably still is a few problems in some teams) that have been well publicized in Europe (I kinda remember even Drazen Petrovic having some problems of the kind). But I haven't seen any serious/trustworthy reports recently. Especially not with the Spurs. And even less with Popovich - who if anything is getting criticized for using too many foreigners. (I agree completely with the poster that said he's the same asshole to everybody - it's a beautiful talent :) )

My impression is that Beno is just trying to ride that bus and it's a cheap and easy way to convince people who have no knowledge about the NBA of how difficult his life is (I mean he has to have two welcome parties - how inhuman is that!).

The Pop Defense/mental toughness argument is a very good one. As demonstrated over the past few seasons anybody with some intelligence and a healthy bank balance can build a very good team (cough*Dallas*cough) but a championship winning team requires toughness, discipline and a desire to succeed alongside talent. You either agree with Pop's method or you don't but there is no denying that without the mental toughness that he creates we wouldn't be looking at a repeat attempt for the 5th time.

And finally I can't believe he somehow thinks in today's telecommunication bonanza that his comments about Slovenia in the US press won't get back to us and of course vice versa.

[timvp]

If letting Terry or Harris go by you every single time like you're a pylon is giving it 100%, then I can give Pop 110%. The only good thing about signing NVE was that it was a package deal that brought Fin here since NVE recruited him. But he sucked ass, plain and simple.

Some more revisionist history. Finley said NVE wasn't a factor in him signing with the Spurs.

I guess I understand why you love Beno so much. You are both great at altering history while embarrassing yourself.


And for the love of God, stop using the term "takes." You're not Jim Rome, this is not "The Jungle" and Jim Everett didn't whoop your ass on live TV 15 years ago. They're not takes, they're opinions. You're like being a poser of a poser.

And the forum roars in laughter . . .

Stick to your day job of defending Manu. At least those takes are halfway factually correct.

I've asked you to broaden your horizons, but now I see that I was in error. I apologize. You were wrong so many times in this thread it was comical. Go back to your role. Please?

"Why shouldn't the Spurs believe Beno when he says he's hurt? What makes his injury history any different than anyone else? Have you seen his points per 40 the guys rocks! I still don't know why he stopped playing for no reason at the end of 2006 or got benched after Game 3. I mean this guy is obviously getting better and better." :lmao

[sandman]

Some more revisionist history. Finley said NVE wasn't a factor in him signing with the Spurs.

I guess I understand why you love Beno so much. You are both great at altering history while embarrassing yourself.



And the forum roars in laughter . . .

Stick to your day job of defending Manu. At least those takes are halfway factually correct.

I've asked you to broaden your horizons, but now I see that I was in error. I apologize. You were wrong so many times in this thread it was comical. Go back to your role. Please?

"Why shouldn't the Spurs believe Beno when he says he's hurt? What makes his injury history any different than anyone else? Have you seen his points per 40 the guys rocks! I still don't know why he stopped playing for no reason at the end of 2006 or got benched after Game 3. I mean this guy is obviously getting better and better." :lmao

I wonder if Aaron knows that Beno is only Metro and not full blown playing for the other team. Might change the man-crush he has going...

[ploto]

I'd hate to see the committee that looks at the likes of 'Beno Udrih' and 'Rasho Nesterovic' on the chalkboard, and thinks it might be adding up to something.
Do not in any way, shape, or form equate Rasho to Beno. They couldn't be any more different in their approaches to how they view their jobs as professionals. Rasho has said that he knows players who were more naturally talented- obviously more gifted athletically- but that they did not make it because they did not want to work hard. Sure, he would have loved to have spent the summer lying on a beach somewhere, but when he was Beno's age, Rasho was spending a month of his summer in the mountains working on his conditioning. The summer the Spurs signed Rasho, a visit to him in Slovenia found him working out twice a day. He has NEVER had Beno's attitude or cockiness or sense of entitlement. Think you will ever read an article like this about Beno?
Nesterovic a consistent professional (http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/169283)

Or a comment like this:
"I played with Rasho (in Minnesota) so I knew he knew how to play and what a pro he was but coaching him now, you come to appreciate what it is to be a professional in this league," said Mitchell.

