Yahoo: Udoka Update

[Streakyshooter08]

Sign both and dump Barry.

[Lebowski Brickowski]

no. Matt barnes 15 minutes of fame are over. just watch.

I would have loved to get pietrus though, now that's a balla

I don't know much about Pietrus, other than the fact that everyone here likes him a lot.

As far as Matt Barnes -- his energetic, hard-nosed style is what I like, plus his shot and ability to play down low for a 3.
His 15 minutes is up but his attributes mean he will be a steady, hard-nosed worker for a long time to come.

[Marcus Bryant]

I don't know much about Pietrus, other than the fact that everyone here likes him a lot.

As far as Matt Barnes -- his energetic, hard-nosed style is what I like, plus his shot and ability to play down low for a 3.
His 15 minutes is up but his attributes mean he will be a steady, hard-nosed worker for a long time to come.

Udoka to play the 2, Barnes to play the 3. Both to study under the Master.

[pad300]

Yea, thats why they were talking about the Cavs taking Beno and sending the Blazers their trade exception.

By the way, the Blazers are actually ever more loaded at PG than you think. They also have the rights to Petteri Koponen now. So...Jack, Rodriguez, Blake, Green and the rights to Koponen. Yikes. I wouldn't mind picking up Jarrett Jack along the way...

According to a Mod at realgm, Koponen has already signed a rookie contract with Portland
http://www.realgm.com/boards/viewtop...90748&start=53

Personally, I would have kept him overseas for another year, but hes already signed a rookie contract with Portland. I don't know why they would have signed him if they weren't planning on keeping him in the NBA. That situation just kinda confuses me to be honest.

I haven't seen a news article confirming this. However, I can find one saying that they gave green a guaranteed contract, http://www.portlandtribune.com/sport...37065551791000
Which does indeed make 4 pg's on the roster, and maybe 5 if this Spykes guy is right. Maybe they would be interested in doing an S&T

Udoka (resigned starting at 3,138,096, which would be the min we could offer for this S&T to work. Maybe structure the contract like Hinrichs, with reducing salary...)
Jack $1,217,400 this year

for

Barry $5,544,370 this year

We would then be in a position to dump Beno somewhere (by the side of the road in Greece somewhere when we go play in Panathaikos for our exhibition at the start of next season...).

Bigs: Duncan, Horry, Oberto, Bonner, Elson, ?Mahinmi?
Wings: Manu, Bowen, Finley, Udoka, ?White?, ?Williams?
PG's: Parker, Vaughn, Jack

[Marcus Bryant]

Yea, thats why they were talking about the Cavs taking Beno and sending the Blazers their trade exception.

By the way, the Blazers are actually ever more loaded at PG than you think. They also have the rights to Petteri Koponen now. So...Jack, Rodriguez, Blake, Green and the rights to Koponen. Yikes. I wouldn't mind picking up Jarrett Jack along the way...

Portland doesn't have Bird Rights with Udoka (early or full). There's not a reason to include them.

[wildbill2u]

Last I heard Udoka was 6'5" Has he grown? Can he play SG or will he simply fill in at SF when we go small--real small?

And don't give me that 'wingspan' . We're not talking about saving the California condors but a BB player that can be taken down low in the post by a taller offensive player.

Or is this some kind of alphabet joke by the League office where we have to keep at least one of the two players in the NBA whose names start with "U" (Udrich & Udoka) on the Spurs roster?

[Marcus Bryant]

Has it hurt Bowen that much? Maybe Bruce is 6'6".

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Udoka to play the 2, Barnes to play the 3. Both to study under the Master.

We wish.

[MoSpur]

I think Barry would fit really good w/Golden State. I doubt it would happend or could work, but I want Pietrus in a Spurs uniform.

[Kori Ellis]

No new report or information. This yahoo article just links to the Beacon blog that was out days ago.

[MoSpur]

I read somewhere that Piestrus has interest in playing for Dallas.

[djohn14]

I read somewhere that Piestrus has interest in playing for Dallas.

Yeah, he said the Mavs, Cavs, and Heat have talked to him, but all would have to make a S&T.

[smrattler]

Udoka is ready to go now. PLayed very well last year, he's in his prime. He'll split minutes with Bruce, who came into his prime at 30, too. Udoka being able to take over will give us 4-5 more years of having a premier outside defender.

