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From what I've seen, Williams is currently about an average NBA defender. While he has the tools and youth to get better ... he's far from being a defensive stopper on any level.
Granted I wasn't watching in high-def video and it's only a few summer league games, but he seemed to disrupt his opponent with his length, showed the ability to follow well off screens, and stay in front of them. He had good intensity and court IQ from what I could tell...
But again, it's one of those things where you can't really make too much of his performance (good or bad) because of the sample size.
Based on the Ludden angle, it just seems like an inevitability that Williams will be able to prove himself in Austin with alot of minutes this upcoming season.
From what I've seen, Williams is currently about an average NBA defender. While he has the tools and youth to get better ... he's far from being a defensive stopper on any level.
I'll take slick passing and 360 Sportscenter dunks from Josh McRoberts, thanks! Where do I sign up?
You say a lot of ridiculous stuff, but that one is right at the top.
Your attempt at life is failing.
What better to follow The Trade than losing out on Udoka at $2 mil per?
That would be fail of the most epic kind.
More compe ion.Griz turn their attention to shooting, defense
By Ronald Tillery
July 18, 2007
With their need for frontcourt help mostly addressed by the signing of Darko Milicic, the Grizzlies have turned their attention toward adding perimeter shooting and defense.
Memphis has inquired about free agent swingmen Ime Udoka (Portland) and Matt Barnes (Golden State) as options in those areas. Both players are unrestricted free agents, meaning they can sign with any team without their former team having a right to match the deal.
Spanish guard Juan Carlos Navarro, whose rights belong to the Washington Wizards, is also a player of interest for the Grizzlies.
But striking a deal with Washington and satisfying the $3 million-plus salary Navarro would command is looking like a long shot for the Griz.
"We've made our inquiries but I can't put any definitive odds on whether we can acquire him," Griz general manager Chris Wallace said.
Meanwhile, Navarro told a European publication that "the Memphis thing is complicated. Pau (Gasol) wants me there no matter what, but there are other teams ahead."
It's difficult to discern which team is the leading candidate to land Udoka's services.
Udoka's agent, Erin Cowan, told the Portland Tribune that he is dealing with at least three teams. San Antonio is believed to be interested in Udoka, whose skill set is in the mold of Bruce Bowen.
Udoka averaged 8.4 points and 3.7 rebounds while starting 75 games for Portland. Soon to be 30, Udoka is a tough defender and a reliable 3-point shooter.
Barnes is similar, given he connected on 106 3-pointers last season.
Wallace spoke with Barnes' agent, Dan Fegan, extensively last week during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. Fegan also represents Cleveland free agent Anderson Varejao.
The Griz have 11 players under contract.
Following Tuesday's introduction of Milicic, Wallace said the Griz would add only two additional players. He added that the process had no timetable.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/...634011,00.html
Not good.
Yeah he more than likely goes to Memphis.
Why they need him is beyond me, with Rudy Gay and others there.
He prob either gets bidded up by Memphis and goes there, or he goes somewhere else.
Spurs might as well give up now.
No more rediculous than an owner forcing a trade of two solid bigs to "save money".You say a lot of ridiculous stuff, but that one is right at the top
Memphis has only $2.05M left in capspace.
Memphis can't offer more than $6.6M/3 years to Udoka. They can make their offer more appealing with player options and/or more years but they aren't able to offer a lot of money to Udoka.
I'd be happy when the Spurs manage to land either Udoka, Barnes or Pietrus. I think we will know where those players sign soon.
Claiming that the Spurs wanted to offer him a nice contract surely increased interest in him around the league from teams who wondered what the Spurs saw in him.
I still think it's crazy that the Spurs are pursuing free agents and have reportedly offered salary in the $3M range....effectively being willing to pay $6M for Udoka or Amir Johnson. And I'm pretty sure it would be similar money to get Barnes and more money to get Pietrus.
Are the Spurs looking at actively shopping Barry? Because that would seem to be the only way the get back near the lux tax threshold if they do indeed sign someone for the $3-4M that's being reported.
With Outlaw's signing, Ime Udoka's future with the Blazers could be in jeopardy. The Blazers now have the NBA maximum 15 players under contract, which seems to mean that Pritchard will have to make a trade or someone will have to be cut for Udoka to fit into Portland's plans for next season.
