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Speaking of Slovenians is this article on Beno's stats true?
Futures watch
Start scouting for next season at the Rookie Challenge
Posted: Friday February 11, 2005 12:55AM; Updated: Friday February 11, 2005 1:12AM
Andre Iguodala is averaging 5.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game but hopes to show some scoring flash at the Rookie game.
Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images
Next weekend the NBA and entertainment world will meld into one big glitterati-fest at All Star Weekend in Denver. Outside of the parties, seminars and skills compe ions, there is one very interesting game to be seen. No, I'm not referring to the All-Star Game that Sunday. Instead I write of the Rookie Challenge that will be contested on All-Star Friday night.
How could an All-Star event mean anything to your fantasy squad? It's simple really. The sop res, led by LeBron James and Dwyane Wade (both of whom will also participate in the adult game on Sunday), should smoke the rookies pretty good. But probably for the first time all season, you'll get a true sense of what the rookies really can do on the floor. Instead of playing within a system in which they're the young, uptight, mistake-prone kids who are trying to grasp the system of their coaches and veteran teammates, they'll be able to play a more free-flowing, talent-driven game with their peers.
Last year's rookie team was special, with the aforementioned James and Wade, along with Carmelo Anthony. But last season less-heralded players like Kirk Hinrich (six assists), Josh Howard (13 points) and Udonis Haslem (nine points, three steals) also gave onlookers a glimpse into the future. That future is now.
So while everyone else is looking forward to oohing and ahhing at dunks and three pointers on All-Star Saturday, you should be scouting next year's talent at the Rookie Challenge.
Here are a few players to watch who you probably don't get to see much of, but will want to have on your squad next year:
Tony Allen, G, Celtics: Allen has been something of a steals machine for Boston as of late. In the Rookie Challengehe'll have a chance to show a little more of the offense that he displayed while averaging 15.3 points and 2.9 assists per game over two years at Oklahoma State.
Andre Iguodala, swingman, Sixers: Another hustle and steals guy, the ninth pick overall shows flashes of a young Richard Jefferson, a fellow Arizona Wildcat. Much like Jefferson, Iguodala needs to work on his outside shot, but it's much easier to improve your shooting than it is to improve your athleticism.
Beno Udrih, PG, Spurs: In very limited playing time in a crowded Spurs backcourt, Udrih is averaging 19 points, 6.6 assists and 2.01 steals per 48 minutes. While Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili are locked in for San Antonio, Udrih should become a major contributor next season. The way he's played, he deserves it.....