[hater]

:lmao he thinks he can be as good as Parker or Manu LMFAO

[Obstructed_View]

:lmao he thinks he can be as good as Parker or Manu LMFAO
He has the talent. The difference is all in the effort.

[hater]

its more than that. Look at Vaughn, he is all effort. if you combine Vaughn and Beno into 1 player, you still end up with a player that is not even 1/2 as good as Paker or Manu. Parker/Manu are phenoms.

[SequSpur]

Beno would be an allstar in the Eastern Conference.

[Obstructed_View]

its more than that. Look at Vaughn, he is all effort. if you combine Vaughn and Beno into 1 player, you still end up with a player that is not even 1/2 as good as Paker or Manu. Parker/Manu are phenoms.
Neither Parker nor Manu has vastly more talent than Beno does. The difference is that they bought into the team concept and they've worked their asses off year in and year out to improve in every aspect of the game, physical and mental, while Beno has tried to rely on the talent to keep him afloat.

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

Beno would be an allstar in the Eastern Conference.

Meh. You would be ROY in the East.

[The Truth #6]

if you do not practice hard why in the hell should you play in the games

I agree. I don't know why NVE played in games either. He was just as bad as Beno.

[hater]

Neither Parker nor Manu has vastly more talent than Beno does.

I completely disagree. Manu and Parker had much much more talent physically and technically than Beno at his age.

Manu was MVP in Europe. Beno would be a mediocre PG in Europe.

[Obstructed_View]

I completely disagree. Manu and Parker had much much more talent physically and technically than Beno at his age.

Manu was MVP in Europe. Beno would be a mediocre PG in Europe.
It's got nothing to do with talent. Manu doesn't take over games in critical times because he's more talented than everyone else on the floor.

It's the little things that make the difference between a good player and a great player. Parker and Ginobili have put in the hours to improve in those areas. Beno falls behind a little more each day.

[ploto]

Beno was as good or better NATURALLY than Tony was when they were in their early teens. Beno really was a phenom- that is what makes it so disappointing. The Spurs were not lying when they called him the best passer on the team his rookie year.

[BeerIsGood!]

It's amazing how you can have two completely different feelings about the same event. I look back to that Championship celebration on 6/14 and remember the positive feelings for Finley, who had worked his whole career for years to get to that one point. Then at the exact same moment the disgust of seeing this coattailer, this waste of space Beno celebrating like he had any part of the Championship.

I'm sure the only reason this guy hasn't become a locker room cancer is because each of his teammates view him with so much disgust that he is no longer taken seriously in any regard. The only way he can screw up chemistry is if he actually plays too many minutes and fucks the whole team up. What a disgrace.

[BeerIsGood!]

The season ticket holders are more deserving of his two rings than he is.

[thispego]

The season ticket holders are more deserving of his two rings than he is.
even the ones that are on their cell phones the whole time

[hater]

It's got nothing to do with talent. Manu doesn't take over games in critical times because he's more talented than everyone else on the floor.


Manu and Parker are clutch. No matter how many hours beno puts in at practice, he will still not be anywhere close as clutch as manu or tony.


that being said, talentwise:
Manu = Parker >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Beno

[nfg3]

What a waste! I thought if this gets back to the locker room then he's toast. But in retrospect he's most likely already that with the players. They know who's who.

He obviously hasn't learned a basic lesson in life - " It is better for the world to think you're a fool than to opened your mouth and remove all doubt."

[Obstructed_View]

Manu and Parker are clutch. No matter how many hours beno puts in at practice, he will still not be anywhere close as clutch as manu or tony.


that being said, talentwise:
Manu = Parker >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Beno
You couldn't be more wrong, but I'm tired of trying to convince you. Beno sucks because he doesn't prepare, doesn't work hard and doesn't give effort. There are lots of teams with more talent than the Spurs. Dallas was more talented than Miami. The Lakers were more talented than the Pistons.