"This kind of raises the question: 'Hey, what about Ime?' " said Erin Cowan, Udoka's agent. "That's the story line. Hey, what about Ime? And to be honest, I don't know. But you know what? It's not our decision. That's (the Blazers') decision. The ball has always been in their court."
Cowan said there are multiple teams that have expressed interest in Udoka, but he would not confirm or deny that one of them is San Antonio, as has been rumored. Cowan said that Udoka's preference always has been to remain in Portland -- where he grew up and attended Jefferson High School and Portland State -- but he was told by the Blazers that Outlaw was the first focus.
"Travis was their top priority and after that Ime was supposed to be addressed," Cowan said. "Now we're just waiting for the dominoes to fall. Are they all in place? I don't know."
http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/or...l=7&thispage=2
Good post...
It seems like the Spurs are getting mentioned an awful lot for this to be simple hearsay. The only other team that has even been mentioned by name is the Grizzlies...and it has been noted that they have little more than $2M after the Darko acquisition.
Teams are slowly taking themselves out of the bidding, which bodes well for the Spurs. Perhaps they can get him cheap enough to where they don't have to move Barry...
Below is a blog from Brian Windhorst of the Akron Beacon Journal. It talks about a potential salary dump of Beno Udrih in order to remain close to the luxury tax threshold....throwing out the trade exception and David Wesley's contract.
Just thought it might be interesting....
http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/cavs/200...-wrap-and-more–The word going around the NBA is that the Spurs are ready to sign defensive wing Ime Udoka, who had a good year in Portland last year. But right now the Spurs are over the luxury-tax threshold and want to get under it to make the deal. The Cavs have David Wesley (cap number $1.8 million, real money owed $250,000) and a $2.2 million trade exception. There may be a deal to be made there, remember the Cavs like third-string point guard Beno Udrih. The Cavs could trade either for Udrih, if the Spurs can part with him for nothing in return, which isn’t certain. Although, they just gave away Scola and Butler for no players in return.
Beno for a trade exception would be great.
I'd do that and pluck a rookie with potential from the SL, work with him this year, and draft his replacement if necessary next year. Cut White as well.
Done and done.
What's the holdup? The Spurs have their full MLE and the LLE. Sign him up.
his agent said something about wednesday
Udoka is the Spurs' best shot to maintain their defensive and offensive rotations going forward. They've already made the worst move in Spurs history. No need to compound it by losing out on Udoka at a low price.
I don't get the "cut White" talk. I mean it certainly sounds as if the FO is posturing, through Ludden and comments by coaches, to do just that....but I'm not sure I understand the reasoning.
White may be inconsistent, but he costs next to nothing, is still eligible for development in Austin, and played very well during his limited stints in SA.
I'd certainly like to see more from him on defense, and if the Spurs bring in Udoka or Barnes for a cheap enough price that they won't have to get rid of Barry then he's the logical one to go.
But I still can't see giving up on a kid with his athleticism and potential when it doesn't seem to be too much of a burden.....then again, I said the same thing about Butler.
Yeah, it would suck to lose White because he may cost $400K instead of $200K or whatever.I don't get the "cut White" talk. I mean it certainly sounds as if the FO is posturing, through Ludden and comments by coaches, to do just that....but I'm not sure I understand the reasoning.
White may be inconsistent, but he costs next to nothing, is still eligible for development in Austin, and played very well during his limited stints in SA.
I'd certainly like to see more from him on defense, and if the Spurs bring in Udoka or Barnes for a cheap enough price that they won't have to get rid of Barry then he's the logical one to go.
But I still can't see giving up on a kid with his athleticism and potential when it doesn't seem to be too much of a burden.....then again, I said the same thing about Butler.
Nice find.
Dumping Beno won't save a lot of money.
If you dump Beno, Spurs likely will have to sign another PG.
Spurs will save $976K if they trade Beno for a trade exception and sign a PG as 3rd string PG for the min. Spurs will save $726k if the trade is done with Wesley.
Barry is the one to dump if Spurs want to stay below the cap and sign a player like Udoka.
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