Tulsa 66ers @ Iowa Energy - D-League Semifinals Playoff Preview - Game 3

by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 1:00 PM EDT in D-League Playoffs 2010 Comment 100 comments

Game Two Highlights

The series-deciding game of this second round match-up tips off tonight at 7 pm CT from lovely Des Moines, Iowa as the #1 Iowa Energy take on the #8 Tulsa 66ers in a win-and-go-the-championship-or-lose-and-go-home slugfest. And if you don't live in Iowa (and don't care to watch the regular NBA playoffs), it can be watched live, and free, on Futurecast.

I used slugfest in the preceding paragraph because thus far this series has been marred by sloppy play, random standout players and the realization for both teams that losing players to the NBA this late in the season isn't exactly ideal.

Still, now with each team's roster nearly as close to being consistent as one team can get in the D-League (no roster changes all week!), I expect each coach to have his team playing better basketball tonight.

Let's get down to it, though - What are the keys?

For the Energy:

Iowa's veteran leadership (Curtis Stinson, Denham Brown and Jeff Trepagnier all have a considerable amount of D-League experience) needs to bring the, uh, leadership.
The Energy will also have to make some buckets after making just 35-of-96 from the field in their last game.
Defending the perimeter is a must after Tulsa shot 14-of-25 from beyond the arc last game. They're built on doing that sort of thing, especially the second unit, so Iowa will have to do a better job of making them miss early so they don't start feeling it late.

For the 66ers:

Keep the composure. Deron Washington, Tulsa's only early offensive threat, fell apart early in the third quarter in the 66ers' victory this series by picking up a technical, a flagarant and his fifth foul in a rather sport span. If the 3-ball wouldn't have been falling, Tulsa would be back in Oklahoma right now due to his losing composure. Coach Nate Tibbetts also picked up a technical while arguing what I perceived to be a bad call by not-Nick Buchert. And last, but not least, Marcus Lewis got T'd up for jawing with Curtis Stinson - though that may have been planned to make Stinson lose his cool.
Control the pace. Tulsa had issues running a halfcourt offense last game, probably due to the lack of Mustafa Shakur (who was recalled to the Oklahoma City Thunder before last game) but excelled in transition. That's going to have to happen again.
Keep making Iowa miss shots. I don't know what was wrong last game, but Iowa could not buy a basket last game. If that happens again this game, the 8 seed will be going to the championship!

UPDATE: For more on this game, check out my contributions at Fanhouse - first, another preview. Second, an interview with Nick Nurse.

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Read More: Curtis Stinson (G - CHI), Deron Washington (F - DET), Oklahoma City Thunder

Comments

I'm calling the 66ers on this one.

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by Aisander D on Apr 20, 2025 3:55 PM EDT reply actions

That's bold, son.

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions

For even more on this game

Check the update at the bottom of the post.

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 7:52 PM EDT reply actions

Given the recent FanHouse history

does that Nurse interview mean a Tulsa victory?

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by Jon L on Apr 20, 2025 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm trying to break the curse

My plan is that if Moore’s the only one with the curse, I will get to do the interviews.

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Marty Tirrell looks glorious.

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 8:11 PM EDT reply actions

Marcus Lewis looks ready

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 8:12 PM EDT reply actions

Speaking of looking ready

Denham Brown.

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by Jon L on Apr 20, 2025 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

And I was pretty sure that he was going to be a first game factor only after his game 2 performance… more of an element of surprise guy rather than go-to guy.

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 8:16 PM EDT up reply actions

That sort of stuff is glorious

PG Curtis Stinson going to work in the post, draws the double team and dishes it to C Connor Atchley for the easy assist.
Also, I’m glad Connor dunked it.

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 8:14 PM EDT reply actions

Maybe I just haven't watched enough

but Atchley seems pretty smart on defense - he doesn’t leave his feet on every fake, and when he does he usually avoids a foul (or at least tries to).

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by Jon L on Apr 20, 2025 8:16 PM EDT reply actions

I always thought defense was his specialty

Very active, too.
He doesn’t have the best body to be a post defender, but I think he could actually be a Golden-State-Rob-Kurz-type in the NBA…

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Stinson with four assists so far.

I’d say that’s an improvement.

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by Jon L on Apr 20, 2025 8:19 PM EDT reply actions

His 9 assists per game

Just weren’t cutting it. He probably read my interview with Nick calling him out for that pathetic effort.

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Larry Owens is officially the most underrated player in the D-League.

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 8:23 PM EDT reply actions

I love watching those kinds of plays in slow motion

so that you can see how much of a flop it was.

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by Jon L on Apr 20, 2025 8:23 PM EDT reply actions

That was a Deron Washington flop according to my view of the replay

But that’s a good play to frustrate Stinson.

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 8:23 PM EDT reply actions

They got Washington with a make up call.

