NBA 2004 Redraft: Picking between high school and college champions
By Corey Rausch
#18 Pick: Beno Udrih (Originally: J.R. Smith)
Somehow replacing Smith with the Hornets is extremely complicated and simple all at the same time. Smith was very good in his season in New Orleans. He was a three-time Rookie of the Month and looked like he could be a future building block for the team.
In reality, it is hard to imagine a more conflicted pair of mindsets than J.R. Smith and Byron Scott, a famously prickly head coach who does not appreciate any sort of lack of work ethic or maturity.
Smith was ultimately traded for Tyson Chandler, who worked out well as a partner for Chris Paul. That makes this even more complicated, but taking a solid guard who does not ruffle feather who could have fit with either team is the best choice.
Beno Udrih is a journeyman who always knew how to play his role and fit in. During his career he played for eight teams and was a part of two championships in San Antonio.
His numbers will never be sexy but solid is enough for what we are looking for here. He averaged 12.6 points, 4.7 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game over four seasons for the Kings. There would be no issues with Scott this time. Udrih would have come to work.
With the nineteenth pick in the 2004 NBA Redraft, the Miami Heat select…