Free Agent: Beno Udrih

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

I have two issues with this whole Beno thing.

First, the Spurs didn't get enough in return for him. Even though every GM in the league knew Pop was down on Beno, the Spurs organization was still living off its well-deserved reputation for finding "Euro diamonds in the rough". Therefore, I find it hard to believe they couldn't have pried a first round pick out of Minnesota, or some other team for that matter, in return for Beno. They were so damned concerned with trimming salary that they literally gave Beno away for practically nothing.
Second, they've not resolved the backup PG situation since Beno left. Beno sucked and he didn't fit here for whatever reason. Yet the Spurs had NO suitable contingency plan in place. It's clear to everyone that Vaughn's days as a primary backup in this league ended about 2 seasons ago. Then Pop adds insult to injury by courting and acquiring Damon Stoudamire. All this is proof yet again that Pop tends to overvalue the talent and skill level of declining veterans, then "sells his soul" to them. This was nothing more than a continuation of the same pitiful strategy that brought the great NVE aboard in 2006.

Yeah, I didn't understand the Stoudamire forced hand at all. Also giving up on the young Darius Washington. No matter how "crappy" he was, he would have done no worse than Stoudamire.

Overall there were a lot of goofs that season. Hopefully they make up for it with a more proactive approach this offseason.

[E20]

No.