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I apologize to Udoka in advance but .......
Udoka waits for news on future with Spurs
Mike Monroe
Spurs fans are eager to know what their team may, or may not, do between now and Thursday's NBA draft.
So, too, are the players who were on the roster when the team made its early exit from the playoffs, and if you are a player less than two weeks from free agency, anxiety is a daily companion.
Ime Udoka's path to the Spurs included stops in Spain, France, the NBA D-League, and minor-league teams in Fargo, N.D., and Glens Falls, N.Y. It is a career history that mitigates abject fear of the unknown, but Udoka will be watching the telecast of Thursday's draft to the bitter end, attuned to any news with a potential to affect his future in silver and black, with a touch of nervousness about what he may hear.
Udoka will be an unrestricted free agent on July 1, but his exit interview with Gregg Popovich in April offered little assurance that a new contract offer would be forthcoming.
“At my end-of-season meeting with Pop, he told me it depends on what they do in the offseason,” Udoka said from Charlottesville, Va., where he was one of a dozen NBA players involved in the National Basketball Players Association's annual Top 100 camp for some of the nation's best high school stars. “I'll listen to all my options and opportunities and make a decision in the next couple of weeks about what I'm going to do.”
Udoka lacks the athleticism and skill level of most NBA players but landed in the NBA through dedication to defense. He has a reputation as a tireless worker with a team-first approach, traits certain to secure a job on another NBA team if the Spurs don't want to keep him.
His first choice is to remain in San Antonio, the first NBA team that ever guaranteed him a paycheck for more than one season. He knows the team values his work ethic and toughness. But he also believes roster change is in the offing, and his history tells him to be prepared for anything.
“Getting knocked out in the first round is something nobody here is accustomed to, so I'm sure they might shake some things up,” he said. “I'm just anxious to see where I fall in that process.”
A team that already has three All-Stars doesn't need to blow up its core, but the additions the Spurs have made the past two summers, including the addition of Udoka, haven't kept pace with improvements made by some of their Western Conference rivals.
If the Spurs were to make a major deal in the days, or hours, before the draft, it would not be a shock. Udoka's expiring contract might even become a bargaining chip in such a deal.
Still, Udoka hopes he remains with a Spurs team that has a healthy Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. He was encouraged to hear that Ginobili had promised he would be 100 percent healthy for the start of training camp. He would love to be part of a playoff run with a completely healthy “Big Three.”
“Any time you've got that kind of nucleus,” he said, “you just need to do minor tinkering around it.”
Now 32, Udoka is preparing for a coaching career when his playing days end, which explains his presence at the NBPA Top 100 camp, which brings together most of the top 100 high school players to interact with NBA players participating in the union's coaching development program.
“Obviously, I want to play for quite a few more years,” Udoka said, “but all the coaches I've played for have mentioned to me that I might want to think about coaching someday. That includes Pop, and that got my attention.”
The NBA players work with the high schoolers on individual skills and coach them in compe ive games. They also mentor them about what it is like being in the NBA.
Udoka told them about the value of persistence and patience.
Now, he hopes for a summer that won't require too much of either trait.
By late Thursday night, he should have a much better feel for his free-agent summer.
I apologize to Udoka in advance but .......
Even the spurs players think that something's gonna go down..
he must be the fall back guy if other spurs options do not pan out
spurs are being upfront with him he is not their main guy they want to see back
The Spurs are trying to make changes so I don't expect Udoka to be back.“At my end-of-season meeting with Pop, he told me it depends on what they do in the offseason,” Udoka said
Udoka gave good effort but his athleticism fell off the cliff this past season. His knee injuries caught up to him and he was a defensive specialist who wasn't that good at defense. On offense, Udoka never did figure out which shots he should take and which shots he shouldn't take.
If he returns next season, that will be a wasted roster spot.
Udoka is a good guy and he had his moments. He's shown some indications that he can be a solid player. If the Spurs were better stocked at the position, his coming back wouldn't be such a hazard. Unfortunately, he just doesn't have the requisite skills or athleticism the Spurs need from a SF, who plays the amount of minutes that he plays.
All in all, both Udoka and Finley were wasted roster spots last year. If either return, it will be another year of at least 2 wasted roster spots.
Just say NO.
Monroe doesn't know what he is talking about. Udoka is an unrestricted free agent and thus he cannot be included in any trade prior to the draft/July 1. He can be signed and traded (which would never happen) after July 7 but that is not what Monroe mentioned.
I expect Mason to be shipped out with either Bowen/Oberto's expiring contracts along with Splitter's rights for something...maybe for Nocioni and some change.
Sorry Udoka, you're a nice guy but we dont need you anymore. Finley, Bonner, Vaughn, and Udoka are the guys that have to leave the most.
I was excited when he first signed w/the spurs, but...
don't let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya
I think Ime would make a good asst. coach...but like Timvp said....he's done...thanks, but lets all move on.
Some of his best defense as a spur came in that game 5 this last postseason. He gave everything he had. And I respect that. I will call the Udoka Experiment a solid fail overall, but don't ever take away those games he did come up big for us, and that NO series in 2008. Regardless of the outcome he never EVER backed down in the face of adversity, and I wish him the best. But hopefully his time on the Spurs roster is over.
hairston should and i hope will get his spot
Love ya' Ime but uh. Well, Timmy and Manu aint getting younger.
Sorry, Udoka, your time with the Spurs is about over.
Spurs lose against the Hornets without him.
There is no reason for Udoka to be back. Especially if Finley picks his option up.
There's no reason to bring back Udoka, regardless of other moves in the offseason.
But he will be 32 at the start of the season . . . so there is the serious risk he'll get a Bonner-ish contract from the Spurs.
Ime, like Jacque Vaughn, has a great mentality for the game, brings toughness, and works very hard..but just like JV, he doesn't have any talent at the NBA level..
Ime is fine as the 10th man that's it.
not really. i would use that roster spot to give hariston a chance to grow.
His movements are too slow and awkward, like watching a robot. I want to see a younger Bruce Bowen kicking players while their down. Go get em baby
youth movement NAO!
How does this guy keep his job? Really.If the Spurs were to make a major deal in the days, or hours, before the draft, it would not be a shock. Udoka's expiring contract might even become a bargaining chip in such a deal.
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