At the end of the day I think most teams aren't paying draft assets to dump 1 year contracts and that is all the Jazz were entertaining for Diaw.
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Jazz Sign Ekpe Udoh
- Thread starter sepanol
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Keefe
Well-Known Member
I'm as excited as the next guy and have complete faith in Lindsey but Udoh doesn't look remotely impressive in those highlights, other than his passing, and he's doing all this against inferior competition. Jan Vesley lulz. Really?
Udoh grabbed (brace yourself) a whopping 6.6 rebounds per 36 in 2015-16. I know it's a different game over there but I'm really not sure he's gonna even be an upgrade over Withey. Time will tell I guess. FWIW, the guy wasn't even the Euroleague MVP. But even if he was, look at the list of MVP's from there. Woah.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/EuroLeague_MVP
Udoh grabbed (brace yourself) a whopping 6.6 rebounds per 36 in 2015-16. I know it's a different game over there but I'm really not sure he's gonna even be an upgrade over Withey. Time will tell I guess. FWIW, the guy wasn't even the Euroleague MVP. But even if he was, look at the list of MVP's from there. Woah.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/EuroLeague_MVP
Here's a cool article on Ekpe and his fit with the Jazz(go on the link, there are video clips to go along with the analysis):
http://fansided.com/2017/07/13/ekpe-udoh-fit-jazz-signing-gobert/
http://fansided.com/2017/07/13/ekpe-udoh-fit-jazz-signing-gobert/
Ekpe Udoh is back, and better than ever
by Trevor Magnotti
The Jazz became the latest team to dip into the well of European talent on Monday, signing Ekpe Udoh away from Fenerbahce on a two-year, $6.5 million deal. On the surface, the signing doesn’t look too consequential for the Jazz. It’s a short-term deal for a 30-year-old backup center, who’s going to spend most of his time behind Rudy Gobert.
When we last saw Udoh in the NBA — well, “saw him” isn’t really the right term — he played just 128 minutes in 33 games for a Clippers team that finished with the third best record in the Western Conference. A rough start to the year ended up with him getting buried on the depth chart behind Glen Davis and Spencer Hawes, and Udoh was out of the league that summer, five seasons after being selected sixth in the 2010 NBA Draft. His averages of 16.9 minutes, 4.0 points and 3.2 rebounds per game were nothing to get excited about. He was known more for his off-court exploits and personality than his on-court skills.
He landed a deal at Fenerbahce in Istanbul, and has been reborn as a potential NBA rotation player two years later. He immediately found traction at the five in the Euroleague, and it’s hard to have a better two years in Europe than Udoh did. In 2015-16, he led the Euroleague in blocks with 53 (an all-time record); led his team in scoring with 12.4 points per game; made All-Euroleague 2nd Team; and helped Fener to a Turkish League title and the Euroleague final, which they lost to CSKA Moscow.
This past season, Udoh again led the Euroleague in blocked shots, as well as rebounds; again helped Fenerbahce win the Turkish League; made All-Euroleague first team and Final Four MVP; finished 2nd in Defensive Player of the Year voting to Adam Hanga; and, of course, dominated in Fenerbahce’s Euroleague championship win over Olympiacos.
[...read more here...]
Coach Ellis
Well-Known Member
His story reminds me of Cameron Wake's journey to the NFL. Highly thought of college player who left school early, went undrafted and ended up with the Giants. Got cut and couldn't get any other NFL teams to look at him for two years. Jumped up to the CFL where he was outstanding in his two seasons there. Changed positions from LB to undersized pass-rushing DE. He led the CFL in sacks both of the seasons he played up north and was the rookie of the year in 2007, defensive player of the year in 2007 and 2008 and league MVP in 2008 (first defensive player ever.) He had completely changed himself as a player and was better suited to try again to make it in the NFL.
This is where I see Ekpe Udoh in his career. He flamed out in the NBA and was reborn in Turkey. He's a very different player than he was when he left. Now, it's up to him do make something of it.
Back to Cameron Wake. . . at the tender age of 28, he signed a modest contract with the Miami Dolphins, and had a solid rookie season as a situational pass rush specialist. By his second year, he was a starter, finished 3rd in the league in sacks, was a starter in the Pro Bowl and was voted 2nd team All Pro. He's been a star for the Dolphins and ended up signing a second contract with them that was ten times as big as his first contract with them. He's earned that money and then some.
I'm not expecting Udoh to be anything more than a backup big off the bench to spell Rudy. . . and I'll be happy with any production that is above what Jeff Withey gave us. With that said. . . there's a chance that he needed the time in Turkey to fully become the player that he's capable of being. Hopefully he makes the most of his opportunity with the Jazz.
He's certainly an easy guy to root for.
This is where I see Ekpe Udoh in his career. He flamed out in the NBA and was reborn in Turkey. He's a very different player than he was when he left. Now, it's up to him do make something of it.
