byrontx
04-08-2008, 03:41 AM
He is rock-solid and tough but, at times, still seems confused out there? What do you think? Here's what they think in Portland:
Leaving Blazers behind, Udoka takes to playoff trail
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
JOE FREEMAN
The Oregonian Staff
You can hear it in Brandon Roy's words. You can feel it in the tone of Nate McMillan's speech. And you can see it in the Trail Blazers' play during every frustrating defeat:
This team sure could use Ime Udoka.
"Me and Coach were just sitting and talking about Ime," Blazers guard Roy said after a loss to San Antonio on Sunday. "We wish we had him this year. We feel like he would have been the difference in four or five games that we lost, just because of his decision-making, the big plays he makes and his defense. Ime did a lot for us."
And now, after an up-and-down season in which he had to earn the trust of a new coach and blend into an established, veteran locker room, Udoka is "doing a lot" for one of the NBA's elite franchises. In a microcosm of his rags-to-riches path to the NBA, Udoka has tirelessly transformed himself from a bit player into a key component of a San Antonio team that appears poised for another deep playoff run.
"We don't really talk about the regular season, everything here is geared toward the playoffs," Udoka said. "Wins and losses don't matter; it's all about getting momentum going into the playoffs. Even though I haven't experienced it before, when I signed with this team, I knew that's what we were going to be doing: chasing for championships every year."
Early on, it appeared Udoka would be doing his chasing from the end of the Spurs bench. When he became a free agent last summer, Udoka had hoped to re-sign with Portland so he could be a part of the franchise's resurgence and remain in the city where he was born and raised.
But when the Blazers traded for James Jones, signed Steve Blake and re-signed Travis Outlaw, Udoka, who started 75 games last season, became the odd man out. A two-year deal with San Antonio materialized and Udoka was being touted as the next Bruce Bowen, a lockdown defender and strong outside shooter who made himself into an NBA starter with the Spurs after paying dues in foreign leagues and the NBA Development League.
The schedule-makers added some spice to Udoka's move to San Antonio, pitting the Spurs against the Blazers during a season-opening matchup on TNT. But Udoka never got off the bench, a common early-season theme as he fought to earn the confidence of Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.
After the first month of the season, Udoka had played more than nine minutes in a game only twice.
"Pop likes to get guys in there slowly," Udoka said. "We've had some injuries, I've had some opportunities and I played well, so . . . I'm in the mix now and I'm happy with what I'm doing and I'm just focused on playing well in the playoffs."
Injuries to Tony Parker and, most notably, Manu Ginobili, created an opportunity for Udoka and -- just as he did last season as a non-roster invitee to the Blazers' training camp -- Udoka took advantage. Displaying his tenacious, in-your-face defense and strong long-range shooting, Udoka has developed into a versatile stopper off the bench.
Udoka, who is averaging 5.6 points and 3.0 rebounds in 17.5 minutes per game this season, is averaging 23.4 minutes and 11.9 points in the past 19 games as San Antonio has streaked toward the top of the Western Conference standings.
"He's real pro," Popovich said. "I call him a utility infielder. He does a little bit of everything. On offense, he moves the ball, he shoots pretty well. On defense, he's a tough kid, he tries to rebound, he's a good team player. He's been really important to us off the bench this year."
And he's been a missing ingredient for the Blazers.
"Our best defender, our best wing defender . . . some toughness," McMillan said, outlining what the Blazers lost when they let Udoka walk. "He brought some toughness to our lineup, some savvy. He's really smart as far as knowing how to play the game and knowing how to play off our guys. Last year . . . he would come up with big offensive boards, or big defensive boards or knock down a shot while having the assignment of having to guard the best (guard or small forward) on the floor."
If McMillan's description sounds a lot like Bowen, one of the NBA's most respected defenders, it should. Comparisons between Bowen and Udoka have been widespread since it became apparent the Spurs were interested in Udoka last summer. One thought is that Udoka could assume Bowen's role and starting small forward position if Bowen, 36, stops playing when his contract expires after next season.
For the first time in his career, the player who overcame doubts by playing overseas and in the NBDL feels settled and at home in San Antonio, and in the NBA. He bought his first house last fall -- in San Antonio -- and plans to split time between there and Portland in the offseason.
"I signed a two-year deal, so I'm here for the next two years unless something happens," Udoka said. "It's a great fit for me, I feel. San Antonio is known for keeping guys in their system. We run a complex offense . . . and it can be hard to get a grasp of it. I'd love to finish my career here."
Notes:
Blazers starting forward Martell Webster underwent tests concerning his irregular heartbeat on Monday and will undergo more testing today, making him unavailable for the Blazers game against the Los Angeles Lakers tonight. . . . Forward Josh McRoberts was recalled from the Idaho Stampede of the NBDL and practiced with the Blazers on Monday. McMillan could insert McRoberts into the Blazers' rotation for the final five games to replace the injured Joel Przybilla. . . . Channing Frye likely will start at center tonight for Przybilla.