[mikejones99]

All NBA players have to be confident and know that they can play when given the chance. He helped win the game at Portland. He will average 20 a game if traded or get a few min and win another title in SA

[Pero]

He will average 20 a game if traded or get a few min and win another title in SA

He won`t. In the past I imagine something like this could have happened. But now, it would be a shock. Besides, no other team wants him.

[Pero]

Of course you may be right and just made a typo, and didn`t intend to write that zero next to the two. :lol

[mountainballer]

He will average 20 a game if traded

yes, if he is traded to my hometown team, he will get the 20+. easily
it's just about 1 hour to drive from Beno's hometown, so he could sleep at home and get a meal cooked by mom every day.

[hater]

You couldn't be more wrong, but I'm tired of trying to convince you. Beno sucks because he doesn't prepare, doesn't work hard and doesn't give effort. There are lots of teams with more talent than the Spurs. Dallas was more talented than Miami. The Lakers were more talented than the Pistons.

you are partly correct, he sucks because he doesn't prepare, but moreso he sucks because he does not have the balls, winning mentality or talent that Parker or Manu have

Let me put it this way, if Beno worked his ass off 24/7 and lived inthe gym, yes he would be better, he would probably be a solid backup pg. But that's about it. you are dreaming and on crack if you think he has as much talent as Manu or Parker :lol

[ploto]

you are dreaming and on crack if you think he has as much talent as Manu or Parker :lol

This Beno Udrih has as much talent as Parker.
http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/beno_udrih.jpg

[timvp]

This Beno Udrih has as much talent as Parker.
http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/beno_udrih.jpgUh you do know that is a picture of Beno from 2003, right? Beno was horrible that year. Parker had already far surpassed Beno by then.

If you can find a picture of a 16-year-old Beno, then it'd make more sense.

[ObiwanGinobili]

I've added Beno to my "dead to me" list.

I can't even comment on this topic because he is such a fucking douche. What a waste of perfectly good talent, squanered, poisened by his foul attitude and personality.

[ploto]

If you can find a picture of a 16-year-old Beno, then it'd make more sense.
I know- it was the one of him the youngest that I could find in short time. The point was more about the shape he was in.

Maybe this one- but I think he is still about 18 or 19 here:
http://www.sting-trade.si/sport/pictures/allstars2000/sslika15.jpg

How about this one?
http://images.jupiterimages.com/common/detail/17/63/22856317.jpg

[angel_luv]

I miss rookie Beno. He was a sweetie.

[lotr1trekkie]

You haven't heard Barry whine about being replaced at the 2 after injuring his back. Or Manu complaining about coming off the bench. Or Oberto about sitting most of the first half of the season. Or Elson about sitting during the playoffs. Or Bonner about losing time after his knee injury. He's toast! I recall went Mercer went public with his displeasure about playing time--gone next week. Trade him for a #2 in 20whatever.

[ObiwanGinobili]

Trade him for a #2 in 20whatever.

I think our only choices are
A. just cut and pay him and be done
B. trade him for a 1/2 eaten snickers and a coupon to long john silvers.


I think A is the liklier possibility..... noone really thinks Beno is worth giving up a 1/2 a snickers.

[Magic_Johnson]

Manu and I are very similar players

:donkey :donkey :donkey :donkey :donkey

[maxpower]

Never has a single interview put someone into such sharp focus. Spoiled pampered athlete syndrome.

Patrick Ewing might have something to say about that.

[Freeze]

http://www.tp9.net/fr/images/parker_13.jpg >>>>>>>>>>>>> http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/beno_udrih.jpg >>>>>>>>>>>>> http://www.nba.com/media/act_beno_udrih.jpg

[Obstructed_View]

you are partly correct, he sucks because he doesn't prepare, but moreso he sucks because he does not have the balls, winning mentality or talent that Parker or Manu have

Let me put it this way, if Beno worked his ass off 24/7 and lived inthe gym, yes he would be better, he would probably be a solid backup pg. But that's about it. you are dreaming and on crack if you think he has as much talent as Manu or Parker :lol
Unfortunately we'll never know, because Beno is going to be a fat turd that waits to collect his pension and whine about how unfair the rest of the world is for not recognizing his immense basketball skillz.

