Blazers Sign Ime Udoka to Non-Guaranteed Deal
by Ben Golliver on Sep 25, 2009 12:43 PM PDT
in News
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PrintPer text message from the team...
Trail Blazers sign Ime Udoka. Terms of the deal not disclosed.
Here's a press release from the team.
Trail Blazers Sign Ime Udoka
Portland native played 2006-07 season with Trail Blazers
PORTLAND, Ore. - The Trail Blazers have signed forward Ime Udoka, General Manager Kevin Pritchard announced today. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"We're really excited about having Ime back," said Pritchard. "He played a key role in our resurgence and we look forward to adding a player of his talent, character and experience to what is shaping up to be a very competitive camp roster."
Udoka (6-5, 220), a five-year NBA veteran, has posted career averages of 6.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.0 assist and 20.4 minutes in 227 games (78 starts) with the L.A. Lakers, New York, Portland and San Antonio.
The 32-year-old saw action in 67 games, including three starts, with San Antonio in 2008-09. He averaged 4.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 15.4 minutes.
As a Trail Blazer in 2006-07, Udoka experienced his best season as a professional, notching career highs of 8.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 28.6 minutes in 75 games (all starts). His .461 field goal percentage and .406 three-point percentage also marked career bests.
A Portland native and Jefferson High School graduate, Udoka played his senior season and graduated from Portland State University in 2000.
Trail Blazers training camp tips off on Tuesday, September 29.
From the wording of Pritchard's statement it sounds like Udoka's deal is non-guaranteed and simply for camp.
Strange that this would warrant a full Press Release. However, Ime is a local legend and currently runs a successful AAU team in Portland. He has mentored Mike Moser, who is entering his freshman season at UCLA, and Nigel Williams-Goss, a highly-regarded high school prospect.
Update: Joe Freeman confirms that the deal is non-guaranteed.
Ime Udoka, who became a fan favorite during the 2006-07 season when he surprisingly ascended from an NBA Development League player to NBA starter, was invited to to compete for for the Blazer's 15th and final roster spot. He has a non-guaranteed training camp contract.
-- Ben (benjamin.golliver@gmail.com)
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Ha, FanHouse was announcing the Nuggets had a lot of interest to get him to training camp
Pretty sure it’s unguaranteed though
"I think he can still play" - Kevin Pritchard on Juwan Howard
Yes, I've woken up in a good mood.
Let’s hope that this is a prelude to Travis Outlaw being dealt for a backup power forward who’s tough on defense, rebounds proficiently, and can play spot minutes center with ease.
Stupid people have stupid ideas.
Yes, please.
Finally we would have someone who could really guard the bigger, more physical wings. Plus he’s probably way more content to ride the pine than someone like Outlaw or Webster.
15 minutes a game against the bigger small forwards? That sounds terrific to me. It makes Lamar Odom, Ron Artest, and even Richard Jefferson way less of a problem to match up with.
by Nick Van Excellent on Sep 25, 2009 4:22 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah, if Nicolas Batum keeps on improving and Martell Webster is 100% healthy, Ime Udoka ...
is a well-traveled, seasoned defender at the third-string small forward spot who’d be contented with being on the inactive list and doing his job in practice. Yet, if some setback were to hamper Webster, Udoka may give the team 12 to 16 good minutes out there.
Travis Outlaw and Jerryd Bayless would no longer be lingering over anyone’s shoulders, while a team-oriented role player like Nick Collison or Jeff Foster could play 12 to 16 minutes per game behind LaMarcus Aldridge — as well as cover for Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla in case of foul trouble, injury, et cetera — which’d turn my favorite buzzword, “roster balance,” into a reality.
Stupid people have stupid ideas.
Well...
I disagree about Bayless. I don’t think you can trade him yet, unless it’s for another young-ish point guard (Kirk Hinrich). Andre Miller is like old milk that’s about to expire. It might still taste good, but unless you have a fresh gallon on the shelf you might suddenly find yourself unable to eat your breakfast.
