Interesting Interview with Beno Udrih

[preldzic]

Beno was realy honest, direct and kind of critical in this interview, so I decided to translate it for you. Original is of course in slovene. The translation includes only the question, that are in my opinion interesting for Sacramento fans. If you want me to translate some other questions or explain possibly in some parts incomprehensible translation, just ask.

http://www.siol.net/Sportal/Sportal_plus/Intervjuji/2009/04/Na_obisku_pri_Benu_Udrihu.aspx

Q1. Beno, how do you compare life in SA to life in SAC?
A1. I am still emotionaly attached to SA. I actually spent there first three years oversees and achieved my first big success with the Spurs. But otherwise the life in Sacramento is great. Because it is not a big city, there is not a lot of traffic. Everything is happening with slower pace, more relaxed than in bigger cities. That suits me well.

Q2. And comparison between Spurs and Kings?
A2. I have to admit that I liked the Spur's entire sytem of operation more, because overall the system was more organized. Every employee in the club knew exacly, what his tasks are and what are his limits. Of course I am not saying that situation is bad in SAC, working conditions are great - on the level, appropriate for an NBA club. The difference is in the details. And in those details there is sometimes a difference between success and failure.

Q3. What about the conditions on a team (players, coach)? This year it is not going well...
A3. I can draw a comparison with SA again. In SA we knew exactly, which player has what task. Here in SAC, some players would like to do it all and improve their own statistics. That is clearly seen on the results. I consider myself a team player. I do not to play for my own statistics, but for a team. Otherwise, we (players) expected better results. But I still think that although we have a bad season, we still have a good team with lots of space for improvement.

Q4. Are you satisfied with you role?
A4. Overall, I would say so. I am in the starting five so I play enought minutes That is what I wanted the most after the trade from Spurs. I train hard and play well. I only see a problem in our program (playbook), we do not have a lot of plays, in which I would feel good as a point guard. I like to handle the ball, I like to play pick'n roll and other plays, in which I handle the ball for a longer period of time.

Q5. Is the new coach responsible for that?
A5. Partly. He is new and has his own methods. I am the opinion, that he does not listen to player's opinion, wishes and comments well enought, although the changes might improve our level of play. I have spoken with a coach about my ideas, about the way of playing, which would suit me better and consequently improve our results. But so far I had not succes. Unfortunately, I am not in possition to be a decision maker.

Q6 and A6. Question and answer about his latest injury...

Q7. At the beggining of the year (2009) there were lots of trades untill the trade line. How close were you to being a Dallas Maverick?
A7. There were lost of rumours, but the truth is that my possition on a team was never threatened. It is true, that Dallas was interested, but the fact is, that is have signed 4+1 contract. Dallas would only want me, if I would have signed a 2 years contract. I was closer to Dallas before I resigned with Sacramento, but I could not sign for more than 2 years. At that time, NY and MIA were also interested.

Q8. The actual topis is recession. Do you feel it? Does the club feel it?
A8. No, there are no everyday changes. But some players felt it, when they were traded because of their (too) expensive contracts. That has happened to almost NBA team, including Sacramento.

Q9. The season is comming to an end. Do you think about the national team?
A9. Of course. I immediately confirmed playing for a national team, when the delegation of the Slovenian Basketbal Assotiation came. I am looking forward to playing for Slovenia again. I would have been able to play on the national team last year, but I was right before signing a new contract. Timewise it did not work out. This year I have a "For the love of the game" clause in my contract, so the club cannot prevent me to play for the national team.

Other questions and answers are about the national team, about the new national team coach and about playing in Europe after NBA career. He said that he would like to remain in the NBA, because conditions are just better. There are also some pictures of his home after the interview. Another big contract with SAC and he will soon be on CRIBS

[pillwenney]

Thank you very much for taking the time and effort to translate.

Interesting stuff.It's weird how some European guys are just very honest in the foreign press--as if word couldn't possibly spread back to their team (not that Beno doesn't make plenty of solid points).

[SacKingZZZ]

Yeah, thanks for translating that for us!

It is kind of weird, like this won't be in the Sac bee tomorrow now!

Beno is a solid player, but c'mon, he couldn't play for statistics if his life depended on it. It just isn't the type of player he is. He also says he likes to have the ball in his hands, yet, I think he'd be better off the ball himself. His assist to turnover ratio is far too putrid for him to be the focus of the ballhandling and playmaking.

[tru6playa]

After reading questions 4 & 5, I thought forsure this was a late April Fools Joke...but who knows, maybe Beno really has the balls to make statements. But I sure hope he doesn't think he needs the ball in his hands more; his handles are horrible, and his split-the-defender moves works at a 35-percent rate.

[murray]

Thanks for the translation.

I actually agree with Beno in pretty much all he said. The point guard should have the ball in his hands, and be free to make decisions. Beno really calls Natt out for his lack of cooperation in this Q&A.

[darkadun]

I agree with his comments too.

There is no system in place here that I can make out. The other night against GSW, it looked like a pick up game at the gym, with players doing whatever the hell they wanted. To me, thats one of the biggest problems with the team. Looking at our roster, we have talent, but we don't make the best use out of the personel we have. We might not be a playoff team, but certainly should be better than a 16 win team, when virtually the same team, minus artest won 38 games last year.

[pillwenney]

Yeah, thanks for translating that for us!

It is kind of weird, like this won't be in the Sac bee tomorrow now!

Beno is a solid player, but c'mon, he couldn't play for statistics if his life depended on it. It just isn't the type of player he is. He also says he likes to have the ball in his hands, yet, I think he'd be better off the ball himself. His assist to turnover ratio is far too putrid for him to be the focus of the ballhandling and playmaking.

To be fair, he has been noticeably better since the trades in this department. Like, for a lot of the season, it wasn't even 2/1, which is in fact putrid for a PG. But lately, it has been around 3/1, which is pretty damn solid.

After reading questions 4 & 5, I thought forsure this was a late April Fools Joke...but who knows, maybe Beno really has the balls to make statements. But I sure hope he doesn't think he needs the ball in his hands more; his handles are horrible, and his split-the-defender moves works at a 35-percent rate.

His handles aren't really the problem, it's his decision-making. He just so often tries to make plays that just aren't there. But like I said, this has been better recently.

[SacKingZZZ]

To be fair, he has been noticeably better since the trades in this department. Like, for a lot of the season, it wasn't even 2/1, which is in fact putrid for a PG. But lately, it has been around 3/1, which is pretty damn solid.

True, but when you aren't handling the ball as much, like Beno is complaining about, maybe that has a positive effect?