spurs Mailbag: Injured Udrih back in the doghouse

[ducks]

spurs Mailbag: Injured Udrih back in the doghouse

Web Posted: 10/07/2006 02:17 PM CDT

By Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

PARIS — Welcome to another episode of “As The Beno Turns.” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, whose patience with Beno Udrih seemed to expire about the 17th time he watched Lindsey Hunter staple him to the sideline in the 2005 NBA Finals, isn’t too happy with his young point guard again.
Udrih has yet to practice after tweaking his right hamstring a few weeks before training camp. The injury is legit. Nobody denies that. But it’s yet another in a handful of ailments to sideline him in his two-plus seasons with the Spurs.


Popovich, who had high hopes Udrih would become a dependable backup to Tony Parker this season, now lists him as the team’s fourth point guard behind both Jacque Vaughn and Brent Barry. He also said Udrih’s continued absence has made him wonder whether the team should pick up his fourth-year rookie option.

In spite of Popovich’s frustration, it would be a shock to see the Spurs decline the option. At $1.75 million, it’s cost-effective. And if the Spurs decide to trade Udrih, he’ll have more value if he’s not going on the free-agent market at the end of the season.

Udrih is more than talented enough to be a regular contributor. He shoots and passes well and the coaches like his pace. He showed off his skills while backing up Parker as a rookie. When he got a chance to play last season, he also usually performed well.

Popovich now wants to see some toughness from Udrih, which is why he’s again taking the tough-love approach.

Udrih, however, needs to earn the respect of more than Popovich in the Spurs’ locker room. A few of his teammates weren’t impressed when he missed nearly two weeks with a sprained left ankle late last season. Nick Van Exel was trying to play despite needing cortisone injections for his left elbow and Parker came back early from a shin injury because Udrih couldn’t go.

“Sometimes,” said one player, “you just have to play hurt.”
All will be forgiven, of course, if Udrih can get healthy and stay healthy.

But if his hamstring needs another week or two on the lifecycle? He might as well go full TO.

There should be some place on the Champs Elysees where one can buy a Tour de France jersey.


This week’s questions:

HOW IS TIM DUNCAN'S HEALTH? IS HE 100% THIS YEAR? BECAUSE WITHOUT A HEALTHY TIM THE SPURS’ CHANCES ARE SLIM.

—Jim Holzum, St. Louis, Mo

Go easy on the caps key next time, Jim. No one likes being shouted at. Tim says he feels good. Looks good, too. After spending a good chunk of the summer working out, he’s still slim, but stronger in his legs.

His right foot hasn’t bothered him and if I can avoid writing “plantar fasciitis” 347 times this season, we’ll both be happy.

Don’t forget how well Tim played in the playoffs. One Spurs’ staffer predicts he’ll average 22 points and 12 rebounds this season.


How’s Charles Lee doing in camp, and what are his chances of making this team?

—Charles Lee Sr., Gaithersburg, MD


What about that stud Charles Lee as a replacement? He can play two positions?

—Gregory, Gaithersburg, MD (who, coincidentally, has the same email address as Charles Lee Sr.)

This is why I love the internet.

In fact, next time I’m up for my yearly evaluation, I’m asking my dad to write a letter to the editor.

Dear Mr. Rivard:

Just want to tell you how much I’ve liked Johnny Ludden’s writing. He really cranks those stories out. What a stud!

Are you sure you’re paying him enough?

Sincerely, Tom Ludden


Fortunately for Charles Lee, he’s got quite a few more fans in addition to his father (or Gregory or whoever else is posing as Charles Lee Sr.). Some of them are on the Spurs’ coaching staff.
The former Bucknell guard is tough and aggressive, the type of hard-nosed player Popovich usually loves. But because he’s listed as 6-foot-3, some scouts think he’s going to have to make the transition to full-time point guard. In NBA parlance, saying someone can play two positions may also mean he doesn’t have a true position.

I think Lee will eventually draw a regular NBA paycheck. I just don’t know if it will be from the Spurs.


Do you think the group of guys you have right now will be as effective as last year’s team?

—Hector Mendoza, San Antonio

Hector, I hate to tell you this, but the answer is a resounding no.

We recently lost our talented sidebar writer, Mike Finger, when he was promoted to columnist. And, as you probably know by now, Mike Monroe is good for only about five bylines a summer. Even worse, he’s going to be spending more time this season as the newspaper’s new Home Depot Insider.

Buck Harvey’s contract limits him to writing 57 columns about Manu Ginobili, 56½ of which will be about Manu Ginobili’s greatness. And, yes, Hector, after nine years on the beat, all I care about is my next trip to Europe.

In other words, we’re aging and unmotivated. Pencil us in for the lottery. With a little luck, Greg Oden will be writing this mailbag next season.


Who is going to play in the middle with Tim?

—Connie Bingham, Amarillo

I don’t think this is as big a concern as others do. The Spurs have de-emphasized – and downsized – their center position by playing small more often. Tim’s also going to get some minutes there anyway.

The coaches seem willing to give Fabricio Oberto more of a shot this season. If I don’t see at least a dozen of his nifty between-the-legs passes, I’ll be disappointed.

The one thing you can count on from Fabricio is he won’t give up on a play. But if he’s going to stay on the court, he’s going to need to stay out of foul trouble.

While Pop says he’d start Oberto if the season began today, Francisco Elson also could have a chance to win the job. The Spurs will need his length and athleticism at times.