On a side note, do you realize that Bayless’ best case scenario is probably a rich man’s Delonte West? If he gets his shot back on track and stops being quite so aggressive on defense then he is golden. GOLDEN.
by Nick Van Excellent on Sep 25, 2009 4:54 PM PDT up reply actions
Jerryd Bayless lacks the length to defend opposing shooting guards like Delonte West.
Although they’re relatively the same height, West’s standing reach and wingspan are both 2.5" longer than Bayless’ standing reach and wingspan; that’s a big deal. As it is, Bayless’ career trajectory looks to be that of Louis Williams. That’s not too appealing to me, though.
Stupid people have stupid ideas.
Lois Williams is good offensively. He has a PER of 21.3 as a PG, and 15.5 as a SG.
Defensively, Bayless is already better than Williams, despite his over aggressiveness, which drives me crazy, but will almost certainly change with time.
All Bayless lacks, is good court vision and basketball smarts. Which happens to be the same things West lacked when he came into the league. Give it a little time and he could be the perfect player to stick next to Roy.
by Nick Van Excellent on Sep 25, 2009 6:22 PM PDT up reply actions
but, if KP trades Jerryd
then he’s gotta scratch his PG itch and bring in a 3rd PG..unless you think Roy/Rudy and their miserable “PG purity” stats are going to be waiting in reserve in case of injury to Andre (unlikely) or Steve (more likely)
so that hypothetical 3rd PG would be in direct conflict with Udoka for the 15 roster spot
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
There'd be room for both on a 15-man roster.
C: Joel Przybilla
C: Greg Oden
C: Jeff Pendergraph
PF: LaMarcus Aldridge
PF: Nick Collison or Jeff Foster
PF: Dante Cunningham
PF: Juwan Howard
SF: Nicolas Batum
SF: Martell Webster
SF: Ime Udoka
SG: Brandon Roy
SG: Rudy Fernandez
PG: Steve Blake
PG: Andre Miller
PG: ???
Stupid people have stupid ideas.
Let's all hope and pray
that Joel and Greg don’t get injured.
Big D from Blog-A-Bull - "Pritchard is such a genius that teams just give him players for free."
Greg Oden - The only other rookie with more than 500 points, 400 rebounds, and 65 blocks in under 1400 minutes played. Since 1946
by FiveOhThree-RipCity!! on Sep 25, 2009 12:48 PM PDT reply actions
Log jam? were so far past the log jam
it’s still a tree. A tree jam.
spread that on some toast and call it breakfast.
Andre to Roy alley oops = 24-7 = All day every day
mmmmm...tree flavored
"Thunder is good, thunder is impressive; but it is lightning that does all the work"
-Mark Twain
non-guaranteed
Wheels confirmed that it was a non-guaranteed deal but had no other specifics.
Life is about growth. People are not perfect when they're 21 years old. - Bill Walton
thanks
Ime’s a good guy to bring it to training camp, but he’s not a good fit for the last roster spot.
Non-guaranteed mean what?
It is like a 10 day contract for training camp?
Big D from Blog-A-Bull - "Pritchard is such a genius that teams just give him players for free."
Greg Oden - The only other rookie with more than 500 points, 400 rebounds, and 65 blocks in under 1400 minutes played. Since 1946
by FiveOhThree-RipCity!! on Sep 25, 2009 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions
It's basically a non-guaranteed contract
It locks him into the Blazers’ training camp, but doesn’t guarantee a spot on the 15 man roster. He can be cut at anytime.
That unless he injures himself, the team can cut him at a moments notice and not owe him further payments
"I think he can still play" - Kevin Pritchard on Juwan Howard
I see, thanks for clarifying.
Big D from Blog-A-Bull - "Pritchard is such a genius that teams just give him players for free."
Greg Oden - The only other rookie with more than 500 points, 400 rebounds, and 65 blocks in under 1400 minutes played. Since 1946
by FiveOhThree-RipCity!! on Sep 25, 2009 1:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Then on January 10 all contracts become guaranteed for the rest of the season no matter if they are fully or partly unguaranteed
But basically it’s a way for free agents to show what they can do for a team, and for the team to only have minimal risk in bringing in a player. An injury (at least a long-term one) would make the contract guaranteed, which happened to Miami and Orlando last season.
