Spurs Officially Sign Ime Udoka

[timvp]

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have signed guard/forward Ime Udoka. Per team policy terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Udoka spent last season with the Portland Trail Blazers where he averaged 8.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists while starting in all 75 games in which he appeared. He led the Blazers – and ranked 19th in the NBA – in three-point shooting during the 2006-07 season, knocking down .406 (89-219) of his attempts. He also scored in double-digits 29 times and grabbed 5 or more rebounds on 21 occasions
In addition to Portland, Udoka has spent time with the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks.

Undrafted out of college Udoka has spent time in NBA Development League, USBL, IBA and internationally in Spain and France. In 2005-06 he was named to the All-NBA D-League First Team and was also the recipient of Jason Collier Sportsmanship Award after averaging 17.1 points and 6.2 rebounds in 45 games for the Fort Worth Flyers. Udoka began his D-League career in 2002-03 with the Charleston Lowgators. He also represented Nigeria at the 2006 FIBA World Championships, where he averaged 14.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists.

The 6-5, 220-pound Udoka closed out his college career at Portland State where he led the Vikings in scoring, rebounding, steals and blocked shots during the 1999-2000 season. He was also named first team All-Big Sky Conference and selected as the league’s Newcomer of the Year. Udoka began his college career at Eastern Utah and spent a year at University of San Francisco before arriving at Portland State.

[Streakyshooter08]

Great! Will there be a press conference?

[timvp]

Nice signing. It'll be interesting to see the contract numbers. Less than Jacque Vaughn money for Udoka would be a ridiculously good signing.

:smokin

[50 cent]

Hell yea.

:tu :tu :tu

[degenerate_gambler]

Nice signing. It'll be interesting to see the contract numbers. Less than Jacque Vaughn money for Udoka would be a ridiculously good signing.

:smokin


insanely good, especially with the 2nd yr not being a player option.

[CubanMustGo]

Udoka's "agent" ... right. More like CIA Pop.

[saporvida]

it's on nba.com/spurs front page.

[duncan228]

I'm glad it's official.
The ups and downs get to me!

[Streakyshooter08]

I am really curious to see what this team can do. If they somehow manage to bring back Spanoulis as some kind of backup PG you really have a great second unit! If Manu continues to come off the bench you have:

Spanoulis (good slasher)
Manu (great slasher and able to hit the 3)
Ime (good 3 point shooter)
Horry (good shooter)
Elson (whatever)

I really like that are able to have one good wing defender on the court all the time. On offense you always have at least one (most of the time) two slashers sourrounded by players who can shoot the outside shot. That with Timmy down low should be great to watch...

[timvp]

If Udoka can knock down shots, there's a possibility he could take over Michael Finley's role as starter. However, I could also see a role in which Udoka is used as a bench defensive specialist who is utilized when necessary.

Either way, Udoka is the type of player that can flourish under Pop.

[Kori Ellis]

Great! Will there be a press conference?

Yes, he'll be at the practice facility for a press conference in a few hours. I'm sure some highlights will be on the news.

[medstudent]

I checked out his knee last night. It was strong like bull.

[BeerIsGood!]

So does this give the offseason a Spurstalk :tu seal of approval, or is there more to be done?

[Kori Ellis]

So does this give the offseason a Spurstalk :tu seal of approval, or is there more to be done?

Too many swingmen.

Barry needs to be moved.

(And it would be nice to upgrade Beno)

[Obstructed_View]

I checked out his knee last night. It was strong like bull.
http://outhouserag.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/bull.jpg

[Streakyshooter08]

Yes, he'll be at the practice facility for a press conference in a few hours. I'm sure some highlights will be on the news.

Thanks!

[Texas_Ranger]

Thats great.

[MoSpur]

I wonder what's next. Barry and Beno trade???

