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I remember noting some good bball articles from SacBee. This is another one.
Good for Beno.
Udrih's career year lost amid the losing
By Ailene Voisin
Published: Friday, Jan. 21, 2011 - 12:16 am | Page 1C
Beno Udrih is getting consistent minutes, contributing career marks in points and shooting percentage, and playing the most inspired, efficient basketball of his seven NBA seasons.
He probably asks himself – and once in a while admittedly he does – why he has turned a career corner while the young, rebuilding Kings are moving in the other direction.
"I would enjoy this so much more if we were winning," the veteran guard said after Thursday's afternoon practice. "We are all a little bit on edge. But what can you do? We're young, and we have a lot to learn. I just look at this as another challenge, and I'm trying to figure out how to help."
Udrih is one of the more thoughtful, analytical players in the league. He absorbs scouting reports with ease. He knows which teammate breaks off a play or blows an assignment and isn't afraid to point the finger. He can be a bit preachy, but he is extremely well-liked within the organization and, given his enigmatic past, immensely respected for rescripting his career.
Beno, see, is all grown up, is the player Gregg Popovich envisioned when he first scouted the skilled, skinny guard from Slovenia more than a decade ago.
"I learned that you better appreciate everything you have because it can be taken away," Udrih said. "I'm very happy now. I'm in love. I'm engaged. I like being in Sacramento."
In the not-too-distant past, he was one of the knuckleheads. He got careless and lost his jewelry. During his first three seasons with the San Antonio Spurs – two of which ended with championship rings – he clashed with the demanding Popovich, eventually earning a trade to the Minnesota Timberwolves. When the T-wolves waived him within hours of the swap, he was signed by the Kings as an emergency replacement for the injured Mike Bibby.
Udrih, 28, responded with an excellent 2007-08 season but, after signing a multiyear contract, arrived the following season in terrible shape and didn't fully recover. He came back last season and found himself on the bench the entire season opener, hardly an au ious beginning under new coach Paul Westphal.
But Beno keeps coming back. He keeps trying, keeps thinking. In an attempt to improve his conditioning, he gave up soda and became a fiend on the treadmill, transforming his soft 6-foot-3 frame into a lean, toned, 205 pounds.
On the court, he experimented with a one-handed floater to confuse defenders who anticipated his reverse layups and slippery drives. He polished his mid-range jumper near the foul line and, though a natural left-hander, tinkered with right-handed attempts.
"It's a good thing Beno shoots that shot," Kings assistant Pete Carril wisecracked, "because there aren't too many players in this league who still have a mid-range game."
In these days of draw-and-kick offenses, with the dunk and the deep ball dominating, the pullup at the line is as precious as a piece of rare art. And while Udrih might squeeze off a dunk once in a great while, his three-point proficiency continues to improve, he converts 84 percent at the free-throw line, and his fourth-quarter decision-making strongly suggests he deserves more late-game opportunities.
Nonetheless, he might be in the wrong place at what otherwise is the right time, paired with a young, emerging talent (Tyreke Evans) whose unorthodox skill set would probably be more compatible with those of a more conventional point guard. Two hybrid guards in the same backcourt don't necessarily add up to an accomplished floor leader, someone to facilitate an offense, find teammates in their preferred spots, make the passes and intuitive plays that determine the outcome of close games.
Udrih grasps the dilemma. He understands the dynamics. He hears the trade speculation. He realizes that most NBA types regard him as a prototypical third guard – a combo player who could contribute off the bench at both positions, and on a contender.
But he doesn't want to be traded, doesn't want to leave. Except for the losing, life is good.
"I have shown people that I can play," he said, "and I got that opportunity here. I feel that I can do even more for the Kings. I tell (assistant) Mario (Elie) to 'stay on my butt.' I want him to tell me when I do something wrong. I want to get better. I want to be coached."
With that, he laughed. It sounded funny, after all these years.
© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.
http://www.sacbee.com/2011/01/21/334...-amid-the.html
I remember noting some good bball articles from SacBee. This is another one.
Good for Beno.
I think Beno's always going to be a guy who can excel on a bad team, but wilt on a good one.
Ain't that the truth! Long twos are the least efficient shots, but if a team can manage to seal off the paint and run players off the 3-point line, they discombobulate the other team's offense.
I still remember those Glenn Robinson/Ray Allen/Sam Cassell Bucks tearing the Spurs up because they were all great mid-range shooters, and Pop's defensive philosophy tends to leave those wide open.
Huh? He's only played for two NBA teams -- the Spurs and the Kings. I would assume he could do well with a coach besides Popovich (or any coach that doesn't put so much mental pressure on players, and any town that doesn't have awesome breakfast burritos). For instance, if he played in NY, he'd probably be just as good as Felton.
Complacency. Immaturity. Glad he's doing better now but for the above reason he didn't work out for the Spurs. Loafing around and coming to camp out of shape.Udrih, 28, responded with an excellent 2007-08 season but, after signing a multiyear contract, arrived the following season in terrible shape and didn't fully recover.
so when did he and ameichi got engaged?
He could be a good player here now if he happened to still be here. He was immature and not ready back when and the Spurs didn't have time for that.
He couldn't handle the horrible evil coach Pop but he's gonna survive the New York media?
hilarious
Udrih played most games for the Spurs, yet I have no recollection of the guy
my most vivid memory of Beno is when the Piston's trapped him and he panicked in the 05 finals. It was all downhill from there.
I am very happy for Beno. He is playing well this year and he has grown up alot. I find it most interesting that he has responded so well to Mario Elie.
She is hotter than the girls I bet you get!
Funny that he is having a career year and yet the Kings said they were looking for a young point guard in trade for Casspi.
What the is a breakfast burrito?
He was the guy on the bench with the Dooney and Bourke purse slung over his shoulder and the inevitable ace bandage somewhere.Udrih played most games for the Spurs, yet I have no recollection of the guy
beno bolting made us wasted 2-3 years in the draft looking for a backup pg imo....
Yeah go beno!!! My le is relevant to this thread. It's been years.
That's white speak for taquitos, senor.
Good for ole Beans but winning isnt really a tradition in Sacramento and there isnt any pressure.
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