"I think he can still play" - Kevin Pritchard on Juwan Howard
Canzano posted this on his FB at the same time Ben did here
Wow, he’s on top of things today
Blazers win!
any other small forwards on the market
are we hoping to screw the league by making sure that whoever loses out on LeBron has no options at the 3?
wanderlust
Yes, since he was working out in the practice facility for weeks. Called it a few weeks ago. He is also on the photos defending Roy
But I doubt they will really keep him. The roster would really be too stacked with small forward candidates.
"I think he can still play" - Kevin Pritchard on Juwan Howard
Unless there's a trade in the works
"if Nate has Roy or Miller in the game at all times, that stagnation will turn into conflagration" -- two4larue
No trade is Ime-nent :)
"I think he can still play" - Kevin Pritchard on Juwan Howard
by Norsktroll on Sep 25, 2009 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions 9 recs
Yeah, that really was bad
Wish I’d thought of it.
"if Nate has Roy or Miller in the game at all times, that stagnation will turn into conflagration" -- two4larue
I thought this was funny.
But I like childish name calling too.
Andre to Roy alley oops = 24-7 = All day every day
Flag for copying a horrible pun…
.
.
.
and for other reasons only you know about
Welcome to Blazers Edge. I see you're new here. please take the time to read the "If You're New to BlazersEdge"post located in the sidebar. Have a swell day
by The Arkitect on Sep 25, 2009 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions
I rec all puns.
As a former Poet Laureate, I consider it my personal responsibility.
μὴ φοβοῦ, μόνον πίστευε.
he must've lost his ability to rhyme
or his rhythm for iambic pentameter?
those blank pages can be a tough mistress, and kids have a way of rearranging the ol’ priorities
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I was only Poet Laureate for the 2008-2009 Season.
It’s right here in the rules.
There are only three reasons why another wasn’t named for this season. First, I was so good that I was deemed irreplaceable. Second, I was so bad that it was decided never to risk doing anything like that ever again. Third is the ubiquitous yet utterly enigmatic “other.”
μὴ φοβοῦ, μόνον πίστευε.
Other strikes again....
That’s why so many poll questions include it.
That’s why it wins by large margins.
Other is going to be chosen by all the Critics for NBA Champion this year.
μὴ φοβοῦ, μόνον πίστευε.
If Dave ever holds a Pun Laureate contest, I'm in.
by MiledAnimal on Sep 25, 2009 3:57 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
If that ever happuns
I’ll vote for ya!
by Corvid on Sep 25, 2009 8:58 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I love you
"No disrespect to Jeff Blake"
by Eat Politicians on Sep 25, 2009 4:14 PM PDT up reply actions
There's just no way that we could possibly trade away a good, local guy.
That would be a heart-breaking situation. I don’t think Kevin Pritchard could do that to anyone.
…
Except Fred Jones, Dan Dickau and Ime Udoka. Which is pretty much local guy who ever made our team recently.
μὴ φοβοῦ, μόνον πίστευε.
I wasn't suggesting we would trade Ime
He has little to no trade value. But if we trade one or two of our other players, that might create an opportunity for him to make the team.
"if Nate has Roy or Miller in the game at all times, that stagnation will turn into conflagration" -- two4larue
right
If there was a team that he thought he had a chance to get a guaranteed contract from, he’d be in their training camp
If the Spurs didn’t want him anymore (even for the veteran’s minmum) then why should Portland?
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
The Spurs need to get younger.
They also have good locker room veterans up the wazoo. He might make more sense for a different sort of team. One that’s not rebuilding anymore, but still a little too young.
by Nick Van Excellent on Sep 25, 2009 5:41 PM PDT up reply actions
Well, that completely ruins my post.
Not that it would take much, or ever has for that matter. But the irony would taste… rusty?