[SenorSpur]

Good signing. I'm really looking forward to seeing the contributions of this young player - well he's young by Spurs standards anyway. :-)

Absolutely the right move for the right amount of money. Hope he stays around for a while and becomes Bruce's true heir apparent. Nice to have another potential lock-down defender on the team.

Before the summer began, I really thought the Spurs would make a run for Pietrus, but I aint mad about this at all.

[timvp]

I like the idea of keeping Barry around now. The Spurs simply don't trade expiring contract for contracts with a number of years left. If that remains true, might as well sit on Barry's contract. Put him in a Steve Kerr role and he's still a positive asset.

[koopa]

i think it was timvp in one of the million ime threads that mentioned that when a new player comes they usually don't shoot as good their first year with the spurs........ i don't think that will happen with ime, mainly because those players such as finley or barry or hedo were bums on defense and had to spend all their energy they used to use to shoot on trying to play pop style defense, and that threw them off......... ime comes in already playing damn good hustle type defense that pop likes, so i don't think it'll take him a year to learn how to play defense and then start knocking down shots, and playing with duncan, manu, and parker he's gonna probably get better looks at the basket then he did playing with blazers

[Obstructed_View]

What's the minimum you can trade a player under contract for? If you theoretically wanted to trade a backup point guard to Cleveland for ten thousand dollars.

[MoSpur]

Barry as a backup point is good. I have always thought that. They need to get rid of Beno though.

[timvp]

So does this give the offseason a Spurstalk :tu seal of approval, or is there more to be done?The Rockets trade was a bad start, not to mention the drafting on Marcus Williams. However, the Spurs could end up having a rather nice offseasn if they can dump Beno and add V-Span. The last spot on the roster should probably go to Mahinmi.

I'd like to see Marcus Williams either sign outright with the Toros (if that's legal) or sign with a European team.

Flip Beno into V-Span, sign Mahinmi and avoid giving Williams a charity roster spot and I'll give this offseason a :tu

[TxJudsonRocketTx]

Great signing, sounds like a really good guy character wise and we're all aware of what he can do on the court. I don't think he'll have trouble adjusting to San Antonio or the Spurs, I'm interested to see how much our D improves when/if we throw Bowen and Udoka out there at the same time

[timvp]

Even though Udoka is only 6-foot-5, I think he'll be right up there when it's time to decide who guards Dirk. Pop put Devin Brown on Dirk (with success, I might add). Pop also put Malik on Dirk. Udoka could fit that mold even better than Bowen because Udoka is a better rebounder.

[Das Texan]

bout fucking time.

[ducks]

I hope they use barry for more of a backup point


I hope after the allstar break if they keep barry
they do not try to play all the swing men
to hard to give decent minutes to everyone

[boutons_]

Udoka is more athletic, better leaper, stronger than Bruce?

And if Tony can turn Spanoulis around!

Sanikidze and Splitter next summer, holy fncking shit, we're rockin and sockin!

[smrattler]

Flip Beno into V-Span, sign Mahinmi and avoid giving Williams a charity roster spot and I'll give this offseason a :tu

Exactly. If they can maneuver all of that in one off-season, that's a big thumbs up for me.

[BeerIsGood!]

The Rockets trade was a bad start, not to mention the drafting on Marcus Williams. However, the Spurs could end up having a rather nice offseasn if they can dump Beno and add V-Span. The last spot on the roster should probably go to Mahinmi.

I'd like to see Marcus Williams either sign outright with the Toros (if that's legal) or sign with a European team.

Flip Beno into V-Span, sign Mahinmi and avoid giving Williams a charity roster spot and I'll give this offseason a :tu

Agreed. But, for arguments sake, let's say that VSpan just simply doesn't want any part of the NBA again. So now we're looking at possibly keeping Beno, or would there be a better option out there for PG? I agree that Mahinmi should get the last spot and Williams in Euro, but the reserve PG slot that currently belongs to Beno is the big issue to me. How long can the Spurs let this guy drag on the coattails without pulling his own weight?

