Latavious Williams Went Off Again Last Night In The D-League
by Scott Schroeder on Feb 9, 2010 2:39 AM EST
in D-League Game Recaps
0 comments
If I were a Wheel of Fortune puzzle writer (are those puzzles? Or what do you call them), the above headline would be a "Before & After." See, I reference Wheel of Fortune - this is how you can tell that I'm still pretty hip.
Anyway...
There weren't any highlights uploaded for last night's games, so here's Latavious Williams dunking in high school two years ago.
Tulsa 66ers 101, Los Angeles DFenders 100 (Box Score)
- Latavious Williams was at it again, scoring 15 points and 13 boards in 34 minutes of action. Ever since Jonathan Givony sang his praises he's been on a tear, averaging 12.7 points and nine boards while shooting 62% from the field. I watched this game and the thing that stood out to me most is his motor. I know, I know, that's a tired cliche, but he's really got a great motor! Here's what I mean, via a tweet from some kewl dude named RUBasketball: "Latavious Williams just was stuffed on a putback dunk, got his own rebound, missed, got his own rebound, dribbled out, turnover, steal, DUNK". I mean that show his issues (missing two shots, turning the ball over), but it also shows his determination.
- Mustafa Shakur had a game that didn't really live up to my expectations: 21 points on 8-of-15 shooting, but four turnovers compared to just three assists. I mean he still led the team to a victory and led the team in assists, so it wasn't terrible, but it could have been better.
- Deron Washington with an afro is the reason he's winning Friday night's D-League dunk contest. Also, I'm really intrigued by him playing in the post (without Chris Richard and a newly acquired Rodney Webb who isn't all that good, they're bigman starved). His athleticism isn't as useful down in the low block, but he showed a nice little drop step that could be useful in a pinch. Anyway, Washington finished with 16 points, eight boards, four assists and three steals off the bench, leaving me rather impressed.
- Cecil Brown had quite the game going early, scoring 10 points in 14 minutes minutes of playing time. However, according to my sources, "he slipped on a wet spot and rolled his ankle badly. It is very doubtful he will play Wednesday against the Defenders." I guess if he's out, they'd have to go big and start Washington at the 2.
- Someday I'm going to tell you how much I love Marcus Lewis.
- For LA, Joe Crawford led the way by scoring 22 points and picking up two steals and two blocks. Now that he's finally healthy, I'd like to assume he'll soon be on the call-up radar again, but he isn't there yet.
- Frank "Big Bank" Robinson, as I'm told he's referred to (and not Frank "The Tank") had a pretty good game, even though his shooting was pretty off (2-of-8 from the field). Anyway, Robinson finished with 11 points, a game high nine assists (triangle offense, baybee) and four steals. I'd also like to point out that he would have had at least 12 assists if his teammates could hit open jumpers, but then, he'd have had more points if he could hit open jumpers.
- Diamon Simpson had 11 points and 11 boards before fouling out, but didn't look all that impressive doing it.
- Dar Tucker played just over ten minutes, his third-lowest playing time all season. He'd be the same player elsewhere, but of the guys that probably need to get traded, Tucker's on that list. He's not that bad, and the team is apparently moving on. (Jon's note)
- Ryan Forehan-Kelly was moved to the bench. Apparently, like Chris Alpert, Chucky Brown is out to get him as well.
And, I just noticed Jon L did recaps tonight as well! Awesome. I don't want to delete this, so I'll insert the other game that he recapped here.
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Eric Devendorf Signs with the Pistons.. Not Detroit, but the Waikato Pistons
by Scott Schroeder on Feb 9, 2010 12:26 AM EST
in Transactions
0 comments
The new Waikato Pistons import is a tattooed trash-talker with a history of off-court woes who may be the league's best player in recent history.
The two-times defending NBL champions have signed former US college star Eric Devendorf to play point guard for the upcoming season.
You read that right - according to the The Nelson Mail (I don't know why they'd title their paper as The Nelson Mail, but I'll go with it), Eric Devendorf will be playing for the Waikato Pistons in New Zealand this Summer.
Cool thing is, I once wrote about one of his teammates, Alex Pledger. Pledger is potentially the tallest sports player in all of New Zealand.
