Udrih Playing Like a Pauper in Royal Purple

- The Season's Over -

Udrih Playing Like a Pauper in Royal Purple

January 8, 2009

The Kings have committed to Beno Udrih Last season Beno Udrih was a rare bright spot on an otherwise muddled Sacramento Kings roster. After spending three quiet years in San Antonio backing up Tony Parker he was traded, along with cash considerations, to the Minnesota Timberwolves just before the kickoff of the 2007-08 for a second-round pick. True to form, Kevin McHale made the move in the interest of thriftiness rather than roster improvement.

Udrih spent the season making the point guard starved Wolves franchise look foolish for the move. Inserted into the starting lineup less than a month into the campaign he blew away all of his career averages, putting up nearly 15 points, 5 assists, 3.5 boards 1 steal and 1 three on an efficient 47.5% FGs and 86% FTs in 51 starts.

Back at the start of the season in discussing the Kings I said:

I also question if Beno Udrih is a real NBA point guard. I understand that the disgruntled Mike Bibby had to go and Beno filled in admirably for him last year. Udrih was a borderline revelation with an efficient and productive 14.4-and-5 line in 51 starts. But he was rewarded with a starting point guard’s contract and his deal could hurt in time. Udrih doesn’t take care of the ball especially well, doesn’t play defense and isn’t a floor general. Sure, he was a major find after being cast off by Minnesota, but the Kings got a little over-zealous – I have a hard time seeing the 26-year-old with limited upside earn $6-8 million per season until 2013.

Beno’s emergence last season was a pleasant surprise to Kings fans and fantasy hoops owners alike – and also cause for some skepticism. He had never reached 6 points, 2 assists or 15 minutes per game in three NBA seasons playing for a Spurs team better at finding European diamonds in the rough than any other franchise in the league. By the numbers Udrih was suddenly looking like a competent, serviceable point guard for the future. The $32 million deal he signed the previous summer was looking like a bargain for Sacramento – but there was no real explanation for the sudden productivity and efficiency outside of increased playing time. Still, with few true ball handlers on the Kings roster the 26-year-old point seemed poised to have every opportunity to match his stats from last season.

So far, it hasn’t happened. He’s regressed into a timid, uncertain player on both ends of the floor, losing confidence and playing time by the week. With franchise player Kevin Martin and utility guard Francisco Garcia hobbled for much of this season the Kings were forced to play Udrih heavy minutes even as his play fell off a cliff in December. Now that those two are back things have gotten so bad for Beno that even the 8-28 Kings, in 14th out West with no other true points and with a financial investment in him, are finding it difficult to put Udrih on the court.

Beno is seeing just 20 minutes of action per game so far in January. He’s failed to reach double-digit points or top 5 assists yet in 2009, and he’s being pulled late in games for his offense and his defense. Udrih getting into foul trouble more in fewer minutes and scoring fewer points with poor efficiency and more turnovers. Over the last month Beno has averaged just 8.2 points and 3.6 assists on 42.6% FGs and 63.2% FTs. There’s always the chance this is a protracted slump and he’ll snap out of it, but with each passing game and each poor showing that’s seeming less and less likely. If it doesn’t happen that five-year, $32 million contract is going to be an albatross for a rebuilding Kings team – and it will be a rare move from McHale’s tenure as GM that actually makes him look good. Embarrassing.