μὴ φοβοῦ, μόνον πίστευε.
by T Darkstar on Sep 25, 2009 3:44 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
He works out at the Riverplace Athletic Club
Pretty regularly during the off-season.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
I'm wondering if this is way to...
Say thank you for helping out in scrimmages. By padding his pockets for 15 days and giving rave reviews with a deliberate, “but” in regards to our glut of sf’s. Hopefully, if we don’t trade him, this will help with his chances of landing on another roster
by Oggbog on Sep 25, 2009 4:25 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
this will help with his chances of landing on another roster
That was my feeling. He’ll get into some preseason games and some scouts will see him and maybe another team will have an opening at the wing and give him a chance
in the meantime, Ime might as well work out with a team near “home”. KP did him a favor (with no strings attached) but if another GM offers Udoka guaranteed money, he’ll be on the next plane outta here
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
It's good PR if nothing else
He’s had a great run given his talent level and where he started from.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
Should be some good competition in training camp.
All the SF’s have their work cut out for them!
I miss Martell. Come back soon!
Sweet!
My wife’s cousin is married to Ime’s former agent. That makes me practically a Trailblazer now!
In all seriousness, I like Ime and I’m glad he’s back. Doesn’t look like he’ll be getting minutes though.
BOOM... the window is open wider
#25
Welcome to Blazers Edge. I see you're new here. please take the time to read the "If You're New to BlazersEdge"post located in the sidebar. Have a swell day
Like it
Trade Travis now!! I like Batum, Webster, and Ime more. Trade Travis and maybe Bayless for a back up 4/5. Or hey maybe Travis and Blake for David Lee. Now that would be something sweet.
by desperationshot on Sep 25, 2009 1:05 PM PDT reply actions
It means almost nothing to Travis
Travis is going to get almost all of his PT at the 4 this year, in all probability. Ime is a third string 3, who even if he makes the roster won’t normally be on the active list.
"if Nate has Roy or Miller in the game at all times, that stagnation will turn into conflagration" -- two4larue
yeah, Ime's likely done as a useful NBA player
He’s a strong choice as a guy to bring into training camp but I would say a significant underdog to Collins to get the last roster spot— and (as you mention) spend most of the season off the active list.
isn't it a little late for that?
It’s my understanding that most of the US FAs already have their overseas contracts wrapped up before NBA fall camps get started
unless there’s an injury to one of the other US players in Europe, I suspect Ime will be playing stateside. But maybe some Mediterranean area BB leagues start later than others
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Why would they have to sign Ime to a non-guarateed contract
but not Collins if they are both there training? What is the difference?
Big D from Blog-A-Bull - "Pritchard is such a genius that teams just give him players for free."
Greg Oden - The only other rookie with more than 500 points, 400 rebounds, and 65 blocks in under 1400 minutes played. Since 1946
by FiveOhThree-RipCity!! on Sep 25, 2009 1:18 PM PDT up reply actions
yeah, Collins should get hazard pay
for having to guard Oden
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Yeah, there's no difference.
Each of the training camp fodder were signed to one-year, non-guaranteed contracts worth the veteran’s minimum. I, of course, hope Ime Udoka makes the squad, especially over an invalid like Jarron Collins.
Stupid people have stupid ideas.
One bad year
Does not a career-end make.
by DonkeyShins on Sep 28, 2009 12:40 PM PDT up reply actions
I hear the Wolves want to trade Antonio Daniels for expiring contracts
Hey, just as likely as the never-dying David Lee rumors
"I think he can still play" - Kevin Pritchard on Juwan Howard
I don't understand why Kahn acquired AD in the first place
unless David suffers from the same PG-dependency condition as KP?
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
The trade was to move Darius Songaila, who's contract runs through the 2010-2011 season.
When it’s all said and done, I expect David Kahn to waive Mark Blount and Antonio Daniles within weeks.
Stupid people have stupid ideas.
I like it. A lot.
Worth noting is that Udoka can play both SF and SG. He could be very useful if Roy or Rudy goes down with an injury.