As far as Devenforf goes, he played three games in the D-League before finding out that the biggest little city in the world wasn't big enough to hang onto him as he was released just three games into his career with the Reno Bighorns. This perplexed me, as Devendorf is obviously talented, but I've heard he rubbed the coaching staff the wrong way.
Regardless of all that, when you have a chance to declare for the NBA draft a season early, get cut after your best game in the D-League and then sign with the Waikato Pistons, you do it.
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Kevin Cutler, The Big Whistle, Garnering National Headlines
by Scott Schroeder on Feb 8, 2010 1:52 PM EST
in Ridiculous-osity
1 comment
Kevin Cutler began refereeing as a hobby about eight years ago. He was discovered at a Los Angeles camp by Ed T. Rush, the N.B.A.'s former head of officiating, and began working in the D-League.
Cutler became a curiosity in N.B.A. arenas this season when he worked a half-dozen games as part of a new program to develop younger referees. Seven D-League referees were chosen. They are the top contenders for promotion when the N.B.A. has an opening in its 60-person staff.
Under the agreement with the referees union, the D-League referees worked games in December and January, so Cutler will not officiate in another N.B.A. arena until next season.
Of Cutler's size, Fryer said: "It definitely could help him. Presence helps."
The January game between Washington and Portland was generally well officiated, with no major flare-ups or disputes. At times, Cutler hardly stood out at all - after all, about half of the players on the court were his height or taller. But he towered over Wizards Coach Flip Saunders. He was about a head taller than Joe DeRosa, a veteran referee working the game.
Kevin Cutler's long been known in D-League circles as being a great official.
Now the New York Times knows as well.
Basically, the story seems to be about the NBA shifting toward more athletic officials, but I chose to focus on the parts about "The Big Whistle" Kevin Cutler.
Hopefully he reads RU and lets me know next time he'll be in North Dakota so I can get an autograph.
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According to the Clippers, JamesOn Curry Is Really Smart
by Scott Schroeder on Feb 8, 2010 9:00 AM EST
in D-League Player Profiles
1 comment
"[The Los Angeles Clippers] told me I had a great IQ, one of the smartest players they’ve seen," JamesOn Curry said. "It shows I’m headed in the right direction. I’m staying positive, doing everything I can to get better and chase my dream."
The all-time leading scorer in North Carolina high school history, Curry's story was widely publicized. He was a high-profile figure in a county-wide sting of nearly 60 teenagers involved in illegal drugs. Curry was arrested for twice selling $45 of marijuana to an undercover officer who posed as a student.
Curry, 23, plans to spend this summer in Stillwater working out with former OSU teammates Marcus Dove and Terrell Harris. Approximately 25 hours short of earning his degree, he's contemplating enrolling in a class or two. He wants to host a free basketball camp.
-From a recent interview with Mike Baldwin from The Oklahoman
At my lawyer's request, I've decided it's best for me to neglect editorializing on this in any way, shape or form.
However, for full disclosure, during that season when he had the broken hand, this also happened.
1 comment | 0 recs |
Houston Rockets to add Rio Grande Valley's Garrett Temple
by Scott Schroeder on Feb 7, 2010 8:21 PM EST
in D-League Call-Ups
7 comments
Garrett Temple will be called-up to the Houston Rockets Monday. This doesn't surprise me one iota.
While Temple is averaging a rather pedestrian 14.9 points, 3.7 boards and 3.4 assists while shooting 43% from the field and 37% from beyond the arc, he knows the system and fills a void with both Trevor Ariza and Kyle Lowry expected to not be available until after the all-star break.
Temple started his career with the Rockets as a Vegas Summer League invite, where he averaged 4.6 points per game over the course of five games. He apparently impressed Rockets GM Daryl Morey enough to get an invite to play for the Rockets this Fall, however. In the preseason, Temple appeared in four games with the Rockets, though didn't make much of an impact averaging 2.5 points over four appearances, though he was released in the first round of cuts.
Temple was described as a do-it-all, defensive stopper during his four seasons as an LSU Tiger, never scoring very well, but he finished his college career as the only player in school history in the top 10 in career assists, steals and blocked shots.