[Reggie Miller]

As a contrarian at heart, I tried really hard to think of something positive to say about Beaner.







I'm completely at a loss here folks.

[whottt]

As a contrarian at heart, I tried really hard to think of something positive to say about Beaner


At least he's still confident in his abilities. :tu



Drop me a PM if you ever need any other assistance of a similar nature.

[whottt]

There's a few very good posts here.

Regarding the discrimination of foreign basketball players. There have been cases in the past (probably still is a few problems in some teams) that have been well publicized in Europe (I kinda remember even Drazen Petrovic having some problems of the kind). But I haven't seen any serious/trustworthy reports recently. Especially not with the Spurs. And even less with Popovich - who if anything is getting criticized for using too many foreigners. (I agree completely with the poster that said he's the same asshole to everybody - it's a beautiful talent :) )


It's not so much a case of discrimination as it is stereotyping...

Example:

Euro players are whining mentally soft wussies that can't play D and have no heart.
White American players are unathletic stiffs that can't do anything but shoot.
Black American players are selfish unskilled ballhogs who put themselves over the team and can't do anything but dunk.


LOL.


Discrimination could be possible of course due to stereotypinc except for one thing...

American Team owners will do everything short of whoring their grandma out if it will give their team a competitive edge in winning a title...especially if they can do it at a cheap price.


Like for example in Baseball Jackie Robinson...

His breaking the color barrier out of a pure sense of altruism was at best 50% of it...

The other 50% was the fact that a powerful owner wanted talent to give his team the winning edge and Robinson(and other Afrircan American players) had it...


You can always count on us Americans to let our greed and hunger lead us to do the right thing ;).

It's color blind, it's nationality blind...


The sterotype does exist, there is probably a little truth to it, and to the others as well, based on the players currently in the NBA...but it becomes both discrimination and stupidity when the the stereotype is believed moreso than in the ability of the individual....anyone who makes that judgement is just begging to be proved wrong...











My impression is that Beno is just trying to ride that bus and it's a cheap and easy way to convince people who have no knowledge about the NBA of how difficult his life is (I mean he has to have two welcome parties - how inhuman is that!).


My impressin is that Beno is spoiled, used to getting his way primarily, and unwilling to accept responsibility...

And he's also not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed.



The Pop Defense/mental toughness argument is a very good one. As demonstrated over the past few seasons anybody with some intelligence and a healthy bank balance can build a very good team (cough*Dallas*cough) but a championship winning team requires toughness, discipline and a desire to succeed alongside talent. You either agree with Pop's method or you don't but there is no denying that without the mental toughness that he creates we wouldn't be looking at a repeat attempt for the 5th time.

And finally I can't believe he somehow thinks in today's telecommunication bonanza that his comments about Slovenia in the US press won't get back to us and of course vice versa.



I don't really think Beno cares much...he knows he got a pension for the rest of his life...we are talking zero competitive fire here.


I won't fault Beno for going into the tank and not being all consumed with winning...

As a human there is nothing wrong with what he wants IMO...as a basketball player...he's a complete loser.

I wish him the best in doing whatever he wants to do with the rest of life...

I just don't want him doing it on my team....that money and roster spot is better used elsewhere.

[T Park]

The season ticket holders are more deserving of his two rings than he is

damn straight we are.

where are my GD rings.

[whottt]

I think the whole thing with Manu was a joke...just basic trash talking and rubbing it in...like the Spurs players tend to do to each other in a good natured way.

I don't doubt that Manu thinks he is capable of beating anyone and knows he pretty much did so in the Olympics...but I also don't doubt that there is no way he would be as disrespectful to his teamates as he sounds in that example Beno gave...my guess is that it's something totally out of context and just another example that Beno doesn't really "get it".

[whottt]

The funniest thing is that timvp and Kori were two of his biggest jockers on the board as a rookie.....

Sorry Beno...most Spurs fans wanted you to suceed and thought you were going too, you were the homer pick..you made this bed for yourself. Just admit you don't really care that much, take your pension and go be a SuperStar in the Euroleagues....although you are probably going to struggle to even make an impact there with that attitude...it's not about your talent....here, and I doubt it will be there either.

