Mike Finger: Spurs' Udrih on quest for Pop's trust

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Web Posted: 11/18/2006 01:05 AM CST
San Antonio Express-News

Beno Udrih can't know for sure how close he is. Gregg Popovich doesn't tell him, and Udrih doesn't ask.

But little by little, with nights like the one he had Friday at the AT&T Center, Udrih senses himself getting nearer to following through on the vow he made in France six weeks ago.

"I'm going to get Pop's trust back," he said.

Udrih is smart enough to know this won't be a short-term project, just as the Spurs recognized Udrih wouldn't be an overnight success. It's all about what Brent Barry calls "laying a foundation," and that philosophy works for developing point guards much in the same way it works for developing trust.

During training camp in Europe last month, it looked like both projects were on the brink of disaster. Udrih was sidelined after aggravating a hamstring injury, and Popovich — growing increasingly frustrated with his third-year guard's unavailability — went public in questioning Udrih's toughness.

Not only did Popovich label Udrih the team's fourth point guard and say "we can't count on him," he also said the Spurs were having second thoughts about picking up the relatively cheap $1.75 million fourth-year option on Udrih's rookie contract. The team wound up exercising the option anyway, but Udrih entered the season knowing he had to prove himself all over again.

Last season, when he was pushed down the depth chart with the signing of Nick Van Exel, Udrih said all the right things and tried to use it as a learning experience.

But even though he said he understood why the Spurs made the move, he acknowledges that after enjoying what he thought was a solid rookie season in 2004-05, Van Exel's arrival didn't exactly boost his confidence.

"Maybe it hurt me a little bit," Udrih said.

Nine games into his third season, Udrih is trying to use that hurt — as well as Popovich's tough European love — as a driving force. And a 100-83 victory over the Bulls, he illustrated how.

On a night when he scored six points and racked up a season-high nine assists, one play in particular showed why the Spurs stuck with him. Early in the second quarter, Udrih deflected a Kirk Hinrich pass high into the air, leaped to corral the loose ball, then took three quick dribbles across midcourt before hitting Manu Ginobili — in perfect stride — with a behind-the-back pass for a fast-break lay-up.

Barry, who has become one of Udrih's closest friends, said those kind of plays — as well as mistakes like the one Udrih made when he fouled Hinrich 80 feet from the basket with 2.5 seconds left in the third — are to be expected from the talented-but-still-developing Slovenian.

"You just see glimpses on the floor of what he can do," Barry said. "But in other ways, he's as immature as my 6-year-old."

Barry made that comparison as he shook his head and watched his rambunctious son slide around the corner of the Spurs' locker room on an Ab Roller, and the scene was vaguely similar to one earlier in the evening. While the Bulls were shooting a free throw, Udrih chatted with referee Dick Bavetta instead of taking his position at the top of the arc, and Popovich had to plea for his attention like a flustered father.

But Popovich can be a proud papa, too. He's raved about Udrih so far this season and said Friday that Udrih is "the best passer on the team."

Barry agrees. Four of Udrih's assists against the Bulls set up 3-pointers, and Barry said that's because Udrih has a knack for setting up his teammates in perfect rhythm.

"His timing is something you really can't teach," Barry said. "It's uncoachable."

Now that Udrih's playing time is becoming more consistent, both he and the rest of the Spurs are better able to take advantage of those ingrained abilities. Udrih said he's as comfortable on the floor as he's ever been in San Antonio, and he's no longer stumbling over thoughts about what plays to call while pushing the ball up the court.

"Now, it's already in my head," Udrih said. "I don't have to think about it, or worry about it."

As for winning Pop's trust?

Before long, he might not have to worry about that, either.