I would think Brex would be in line before Udoka.
Big D from Blog-A-Bull - "Pritchard is such a genius that teams just give him players for free."
Greg Oden - The only other rookie with more than 500 points, 400 rebounds, and 65 blocks in under 1400 minutes played. Since 1946
by FiveOhThree-RipCity!! on Sep 25, 2009 1:16 PM PDT up reply actions
and webster...and batum
"There are a few teams you have to watch out for in the fourth quarter."
"Yeah, but Portland definitely is not one of them."
-New Orleans Hornets broadcasters at the end of the third quarter with the Hornets leading 74-59. Portland later ends up winning 97-89.
"They don't mind him shooting that shot at all. Rudy Fernandez is not that great of a 3pt shooter."
-New Orleans Hornets broadcasters right after a Rudy Fernandez missed 3pter. Rudy Fernandez finished the game with three 3pters on six attempts.
by Tofu Anonymous on Sep 25, 2009 2:00 PM PDT up reply actions
folks once again this is a training camp only contract
In all likelihood he never makes the roster, let alone the inactive list. This has no bearing whatsoever on the chances we trade Outlaw or anyone else.
Ime was very ineffective as a Spur and is probably done as a useful NBA player.
by jksnake99 on Sep 25, 2009 1:17 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Ime Udoka's +/- production indicate that Ime Udoka was still a force to be reckoned with on defense.
Stupid people have stupid ideas.
He would still be there if it wasn't for Jefferson.
It makes sense that he would want to play in Portland towards the end of his career, no? Maybe it’s his choice.
by Nick Van Excellent on Sep 25, 2009 5:42 PM PDT up reply actions
maybe
but Bowen left the SA roster, too, and Ime was supposed to be Bruce’s “replacement” The Spurs like to keep veteran role players around who know their system, because it’s so hard to learn their team defense. (Udoka didn’t get off the bench much in his first year down there, for this very reason)
If Ime was all that and a bag of chips, Buford would’ve kept him around
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Probably.
Except… the Blazers didn’t keep Ime around when he WAS all that and a bag of chips. His leaving wasn’t determined by his playing ability. Not sure why it would have to be that way now.
For instance, we didn’t let James Jones walk because he was bad, we let him walk because of the circumstances. Could be the same deal with the Spurs.
Did he actually say he would sign with the Spurs for the minimum, or is that just a rumor? Maybe he’s giving Portland a discount.
by Nick Van Excellent on Sep 25, 2009 7:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Did he actually say he would sign with the Spurs for the minimum
Beats me, but he doesn’t seem to be rolling in offers at the present. If he and his agent played “hard to get” with the Spurs, then they sure didn’t know who they were dealing with
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Yeah.
I just can’t see him not getting offers. There are a bunch of teams that could use him, and he’s not that old. It’s possible that he just really likes Portland. We don’t need another SF, but it sure makes moving Outlaw or Webster way less painful.
by Nick Van Excellent on Sep 26, 2009 7:21 AM PDT up reply actions
Or, as Canzano speculated
Ime talked to Nate/KP and they told him some inside info (a pending “roster consolidation” deal?) that helped him see that the Blazer’s SF position won’t be as crowded as it appears, right now
Still, it is a make-good unguaranteed contract that Udoka sgned, so if the Blazer’s “plans” fall through he’d be much better off taking guaranteed money from another team…which makes me think those kind of offers just aren’t out there. Some teams aren’t even going to carry 15 players, so it’s marginal guys like Ime who will be getting “the squeeze”
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
gimmeime
"What I'm not looking for is, uh, some big overgrown monster that's always thinkin' about food."
by Starvin' Marvin on Sep 25, 2009 1:17 PM PDT reply actions
Oh, wow, oh, wow
I need to update my Blazer Optimist Manifesto!!!!
Well, maybe not.
Nic, Martell, Rudy, Travis, and Dante all play before he does at SF. Brandon, Rudy, Steve, Jerryd, and probably Martell and Nic play before he does at SG.
