Spurs sign "sniper"

Ime Udoka, officially a Spur.

I saw in the S.A. paper that the Spurs now have 14 players under contract. That must include the Greek guy who's taking off. Here's the updated roster:

1. Duncan
2. Ginobili
3. Parker
4. Bowen
5. Finley
6. Barry
7. Oberto
8. Elson
9. Bonner
10. Vaughn
11. Horry
12. Udrih
13. Ime Udoka
14. Vassilis Spanoulis

It'll be interesting to see where Udoka fits in and if it means Bowen's minutes will decline as the season progresses.

Even more interesting is what happens with all of our role players. Barry, Bowen, Horry, Finley, Elson, and Beno all have expiring contracts. That could make the Spurs a big player at the trade deadline. For instance, Barry's shooting will always be in demand. Or maybe Tiago Splitter coming over next year makes Elson expendable.

Lots of possibilities here, but nothing says they have to do anything. The Spurs probably feel just fine making a run with the same crew (+ Udoka) that just won a title. But they will listen to all offers, since they have to reload with younger players for the stretch run of Duncan's career.

Speaking of Duncan, this quote from Greg Oden is too good to pass up:

Everyone's been telling me that as a big man, no matter how much I prepare myself, you learn your toughest lesson when you go down to San Antonio. The other day [former Spur and Blazers assistant] Monty Williams pulled me aside and told me: "That guy down there" — meaning Tim Duncan — "has had surgery on his left knee. He can only jump about this high [holds his fingers about an inch apart]. He won't say a word to you, and he will Bust. Your. Ass.