Ok, I know I'm a bit subjective on this one but I think that Beno Udrih is showing great potential. I've been watching his game since he was still playing for Union Olimpija (best Slovenian club), then in Maccabi and now in the Spurs. You all know that he scored 18 points and 8 assist vs. the Hawks. It was mostly trash-time but still, I think he deserves more minutes on the floor. He's had a bit of bad luck because he had the minutes until Spurs picked up Van Exel. I really hope he gets more minutes soon or at least get traded or else another great potential might go to waste. Does anyone else love his fast game? The little guy can dribble and finish with a layup and he can pull up for a three - and he has the confidence to do it. I hope Beno plays more in the coming games and that his great game vs. Hawks gets him more minutes. On the other hand, Rasho is a shame. I think he managed to do one of the greatest scams in the NBA signing that huge contract. He doesn't shoot the ball, he's slow, he's only a mediocre presence on defense,... the only thing he does well is setting up shots for other players (his game is really weak if you keep focus on him the whole game). He has a BAD case of non-motivation and I don't see him getting out of it. I think he's a pretty bad player overall, he often plays horrible ball for the Slovenian national team too. Fan or not, the Spurs have made a big mistake signing him and it's kind of funny that a player like him takes up so much cap space. What do you think about these players?
I love Beno Udrih's game and I think he's one of the best "pure" point guards in the league. Right now he's trying to regain some of his confidence back after a poor performance in the post season. He really choked in the playoffs and disappointed one of his strongest supporters, Greg Popovich. This year, Tony Parker is just dominating the position and having a career year. Maybe Beno gets more PT, as the season winds down and the Spurs rest Parker for the post season. Rasho is a below average player, but he has made some big plays for the Spurs and does a lot of the dirty work on both ends. I agree, he's overpaid, but when you look around the NBA rosters most big men are overpaid.
I think Beno wasn't as much of a dissapointment as Parker last year. Watching TP get owned by Billups was really sad, and probably the same thing will happen this year if they meet in Finals again. The only way out of Beno's position right now would be a trade to a team like Atlanta where he could showoff his skills (same thing happened to Primož Brezec and look at his numbers now ). I hope that Greg will grade the Udrih-situation properly and let him go
Parker stepped up to the challenge during the off-season though. He spent all summer working on his shooting form, and getting stronger. Prior to this year, Parker would get rattled and lose composure when teams got physical with him. This year he's laughing it off and becoming even more aggressive when teams rough him up. He leads the league in points in the paint and is shooting a higher FG% than Tim Duncan. Once Parker figures out how to shoot better at the charity stripe and commit less turnovers, he'll be an All-Star level player. I agree with you, Beno needs to be traded to get better. However, I don't think his trade value is very high because most people don't know much about him.
It's like Shape said, let's wait till the end of the season to see what kind of minutes he gets as Parker is allowed to sort of rest up for the playoffs. I think Spurs need to hang on to him and should be a little more ready to use him when special needs arise (i.e. defending against that little squirt Boinkins (sp?) and when Parker's having a bad night against a small/fast team). Hard to do though with Nick-the-Use-to-be-Quick on the bench with him but they gotta start thinking about the future. Guess that's what it all boils down to.
It's like Shape said, let's see what types of minutes Beno gets towards the end of the season as they let Parker sort of rest up for the playoffs. The Spurs need to hang on to him in my opinion and not hesitate to use him for special needs (defending that squirt Boynkins, coming in against a fast/small team when Parker's having an off night). It's hard to use him with Nick the use-to-be-Quick on the bench but they need to think of the future. Guess that's what it all boils down to. As for Rasho, he's alright. Comes up with a nasty block or a life saving hook at crucial times. Just wish he would show a little fire out there (borrow some from Manu?).
