So Long, and Thanks for all the Stop-and-Pops

I’m glad he’s playing for a likeable team alongside Brockman now.

He was one of my favorite Kings. I’m sure when the Kings meet up with him, where ever he is we will listen to Jerry say another “Beno Draino.” I wish him well.

He was kind of like that old clunker that you drive when times are tough. You appreciate that it starts for you, but you don’t miss it once you trade up and it’s gone.

Make no mistake, Udrih deserves a lot of credit for making himself into a capable NBA player. After being waived by San Antonio and Minnesota, he came here and developed in spite of playing under four coaches in as many years. Stunning growth as opposed to the stunted growth that has befallen so many during this period in Kings history.

I wish Beno well in his future endeavors and thank him for manning the helm during some of the Kings darkest years. The team was 99-229 while he was here, an average season of 25-57. And the team would have been at least a little worse had he not been here. He was neither cause nor cure. He was really more of a symptom.

Good luck, Beno. Hope that yeti coat comes in handy over the Wisconsin winter.

one of my favorite kings of all time

last year that spin he started using with regularity could not be guarded… turned into his patented move

great to see that he has kobe’s number (not once, but twice)

westphal/petrie better control salmons’ selfish ways… dumb trade

thanks for this post aykis

let’s show beno a lot of love when he comes back to arco…. he earned it

but he certainly was dependable. And that clip of him breaking ankles and doing thangs was great. Thanks to Beno, best of luck to you and the Yeti…

Thank you Beno even more!

The first one is how comfortable I felt with the ball in his hands during crunch time the last couple years. Everyone else was to inconsistent and made me nervous, but I could always count on that stop and pop. The second is how awesome I thought it was that he gave furniture to Brockman when he was a rookie. Class act, I wish him luck.

good luck Beno and it has been fun watching you for the last few years

the first game he played against San Antonio, where he poured in 32(?) and we beat them. I remember that was on the heels of Pops saying he was glad to be rid of Beno because he was so soft, and afterwards he got to eat a bit a crow. Not sure how much it all figured into the grand scheme of things, but it was awesome.

Part of me is glad he got traded though, because my girlfriend had a huge crush on him…so now there won’t be any more competition. Although I did just buy her a Beno jersey like a month ago…

All in all, when he was traded I was surprised as to how sad I got. He was a big part of this team, and always was one to help the players on the court more than anyone. Especially when that story came out about helping that kid with a stricken father, I know that Beno is one the all time great guys and I will definitely miss him.

After a rough start in the League Beno became a better player. He seemed to understand his strengths and weaknesses and honed his game to compliment his abilities.

Somewhat due to language barrier and most likely personality, for us fans Beno appeared a little detached from the excitement. He would have a 30 point outing or a 15 assist performance or a triple double and he seemed so matter of fact and understated in his pride. That is unusual in the ESPN era.

Beno has been the most consistent Kiing these past two seasons. He was relied on heavily at the end of games to make the big free throw (which he did with consistency – not as easy as it looks btw) and to provide some offense which he also did well. He was not the most athletic of players but he provided plenty of highlights with his spin moves and stop-n-pop. He didn’t demand the ball and was durable playing the most minutes in 2010-11 by 400 minutes! He had the best PER on the squad (discounting MThornton’s short time).

Beno will join his 4th NBA team in 7 seasons and once again, I suspect he will be relied upon to perform more than anyone expects and to do so better than anyone expects.
The story of Beno’s off the court generosity of spirit was one of the best posts of this past season for me.

Bravo Beno and bon chance

I’m glad he was able to revive his career here, and he’s one of the few Kings players who I can honestly say always played his heart out, regardless of the score. The Theus/Natt two headed monster of suck tried to break Beno, but he outlasted them both. Onward and upward, good man.

My two favorite moments:

1. Tyreke hugging Beno after he carried the team on his back.
2. The Knicks going bananas when they couldn’t find a stop for Beno – like who is this guy?

It pains me to see him go, but I am glad that he is going to a team where the fans appreciate him.

As it is with every (ok, almost every) former Kings player, I wish him well. We’ll miss the spin moves, Drainos and the Stop and Pop. Hope Milwaukee is ready for the Tazmanian Slovenian

I was always comfortable when Beno had the ball. Solid, reliable and smooth. So long and good luck Beno. I will always be a fan.

And now Milwaukee gets another Kings player with a cool nickname.

:’(

So Long, and Thanks for all the (un)tasty fish!