Back to Cameron Wake. . . at the tender age of 28, he signed a modest contract with the Miami Dolphins, and had a solid rookie season as a situational pass rush specialist. By his second year, he was a starter, finished 3rd in the league in sacks, was a starter in the Pro Bowl and was voted 2nd team All Pro. He's been a star for the Dolphins and ended up signing a second contract with them that was ten times as big as his first contract with them. He's earned that money and then some.
I'm not expecting Udoh to be anything more than a backup big off the bench to spell Rudy. . . and I'll be happy with any production that is above what Jeff Withey gave us. With that said. . . there's a chance that he needed the time in Turkey to fully become the player that he's capable of being. Hopefully he makes the most of his opportunity with the Jazz.
He's certainly an easy guy to root for.
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homeytennis
Well-Known Member
But he was drafted aheald of Haywood and Paul George so he has to be good.
low risk high reward.
Coach Ellis
Well-Known Member
Exactly the type of moves the Jazz should be making right now. Really wish there was a Whiteside/Bazemore type risk/reward young guy on the market for cheap. Would love to see them nab another guy for the core on a bargain contract.
Cappy_Smurf
Well-Known Member
You just gotta pee on everything, don't cha?
For now, his fans over there are on suicide watch, and really upset over this. Let's just try and look on the bright side of what has been a pretty ****ty offseason.
Jack Strop
Well-Known Member
Wes has become a naysayer. Not as bad as some of the other Negative Nancy's, though, who find fault with everything.
Udoh is DEFINITELY an upgrade over Withey. And as Rev 9 said, this is low risk, high reward. Unless/until Favs gets traded, Derrick could still step in as the backup to Rudy. Bradley will be apprenticing with the Stars.
If Udoh flops, Utah has options. But I don't think he will. Jazz aren't asking him to play 30 mins and go up against starters. He just has to play 12-15 against backups.
Keefe
Well-Known Member
Yes, I'm a naysayer and just said I am betting the over.
Dumbass.
Or maybe I'm just an adult (or sort of one) and can be objective about situations and sometimes present facts rationally and without bias.
Udoh is way better than Withey. Withey was usually outmatched strength wise and struggled. Udoh has more functional game.
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JazzyFresh
Banned
Watching a higight reel is not facts nor rational imo.
Chargers Jazz Angels
Well-Known Member
i said during the euro league final four that the Jazz should sign Udoh. He is the kind of player that will make the bench much better
But you made a thread a few days ago that said not to sign any aging vets.....
Quin's Murderface
Well-Known Member
Udoh is a more versatile defender than Withey, has some experience on winning teams, and is probably very motivated. I'm not sold on Bradley as a legit NBA center yet so I like this move considering the price and years.
I really like what the Jazz have done in the wake of the Hayward departure. At first glance you want them to add some scoring, but in the long run I think it will be really good for guys currently on the roster to get a chance to be more featured players. I'm especially interested in seeing how Exum, Mitchell, and Hood, and maybe even Burks step up as well as what Quin can do with Rubio. Of course if some great trade presents itself I still would prefer the Jazz find a way to try to move Favors because I feel there is no way he's coming back and I'd like to get something out of that asset. I was really hoping that the Windhorst rumors were true.
I really like what the Jazz have done in the wake of the Hayward departure. At first glance you want them to add some scoring, but in the long run I think it will be really good for guys currently on the roster to get a chance to be more featured players. I'm especially interested in seeing how Exum, Mitchell, and Hood, and maybe even Burks step up as well as what Quin can do with Rubio. Of course if some great trade presents itself I still would prefer the Jazz find a way to try to move Favors because I feel there is no way he's coming back and I'd like to get something out of that asset. I was really hoping that the Windhorst rumors were true.
D
Deleted member 848
Guest
I totally forgot that Udoh was coached by Obradovic in his Turkish club.
Also, their roster was pretty impressive last year, I'm not surprised that they won it all. Pero Antic, Anthony Bennett, Bobby Dixon, Udoh, Jan Vesely, Luigi Datome, and Bogdan Bogdanovic. I'd wage that Vesely and Dixon might come back to the NBA.
Fener fans must have been amped with the roster that their team put together last season. They probably would have repeated if the roster stayed intact.
Also, their roster was pretty impressive last year, I'm not surprised that they won it all. Pero Antic, Anthony Bennett, Bobby Dixon, Udoh, Jan Vesely, Luigi Datome, and Bogdan Bogdanovic. I'd wage that Vesely and Dixon might come back to the NBA.
Fener fans must have been amped with the roster that their team put together last season. They probably would have repeated if the roster stayed intact.
Keefe
Well-Known Member
I presented facts, Einstein.
"Ekpe Udoh: This is going to be a tough one. I have so much love for you all and have grown so much the last two years being a part of the Fenerbahce family. However, the time has come for me to move forward and continue my career in the NBA. This decision has been weighing on me for the past couple years if I was given the chance to play in the NBA again…. Please understand that I want this opportunity more than anything in life right now. I will strive to be better than I was in my first stint in the NBA. I want to be able to say that I can play and compete in the best league in the world. 2 days ago – via EuroHoops.net"
enchilada_style
Well-Known Member
This sounds promising.