Looks like the Spurs are getting Udoka

[MoSpur]

I wouldn't mind the Spurs sending Beno and Barry to the Cavs for that Pavlovic guy.

[Marcus Bryant]

I wouldn't mind the Spurs sending Beno and Barry to the Cavs for that Pavlovic guy.

Hmmm...what makes sense now is for the Spurs to dump Barry and pick up a traditional 3 for the minimum, like Jumaine Jones:

Starters
2 Finley
3 Bowen

Bench
2 Ginobili
2/3 Udoka
3 Jones

IR
2 Williams

Fairly traditional rotation there.

[Solid D]

and if he can actually hit three's then we've improved cause brent can't hit three's or guard any of those players

Easy there, koopa...Brent ranked 4th in the NBA in 3-Pt FG% (.446)

[Dingle Barry]

Does anyone know whether this guy has any slashing ability or is he just a spot up shooter?

[smrattler]

I know Barry is redundant now, but he also was last year. But hanging on to him was a luxary we paid and the result was being the best 3 point shooting team in the league. And that is one underated aspect of our team last year when it comes to reasons why we wont the le.

Removing Barry is a hit to that since you could play him with Bowen, Manu and even Fin if needed, or at least another guy that you could test to see if he was hot. Doka likely will only backup Bowen and if he's on the court at the same time with him, doesn't seem to shoot the 3 as versatile(y) as Barry who can (and always does) shoot it from anywhere.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Woo! I, along with timvp and very few others, wanted the Spurs to sign Udoka from the beginning of offseason ideas. I will be very pleased with this signing.

[Darkwaters]

Blazers have signed Blake. So they now don't have enough money to re-sign Udoka.

We should start talking to the Blazers about picking up one of their spare PGs. They don't need Blake, Rodriguez, Jack, Green and the rights to Koponen. Chances are that we could send them Houston's 2nd rounder for the rights to Taurean Green and be done with it.

[SenorSpur]

I know Barry is redundant now, but he also was last year. But hanging on to him was a luxary we paid and the result was being the best 3 point shooting team in the league. And that is one underated aspect of our team last year when it comes to reasons why we wont the le.

Removing Barry is a hit to that since you could play him with Bowen, Manu and even Fin if needed, or at least another guy that you could test to see if he was hot. Doka likely will only backup Bowen and if he's on the court at the same time with him, doesn't seem to shoot the 3 as versatile(y) as Barry who can (and always does) shoot it from anywhere.

If Udoka is a proficient 3-pt shooter, then hopefully it will be a wash.

[djohn14]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ime_Udoka#References
His wikipedia page has the Spurs mentioned on it.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

This signing must mean that we are finally getting rid of Barry.

[Spurs Brazil]

I think he's a very good option

Bruce usually plays big minutes because Finley and Brent don't play D

With Udoka, Bruce can rest more and extend his carrer

[Mr. Body]

We should start talking to the Blazers about picking up one of their spare PGs. They don't need Blake, Rodriguez, Jack, Green and the rights to Koponen. Chances are that we could send them Houston's 2nd rounder for the rights to Taurean Green and be done with it.

I wouldn't mind it, but Portland's FO is savvier than the Spurs. Count on us adding Marcus Williams or a future first.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Blazers Receive:
2009 2nd Round Pick (Houston)
2009 2nd Round Pick

Spurs Receive:
Ime Udoka
Rights to Taurean Green

This can make up most of the suckiness from yesterday's trade. Now trade Barry to Milwaukee for exception.

[timvp]

Does anyone know whether this guy has any slashing ability or is he just a spot up shooter?

Better slasher than Bowen but mostly a spot up shooter from the corner threes.

Udoka shot 42.2% of his shots from beyond the three-point line last year. Bowen for his career has shot 42.6% of his shots from beyond the three-point line.

Basically, Udoka is a Bowen clone minus two inches in height and plus 20 pounds in muscle.

[K-State Spur]

I wouldn't mind it, but Portland's FO is savvier than the Spurs. Count on us adding Marcus Williams or a future first.

I don't think they've proved that. They've had a couple of nice drafts, but it's certainly easier when your owner allows to buy half the league's picks.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Better slasher than Bowen but mostly a spot up shooter from the corner threes.

Udoka shot 42.2% of his shots from beyond the three-point line last year. Bowen for his career has shot 42.6% of his shots from beyond the three-point line.

Basically, Udoka is a Bowen clone minus two inches in height and plus 20 pounds in muscle.

[ploto]

This signing must mean that we are finally getting rid of Barry.

Or- he is finally going to get to play PG and the Spurs are shipping out Beno.

[Darkwaters]

We must have found a pasture for Barry

Not necessarily. But expiring contracts can always be dealt (especially at the deadline). And Barry still could probably be an effective player if given a larger role.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Or- he is finally going to get to play PG and the Spurs are shipping out Beno.

Even better!

[timvp]

Perhaps a swingman rotation of Ginobili, Bowen, Finley, Barry and Udoka can work. You move Barry into more of a Steve Kerr role in which he's called upon in case the Spurs can't hit a shot. Given Barry's age and his experience, that role might suite him best anyways.

Then you give Udoka a few of Bowen's minutes and the minutes Barry got in the regular rotation last year.

I can see something like:

Ginobili - 28 minutes
Bowen - 28 minutes
Finley - 20 minutes
Udoka - 20 minutes

Then Barry as the fifth swing is great insurance in case one of those four gets hurt or if age starts to catch up to any of them. Having five quality swingmen isn't a bad thing.

Plus, you don't want to weed it too thin. Ginobili always misses a handful of games. Who knows how long Bowen has left. Finley looked like he might be breaking down in the playoffs. Barry might be worth keeping around in case something happens. He's won enough that I don't think he'd mind taking a Steve Kerr or Danny Ferry role.

[Mr. Body]

I don't think they've proved that. They've had a couple of nice drafts, but it's certainly easier when your owner allows to buy half the league's picks.

Nah, I'm being down on the Spurs leadership. But Portland has been terrific lately - landing Brandon Roy last year, getting LaMarcus Aldridge from Chicago... the draft of Jarrett Jack was good... This past year Oden was a no-brainer, but very solid acquisitions of Fernandez and Koponen, and Josh McRoberts that late could be a true steal.

[Mr. Body]

Barry might be worth keeping around in case something happens. He's won enough that I don't think he'd mind taking a Steve Kerr or Danny Ferry role.

I think Barry would rather stay and not play than get traded somewhere else.

[Solid D]

If Udoka is a proficient 3-pt shooter, then hopefully it will be a wash.

Last season, Udoka tied with Mike Miller with the NBA's 19th best 3-pt FG% @ .406.

Even better, if the Spurs sign Udoka...the Spurs will have 100% of all players in the NBA with last names starting with "U". (Beno and Ime)

[picnroll]

Comparison on 82games.com

Bowen Udoka

Jump 86% .495 71% .510
Close 13% .541 26% .649
Dunk 0% 0%
Tip 0% 3% .615
Inside 14% .537 29% .646

[K-State Spur]

Nah, I'm being down on the Spurs leadership. But Portland has been terrific lately - landing Brandon Roy last year, getting LaMarcus Aldridge from Chicago... the draft of Jarrett Jack was good... This past year Oden was a no-brainer, but very solid acquisitions of Fernandez and Koponen, and Josh McRoberts that late could be a true steal.

I agree with that, they're loaded for the near and distant future. They have drafted very well.

Just saying that when they can buy draft picks (and I'm well aware that they have done well with their own picks as well), that's more about the owner having Microsoft money coming out of his ass than it is the GM being shrewd.