Ludden: Spurs subs make timely contributions

[Kori Ellis]

Spurs subs make timely contributions

Web Posted: 02/01/2006 12:00 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b....124fc965.html

PORTLAND, Ore. — Sean Elliott strolled through the Spurs' locker room in Utah late Monday, chatting with some players and staff before the start of his three-week vacation.

He stopped abruptly in front of Beno Udrih's stall. Hanging on a hook were a pair of thick, red corduroy pants and a red, buttoned-to-the-chin corduroy overshirt with beige and white trim.

Elliott, who splits time as the team's TV analyst and fashion critic, stared in wonder at Udrih's chosen outfit. He had just one question:

"Where's his white beard and reindeer?"

While Udrih won't be joining Tony Parker in the pages of "GQ" any time soon, the Spurs are thankful he and the rest of the team's play-when-needed reserves have made up in substance what they lack in style.

Over the past two weeks, the team routinely has looked to them to fill in for injured teammates, buy time for others in foul trouble and simply provide the starters a few extra minutes of rest. In most cases, they have delivered.

With Nick Van Exel and Robert Horry sidelined and three other players, including Tim Duncan, in foul trouble, Udrih and Sean Marks provided a jolt of energy off the bench Monday in Utah. They combined for 12 points and four rebounds in the first half, helping the Spurs recover from an early deficit.

"It makes us feel that if somebody is hurt, we have somebody who can step in and do something," coach Gregg Popovich said. "It adds to the confidence level of the team."

The Spurs will need to lean on their depth for at least a couple more games.

Van Exel, whose left elbow remains sore, likely will be out until the team returns from its five-day break next week. Horry, still recovering from a lower abdominal strain, has a chance to play Thursday at Golden State, though Popovich thinks it might be wise to allow him to rest through the weekend.

Regardless, the Spurs expect to have only 11 players in uniform for tonight's game against Portland. Melvin Sanders' 10-day contract expired Tuesday and team officials didn't sign him to another one, in part, because the Spurs have five days off after Thursday. If the team's health doesn't improve, Sanders — or another player — could be added after the break.

In the meantime, the Spurs will make do with what they have, which is more than most teams. With the exception of Marks and rookie Fabricio Oberto, every other player has started or been the top backup at his position during the past two seasons.

The Spurs increasingly have relied on their depth while weathering a string of injuries. Manu Ginobili, who returned to the lineup Saturday, has missed a total of 13 games after hurting his right foot three times.

"You compare us obviously to Detroit and they've had five guys playing a whole lot of minutes without injury and continuing to steamroll," Brent Barry said. "We've had to do a little patchwork and fill guys in and spot some minutes."

Michael Finley, Horry and Van Exel have fairly established roles, but the rest of the Spurs' reserves can't be sure when, or if, they will play on a night-to-night basis.

Barry recently started two games while Ginobili was out. Nazr Mohammed was on the floor during crunch time Monday and is averaging 8.2 rebounds in the past five games. Oberto and Marks, who sometimes is a better fit with Tim Duncan because he can space the floor with his shooting, have been active during Horry's absence.

Udrih usually has played well when given significant minutes, including scoring a season-high 17 points against Charlotte last week. The Spurs' reserves totaled 66 points against the Bobcats, the most by the team's bench in almost 15 years.

On Monday, the Spurs trailed 20-12 shortly after Udrih stepped onto the floor. He cut to the basket for a layup and made a pair of 3-pointers. By the end of the quarter, Utah's lead was down to two.

"When you're open, you have to shoot it," Udrih said, "because you never know if you're going to get another opportunity."

For Udrih, Oberto and Marks, that's particularly true. The three have played the fewest minutes on the team, often staying after practice or working out on off days to keep in shape.

As a result, Popovich has been glad to give them some game time in recent weeks. He's even happier they have been able to produce. Not everyone, he said, has the focus to do that.

"When they work in practice every day and don't get much time, it's like a flower that doesn't get any water," Popovich said. "After a while, it dies.

"For these guys to get a little playing time, it keeps them alive."

[angel_luv]

PORTLAND, Ore. — Sean Elliott strolled through the Spurs' locker room in Utah late Monday, chatting with some players and staff before the start of his three-week vacation.

He stopped abruptly in front of Beno Udrih's stall. Hanging on a hook were a pair of thick, red corduroy pants and a red, buttoned-to-the-chin corduroy overshirt with beige and white trim.
Elliott, who splits time as the team's TV analyst and fashion critic, stared in wonder at Udrih's chosen outfit. He had just one question:

"Where's his white beard and reindeer?"

This thread is useless without pics!

[timvp]

Thanks, Peter.

Spurs get to play 11 on 12.

Nice.

[Peter]

Don't blame me man.

Avoiding half the cost of a 10 day minimum contract is the stuff of champions.

[milkyway21]

"Where's his white beard and reindeer?"

whoa

Oberto and Marks, who sometimes is a better fit with Tim Duncan because he can space the floor with his shooting,

The Spurs' reserves totaled 66 points against the Bobcats, the most by the team's bench in almost 15 years.

and that includes the last 7 yrs when they won 3 les. Bench depth. This team is going to be scary if all starters, Manu esp. are also healthy-> reason enough for us to get excited for the team to achieve the goal for this year.

[Solid D]

http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm#65

"A team may sign a player to two 10-day contracts in one season (they may or may not be consecutive). After the second 10-day contract, the team can only retain the player by signing him for the remainder of the season. A team can't have more 10-day contracts than they have players on their Inactive List. Ten-day contracts are available to be used starting January 5 (or the first business day thereafter) each season."

As the article suggests, the Spurs didn't want to waste his second 10-day contract until they got past the 5-day break.

[polandprzem]

This rule is about one player or tthe team has got just two 10-day contracts?

[NZHayden]

yeah give marks more minutes!

[exstatic]

This rule is about one player or tthe team has got just two 10-day contracts?

One player. I don't think there is any limit, other than the relationship to current inactive list players, as to how many 10-day contracts a team can dole out.

[spurster]

Don't blame me man.

Avoiding half the cost of a 10 day minimum contract is the stuff of champions.

[Solid D]

Now that Manu is back...the reason the Spurs signed Sanders to the 10-day...the Spurs have 4 wings healthy plus a combo guard for small lineups. If one of the wing players goes down again (Manu, Bruce, Finley, Barry), then the Spurs would have more of a need to bring Sanders back in immediately.

(Plug in your pun here)
The Spurs status would then be classified as:
"a wing and a prayer"
"they're going to have to wing it"
"going forward, the Spurs will have to guard against further injuries"

[GoSpurs21]

Thanks, Peter.

Spurs get to play 11 on 12.

Nice.

Pure SA, senseless ing

TiMVP if your boy NVE wasnt so old and fragile then we wouldnt need to sign another player. And since your in the giving mood why dont you give the Spurs the couple million to sign another player...yea that's what I thought

[Peter]

At this point it'd be less than a mil. I have no idea what we fans should expect the team to pull out the stops in order to win another le, I truly don't.

[Solid D]

Thanks, Peter.

Spurs get to play 11 on 12.

Nice.

As MI21 noted, I was never really high on Sanders. I wanted the Spurs to give him a chance but I was always skeptical about what he can do against NBA talent.

He just doesn't have the tools. He tries hard but that isn't enough.

This forum is self-correcting.