For the Vipers, he's taken more of a scoring role, potentially being one of the better isolation players in the D-League - his typical gameplan seems to be get the ball, use his first step to get the defender off balance, pretend like he's going to drive the lane and drop a 17-foot jumper. In last night's nationally televised VERSUS game, Temple hit 6-of-11 from the field, including 3-of-5 from 3-point land, to finish 16 points, six boards and five assists in 36 minutes of action.
In the NBA I have no idea what he'll be asked to do, aside from be a practice body, because I'd assume Jermaine Taylor will play ahead of him, and Taylor doesn't get many minutes the way it is.
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Bobby Simmons’ value to the Nets rests with his status as an expiring contract, an $11.24 million expiring contract. Same with Tony Battie, who makes $6.61 million. But if the Nets can’t deal them by Feb. 18, they’re likely to be released so they can join another team.
That'd leave two roster spots open, and presumably they wouldn't mind filling them for the remainder of the season with a potential-laden D-Leaguer. We've talked about it a bit, but is there anyone else you'd add?
1 day ago
Scott Schroeder
5 comments
0 recs
Jeremy Wise, Potential NBA Draft Pick? + Last Night in the D-League
by Scott Schroeder on Feb 7, 2010 10:00 AM EST
in D-League Game Recaps
6 comments
Happy Super Bowl Sunday. I had decided a few weeks ago when the Packers got knocked out that I wouldn't be watching the game, but now that I see that there aren't any D-League games going on, I'll probably end up watching... and going for the Colts.
No I don't really like the Colts, but my days are just much more enjoyable when Randy Livingston and I can text about football, and even better when I disagree with him.
[Updated! I've added some thoughts about the Versus game. And, as someone who lived in New Orleans for the better part of four years, who dat!-Jon L]
Anyway, onto the recap!
Bakersfield Jam 112, Tulsa 66ers 111 (OT) (Box Score)
- Jeremy Wise hasn't been mentioned much here at Ridiculous Upside, but that's mostly due to the Jam being, let's say, uneasy on the eyes - not really Wise's fault. Still, last night he did things that merit talking about the Jam: 10-of-10 from the field, 5-of-5 from the free-throw line and seven assists with just two turnovers while matched up against Mustafa Shakur, one of the better point guard in the D-League. I know Wise has had some off-court issues in the past, but if he can prove that he's a capable point guard, his stock improves quite a bit. I'm not sure if he'd be drafted, but Mike Taylor did it, and I don't see the talent-gap being that large between the two.
6 comments | 0 recs |
A Whopper of a Game in the D-League
by bearcat92 on Feb 7, 2010 2:03 AM EST
4 comments
I heard about this tonight, but to have a firsthand account is definitely nice (and appreciated. Also, umm, Wow. Seems a bit Bush League.... Not quite Like the Michael Jordan thing, but definitely not cool in my opinion -- Scott
As a multiple year Iowa Energy ticket holder, I've followed RU to keep tabs on the goings of the D-League, its players and fans. Although a loyal reader, I never had a desire to post until tonight. As your resident player blogger Mike Gansey can attest to, and depending on your opinion, something classic went down in the 2/6/10 Iowa Energy vs Erie BayHawks game. It was "Semi-Pro-esque" and therefore, the reason for a long post.
To start off, there was an announce crowd of 8,368 for this game. The large crowd was due in part to Ames High playing before the game against Sioux City North. They have the #1 recruit in the nation, Harrison Barnes (signed with N.C.) and are undefeated and #1 in the state. I'm sure other reasons for the crowd was that it was a Saturday and the severity of this winter in Iowa has a lot of people looking for things to do to keep their sanity.
The game wasn't all that hot. Iowa was up thirty towards the end of the third quarter. Usually, with a lead that large and the cessation of beer sales, there would be a lot of people in attendance leaving, however, the Energy had a promotion going on: if the Energy scored 90 points the crowed received a free coupon for BK fries. If they scored 100 the crowd got a coupon for a free Whopper.
At the start of the 4th quarter the score was 79-49 and a free Whopper was imminent for the fans, correct? Not so fast my fellow D-League fans. Either Erie was going to try to win a moral victory by denying the fans a free Whopper or the Energy had a horrible forth quarter, but, here's how it went down:
4 comments | 2 recs |
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