The likelihood of him making the roster is less than 5%, IMO, unless there is a significant trade. If he does make the roster, he still won’t be in the top 12. If injuries move him into the top 12, he still won’t play except in blowouts.
The days when Ime was able to contribute to a Blazer team are long gone.
"if Nate has Roy or Miller in the game at all times, that stagnation will turn into conflagration" -- two4larue
by jscot on Sep 25, 2009 1:26 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
The Blazers had to bring Ime onboard.
Juwan and Andre needed someone to play Go with.
by MiledAnimal on Sep 25, 2009 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I KNEW IT!
ah, it just made too much sense!
Udoka fits the culture and is a great locker room guy. He can defend a bit, shoot a bit, and back up the 3 and the 2.
I had a feeling after I saw how he interacted with the team last game @ san antonio.
Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash
I saw Devin Harris interacting well with the Blazer team in NJ, last year
is that a good sign?
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
According to the box score
he interacted all over our face.
Disclaimer: everything I know about basketball I learned on Blazersedge.
by pualo on Sep 25, 2009 3:15 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I was talking about the post game fist bumps
DH was making nice with Brandon, etc
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
how many minutes until we have 15 trade proposals
in the fan posts
smh
The Princess of Blazersedge
Sport is my boyfriend
btw blazersedge the RT button is not working properly
The Princess of Blazersedge
Sport is my boyfriend
Test
"I think he can still play" - Kevin Pritchard on Juwan Howard
by Norsktroll on Sep 25, 2009 1:40 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
indeed.
if twitter goes down or has a timeout problem, our rt button stops work. it’s really annoying. we also have a back-end tweeting function that goes down if twitter goes down.
the bad part is that both site functions end up staying down longer than twitter actually stays down.
sadly there’s nothing we can do.
by Ben Golliver on Sep 25, 2009 2:03 PM PDT up reply actions
yeah i guess it was twitter,
but I freaked out b/c it said “sophiabiabia : this account does not exist”
WHHHHHHHAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!?
:(
All better and a RT for the site. I rule
S
The Princess of Blazersedge
Sport is my boyfriend
I think they're doing this to help emphasize defense during training camp and pre-season.
Ime, while not the best defender in the league, is no slouch on the defensive end. He typically makes good decisions. I’m thinking the blazers want Ime’s defensive attitude to permeate through to the rest of the team and realize they can’t rely on 1 or 2 guys to lock down the opponent.
"Ain't nothin' in this world for free."
yeah, he adds toughness and physicality to the training camp roster
temporarily
now if he only grew 3 inches and put on 20 lbs and played PF we’d have a keeper
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
In honor of Ime's return to the team
Here is the link to the fight of the century
If you haven’t read it before, its awesome. If you have, well its still pretty awesome.
You're saying that they look like they're giving it their all. And you know why they look that way? Because they're bad, and it literally takes them the maximum physical effort to accomplish basic baseball tasks like throwing the ball from short to first. When David Eckstein throws the ball to first base, he has to wind up like a shot-putter, spin around forty-three times, and launch it at an angle 89 degrees from the horizontal. Afterwards, he undergoes an IV drip for a fortnight and he's so out of breath that he requires several months of acupuncture to regain the power of speech. For this we laud him. -Junior of Deadspin on 'scrappy' players
Sorry about that here's a link to the original story
Its titled THE IME UDOKA STORY and is about halfway down the page.
You're saying that they look like they're giving it their all. And you know why they look that way? Because they're bad, and it literally takes them the maximum physical effort to accomplish basic baseball tasks like throwing the ball from short to first. When David Eckstein throws the ball to first base, he has to wind up like a shot-putter, spin around forty-three times, and launch it at an angle 89 degrees from the horizontal. Afterwards, he undergoes an IV drip for a fortnight and he's so out of breath that he requires several months of acupuncture to regain the power of speech. For this we laud him. -Junior of Deadspin on 'scrappy' players
That is pretty awesome. So the players should be safe if another Ha vs. Sinanovic fight breaks out.
