The Memphis Grizzlies hit an unexpected speed bump in the middle of their three-game winning streak on Saturday night. They fell to the Denver Nuggets, in a 114-85 smack-down that I’m sure no one saw coming.
It was the seventh consecutive game they were without their starting power forward Zach Randolph, but they missed a less heralded member of their rotation — backup point guard Beno Udrih was also absent due to a lower leg contusion.
Udrih had just come off a game against the Los Angeles Lakers that saw him shoot 6-of-8 from the floor for 16 points. He would also finish with three assists in the three-point Memphis victory. Games like that have not been out of the ordinary for Udrih this season.
Nick Calathes was the primary backup point guard last year with Udrih in a more limited role (5.5 minutes per game in 10 games), but on Apr. 18 last season, Calathes was suspended 20 games for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy. That suspension would carry into the 2014-2015 season, so the Grizzlies re-signed Udrih to hold down the job, at least until Calathes returned.
Instead of being a placeholder, he has run away with the job. In 31 games, Udrih is averaging 7.5 points, and 3.4 assists on 50.8 percent shooting. His Player Efficiency Rating of 17.21 is the highest of his career. Udrih only plays 17.9 minutes per game, but he has been extremely reliable.
That reliability gives Dave Joerger the ability to rest Mike Conley or even play them together to unleash a two-headed point-guard monster that can score and facilitate.
Udrih is something of an NBA journeyman. The Slovenian southpaw began his career during the 2004-2005 season with the San Antonio Spurs after being drafted 28th overall in the first round of the 2004 NBA Draft. After three seasons with the Spurs, he went to Sacramento for four seasons.
With the Kings he would have his most success, peaking in 2010-2011 when Udrih averaged 13.7 points per game as the starting point guard. Since then, he has spent time with the Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks, and New York Knicks with varying levels of success.
On Feb. 27, 2014, the Grizzlies claimed Udirh off waivers from the Knicks, but he would not start making a significant impact until this season.
The success Udrih is having is finally starting to be recognized, and not just by people who have an affinity for left-handed Slovenians (I also enjoy the Dragic brothers immensely).
— Andrew Snyder (@acsnyde) December 17, 2014
Grantland’s Zach Lowe included Udrih in the bench section of his annual “Luke Walton All-Stars” Column.
Lowe had this to say about Udrih’s game:
"“Udrih is the rare bird who shoots much better off the bounce than he does as a catch-and-shoot guy; he is shooting a ridiculous 52 percent on pull-up jumpers, but an icy 11-of-40 on catch-and-shoot chances — including just 7-of-31 from deep, per SportVU tracking data.”"
He is also much better from midrange than from behind the three-point line. The stats back this up. Udrih is only shooting 18.6 percent from behind the arc, but his shooting percentage from 10-16 feet is an impressive 59 percent and it only drops to 51 percent from between 16 feet and the three-point arc. Udrih loves the midrange jumper and it appears that it loves him back.
From a purely aesthetical point of view, Udrih is a joy to watch on the court. He zips around the court changing speeds and working himself into tight spaces. He is a good passer and seems to be a calming influence on the bench unit. His quick pull-up jumpers can ignite the FedEx Forum crowd almost as much as a big three-point shot or a breakaway dunk. He can also silence a crowd with those midrange missiles, which he did several times at Staples Center Friday night.
The Memphis bench has played better than in years past, but as a whole it can be inconsistent. Udrih’s 7.5 points per game lead all bench scorers, as do his 3.4 assists. Udrih has been the one stable force, bringing consistent play most nights when players like Vince Carter, Tayshaun Prince, and Quincy Pondexter have gone through hot and cold streaks.
At 32 years old, Udrih is proving he can still be a contributor on a championship contending team. He has embraced his role and the Grizzlies are better for it.