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about ing time
http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/or...330.xml&coll=7
JOE FREEMAN
The Oregonian Staff
Ime Udoka, whose rise from the NBA Development League to NBA starter made him a fan favorite with the Trail Blazers, is poised to sign a multiyear contract with the reigning-champion San Antonio Spurs.
Udoka's agent, Erin Cowan, told The Oregonian on Sunday that Udoka has made a commitment to the Spurs and hoped to have a deal finalized by Tuesday.
Cowan would not reveal contract specifics, but sources have indicated that Udoka will sign a two-year deal worth more than $2 million. The second year could be a player option.
"San Antonio was the first team to contact us and we've been in communication with each other ever since," Cowan said. "They were very respectful to us during the process and allowed us to go out and seek more money. But the well dried up. Ime's excited for this opportunity."
Udoka had hoped throughout free agency to re-sign with Portland, Cowan said. But after the Blazers traded for James Jones and signed free agents Travis Outlaw and Steve Blake, the team had committed to the maximum of 15 guaranteed contracts. So he shifted focus.
Boston, Miami, Memphis, Cleveland and Dallas expressed interest, according to Cowan, with the Celtics -- after trading for Kevin Garnett earlier this month -- being the most serious bidders.
But financial terms never could be agreed upon and in the end, San Antonio became the ideal fit.
"This is an opportunity for Ime to play on the grand stage with the defending champions," Cowan said. "Portland will always be in his heart, but this opportunity was too good to pass up. He's going to play around three all-stars and a Hall of Famer, and he gets the opportunity to play for a champion right now."
Udoka, who played at Jefferson High School and Portland State, will provide San Antonio with solid long-range shooting, superior perimeter defense and a tireless work ethic.
The Blazers invited him to their training camp last season as an afterthought, but he blossomed into an opening-day starter. He started 75 games at small forward, averaging 8.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game, and shot 46.1 percent from the field, including 40.6 percent from three-point range.
Before the breakout season, Udoka was a journeyman, making professional stops in Europe, the NBA Development League and the NBA.
"He's excited to start the next phase of his career," Cowan said. "He wants to be a Spur for a long time."
about ing time
Something happened!
Thought I'd quote that part for all the haters who think the Spurs FO has been sitting on their asses all summer."San Antonio was the first team to contact us and we've been in communication with each other ever since," Cowan said. "They were very respectful to us during the process and allowed us to go out and seek more money. But the well dried up. Ime's excited for this opportunity."
Thank god! This helps so much, and made the spurs entire off season!
thank god
so pretty much if he has 1 good year hes out
ing finally
im glad something seems to have happened.
For better or worse...But I am definately leaning toward better. Glad its a hard nosed hustle player like him...Just thankful its someone new honestly...we will see during the season....if nothing else Beno can save us!
Getting him for 2 years for about 2,5 Mio would be a GREAT deal! Cool.
Last edited by Streakyshooter08; 08-13-2007 at 09:38 AM.
Nice pickup, if he comes in with a willingness to learn and work with the best in the business he'll be a solid player and help strengthen the defensive rotation.
Yes!!! the waiting ended... the Spurs did something...
Haha now Boston is pwned. Udoka on Allen, Bruce on Pierce, Tim on KG...
Having Udoka is great because we're more versatile. Udoka on Iverson, Bowen on Anthony, Udoka on Howard, Bowen on Dirk...
Great signing.
More like Bruce on allen, Udoka on Pierce, and Tim on KG
yeah, now lets get rid of barry
very nice signing if true.
sign Mahinmi, sign Sanidize. Call it a summer.
not necessarily, because in 08 the spurs will have more money, and if he has a good year he can opt out and get more money from us
Sounds bloody good to me!
Makes up for the Scola/Butler disappointment.
And if he sticks here we will have the money to pay to keep him next year. He'll give us some time to invest in developing our Euros and finding our young SF.
... ... ... exhale...
Sounds great, but are you suggesting small ball?
Parker, Ginobili, Udoka, Bowen, Duncan? This doesn't work.
So who do you bench in these scenarios, given Iverson, Anthony, Howard, Dirk all play 40 mins?
Great news
Very different from the 3yrs/$9Udoka's agent, Erin Cowan, told The Oregonian on Sunday that Udoka has made a commitment to the Spurs and hoped to have a deal finalized by Tuesday.
Cowan would not reveal contract specifics, but sources have indicated that Udoka will sign a two-year deal worth more than $2 million. The second year could be a player option.
It's about ing time!
This will more than makeup for the failed James White experiement.
Udoka will be a wonderful transitional option at the swing slot. This will buy the Spurs more time while they continue their never-ending search for the so-called "Derrick McKey"-type of player.
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