Low mileage 30yr old like Bowen too. Bounced around like him. Would show appreication I think for a nice contract. And If he's as dedicated as Bowen with his conditioning, he should have plenty left. If he's not, he will be when Bowen talks to him.

[Darkwaters]

Last I heard Udoka was 6'5" Has he grown? Can he play SG or will he simply fill in at SF when we go small--real small?

And don't give me that 'wingspan' . We're not talking about saving the California condors but a BB player that can be taken down low in the post by a taller offensive player.

Or is this some kind of alphabet joke by the League office where we have to keep at least one of the two players in the NBA whose names start with "U" (Udrich & Udoka) on the Spurs roster?

Desmond Mason is 6'5 and he has been starting at SF for a long time. Heck, Charles Barkley was 6'5 and he started at PF. So I don't really see an issue. But frankly, I wouldn't mind seeing Udoka play more of a SG rolel with another player brought in to be our future SF.

[Mr. Body]

There was nothing official about that article at all.

Jump the Gun/False Alarm Forum.

[genghisrex]

Last I heard Udoka was 6'5" Has he grown? Can he play SG or will he simply fill in at SF when we go small--real small?

And don't give me that 'wingspan' . We're not talking about saving the California condors but a BB player that can be taken down low in the post by a taller offensive player.

Udoka weighs 20 lbs more than Bruce so I don't see why he'd be a post-up liability against most SGs and SFs. And believe it or not a long wingspan can help against taller players.

[mountainballer]

Desmond Mason is 6'5 and he has been starting at SF for a long time. Heck, Charles Barkley was 6'5 and he started at PF. So I don't really see an issue. But frankly, I wouldn't mind seeing Udoka play more of a SG rolel with another player brought in to be our future SF.

Mason is a good example for mixed up measurements: his official measurements before the draft 2000 were:
6' 6" (without shoes)
6' 7.25" (with shoes)
224 lbs
7' 0" (wingspan)
8' 10" (standing reach)

I don't know why he is always listed at 6-5 or 6-6 at best. anyhow, thats why he is so often labeled undersized.

just for the comparison:

Carmelo Anthony
6' 6.25"
6' 7.5"
233 lbs
7' 0"
8' 9.5"

Melo has almost exactly the same measurements. but he is constantly listed at 6-8. usually he is described as "great size for a SF" (and his in fact good wingspan is mentioned)

I couldn't find official numbers for Udoka, but I post this as an example for the often very inaccurate numbers about a players size.
so, maybe Udoka is less "undersized" than some think. (he is also listed at 6-6 on some sites). the better way is to just watch some of his game videos and look how he did on defense against players of the same size or taller players.
I'm sure the FO did do this a bit, before they inquired about him.

http://www.draftexpress.com/measurem...&draft=0&sort=

[ploto]

It has already been explained by Bruno that Portland can not sign and trade Udoka for anything more than about $1M.

[barbacoataco]

I live in Portland now, and I saw Udoka play in person about 12 times last year, and a bunch on TV. He is like Bowen in that he can guard a quick perimeter player, and also bigger post-up players. He is strong, and able to keep post-up scorers from getting good position. He also likes the corner 3-pt. shot just like Bowen, and shoots a good %. In many games it was Udoka and Roy who played the best on the team. The only reason the Blazers are letting him go (?) is that they are loaded with younger players. I really hope the Spurs can sign Udoka. But it won't be the end of the world if they don't.

[El_Mago]

I think Udoka is headed to Memphis.

[Solid D]

I love this quote from Ime Udoka

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Janny Hu
San Francisco Chronicle
Sunday, January 21, 2007

FAST BREAKS


QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"I want to become like Bruce Bowen. If I can get that reputation, it will help, because they let Bruce do whatever he wants."

Blazers forward Ime Udoka, after holding LeBron James to 23 points on 8-of-21 shooting in Wednesday's blowout over the Cavs.

[barbacoataco]

Another thing about Udoka- he can drive to the basket and score when given an opening. He's not a great slasher, but he's much better than Bowen. In the Spurs offense, this comes in handy.

[newbiefan]

Thought At The Beginning Of The Trade That Cleveland Wanted Beno To Start W// .. Remember Reading Somewhere In Hoopshype, Hoopsworld.. One Of Those

[El_Mago]

I know the Spurs have offered Udoka a deal.

It's now just up to Udoka to decide.

If he really wants to become Bruce Bowen he should come and learn from the best.

His game would improve so much here.

However, I still think he's headed to Memphis.

[MajorMike]

I would love to have Mason.