Kings notes: Idle Udrih still makes point

SAN ANTONIO - The travesty was in Beno Udrih's absence, his back not allowing him to face his old team from San Antonio again and show the Spurs once again just how far he has come.

Yet for the Spurs and every other NBA team, it would be hard not to notice Udrih's progression this season. After alternating between Tony Parker's backup to third-string status and the proverbial doghouse of coach Gregg Popovich in his first three seasons, Udrih has established himself as one of the league's rising young point guards.

In the mind of Kings coach Reggie Theus, Udrih should be considered for the league's Most Improved Player award.

"Absolutely, no doubt about it," Theus said. "I think he's surprised the entire league in terms of how effective he's been. I think people thought he was pretty good, but how effective he's been (has been a surprise). And he's got another level to go."

Orlando's Hedo Turkoglu is considered by many to be a front-runner for the award, with the Kings set to face another candidate today in second-year Memphis forward Rudy Gay. Portland forward LaMarcus Aldridge has received some attention, as have the Clippers' Chris Kaman, Houston's Rafer Alston, Toronto's Jose Calderon, Indiana's Mike Dunleavy and Denver's Anthony Carter.

Udrih - who never averaged more than 14.4 per minutes per game - has made the most of his new opportunity and even scored a career-high 27 points against the Spurs during a 112-99 win at Arco Arena on Nov. 26. During his 32.7 minutes per game, he has averaged 12.9 points, 4.5 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 2.3 turnovers while shooting 45.9 percent from the field and 39.4 percent from three-point range.

His increase of scoring from last season of 8.2 points per game ranks second in the NBA, trailing only Gay (8.7) and ahead of Turkoglu (6.7).

Aldridge has upped his scoring by 6.3 points per game but doesn't qualify for the ranking because he didn't play at least 70 games last season.

Beyond the statistics, Udrih might have answered a few of the questions that surrounded his game before this season.

"He came in with a little bit of reputation of being kind of on the soft side, and I think he's really shown us (that that's not the case)," Theus said. "He's played injured, played when he was tired ... . He's proved himself in a lot of ways with us."

With Udrih set to be a free agent, he continues to give the Kings ample reason to try to sign him this summer.

"I'm very hopeful Beno will be with us next year," Theus said.

Injury report - Theus said following the Kings' loss he was unsure whether Udrih would be ready to play tonight against Memphis.

Center Brad Miller (right elbow bursitis) said he was also a game-time decision to face the Grizzlies.

Miller played only 22 minutes against the Spurs and did not play the entire fourth quarter after banging the elbow. Forward Kenny Thomas did not make the trip (sore right foot).

About the writer:

• Read Sam Amick's Kings blog at www.sacbee.com/blogs.