"I think he can still play" - Kevin Pritchard on Juwan Howard
Hmm... SFs:
Martell, Nic, Ime, Travis, Dante, Claver.
Not to mention, Roy and Rudy.
Andre to Roy alley oops = 24-7 = All day every day
i really wish he makes the team
hes a bad ass imo and if hes on the end of the bench giving advice to Batum, then im happy about that, and id much rather see him than Collins
Trade for Luis Amundson!!Do it KP!!
then you'll have to root for a "thin the herd" consolidation trade
or, injuries to (probably) two wing players who have guaranteed contracts
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Just curious why the Blazers decided to sign Udoka to a contract at all
Why not just invite him to training camp like Jarron Collins?
"I'm at the thingamajig talking the yakety-yak" - Kenny Smith
There may have been more competition for his services.
He may have requested a non-guaranteed contract in order to get him to join the team.
"Ain't nothin' in this world for free."
Competetive camp
One of the things KP is trying to do this year is make training camp competetive.If anybody doesn’t bring it,they might get knocked to the end of the bench.Plus all the invitees are vets.I think maybe they are showing this young team how the vets prepare for the season.And maybe to toughen up some peops.
by DowntownVinnie on Sep 25, 2009 3:02 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Collins. Udoka. KP now says two more guys have been invited to the Blazers camp: Donell Taylor and Quinton Hosley.
Via Joe Freeman, Oregonian
"I think he can still play" - Kevin Pritchard on Juwan Howard
Donell Taylor is a 6’6" SG who last year played for a second-tier team in Greece and has NBA experience with the Wizards.
Quinton Hosley is a 6’7" SF/PF out of Fresno State who played for Real Madrid last season.
"I think he can still play" - Kevin Pritchard on Juwan Howard
Hosley is 25, Taylor is 27 for what it's worth
"I think he can still play" - Kevin Pritchard on Juwan Howard
I don't see much need for Quinton Hosley, as a fourth-string point guard on the 20-man training ...
camp roster — which was filled by Jamaal Tatum last year — would’ve made more sense regarding pre-season roster balance. An interesting choice could’ve been Dan Dickau, although he does suck.
Another option may’ve been to bring in a warm body at the 1 to give Jerryd Bayless fits in practice, with a decent veteran defender like Jason Hart or Mateen Cleaves — who are hideous on offense — being possibilities. I guess that, well, I don’t quite get what Hosley brings to the table.
Stupid people have stupid ideas.
New post by Ben
http://www.blazersedge.com/2009/9/25/1055271/joe-freeman-tweets-kp-now-says-two
"I think he can still play" - Kevin Pritchard on Juwan Howard
Apparently the Nuggets want Udoka.
“Sources told NBA FanHouse the Nuggets are now looking strongly at small forward Ime Udoka.”-ESPN
Makes sense after losing their best defender.
by Nick Van Excellent on Sep 25, 2009 3:28 PM PDT reply actions
The Denver Nuggets didn't need Joey Graham, as he's not a shooter who can replace Linas Kleiza.
Even with the departure of the foul-prone Dahntay Jones — who I believe is the one NVE is referring to as the Denver Nuggets “best defender” from last season — Mark Warkentien already went ahead and filled that hole with Aaron Afflalo.
Anyway, my suggestion for the Nuggets was to go after Wally Szczerbiak. On the whole, Graham is no better overall than Renaldo Balkman and shouldn’t see too many minutes behind Carmelo Anthony.
Oh well, James “Flight” White might finally realize his immense potential. I wouldn’t bet on it, though.
Stupid people have stupid ideas.
Great to have Ime back but what is the point? Just to have an old familiar face around?
We don’t need 4 small forwards.
Sad to see this is the best Ime could do
Non-guaranteed contract on a team flush with talent at his positions. Really? I hope he gets a better deal somewhere else.
Honor Alaa Abdelnaby.
First in the NBA. At least alphabetically
Maybe this is a first step towards Ime becoming a Blazers' assistant coach
"We don't back down to nobody." --Joel Przybilla
like dave said
if you gotta use your 15th man then youve got problemos
Trade for Luis Amundson!!Do it KP!!
