Obviously: Udrih Deserves a Shot, by Bill Ingram

[biba]

Obviously: Udrih Deserves a Shot
Hoopsworld

By: Bill Ingram Last Updated: 10/30/07


Beno Udrih never quite got with the system. That much is true. On top of it, he never quite connected with Gregg Popovich. On more than one occasion Beno told us that he didn't understand his situation at all. If he had a good game he got benched. If he played like crap he'd get more minutes. Then he wouldn't play at all for a while. Popovich is quirky, and not everyone makes it as a Spur. That was the case with Beno. When Darius Washington stepped in after Beno injured his hand it was the beginning of the end for Beno in San Antonio.

You can't help but laugh at the way the Spurs sent him out. He was traded to Minnesota for a "protected" SECOND round draft pick. It's not often you hear that phrase. What does it mean to "protect" a second round pick?

Well, as long as it's in the 50's you can have it, but we're not giving up that 39th pick in the draft.

Not that their aren't diamonds in the rough in the second round - there certainly are - but that just sounds crazy. Even David Stern takes off before the second round comes along and now the Wolves want to protect that pick. They obviously aren't too optimistic about what the new season holds for them. Could be a very high second round pick.

But anyway, back to Beno.

He was a Timberwolf for all of an afternoon and now out there on the free market, injured hand and all. The Wolves bought him out almost immediately, though an argument could be made that he could have helped them. Marko Jaric certainly isn't turning any heads since landing in town after a trade with the Clippers.

What about Sacramento? Wouldn't that be interesting? The Kings need a point guard and Beno needs a second chance with a team that will give him plenty of playing time. Chauncey Billups recently told me that the reason he found a home in Detroit was because he got guaranteed minutes no matter how many mistakes he made. He didn't have to look over his shoulder to see if the coach was preparing his subs ute. Perhaps Beno would benefit from exactly the same kind of situation.

I'm not suggesting that Beno has a little Chauncey inside him ready to bust out, but it's also not completely out of the questions. The Kings might have just the right situation for a player looking to prove he can make it in the NBA.

Beno might be just the player who could benefit from that situation. It would certainly be better for him than sitting at the very end of the San Antonio bench in a dinner jacket and blue jeans.

[biba]

I forgot the following discussion. My bad.

posted by Freewheel, 30 October 2007 8:22:51 AM

I'd like to see Udrih on the Raptors as a replacement for both Darrick Martin and Juan Dixon. Two players that are not in the long term plans for the Raps. It might not be guaranteed minutes, but he'd probably play as much as he did during his best year as a Spur, and get plenty more minutes if a Raptor PG got hurt.

posted by Bill Ingram, 30 October 2007 10:03:17 AM

AND . . .Beno is good friends with Rasho Nesterovic. It's always nice to play with a friend, especially after going through what they both experienced in Spursland.

[BradLohaus]

I could always picture Beno in Sacramento as well.

[duncan228]

He didn't fit in with the Spurs system.
But I think he has talent.
If he could put some kind of work ethic together and get a job I'd be happy for him.
It's a shame to waste the talent he does have.

[MoSpur]

The talent is there, but the desire for some reason isn't.

[ChumpDumper]

What is the club scene like in Toronto?

[Scola Trade]

I picture Beno joining Pana and competing for minutes agains Billy (where is Kill Bill Pana to confirm?)

[ploto]

What is the club scene like in Toronto?

Great!

[PM5K]

He's had plenty of shots, now he just needs to BE shot...

[barbacoataco]

IMHO Udrih has NBA talent, especially on the offensive end. If he was playing on a mediocre team that didn't face a lot of pressure situations, he might be perfectly fine as a backup PG/combo guard.

[TDMVPDPOY]

I could always picture Beno in Sacramento as well.

yeh he be clubbin with the kings owners instead of balling

[slayermin]

That's pretty sad when the TWolves buy you out before they even give you a look.

Beno had a very good rookie season but unlike TP, he never improved.

[TDMVPDPOY]

That's pretty sad when the TWolves buy you out before they even give you a look.

Beno had a very good rookie season but unlike TP, he never improved.

they shouldve just kept him since jaric wants out

[ChumpDumper]

Great!

And the tacos?

[SenorSpur]

He's got something. I'm not sure what it is. He deserves a shot - in his ass!

Somebody fill me in on the meaning of the persistent Tacos references to Beno.

[TDMVPDPOY]

He's got something. I'm not sure what it is. He deserves a shot - in his ass!

Somebody fill me in on the meaning of the persistent Tacos references to Beno.

is there a correlation relationship between beno and free meals?? look at SABUTTA BBQ PLATE SALE thread in the club section....

[Dave McNulla]

i don't think it was a 'quirky' pop situation. he does not have rules, but he expects people to be professional. i'm guessing that beno wasn't.

[Indazone]

Beno gone hmmm could it be an opening for the return of Vspan? Washington is sure to get a shot now too.

[K-State Spur]

Beno was given every chance to hold the 2nd string job last year. But he was out of shape, couldn't defend, and his jumpshot was spotty at best.

People who writer articles like that are people who don't pay attention to the Spurs until the playoffs then say, "hey, beno's not getting a chance!" well, beno did. but when vaughn's decent - but unspectacular - play represents a HUGE upgrade at the second team point, that says a lot.

[Supergirl]

I've always thought that on a different team Beno could be a decent starter. He's just not good enough or disciplined enough for the Spurs, and for Pop's system. But for a team that isn't as defense-oriented and as disciplined, he really could be pretty good.

[YoMamaIsCallin]

They didn't buy him out, they waived him.

[BeerIsGood!]

Beno would be a good fit for a team who won't rely on him to handle the ball, will let him run and shoot as much as he wants without any reprocussions, and never require him to play defense. If that team is in the NBA, I guarantee they are the worst NBA team. Maybe the Knicks.

[MI21]

I think Beno's talents are being exaggerated. He isn't that talented.

His positives were that he could hit an open shot, and had very good court vision and was sort of crafty with finding angles on the court. Seriously, that was it.

The Spurs system hid his defensive liabilities, his ballhandling was always below average, he couldn't really get to or finish at the rim consistently, he isn't athletic, he isn't quick and of course lacked the most basic of all point guard abilities, he struggled against aggressive pressure defense.

I keep hearing he was so talented blah blah blah... His ceiling really was decent backup PG, it's not like this was a Dajuan Wagner or Darius Miles waste of talent...

[ata]

No, he IS that talented.
When he played for Olimpija (Ljubljana, Slovenija), he run PG as he was 18 yo! Together with Sani Becirovic (SG - one year older) they were very top young guard combo.
He got the talent and skills, however that is not enough to play at the top level. And if he doesn't have desire (at 25) to do anything, then....

[MI21]

Yeah, I'm talking about NBA though.

I don't see this talent and skills. He is no more talented that your run of the mill backup PG in my opinion.