Udrih finally shows his stuff
Web Posted: 10/10/2004 12:00 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...103dadd18.html
Since moving to San Antonio two weeks ago, Beno Udrih has limited much of his sightseeing to his apartment, the Spurs' training-camp hotel and practice facility and the always popular MRI tube.
He did, however, catch a quick glimpse last week of the one locale that makes the must-see list of every Spurs rookie.
The doughnut shop.
"I saw it on my way to practice," Udrih said.
While Udrih apparently already has a good handle on his first-year delivery duties — a couple dozen the morning of every game — the Spurs are happy enough now that he has also found his way onto the court.
"I think he thought it was going to take longer to get healthy and have contact," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "As he's watched everybody play, I think he's shown a little toughness and worked through it a little more quickly than he originally planned."
Udrih still has some soreness in his right knee, but he held his own during Thursday and Friday's workouts. Prior to Thursday, the Spurs' first-round draft pick had not received contact since he bruised the knee last month helping Slovenia qualify for next year's European Championships.
Said Popovich: "So far, so good."
If the Spurs have any concerns about their rookie point guard, it's his durability. Udrih sprained his ankle while playing in Russia last season, then left the team when he couldn't get paid. He bruised his left knee at the Chicago pre-draft camp in June, then banged it again a month later during a three-on-three game at the Spurs' practice facility.
Soreness in Udrih's left knee kept him out of the first two games at the Rocky Mountain Revue. When he did make his summer-league debut, he hurt his left hand midway through his second appearance and had to sit out one more game.
After injuring his right knee in early September while playing for Slovenia, Udrih did not practice for two weeks. He underwent an MRI after arriving in San Antonio, but the exam did not reveal any structural damage.
Though Udrih has good size for a point guard — the Spurs list him as 6-foot-3, 205 pounds — he needs to get stronger to make a successful transition to the NBA. Tony Parker had to do the same his rookie season.
"He's real weak right now," Popovich said of Udrih. "He's really going to have to change his body to be able to get stuff done."
Udrih can't match Parker's quickness, but he has shown to be deceptively athletic. During the Rocky Mountain Revue, one rival Western Conference coach compared him to a young Sarunas Marciulionis, Golden State's former Lithuanian guard.
Like Marciulionis, Udrih is left-handed. Popovich has described him as "crafty."
"He's clever in a decision-making sense," Popovich said. "In pick-and-rolls he can throw that bounce pass to the roll man the way (John) Stockton did. He will see people on the court in situations that maybe other people wouldn't. He'll find people.
"He really has a good feel for the game. I think he'll help other people know where they have to be as he gets used to the offense."
Udrih showed his poise this summer. He was named MVP of the Efes World Cup tournament in Turkey after averaging 16.8 points and 4.8 assists and leading Slovenia to a 4-0 record. The even pace of his game also could make him a nice complement to Parker.
"His style is sort of nonchalant with how he dribbles; he has good fakes," said Parker, who used to play against Udrih in junior national compe ions. "He might not be that fast, but he has some good tricks."
Though Parker is only six weeks older than Udrih, he already has three years of NBA experience. If nothing else, he should be able to give Udrih some valuable advice he received as a rookie.
Tim Duncan gets the coconut one.
Notebook: The Spurs did not practice Saturday. They will hold an open scrimmage at 2 p.m. today at the SBC Center. Admission and parking are free. Doors open at 1:30 p.m.
I hate to do it, but I'll have to break out Beno's nickname ... Paino Udrih.
For some reason, Paino constantly thinks about his injuries and how much they hurt. He's been hurt so many times that he went from the #1 player of his age in Europe to barely getting drafted. I really, really hope that he can toughen up because he's a awesome kid and seems to be a good basketball player.
P.S.
What is with Pop playing up Paino's injuries? If Parker was complaining, Pop would rip him to no end.
how do you know he would rip him.
Has Parker ever complained about injuries?
I think pop doenst sound leniant. I think he just said, he needs to play through it. Id say thats not exactly playin up.
Exactly my point. Parker knows better than to whine about injuries.
I don't know where you got that, but Beno was never the #1 player of his generation in Europe, those players would be Parker, Kirilenko, Fotsis, Gasol, Becirovic,... Beno was considered talented, but not in the same league as those players.
