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Any way to get a translation?
In the other thread 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
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
Last edited by Slomo; 08-11-2007 at 05:57 PM. Reason: Fixed the links
Any way to get a translation?
Last edited by duncan228; 08-11-2007 at 06:04 PM.
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.....
Last edited by Slomo; 08-11-2007 at 06:06 PM.
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 les 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 led “Beno reaches his second champions le 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 le like that…
Last edited by Slomo; 08-11-2007 at 07:54 PM. Reason: typos
beno is really clueless...wow.
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.
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.
The le of the interview sure is right on, it sounds like he has hit bottom.
8pts 3 asts????? Is Beno crazy???? Playing great???? That must be a jokeHow 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.
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.
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
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
A little part of me died reading that.
But seriously. How y is he, really?
Oh, man. I see what you mean, Slomo.
Wow, he feels the need to be honored in Slovenia because he rode the bench to a couple of rings?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 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.
WTF?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.If he could average 8 and 3 in 15 minutes, he would be starting over Parker.
Pathetically lame.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 understand the point he was making here.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.
What would have been impressive is if he had asked him about the nightlife and breakfast burritos.
he is a bloated frog
if any of his teammates reads this..... omg
That's What I Was Thinkin'
yep, I knew you would.
I instantly felt sorry for him while reading it. I hope that one days I get the opportunity to "honor" him personally.
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.
That would have meant he actually did some research before the interview - can't have that.
man, I really hope he gets traded, or bought out.
Waive his ass and bring in Hudson.
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 y. 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.
Hudson? I'd rather bring in some young gun with potential. Not an injury laden vet.
slide barry over to 3rd string point and dump this guy.
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
Get this guy out of here.
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!
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.
Wow.
does beno play for the spurs or suns?
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