Joe Freeman: 503-294-5183; [email protected] To read his Behind the Beat blog, go to http://blog.oregonlive.com/ behindblazersbeat/
http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/sports/1207623350232020.xml&coll=7
Leaving Blazers behind, Udoka takes to playoff trail
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
JOE FREEMAN
The Oregonian Staff
You can hear it in Brandon Roy's words. You can feel it in the tone of Nate McMillan's speech. And you can see it in the Trail Blazers' play during every frustrating defeat:
This team sure could use Ime Udoka.
"Me and Coach were just sitting and talking about Ime," Blazers guard Roy said after a loss to San Antonio on Sunday. "We wish we had him this year. We feel like he would have been the difference in four or five games that we lost, just because of his decision-making, the big plays he makes and his defense. Ime did a lot for us."
And now, after an up-and-down season in which he had to earn the trust of a new coach and blend into an established, veteran locker room, Udoka is "doing a lot" for one of the NBA's elite franchises. In a microcosm of his rags-to-riches path to the NBA, Udoka has tirelessly transformed himself from a bit player into a key component of a San Antonio team that appears poised for another deep playoff run.
"We don't really talk about the regular season, everything here is geared toward the playoffs," Udoka said. "Wins and losses don't matter; it's all about getting momentum going into the playoffs. Even though I haven't experienced it before, when I signed with this team, I knew that's what we were going to be doing: chasing for championships every year."
Early on, it appeared Udoka would be doing his chasing from the end of the Spurs bench. When he became a free agent last summer, Udoka had hoped to re-sign with Portland so he could be a part of the franchise's resurgence and remain in the city where he was born and raised.
But when the Blazers traded for James Jones, signed Steve Blake and re-signed Travis Outlaw, Udoka, who started 75 games last season, became the odd man out. A two-year deal with San Antonio materialized and Udoka was being touted as the next Bruce Bowen, a lockdown defender and strong outside shooter who made himself into an NBA starter with the Spurs after paying dues in foreign leagues and the NBA Development League.
The schedule-makers added some spice to Udoka's move to San Antonio, pitting the Spurs against the Blazers during a season-opening matchup on TNT. But Udoka never got off the bench, a common early-season theme as he fought to earn the confidence of Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.
After the first month of the season, Udoka had played more than nine minutes in a game only twice.
"Pop likes to get guys in there slowly," Udoka said. "We've had some injuries, I've had some opportunities and I played well, so . . . I'm in the mix now and I'm happy with what I'm doing and I'm just focused on playing well in the playoffs."
Injuries to Tony Parker and, most notably, Manu Ginobili, created an opportunity for Udoka and -- just as he did last season as a non-roster invitee to the Blazers' training camp -- Udoka took advantage. Displaying his tenacious, in-your-face defense and strong long-range shooting, Udoka has developed into a versatile stopper off the bench.
Udoka, who is averaging 5.6 points and 3.0 rebounds in 17.5 minutes per game this season, is averaging 23.4 minutes and 11.9 points in the past 19 games as San Antonio has streaked toward the top of the Western Conference standings.
"He's real pro," Popovich said. "I call him a utility infielder. He does a little bit of everything. On offense, he moves the ball, he shoots pretty well. On defense, he's a tough kid, he tries to rebound, he's a good team player. He's been really important to us off the bench this year."
And he's been a missing ingredient for the Blazers.
"Our best defender, our best wing defender . . . some toughness," McMillan said, outlining what the Blazers lost when they let Udoka walk. "He brought some toughness to our lineup, some savvy. He's really smart as far as knowing how to play the game and knowing how to play off our guys. Last year . . . he would come up with big offensive boards, or big defensive boards or knock down a shot while having the assignment of having to guard the best (guard or small forward) on the floor."
If McMillan's description sounds a lot like Bowen, one of the NBA's most respected defenders, it should. Comparisons between Bowen and Udoka have been widespread since it became apparent the Spurs were interested in Udoka last summer. One thought is that Udoka could assume Bowen's role and starting small forward position if Bowen, 36, stops playing when his contract expires after next season.
For the first time in his career, the player who overcame doubts by playing overseas and in the NBDL feels settled and at home in San Antonio, and in the NBA. He bought his first house last fall -- in San Antonio -- and plans to split time between there and Portland in the offseason.
"I signed a two-year deal, so I'm here for the next two years unless something happens," Udoka said. "It's a great fit for me, I feel. San Antonio is known for keeping guys in their system. We run a complex offense . . . and it can be hard to get a grasp of it. I'd love to finish my career here."
Notes:
Blazers starting forward Martell Webster underwent tests concerning his irregular heartbeat on Monday and will undergo more testing today, making him unavailable for the Blazers game against the Los Angeles Lakers tonight. . . . Forward Josh McRoberts was recalled from the Idaho Stampede of the NBDL and practiced with the Blazers on Monday. McMillan could insert McRoberts into the Blazers' rotation for the final five games to replace the injured Joel Przybilla. . . . Channing Frye likely will start at center tonight for Przybilla.
Joe Freeman: 503-294-5183; [email protected] To read his Behind the Beat blog, go to http://blog.oregonlive.com/ behindblazersbeat/
http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/sports/1207623350232020.xml&coll=7