[Spurs Brazil]

Great news

Next thing is get ride of Beno and find a PG

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Even though Udoka is only 6-foot-5, I think he'll be right up there when it's time to decide who guards Dirk. Pop put Devin Brown on Dirk (with success, I might add). Pop also put Malik on Dirk. Udoka could fit that mold even better than Bowen because Udoka is a better rebounder.

The big thing is now instead of picking your poison with Dirk and JHoward and who Bowen takes, you've got Bowen and Udoka to check Dirk and Howard.

Great signing.

[Leetonidas]

Beno and Barry might be on their way out, meaning the Spurs can potentially add V-Span (if convinced), Mahinmi, and Williams.

If it happens, the additions of V-Span, Udoka, Mahinmi, and Williams gives the Spurs one hell of a good offseason, some good youth, and plus we get rid of Beno, which is of course a plus.

[Leetonidas]

And if V-Span does decide to play with the Spurs, it makes the trade with Houston look a whole lot less stupid.

[ducks]

The big thing is now instead of picking your poison with Dirk and JHoward and who Bowen takes, you've got Bowen and Udoka to check Dirk and Howard.

Great signing.


lets see if the mavs can hold their end of the bargain this year and play the spurs

[saporvida]

id like to see barry stick around while beno gets booted... add spanoulis and mahinmi and were set.

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

Bout damn time. I say hold on to Barry. Sure the Spurs are overloaded at the wing, but they are also older than hell at the wing. If they can't get youth then they need depth. Udoka's had some injury problems it seems. Barry, Finley, and Bowen have a combined age of 704. And even with Pop managing his minutes Ginobili will get banged up at some point. Any one of those guys could end up on the DL for a stretch this season, and every one has proved they are capable of stepping up into the starting line up should they need to. That's the kind of depth you want on your bench.

[Kori Ellis]

Pop doesn't like playing Barry at backup point, so I'm not sure if they would keep him around for that.

I think having that many wings is a waste - I'd still try to move Barry, Beno and whoever else to get a real backup point.

[tlongII]

I think I deserve another spur for being way ahead of the curve on this! Good signing by the Spurs. Ime is an excellent player and an even better person!

[ducks]

portland got the bad end of the sitck on these deal

portland fans can not be happy with letting him walk with such a low deal

[Whottt's Dealer]

Pop doesn't like playing Barry at backup point, so I'm not sure if they would keep him around for that.

I think having that many wings is a waste - I'd still try to move Barry, Beno and whoever else to get a real backup point.

Nate Dizzle?

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Woo. Now trade Barry+Beno for Earl Watson. :smokin

[Budkin]

Finally... feels good to see it official.

[Testing]

Pop doesn't like playing Barry at backup point, so I'm not sure if they would keep him around for that.

I think having that many wings is a waste - I'd still try to move Barry, Beno and whoever else to get a real backup point.


They just resigned Vaughn to more money than he deserves....IMO that leads me to believe the Spurs think he will be the "Real" backup PG.

Though I think he just had a lucky run last season where he didn't mess up too much!

[timvp]

They just resigned Vaughn to more money than he deserves....IMO that leads me to believe the Spurs think he will be the "Real" backup PG.

Though I think he just had a lucky run last season where he didn't mess up too much!Um, Vaughn was re-signed to a minimum contract. In other words, the Spurs couldn't pay him less.

[Supergirl]

Kori, I think the reason Pop doesn't like to use Barry as back up PG too much is that he can't guard some of the stronger, bigger, more talented PGs in the league -- Dwayne Wade, Deron Williams, Baron Davis, Stephon Marbury, Jason Kidd, etc. But I seem to remember him spending some time against Nash as back up PG, because Nash is somewhat easier for him to defend, and doesn't play D himself so Barry can get off shots against him.

Barry and Vaughn make a pretty decent back up PG tandem, although if we could upgrade I'd be happy. Not really sure whether we can though -- Brevin Knight and Troy Hudson are the best available out there and they're both kind of head cases and/or already signed.