Blazers don't NEED another wing. They already have 5... Anything Ime can do, Nic can do better...
"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal
You think Ime is going to be a backup PF?
Because that’s Trout’s role now.
"if Nate has Roy or Miller in the game at all times, that stagnation will turn into conflagration" -- two4larue
Nate told Batum he would play him at PF in a small 2nd unit.
I think Nic mentioned it in an interview, which is curious because as it stand now that’s completely Outlaw’s spot.
Maybe they know something we don’t. I would be amazed if one of our small forwards didn’t get moved at some point next season and Udoka would make that whole process a lot easier.
by Nick Van Excellent on Sep 26, 2009 7:25 AM PDT up reply actions
small units are fine and dandy during the regular season
but you don’t want to count on them in the playoffs
This argument goes ‘way back to before last spring, for me. At the deadline I was saying "you don’t want to depend on Frye and Outlaw to backup LMA during the post season" But there they were, getting beat on the boards by the Rocket’s PFs (Scola, Landry, Hayes) when the games mattered the most. Everyone said “don’t worry, Portland is one of the best rebounding teams in the league” and that’s what the stats indicated was the truth, during the regular season. But in the 4th quarter of game 4 the Blazers got outscrapped 11-2 on the boards and saw a double-digit lead shrink down into a 1 point loss.
Game. Set. Match.
So don’t speak the “small lineup” jingle too loudly in my ear. When the clock strikes midnight in April, all those speedy, pretty-boy teams get locked out of the big dance
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
But getting Ime hardly helps with that
"if Nate has Roy or Miller in the game at all times, that stagnation will turn into conflagration" -- two4larue
It alows Batum to take Outlaws minutes at PF.
Which means you would have a good defender at SF at all times. Batum could be paired with Joel pretty easy and I don’t see how he would be worse than Outlaw defensively.
by Nick Van Excellent on Sep 26, 2009 1:45 PM PDT up reply actions
ouch
Batum is a tall drink of water, didn’t you see him getting abused by Artest in the Rocket’s series? Martell is closer to a “PF” than Nic (which is to say, he isn’t one)
A trade is definitley in order, I’m just not sure if KP hasn’t gotten the memo, or if he’s already got a deal up his sleeve and is laying low until the Euro-holds come off the cap at the end of October
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
We trade Trout
Package with Bayless and get David Lee.
by DonkeyShins on Sep 28, 2009 12:41 PM PDT up reply actions
Not happening
If he didn’t want to come here as a free agent, we certainly won’t trade for him for only one year and then have him walk away for nothing.
As author of Da BOM (Blazer Optimist Manifesto), I hereby certify that we will win 62 games in the regular season. Disagree at your peril.
Now they have 9 options. Apparently you can never have too many small forwards.
"I think he can still play" - Kevin Pritchard on Juwan Howard
Udoka
I’m not familiar with Udoka, but some commentators were saying the other day that they expected he would sign with another team on account of they felt that he was good enough to be a rotation player somewhere. Think it was maybe on Wheels show about a week ago or so.
Anyway, God help the Blazers if any of these end-of-the-roster guys turn out good enough to necessitate putting them in the rotation- the logjam is bad enough already.
In a similar vein to what someone suggested a few days ago, Portland could probably split off half the team to create a Seattle NBA franchies and both Portland and Seattle would probably be at least average caliber teams right out of the starting blocks.
Enough Already
All this talk about Outlaw has been going on since early summer.He is still a bonafide scorer for the second unit.Im not sure if he’s focused or not .On Twitter ,his"Tweets are about playing Madden online ,how good PS3 is and how great of a rapper Tupac was.Nothin about ball.Seems odd 2 me.He Tweeeted me earlier this summer after a post about competition in camp.His reply was"Why is everybody makin such a big deal about this?"I like Trav personally,but I think he has a huge weight on his shoulders this year to progress,especially in the rebounding department.I feel bad for the guy .It seems like we’re throwing him under the bus.
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