Breaking Beno to Salvage Him

by Ziller on Jan 9, 2009 10:02 AM PST in Commentary Comment 8 comments

About a year ago, Ailene Voisin talked with Pete Carril about the state of the Kings. I'd love to point you to the interview, but The Bee's archives are but a nightmarish forest of 404s. (The quickness with which Bee URLs go bad is astounding in this day.)

Instead, we'll have to rely on the part I quoted for this here site at the time. Luckily, it's on one of more important players in terms of Carril's impact: Beno Udrih.

Q: You mentioned Udrih. What do you like about his game?

A: Just about everything except his defense. He's a little slow, but so is Mike Bibby. They remind me of Cal Ripken, the shortstop, guys who can't cover much ground, but they compensate because they have an idea what the guy is trying to do, where he's trying to go. Any slow guy is going to need help. But when Beno brings the ball up the court, you're looking at a point guard. Once that kid (Udrih) learns, figures out when you're shooting too much - and I know he's going to figure that out - he's going to be good. Figure out when you've got to penetrate and pass. And play better defense.

Defense has been Kenny Natt's most powerful bludgeon against Beno, a fact further emphasized in today's Voisin column.

But what he says is true. Deep down, he's all Jerry Sloan, all about defense. His priority is to convince Udrih that his on-ball defense must improve drastically, and immediately.

"That's where I'm challenging him," said Natt. "Send the message to the other coach. 'Hey, don't come at me like that.' Defense. That's where it starts."

Last year, Carril said Beno needs to be smarter to play better defense -- "they compensate because they have an idea what the guy is trying to do" -- and Natt wants Beno to play harder. Seems like a workable combination, if not a reasonable solution.

But the key for me is that Carril said he believes in Beno's abilities as a point guard on offense, that he just needs to get his shot selection right. Having Carril behind the scenes (he won't be sitting on the bench) should give Beno an advocate in Natt's ear. So long as Natt can keep his out-facing stance of reasonable Sloan-style demands toward the point guard, this whole thing -- Beno's struggles leading to his benching -- can turn out for the better.

Maybe I've gotten too optimistic based on one day of good news, maybe the Coachie Kool-Aid has been loaded with MDMA. But really, I think Beno -- and by obvious extension, the Kings -- will come out a much better point guard because of his battle with Natt. The coach is breaking him in pieces, and with the help of a genius Natt is going to put Beno's parts back together the right way.

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I

think you’re right, unless Beno’s self confidence is weak and it shatters all of it. But I think he’ll get it turned it around.

They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.

by what_the_crap on Jan 9, 2009 11:08 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

No reason to argue the point

I just think Beno isn’t really the fit for this system because Ron Artest’s presence masked some of his weakness’ last season. Of course, he played his best ball without Artest on the court, which hurts that argument. Something tells me, that Beno isn’t quite the player with the edge here he was last season , and needs a change of scenery (yet again).

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Jan 9, 2009 11:43 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Beno

Just isn’t that good. Someone here said it – the Kings were paying for what they thought he could be, not what he was. It may be that he’s as good as he’s going to get.

Shut up and Coach

by Carl on Jan 9, 2009 12:53 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Beno's contract is longer than Natt's

If Natt pushes too hard or if Beno decides not to listen, Beno still has a job next year and Natt is probably gone. But, if coachie is telling Beno something, Beno better listen because GP listens to coachie and GP will definitely outlast Beno.

"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom

by HighTops on Jan 9, 2009 12:57 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I don't know about that

GP might retire before Beno does. But, on the other hand, that statement is true of Levien. (I’m sure he also would listen to Carril.)

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Jan 9, 2009 1:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Hmmmmmm

hard to tell how a player/personality will react to this tactic. But that ship has sailed so we’ll have to see.

I personally thought he was doing much better, trying hard to make the adjustment in the (which game last week?) that he had 5 assts and 1 TO before he got benched. Not defending him, just remarking on it. At some point though you do have to give him the opportunity/time to make the change in game situations.

"You keep on using that word
I do not think it mean what you think it means"

by lietothegirls on Jan 9, 2009 1:08 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

There was one game where Beno seemed to play better and was benched anyway. I’m disappointed in Beno’s play overall and in his contract, but I will recognize when he plays well.

Shut up and Coach

by Carl on Jan 9, 2009 1:48 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

corny to say but -

The ball really is in Beno’s court. I have to believe that Beno is prideful and trying. I have to believe the effort and desire is there. I don’t want to believe that Beno is a pre-retired-after-contract-signing guy.

So, though he has been through a defense-first system before and been summerly dismissed (Spurs) I have not given up on the guy, there is too much good to just show him the pine. I also believe Coach Natt is smart enough to judge how much to bend without breaking the spirit of his players. It is an integral part of coaching and this guy (Natt) has experience. Is he a starting point guiard on a playoff team or contender? Does not appear so, but he is probably the best we have right now (crosses fingers on BBrown).

More than defense, from my perspective, are the turnovers. You can’t be a successful quaterback if you can’t facilitate the offense. I am surprised Coachie hasn’t mentioned that in his synopsis.

by betweentheeyes on Jan 10, 2009 10:59 AM PST reply actions 0 recs