Jackie Butler has improved after a tough first day of camp, but, for now, I still consider him more of a project.


I was wondering if you could send some scouts out to American Heritage, Boca/Delray, 6200 Linton Blvd, Delray Beach, Florida, 33464, just to check me, David Brown, out and our team as we pursue our repeat to states.

I am a very under-rated player and so is the team. We are really good! Please if you can just check us out. Thank you.

—David Brown

Will do, David. I think Sam Presti is already on his way.

You’ve got to like a kid with David’s initiative. (Provided, of course, he is a kid. Because Spurs Mailbag wastes no time in verifying iden ies, there’s always the chance “David Brown” is the alias for a 5-foot-7, 350-pound, female ex-con. If that’s the case, Sam Presti will be extremely disappointed.)

True story (or at least Bruce told me it was true): Bruce Bowen cold-called colleges and posed as his high-school coach in hopes of getting recruiters to watch him play. He ended up at Cal State Fullerton (famous for also producing ESPN.com’s Stein Line), spent a few years bouncing around France and the minor leagues and is now one of the NBA’s best defenders.

Everyone needs a little self-promotion to get ahead in this world. So, if anyone knows of a scout in the Delray Beach area, send him David’s way. As always, my finder’s fee is 9 percent.

If this doesn’t work David, I suggest asking your father for help. Or I could forward you Charles Lee Sr.’s email address.


Why did Popovich not use Spurs centres against Dallas in the playoffs? I believe Dallas would have lot of troubles matching up with the Spurs’ height.

—Predrag, Toronto

You call them centres, we call them centers and the Spurs called them disposable. I got this question a lot during the summer. With good reason: When the team loses, everything can be second-guessed.

Pop did use Nazr Mohammed and Rasho Nesterovic in Game 2 against Dallas, the Spurs’ only lopsided loss of the series. They struggled to keep pace and gave up a couple of and-ones while trying to rotate over and protect the rim. The question is whether he should have stuck with his bigs a little longer. I thought playing small kept the Spurs in the series…but there were also a couple of end-of-game situations where having another rebounder on the floor would have helped.

The biggest problem with the matchups is Dirk Nowitzki. If Dallas goes big with the Spurs then Tim probably has to guard Nowitzki or Josh Howard – putting him at risk of foul trouble.

Don’t forget: Two years ago, the Spurs were praised for their ability to go small and beat Phoenix at its own game.


I’m a Spurs fan and idolize your Argentinian hero Manu. Can I have a free jersey of him? Or a door-size poster with an autograph?

—Paul Esguerra, Guinsaugon, St. Bernard So. Leyte, Philippines

Nice try, Buck.

[ploto]

In spite of Popovich’s frustration, it would be a shock to see the Spurs decline the option. At $1.75 million, it’s cost-effective. And if the Spurs decide to trade Udrih, he’ll have more value if he’s not going on the free-agent market at the end of the season.

Interesting idea. Guess we will know soon enough.

Why did Popovich not use Spurs centres against Dallas in the playoffs? I believe Dallas would have lot of troubles matching up with the Spurs’ height.

—Predrag, Toronto

You call them centres, we call them centers and the Spurs called them disposable. I got this question a lot during the summer. With good reason: When the team loses, everything can be second-guessed.

Pop did use Nazr Mohammed and Rasho Nesterovic in Game 2 against Dallas, the Spurs’ only lopsided loss of the series. They struggled to keep pace and gave up a couple of and-ones while trying to rotate over and protect the rim. The question is whether he should have stuck with his bigs a little longer.

Not true. I get tired of having this incorrect information repeated. Get on Nazr's case about that game, if you want; he had 4 fouls in 12 minutes. But Rasho entered that game with a little over 3 minutes to go in the fourth quarter long after it was over. Kind of hard to give up an and one when you didn't get called for any fouls. Pop gave Nazr the chance that night-- but NEVER Rasho. Rasho played well in Game 1- was part of the Spurs third quarter comeback- and then never saw any time in the series again.

[SpursWillOwn]

hilarious writer ludden is, Charles Lee

[phyzik]

Interesting idea. Guess we will know soon enough.




Not true. I get tired of having this incorrect information repeated. Get on Nazr's case about that game, if you want; he had 4 fouls in 12 minutes. But Rasho entered that game with a little over 3 minutes to go in the fourth quarter long after it was over. Kind of hard to give up an and one when you didn't get called for any fouls. Pop gave Nazr the chance that night-- but NEVER Rasho. Rasho played well in Game 1- was part of the Spurs third quarter comeback- and then never saw any time in the series again.

I'll second that, but we will never know and Im still not upset about the trade either. Rasho's contributions where ALWAYS outweighed by his lack of agressiveness IMHO.

[ploto]

^I agree- it's all water under the bridge now, but I EXPECT the writer who covers the Spurs to give excuses that are at least TRUE.

[Obstructed_View]

^I agree- it's all water under the bridge now, but I EXPECT the writer who covers the Spurs to give excuses that are at least TRUE.

It might have been helpful for him to point out that Duncan was the only Spur that showed up for that game.

[T Park]

It would also be helpfull for Ploto to move on.

[ploto]

It would also be helpful for Ludden to get his facts straight.

[sprrs]

I’m a Spurs fan and idolize your Argentinian hero Manu. Can I have a free jersey of him? Or a door-size poster with an autograph?

—Paul Esguerra, Guinsaugon, St. Bernard So. Leyte, Philippines

Nice try, Buck.