[timvp]

At least he's still confident in his abilities. :tu

Did you miss where Beno has repeatedly blamed his lack of confidence for his poor play?


The funniest thing is that timvp and Kori were two of his biggest jockers on the board as a rookie.....Everyone liked Beno in the beginning of his rookie season, including you. He was playing very well ... until his clubbing caught up to him and he got out of shape by the middle of his rookie season.

Here's whottt's first ever take on Beno:


Beno is a good pg

I still stand by the potential that he had as a rookie. He could have easily developed into one of the best backup point guards in the league. If he had any fire or any semblance of competitiveness, he'd be pretty damn good. But he doesn't.

And all along, I've been hard on Beno for being a wuss. I copyrighted Paino© before his rookie season even started.

The reason why Beno is so frustrating is because he could be so good if he cared about the game at all.

[BeerIsGood!]

That this is true is best proven during one on one training sessions where Manu always picks me as his opponent.


Hell, if I could smoke the fat lazy guy in practice on a day to day basis I would relish the chance as well. I'm surprised the other guys don't make Manu draw straws to see who gets to smoke Beno in one on one during practice.

[timvp]

I drew the conclusion barely halfway through his rookie year that as a younger player things came too easy for Beno. He is like the smart kid in school who never had to put forth any effort.


Timvp will probably remember the first thread in the old forum where Beno's draft was announced. I wrote that my main concern is not him being a "china doll" because this is something the NBA expert can do wonders about, but more about his motivation and dedication to the game. I've often felt that his performance in Europe was like the really smart kid in class who is held back by the class' average and is getting bored in the process.Damn, Slomo nailed it before preseason of Beno's rookie season. Comparisons people use now, Slomo used three years ago.

Too bad I can't find the original post by Slomo but I remember it and he pretty much had Beno pinned perfectly from the moment the Spurs drafted him.

Props.

[ploto]

Even the Spurs had concerns about Beno's passion for the game and his dedication before they ever drafted him. They trusted their Euro sources who said he was just one of those guys who holds it inside-- maybe those were the same sources who said to draft Sergei! I know that Pop specifically spoke to Tony about Beno, asking for his perspective.

[Obstructed_View]

Hell, if I could smoke the fat lazy guy in practice on a day to day basis I would relish the chance as well. I'm surprised the other guys don't make Manu draw straws to see who gets to smoke Beno in one on one during practice.
It might have been calculated by the coaching staff in the hopes that Manu's attitude might rub off on him.

[timvp]

Even the Spurs had concerns about Beno's passion for the game and his dedication before they ever drafted him. They trusted their Euro sources who said he was just one of those guys who holds it inside-- maybe those were the same sources who said to draft Sergei! I know that Pop specifically spoke to Tony about Beno, asking for his perspective.The talent evaluators were spot on. The kid just has no heart, no passion, no will to improve and is dumb as a brick.

Perhaps the Spurs should have given him a Wonderlic test.


:smokin

[zeleni]

Man, do you get angry after reading such garbage.

1.Question are more opinionated then the answers. It's like Beno payed the interview or worst was manipulated into it. The boy cannot be that stupid by himself.

2.The Dallas thing and that thing with Vaugn was the breaking point. That is a fact and is good to be pointed out by the player himself. He told to the whole world he was soft and not the guy the coach was looking for in a 2string PG.

3. Lies and statistics. How bad can it be to lie about stats. As if the stats aren't lies to begin with?

4. He has the right to be bitter and ambitious. Spurs gave rings, but weren't good for his career. We all know that, I hope. I just hope he knows at least, that he has to work for Spurs, and not for the extra training while riding the bench.

5. Man, does that guy know how to party... I really hope he gets serious at least sometimes, otherwise he better head for Euroleague, where he would at least be earning his paycheck.

[Indazone]

Beno Udrih is the Vspan of the Spurs. LOL

They both sat on the end of their respective benches getting splinters in their butts. Now they are both going to go back to Europe and complain about the NBA.

[ancestron]

i like Beno.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

:lmao