As we discussed here, Beno may not make the playoff roster

[Kori Ellis]

Spurs notebook: Rookie Udrih no sure bet to make playoff roster
Web Posted: 04/14/2005 12:00 AM CDT

Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...1d63d4c47.html

SALT LAKE CITY — If Devin Brown is healthy enough to be added to the playoff roster — which is still a big if — the Spurs might have a tough decision to make.

Given the tenderness of Tim Duncan's and Rasho Nesterovic's ankles, the Spurs would like to go into the playoffs with at least three backup big men: Robert Horry, Nazr Mohammed and Tony Massenburg.

Glenn Robinson also has scored enough to warrant consideration for the postseason.

Coach Gregg Popovich's decision could come down to how much confidence he has in rookie Beno Udrih and whether he thinks the team will need all three of its point guards.

Mike Wilks is a better defender than Udrih.

"I think (Udrih) is still struggling from time to time with the physical play," Popovich said. "I think he's learning how he has to play in certain situations where calls may go a certain way and he has to adjust his game.

"But as far as what we're doing on offense and defense, he's very smart and knows what we're doing."

Here today, gone tomorrow: Linton Johnson III was placed on the injured list to make room for Tim Duncan.

Johnson spent two games on the active roster after the Spurs put Nesterovic on the injured list Sunday.

Johnson, who has spent most of the season on the injured list with a stress fracture in his left foot, has appeared in two games for a total of 15 minutes.

Foreign travelers: The Spurs will be heavily represented at the NBA's Basketball Without Borders camps this summer.

Manu Ginobili will help lead the camp in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Tony Parker will do the same in China. Udrih will be in South Africa.

Spurs general manager R.C. Buford and director of scouting Lance Blanks will be the South African camp directors.

The camps allow teenage players from the local countries to work with NBA stars.

Nice job if you can get it: USA Today's Greg Boeck recently completed a 124-day, 43,020-mile tour of the NBA's 30 arenas.

Boeck tried to purchase $50 tickets in each arena to see what fans received for their investment. He ranked the "fan-friendliness" of each building in five categories: seating (40 percent); parking, fan involvement, entertainment and concessions (15percent each).

The Spurs received a total fan-friendly score of 3.62 (out of a possible 6), tying them for 15th with Portland among the league's 30 franchises. Denver finished first (4.16) and New Jersey last (2.82).

The Spurs were downgraded for their parking situation, but Boeck did praise the SBC Center.

"Outside of Denver's total experience, nothing left a more lasting impression on me than the colorful concourse at the SBC Center in San Antonio," he wrote. "It was a socializing and dining delight, with stops to get a massage, a margarita or even a spit shine. I felt like I was at a sports bar — with live action."

Thanks for the support: Karl Malone, the longtime Utah forward the Spurs failed to recruit, watched the Jazz lose to the Clippers on Tuesday in Los Angeles.

Malone attended the game to see his former coach, Jerry Sloan.

"He wouldn't want me to say it, but I do feel sorry for him," Malone told Utah reporters. "It's probably the first time in a long time where he had a group of guys and he couldn't reach them all."

Malone said he doesn't know whether the Jazz's poor record would force Sloan, the team's coach for the past 17 seasons, to retire.

"If he don't come back, it wouldn't surprise me," Malone said. "If he comes back, it'll surprise me maybe a little bit."

Broadcast change: Wednesday's regular-season finale in Minnesota no longer will be televised by ESPN. KENS will continue to show the 7 p.m. game.

[whottt]

I think the Spurs are trying to yank Beno's chain by letting this get out...Maybe they don't like Beno's effort lately....usually the Spurs don't let advance news like this out...I think they have a purpose with it.

I personally cringe at the idea of Wilks taking the court in a playoff game but that's just me...He makes just as many mistakes as Beno does IMO, but at least Beno can shoot...


It sounds like Marks won't make the playoff roster...I can understand why with the way Nazr has been playing lately...

[milkyway21]

Beno not on playoff roster would be sooo disappointing for me.

watch out many teams would go for this kid soon...

[Experiment2100]

Beno not on playoff roster would be sooo disappointing for me.

watch out many teams would go for this kid soon...

We got him for two years a third being a team option and a forth containing a qualifying offer.

[Duncanoypi]

oh nooooo.....we need a shooters come play off time...if Beno will not included...get Steve Kerr....

[Kori Ellis]

oh nooooo.....we need a shooters come play off time

Brent Barry.
Glenn Robinson.

[slayermin]

Wow. You guys were right. I never thought Beno would be left off but I guess Pop is seriously considering it.

[AFE7FATMAN]

What has happened to POP- Leave a Guard off the roster and take a big Man instead?
What kind of wine has he been drinking?




and maybe he ought to finish the bottle.

[Mr. Body]

I'd be hugely surprised if he was left off. This sounds like a strategic leak, get the kid in gear.

[xcoriate]

cia

[spurster]

Isn't a choice between Beno and Wilks, not Beno and Marks?

[Kori Ellis]

Isn't a choice between Beno and Wilks, not Beno and Marks?

Yes. The article indicates that Marks (and Johnson) will be left off and that the final spot is between Beno and Wilks.

[bigzak25]

i vote wilks. other teams always seem to make their runs with beno on the floor.

[maxpower]

Considering Beno has played a more prominent role with the team throughout the season I would hate for him to be left off the roster. Wilks has come in spot situations against small guards and I would imagine Pop may be looking for the possible matchup against Denver specifically. But overall I like how Beno has played for the most part. He has been a relatively steady backup for Parker.

[Kori Ellis]

Beno's defense and decision making have diminished as the season has worn on. Plus his confidence and shooting have been spotty at best over the last few months.

Wilks is obviously a better defender, but he's so small. If Wilks makes the roster, then Barry will probably get the bulk of the backup point guard minutes with Wilks just used situationally. If Beno makes the roster, then Barry will probably back Beno up.

Either way, it's not that bad of a situation but I wouldn't want to make the decision.

[MadDog73]

Wow. How is that even a choice? Beno seems like the the clear option.

I would leave Devin Brown and Wilks off, and keep both Beno and Marks.

I love Devin, but is it worth the risk of a spot if he's not 100%?

[MI21]

I can't see Beno being left off the roster, I just can't.

Choosing Wilks over Beno would be silly, I'm no Beno homer, but it's easy to see he brings more to the table.

[Kori Ellis]

Well, they'll make sure Devin can play before they keep him on. Devin is going to go through a full practice tomorrow and that should tell them a lot.

[bigzak25]

well, if Devin is out, it's a moot issue with beno/wilks,

but as you said, the added benefit is that Barry will get more minutes on the floor, backing up TP or whatnot....and we all know that more minutes for Barry is a good thing...i don't want him reverting to the barry that sucked just because devin is back on the end of the bench....

[SLOVENIAN 8]

Who was better the whole season Beno or Wilks??????????????

There is no doubt that Beno!!!

[tlongII]

Leaving Udrih off of the playoff roster would be a f***ing stupid move by the Spurs.

[Clandestino]

screw wilks..

and also, wtf is wrong with the sbc parking situation?

[SequSpur]

Beno was very good in the Phoenix games, but other than that he sucks.

[MadDog73]

well, if Devin is out, it's a moot issue with beno/wilks,

Not quite. I'd take Sean Marks over both of them!

OUT: Johnson, Brown and Wilks.

If Brown is in, then I lose both Beno and Wilks. Then it becomes moot.

Reason: Shaq. Sean = another big.

[whottt]

Sequ...do you really want Beno over Wilks?


This isn't a choice of Beno or John Stockton...

This is a choice of Beno or Wilks...