[Darkwaters]

Barry and Vaughn make a pretty decent back up PG tandem, although if we could upgrade I'd be happy. Not really sure whether we can though -- Brevin Knight and Troy Hudson are the best available out there and they're both kind of head cases and/or already signed.

He already signed with the Clippers anyways.

[Darkwaters]

I've been really curious about Spanoulis since we got him. Despite his horrid showing in Houston last year, I would love to roll the dice on this guy. He can do some amazing things in the right setting and I would love to be the NBA team that tempered that flame. At 6'4 the guy could even play some shooting guard in different situations. I'm just simply jazzed about him potentially playing on our squad.

Parker...convince this guy to stick around! And then convince Pop to trade Beno.

PS: The Udoka signing is pimp too.

[50 cent]

I'm fine with Vaughn as the backup PG, but I just want to see Beno's sorry ass get booted off the team. I don't care who they bring in as the #3 PG.

[Streakyshooter08]

Bruce should also benefit from the signing. Maybe the Spurs now can afford to play Bruce a little less this regular season to keep him fresh for the playoffs.

[angel_luv]

Welcome Ime :)

[ambchang]

Even though Barry is streaky and a wing, he does provide another dimension to the Spurs that the other wings can't. His decision making is still tops on the team, he has deeper range than any one, and he can run the point against running teams.
As for Udoka, awesome signing, but given the complexity of the Spurs defense, I don't expect him to be that great until at least after the break.

[urunobili]

The Rockets trade was a bad start, not to mention the drafting on Marcus Williams. However, the Spurs could end up having a rather nice offseasn if they can dump Beno and add V-Span. The last spot on the roster should probably go to Mahinmi.

I'd like to see Marcus Williams either sign outright with the Toros (if that's legal) or sign with a European team.

Flip Beno into V-Span, sign Mahinmi and avoid giving Williams a charity roster spot and I'll give this offseason a :tu

Mahimni will NEVER play on this team... start digesting that... :hungry:

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Why not?

[Solid D]

Mahimni will NEVER play on this team... start digesting that... :hungry:

I bet he at least goes to training camp.

[Big P]

Woo. Now trade Barry+Beno for Earl Watson. :smokin


Barry & Beno for $19 mil & 3 more years Watson? That would be a horrible move. There is absolutely no reason to pay a backup PG $6 mil per & eat all of whatever caproom we might have in the next couple of years.

By the way..excellent signing.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

Good to see a signing.

Why are some in here assuming Barry will be less of an asset on 07-08 Spurs than Finley? I think the smart thing to do is keep what we got and see who becomes available as the season rolls on, trade who is obviously sucking ass. That is more of a Spurs move anyways is it? Who else is left for us to dump beno and barry for? That spanololis guy is like a 10% chance.

Barry has the ability to get hot for a good stretch, if he stays healthy he may be more valuable with his marksmanship than Finley, who i feel is a worse spot up 3 shooter, which is what we need to be loaded at IMO. The success in 06 and 07 was predicated on being STOCKED with good spotup 3 shooters and Bonner has not proven himself to me in this category, while Barry can age and age and still probably knock down that three.

[urunobili]

Why not?

he DEFINITiVELY doesn't have what it takes to make it on an NBA roster...

check his minutes on a mid -level French league team man! i believe his selection was more to have another French for Tony not to feel jealous as they would have 2 Argentineans...

:music

[barbacoataco]

If the Spurs keep Barry, how will Udoka fit into the 12 man rotation? All 12 active roster players are returning, although we'd all like to see Udrih traded for a bag of peanuts. Even if they get rid of Beno I don't see how that opens up a spot for Udoka. Most teams dress 3 point guards, and the Spurs haven't liked using Barry as a PG.
I had the idea that Horry, Barry, Udrih, and Udoka would split time on the IR. Horry never plays on back-to-backs, so he is already going to be there some. Perhaps the Spurs plan on breaking in Udoka over the 1st half, and then shopping Barry before the trade deadline, when he migh have the most value. Then Udoka would play more as the season ends.