I've read many places that Beno was up there with Parker and the rest of that crew when he was 16/17 years old. I'll look it up if you wish.
P.S.
Welcome to the forum, Mr. Mundt.
Thank you
Beno as a junior was considered a top Euro prospect (actually I like Becirovic a lot but Beno was always considered better).
If I ever had doubts about the pressure of the NBA, closely following Beno's draft into it has shown how much pressure fans and media put on players. Look at it: the guy has not played an NBA game yet but he's gone through several nick names, people are speculating about his future stats and arguing about who is better/worse than him in all aspects of the game! He has been trialed and convincted on many issues without the presumption of innocence before being proved guilty (OK, except in the case of his choice of wardrobe and accessories). I personnaly have decided to wait at least 10 games in which he actually gets minutes on the floor before starting debating his performance (or lack of). In an ideal world rookies should have a rookie season at their disposal for learning the ropes and not a rookie's 5 minutes at the airport arriving in SA, but I'll be happy if the fans give him the benefit of the doubt in the first 10 games.
Timvp will probably remember the first thread in the old forum where Beno's draft was announced. I wrote that my main concern is not him being a "china doll" because this is something the NBA expert can do wonders about, but more about his motivation and dedication to the game. I've often felt that his performance in Europe was like the really smart kid in class who is held back by the class' average and is getting bored in the process.
I also think that he should thank his lucky star every night before sleep for being drafted by the Spurs. I can not think of a better franchise when it comes to players preparation and motivation (look at all the things they did to help Hedo (btw some other team might well get the benefit of all that work)), if they can not get the max out of him nobody can.
I don't agree with that at all. In hindsight Beno turned out better (how much of that is due to Becirovic's injuries is hard to tell), but you have to remember Becirovic was averaging 20 points a game in the Euroleague (second among all players) while Beno was still coming off the bench. Beno was a year younger though, but i dont think he ever reached that kind of success in the following years. Also Becirovic was named the MVP of one of the junior European championships when they were both on the team. I'm not saying Beno wasn't considered a big talent, i'm just saying he was never in the top 5 or top 10 among young talents (maybe in the class of 1982 alone). Maybe there is some place on the net you can look this up, but i don't remember him ever being chosen in the top 10 youngsters in Europe poll i think the coaches and the journalists choose yearly.
^^^^ I do not argue that Becirovic didn't achieved more. Speaking of commitment and motivation Becirovic never had any problem with that. I may have exagerate when I said always (it was closer than that) but a lot of managers/coaches had Beno toping their wish list. This said I also think that Becirovic should have achieved more (he is talented enough) and had a lot of bad luck during his career.
TimVP it's not Paino, it's Spraino. Just kidding. Hopefully this kid will have a run of good health for a change. It sounds like he's due for some good luck.
And I've always read that Beno was considered to be in Parker's league as a PG "potentially"...The Spurs themselves have had high praise for him and considered him a draft steal of the same caliber as Parker. No doubt there's a lot more pressure in the NBA, but there's going to be less in San Antonio than just about any other le contender.
From your keyboard into the NBA's gods ears!It sounds like he's due for some good luck.
TimVP it's not Paino, it's Spraino
You two call him whatever you want as long as I get the opportunity to throw it in your faces at the end of the season
What do they get to play tag or something while they are on the IR? Dude isn't going to amount to anything.
Dude your insight is exceptional, please spew some more insight on us.
Last edited by Im Here Huckleberry; 10-10-2004 at 03:54 PM.
Please dont encourage the little twit.
Udrih won't do anything flashy, but he will be steady and substantial. He was never top of the crop in Europe but he has the tools (mid-range jumper, character, work ethic, passing) to be a good reserve PG in the NBA.
A knee bruise???the Spurs' first-round draft pick had not received contact since he bruised the knee last month helping Slovenia qualify for next year's European Championships.
Last month?
My expectations for this puss just hit rock bottom.
He bruised his knee last month...of course he can't be expected to play in training camp.
"Last month" was a couple of weeks ago.
And he's playing now.
Beno looked good in the scrimmage. His midrange jumper is damn pure and he even hit a three. He passed well and him and Barry form an exciting backcourt.
On defense, Parker was blowing by him ... but then again, Parker is the fastest player in the game.
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