Ime Udoka spent the last two seasons with the San Antonio Spurs.
That meant always being a contender for an NBA Championship and plenty of important games and a roster stocked with veterans.
After signing with the Kings on Wednesday, Udoka acknowledges he's not joining a team like the Spurs.
"This is pretty much similar to my situation in Portland a couple of years ago," Udoka said Thursday after his first practice with the Kings. "It's a young team with a lot of talent trying to figure it out, trying to win. So I'm going to try and come in and help with some of the experience I have with playoff teams and just help the young guys out."
Udoka figured he'd be doing that with his hometown Blazers in his second stint with Portland this season. Udoka's best pro season came in his lone season with the Blazers in 2006-07.
But when former St. Mary's star point guard Patty Mills, a second-round draft choice, decided to sign with Portland Udoka was cut.
"It was somewhat of a surprise," Udoka said. "A last minute signing by a second round pick, he accepted an offer and they decided to go in that direction. I've been through a lot before so I kind of let it roll and stayed working out hoping for the next opportunity."
That chance came with the Kings. Udoka played briefly with Beno Udrih in San Antonio and played a season with Sergio Rodriguez, so he's familiar with two of his teammates.
Kings coach Paul Westphal hoped Desmond Mason would be his primary defensive stopper. With Mason waived Thursday, Udoka inherits that role when he makes his debut Saturday.
"They know what I do," Udoka said. "They want me to come in and bring a little toughness, defense, knock down some shots."
--Jason Jones
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