[Bruno]

With that cheap contract, Udoka is a very good signing.
I'm really curious to see if he will be able to play some small ball PF.

[objective]

was Udoka mentioned in any of the espn insider chats from yesterday or today?

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Eeeeeeeeexcellent!

:D

[Brutalis]

http://outhouserag.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/bull.jpg
What in fucking hell is that about

[boutons_]

is this another pit bull thread?

[jmard5]

The 6-5, 220-pound Udoka closed out his college career at Portland State where he led the Vikings in scoring, rebounding, steals and blocked shots during the 1999-2000 season.

Damn. What a work horse.

Another player with a college degree. That's good.

[wildbill2u]

With youngsters Splitter, Mahini and Sanikidze waiting in the wings to join a championship club that's already very deep and with Udoka's signing, what do all the doomsayers and FO critics say now?

I feel very good about the Spurs for the next few years of TD's career.

[Darkwaters]

With youngsters Splitter, Mahini and Sanikidze waiting in the wings to join a championship club that's already very deep and with Udoka's signing, what do all the doomsayers and FO critics say now?

I feel very good about the Spurs for the next few years of TD's career.

Mahinmi and Splitter are still prospects and whether or not they'll ever contribute is still up for debate. That being said, both of those players have obviously been improving and are intriguing as hell and possess physical qualities that the Spurs are seeking. Sanikidze particularly is a unique player that has a damn good chance to make at least a tiny splash in the next few years. But still, they could both be busts.

Tiago Splitter is clearly a different story. As one of the best defensive bigs in Europe, Splitter is poised to compete for the starting 5 spot in the next year or so. And, despite what others have said, I think the absense of Scola (as well as the eventual change of scenery to SA) could really kick-start his development so that he can start actually getting better again. While Splitter wasn't the real "sleeper" or "sexy" draft pick that we all wanted and expected, he is exactly what this team needs and has a low chance of being a bust.

Ime Udoka is our best signing in the last year or so. He has all the intangibles that the Spurs love as well as the skill-sets. He comes at a position of huge need, is relatively young (especially when considering his "low mileage") and was dirt stinking cheap. While he only has one NBA season under his belt, it was a very solid season for sure.

Vassilis Spanoulis is biggest enigma at this point throughout the Spurs extended network. If he can be convinced to stay with the team he could be a serious impact player very quickly (regardless of his ineffectiveness last season with Houston). When you look at V Span's international resume it becomes clear that he isn't somebody you want to simply cast aside. Spanoulis could join the Spurs and simply replicate his dismal performance of last season, or he could be the real deal. My money is on the latter. But its still just a guess.

All and all, there are several players on this roster (or in the network) that are not sure things. When you consider the 5 "young" players that the Spurs seem to be grooming for Duncan's last leg there are going to be some casualties, busts and disappointments. But there will probably be 1-2 players that exceed expectations significantly (or more likely, simply live up to the lofty goals that this forum places for them).

My money is that Splitter and Udoka are solid roleplayers that might work their way into the starting rotation within their first year on the job. If Spanoulis stays, he blows everyone in Houston away with his performance and becomes a critical piece of our second unit. Sanikidze progresses slowly, and either busts or becomes one of the more unique and versatile roleplayers in the league...but is never anything more than simply a solid roleplayer. And as for Mahinmi, while he possesses all the tools and clearly the desire, he is probably the most likely to be our abject bust of the group. That being said though, I have no desire to quit on him and actually think he should be given a roster spot soon.

Tiago Splitter
Ime Udoka
Vassilis Spanoulis
Viktor Sanikidze
Ian Mahinmi

Who do you like?

