Udrih's numbers have improved

"The priorities clash again today, when Kings coach Kenny Natt and his team look to down New Orleans and notch a second consecutive win for the first time since early November, and the organization's loyal fan base wishes shamelessly for another loss.
With 10 games left, the 16-win Kings entered Monday just one loss "ahead" of Washington for the league's worst record, two games ahead of Memphis and one ahead of the Clippers. The team with the worst record has the best statistical chance (25 percent) at the No. 1 pick in the June draft and is guaranteed to pick no later than fourth. But if point guard Beno Udrih continues to offer late-season glimpses of what the Kings hoped to see all season, he might limit that chance with his improved play.

Since returning from a right foot injury March 15, Udrih has been more consistent. Games like his 16-point, seven-rebound, seven-assist outing in Sunday's win over Phoenix were an aberration for most of the season. In seven games since returning, Udrih - whose assist average of 4.5 per game ranks 25th among the league's point guards - has tallied at least six assists in six games. He had six assists just 15 times in his first 57 games.

Yet after facing defensively disinterested Steve Nash, the challenge changes against the Hornets. Chris Paul leads the league not only in assists per game (10.9), but also in steals (2.84).

Udrih, meanwhile, has long had the reputation of a player who struggles against defensive pressure. If he is to maintain his improved play, he said taking the "fight fire with fire" approach is the only way when it comes to the Hornets and their vaunted pick-and-rolls.

"A guy like that, the way he plays on offense, I think that's how he doesn't want to play … on defense," Udrih said. "He doesn't want to guard someone like him. If he gets 50, 60 screens a game, then he's not going to like it either.

"On offense, he gets wide open because of screens, because they have double screens, single screens, repeats, everything, so he gets open and has easy shots, easy assists. He works hard, so make him work even harder."

Natt said he wonders if Udrih finds a new gear when he faces elite point guards.

"I thought that Nash inspired him (Sunday) night, from the standpoint of the way that he was playing," Natt said. "Obviously … with Chris Paul, you would hope that he really gets up. It's going to be a challenge for him.""