Ime Udoka, anyone?
- Thread starter NoBonus
- Start date
NoBonus
Starter
NoBonus
Starter
Udoka can play D.
Only kind of. He's not quick enough to stay in front of a lot of guards but he can guard bigger twos and smaller 3's. Unfortunately, we already have guys that need to be on the court that can also guard those players. If he was a lock down defender or great shooter, I'd say sure. But he's not and and I think there were too many times last year where Westphal left him in games when he really needed to go with someone else.
PurpleHaze
All-Star
I don't think Kings have been ignoring Udoka but discussion with him and his agent on kind of deal that may be on the table. Since he'll be 33 soon the Kings are not offering a long term contract but more along the lines of one year with option - but maybe not enough money or long enough for Ime to want to stay in Sac. Could open up possiblity for Christmas in the backcourt as a poor mans "D-stopper" that Udoka represented. On the otherhand, I don't think he's nearly the seasoned offensive threat that Ime is - which isn't saying much.
MassachusettsKingsFan
All-Star
I wouldnt mind bringing back Udoka if Westphal wasnt so damn obsessed with playing him.
Too many times last season Westphal would bring Udoka in under pressure situations or when things went wrong because he was 'the vet who could play D'
We need to let our guys work through there problems, and close out games on their own. If Westphal could find a way to keep Udoka out of the game, then sure why not? but I just dont think risking that is worth it .. you can find Udoka's out there.
Too many times last season Westphal would bring Udoka in under pressure situations or when things went wrong because he was 'the vet who could play D'
We need to let our guys work through there problems, and close out games on their own. If Westphal could find a way to keep Udoka out of the game, then sure why not? but I just dont think risking that is worth it .. you can find Udoka's out there.
I think Ryan Thompson will be a pretty good Udoka replacement. Plus Ryan Thompson shoots 90% at the FT line so he won't choke when we play the Lakers. He's good defensively and is probably at the same 3pt level as Udoka if not better. Ryan Thompson also has better ball handling skills (Mario Elie even let him bring the ball up sometimes). Ryan Thompson also does important things for the offense like getting to the correct spot on the floor and passing the ball when he gets it. He plays like a vet so we wouldn't lose (too much) of that either.
Last edited:
Bricklayer
Don't Make Me Use The Bat
We have to be careful about losing too many of the steady hardworking dirt workers we had here last year. There is a reason a title contender is interested in him.
One of the players it would be nice to fill out the roster with is a backup 2/3 who plays defense, is physical, and doesn't require the ball to be effective. Who does that sound like? Be nice if that player was a strong shooter as well, but for what we appear to be willing to pay, finding that combo seems unlikely.
One of the players it would be nice to fill out the roster with is a backup 2/3 who plays defense, is physical, and doesn't require the ball to be effective. Who does that sound like? Be nice if that player was a strong shooter as well, but for what we appear to be willing to pay, finding that combo seems unlikely.
Last edited:
NoBonus
Starter
Good point. Say the Kings hang on to one guy from Summer league (Ryan Thompson, right?); that still leaves two spots. And, though, I agree, Udoka is imperfect, I do not see a lot of better options out there.... who else is available? A.I.? T-Mac? Eddie House? Maybe try to outbid the Lakers for Shannon Brown and massively overpay? Who else is out there that the Kings would not have to overpay who could contribute? Not many guys.
S
sactownfan
Guest
hell to the no!!!!
this would be a great year to really just focus on Casspi and Green.... this is a big year for Green he really needs the playing time either as a starter or off the bench... and Ime just KILLS these two guys (Casspi/Green) mins... Ime sucks... theres a million better players that are younger and better prospects....
this would be a great year to really just focus on Casspi and Green.... this is a big year for Green he really needs the playing time either as a starter or off the bench... and Ime just KILLS these two guys (Casspi/Green) mins... Ime sucks... theres a million better players that are younger and better prospects....
NoBonus
Starter
If Ime is so terrible, how come he takes away Greene and Casspi's playing time on a team that appears to be focused on developing talent? Doesn't say much for Greene and Casspi... Greene and Casspi were very inconsistent last season...
Last edited:
S
sactownfan
Guest
they were 1st and 2nd year players last year... and like 19-20 years old? they typically are inconsistent at that time and age... but Westphal had some sort Reggie theus hold up with FIRST... Desmond Mason then Ime and NOC.... all of which were and should be peaced out all together or to another team thats in a win now place...
Ime wasn't exactly mr consistent if you really think about it... maybe consistent at being super blah minus like one or two games all year.... I think Westphal was attempting to do some sort of damage control and sneek out a few more wins, when he should have just started Green or Casspi all year... although Casspi was totally gassed at the end Green should have at least been getting the majority of mins....
NOC and IME should be sent off forever.... keep these kinda players away from Westphal !!!!
Ime wasn't exactly mr consistent if you really think about it... maybe consistent at being super blah minus like one or two games all year.... I think Westphal was attempting to do some sort of damage control and sneek out a few more wins, when he should have just started Green or Casspi all year... although Casspi was totally gassed at the end Green should have at least been getting the majority of mins....
NOC and IME should be sent off forever.... keep these kinda players away from Westphal !!!!
They were inconsistent...because they are young guys still learning the nba game. They will learn that best by being on the court, not watching a career scrub who isn't particularly good at anything eat their minutes. Now, if Ime came in, made smart veteran plays, hit big shots, shut down opposing players, than ok, earn those minutes youngsters. The fact is, he doesn't. He makes some poor decisions, is a bad shooter and quite frankly hasn't done enough in his career to justify playing in front of inconsistent guys that are part of the future of this franchise.
Should you keep him around as a pratice player? No problem. But since Westphal seems to like playing him and that means he either eats into the young guys minutes or replaces whatever shooter/passer guard we need, than I say enjoy Boston.