[timvp]

Random thoughts about Udoka:

-He was the point guard for his Nigerian national team, which might come in handy in a pinch. Not saying he can play point guard on the NBA level but if he can be an extra ballhandler, that'd be nice.

-Udoka was amazingly consistent last season. He averaged between 8.4 points and 8.9 points in each month last season. He never shot lower than 45.6% from the field in any month.

-He played better in games that the Blazers won (9.5 points, 4.0 rebounds on 54.1% shooting from the field and 46.6% shooting from beyond the arc). That shows that he wasn't putting up his numbers in garbage minutes.

-He played better against the Western Conference than he did against the Eastern Conference. That's a good sign because it shows that he wasn't merely playing well against bad teams.

-Udoka had the best +/- per minute on the road for the Blazers last year. The Spurs can always use players who play well on the road.

-The Blazers scored better, defended better and got more rebounds per minute when Udoka was on the court compared to when he was off the court.

-Udoka shot 53% when the shot clock had 3 or less seconds left. In the '07 playoffs, Robert Horry led the Spurs in this stat at 52.9%.

-In the last five minutes of the game with neither team had by more than 5 points, Udoka had an adjusted field goal percentage of 71.1%. Parker led the Spurs in the playoffs in this stat at 62.5%.

[spurster]

Why aren't the Blazers offering him twice as much? That's what I don't get.

[timvp]

Why aren't the Blazers offering him twice as much? That's what I don't get.Because his lying agent said Udoka had a $12M deal on the table. The Blazers opted for Travis Outlaw (for $11M). Signed Steve Blake as the 15th player under contract.

That and the fact that they are probably three or four years away from competing and by that time Udoka will be winding down his career.

[Avitus1]

Great! Now I want to know whats next?

[T Park]

I think you make Udoka the starter.

This helps out guys likeBarry and Finley down the line later in the year.

My only question with doing that IS. Is his offense decent enough to where it isn't just two spot up guys on the perimiter, Parker Duncan and Oberto going to the hole.


Just one slasher in Parker starting the game might not be good, BUT, i like the idea that you have the potential of having a good defensive wing in the game, 48 mins.

Ginobili in for bowen, you shift Udoka over to whoever.

Seeing as hes also bigger than Bowen, it could help against guys like Mcgrady, and dare I say, Nowitzki.

[yavozerb]

You make no changes to the starters: TP, Finley, Bowen, TD, Oberto will start with second team being JV,Manu,Ime,Horry/Bonner, Elson..This was by far the best sets for the spurs in second half of season and playoffs

[Kori Ellis]

Seeing as hes also bigger than Bowen, it could help against guys like Mcgrady, and dare I say, Nowitzki.

He's a little heavier but he's 6'5. He will probably be better at guarding the 2's in the league than the big SF's.

[Kori Ellis]

You make no changes to the starters: TP, Finley, Bowen, TD, Oberto will start with second team being JV,Manu,Ime,Horry/Bonner, Elson..This was by far the best sets for the spurs in second half of season and playoffs

I agree. I wouldn't start Ime. Not enough offense in the starting lineup.

[T Park]

He's a little heavier but he's 6'5[QUOTE]


eh, Stephen Jackson could hang and he was 6'7?

Udoka is a better defender and just as thick almost.


I like putting Udoka on the floor with Ginobili Parker Duncan and Bowen.

[yavozerb]

He's a little heavier but he's 6'5[QUOTE]


eh, Stephen Jackson could hang and he was 6'7?

Udoka is a better defender and just as thick almost.


I like putting Udoka on the floor with Ginobili Parker Duncan and Bowen.

I agree!! That will be fun to watch those 5 on the floor together

[Kori Ellis]

eh, Stephen Jackson could hang and he was 6'7?

Udoka is a better defender and just as thick almost.


I like putting Udoka on the floor with Ginobili Parker Duncan and Bowen.

Stephen Jackson is 6'8 without shoes.

Ime Udoka is a tad under 6'5.