Kings sign Ime Udoka

[TaxMan]

I haven't heard or read anything officially from the Kings, but I doubt they are touting this as that big of a deal. Basically just picking up a player. I don't think this is really intended to be a big move for the team. From some of the comments here, you'd think the Kings had announced Udoka is our savior.

 

[Bricklayer]

I haven't heard or read anything officially from the Kings, but I doubt they are touting this as that big of a deal. Basically just picking up a player. I don't think this is really intended to be a big move for the team. From some of the comments here, you'd think the Kings had announced Udoka is our savior.

Only problem wiht it would be if a) Mason is retained and stays somewhere in the roatation, and b) Udoka appears in the roatation as well, hence directly taking minutes from Omri. The complete disregard of any devlopment for Donte is almsot a given at this point. Essentially we now have FOUR veteran SFs ahead of him, three of whom are healthy.

As an aside, Ime isn't all that even as a defender, else we would not be able to casually pick him up a week into the season. He's a solid try hard roleplayer, but this is a 10th man type, not a 7th man type (actually apparently we are the only team who even thinks that much -- nobody else considered him even a 12th man type this eyar).

 

[KingsCitizen]

There are 2 thinks I could think with this pick up.

1. We're releasing Desmond Mason.
2. We're packaging Donte with some vets for a big man.

 

[rainmaker]

To me, picking Udoka says more about Donte than anything else. I think this organization wants to give Donte an opportunity, but he really isn't ready. In practice, he must be showing he's not capable of playing any kind of consistent minutes. He didn't even suit up last game. Disappointing to say the least.

 

[VF21]

I haven't heard or read anything officially from the Kings, but I doubt they are touting this as that big of a deal. Basically just picking up a player. I don't think this is really intended to be a big move for the team. From some of the comments here, you'd think the Kings had announced Udoka is our savior.

FYI - The first post in the thread contains the text of the official press release. I know, I added it.

 

[Arby's Roast Beef]

Udoka's the sort of guy who absolutely will gain little exposure playing for us--he's just 32-year old spot-up shooting role player, so that definitely doesn't jibe well with our team at all. This cuts both ways--the fact that he signed with us shows that he's merely trying to stay afloat in the NBA in the hopes of resurrecting his albeit small career, while we're just trying to stockpile on veterans who hopefully won't usurp playing time from any younger players. Another 6'5" forward type, as he has little dribbling or passing ability. At least he'll age far better than Mason given that he has shot well in the past (although I wouldn't trust his shot much nowadays) and never relied much on athleticism, but he's really a fringe player in this league who would be far better served on playoff teams, assuming that he even gets back to his Portland state (when he shot like 40%+ on threes).

Scouting report, eons ago:

Past the age of players we should covet, and I just don't think he's that good. The Spurs tried him as an experiment to be their next Bruce Bowen (codeword: shoot corner threes and play defense well), but you saw how that went; now the Spurs have lost Bowen and show absolutely no interest in resigning Udoka.

Part of the problem is that his shooting ability from everywhere tanked after a good shooting year at Portland, and considering that he's a low usage player with pedestrian passing ability and athleticism he needs to shoot well to succeed. Offensively he's largely a three pt shooter and will rarely ever attack the basket, and can rebound and play decent contain defense with his strength and doggedness. But he needs to get that three pt percentage up to snuff because his D's not at that level where it can make up for his offensive shortcomings--but based on his experience and his past success some playoff team should take a flyer on him as a potential defensive guy off the bench. Just not us.

 

[AriesMar27]

this sounds vauely familiar... the spurs dont want a bench player, he goes to a another team who ends up not wanting him; actually didnt even make out of the preseason. geoff signs him for the sake of signing someone who has been on a winning team and he plays pretty well... next thing you know he's signed to a stupid mle level contract and we are stuck with garbage for the next few years. where have i seen this before?

hmmm.... where have i seen this before? oh yeah, beno... wow... geoff you suck at this. maybe its time for petrie to call it quits.... because this is just wrong.

 

[Section 101]

Only problem wiht it would be if a) Mason is retained and stays somewhere in the roatation, and b) Udoka appears in the roatation as well, hence directly taking minutes from Omri. The complete disregard of any devlopment for Donte is almsot a given at this point. Essentially we now have FOUR veteran SFs ahead of him, three of whom are healthy.

As an aside, Ime isn't all that even as a defender, else we would not be able to casually pick him up a week into the season. He's a solid try hard roleplayer, but this is a 10th man type, not a 7th man type (actually apparently we are the only team who even thinks that much -- nobody else considered him even a 12th man type this eyar).

Not true. Portland wanted to keep him, but Patty Mills signed his offer sheet which put them at 15 guaranteed contracts. They were hoping he would take more money over seas.

 

[dbfish]

Mason released? Isn't this the same pitch as his signing?

Only the names were changed to protect the innocent

 

[IDidntDoDat]

We should be checking players DUI records before signing them. How about that for a change

 

[Bricklayer]

Not true. Portland wanted to keep him, but Patty Mills signed his offer sheet which put them at 15 guaranteed contracts. They were hoping he would take more money over seas.

Ah, so I was wrong. Somebody did consider him to be a 15th man.

 

[keflanag]

Mason was just put on Waivers, so this seems to be a direct 1 for 1 replacement:

SACRAMENTO, CA, November 5, 2009 ---- The Sacramento Kings today requested waivers on swingman Desmond Mason, according to President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie. Mason, currently in his 10th NBA season and first with the Kings, averaged 2.6 points (.417 FGs, .750 FTs) and 2.6 rebounds per game through five outings (started four) for Sacramento.


http://www.nba.com/kings/news/press_release_2009_11_04.html