Also, 2/3 of this ref crew were at Austin/RGV game 1. Oh boy.

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by Jon L on Apr 20, 2025 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions

We watch too much D-League

Or refs play too much of a part in these games.

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't know if I didn't notice this, or it was just crazy on that play

But Iowa’s “Everyone collapse then run at the shooter” defense is crazy.

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 8:25 PM EDT reply actions

I wasn't aware DeVon Hardin had that move

Either the spin and drive or the layup.

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by Jon L on Apr 20, 2025 8:27 PM EDT reply actions

I don't think anybody was

Also, he’s already played more in this game than last game.

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes, that's more the Hardin I'm familiar with.

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by Jon L on Apr 20, 2025 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh come on, Pat Carroll

I wanted to see a chase-down block there.

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by Jon L on Apr 20, 2025 8:31 PM EDT reply actions

I like this stuff

Curtis Stinson posting up. Also, LATAVIOUS WILLIAMS on the other end.

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 8:38 PM EDT reply actions

I forgot to do my first quarter recap that I like to do...

But I think the only thing worth noting was Stinson with 2 early fouls and maybe Trepagnier/Carroll missing all 3 3 attempts…

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 8:39 PM EDT reply actions

Wow

I like that foul from Marcus Lewis… the flying hip.

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 8:42 PM EDT reply actions

I don't dislike JaJuan Smith

but Larry Owens passing to Smith for a three is the opposite of how that should’ve gone.

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by Jon L on Apr 20, 2025 8:44 PM EDT reply actions

Especially since he's shown

That he’s the only Tulsa player that has struggled from deep this series.

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 8:47 PM EDT up reply actions

He wasn't good in the regular season, either

Less than 30 percent.

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by Jon L on Apr 20, 2025 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, but sample size

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Why on earth

didn’t Tulsa bring a second guy back to get that inbounds pass?

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by Jon L on Apr 20, 2025 8:48 PM EDT reply actions

Nick should not be arguing that one

But I wonder if it wasn’t more to get the refs aware/light a fire under his guys.

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 8:49 PM EDT reply actions

Fanhouse curse

If it turns out that there is some sort of Fanhouse interview curse, can somebody please interview Chris Finch and Mike Harris tomorrow? Kthx.

by TorosGirl on Apr 20, 2025 8:50 PM EDT reply actions

Haha

Already been done.

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Jeez, clock issues tonight, too?

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by Jon L on Apr 20, 2025 8:53 PM EDT reply actions

How F'ing hard is it to operate a clock?

This is their 28th home game of the season and they’ve had issues EVERY game I’ve watched.

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 8:53 PM EDT reply actions

Latavious Williams

Seriously.

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 8:55 PM EDT reply actions

Finally looked it up

OKC has the 32nd and 51st picks in the draft. I’d like to think he wouldn’t be around for the latter, but he probably will…they almost have to pick him, don’t they?

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by Jon L on Apr 20, 2025 8:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes.

I think that’s pretty much the perfect spot to pick him, actually.

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions

FWIW

DX has him as the 59th best prospect, but ultimately undrafted.

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Though I guess

if they get a sense that he’ll go undrafted, they could pick someone else and bring him back cheaper as a Tulsa returning player.

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by Jon L on Apr 20, 2025 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions

True

But don’t you think another team would prefer to have him on their Summer League team?
I would think they’ll draft him more to keep him away from other teams.

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 9:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, that's likely

Though it’s possible that he could pull a Marcus Williams and not sign with another team, knowing that he probably wouldn’t make it past Summer League anyway and thinking he might have a better shot in a few years with OKC. Collison and Krstic both have contracts that expire after ‘10/’11, and White, Mullens and Ibaka’s contracts after that season are all team options.

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by Jon L on Apr 20, 2025 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Jeff Trepagnier

Stop shooting. For the rest of your life.

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 8:56 PM EDT reply actions

Wait, weren't you working tonight?

Since these live-blogs are closer to gchats anyway.

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by Jon L on Apr 20, 2025 9:09 PM EDT reply actions

Haha

Yes, at 8:30. Shower time as soon as I get my stats done.

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 9:10 PM EDT up reply actions

And no it's not GChat

TorosGirl peaked her head in.

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 9:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Tulsa up 61-45

TULSA
Latavious Williams with 12 and 6 off the bench
Deron Washington with an aggressive 9
6-of-11 from beyond the arc
IOWA
Tyndale with 10 points on 2-of-7 shooting off the bench
Stinson with 8 points, 6 assists, 3 boards and 3 fouls
Iowa’s 1-of-12 from beyond the arc
Denham Brown started out hot, has 9 points, 5 boards

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 9:13 PM EDT reply actions

Somebody is wearing a Nick Nurse shirt

Like.

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 9:15 PM EDT reply actions

You mean other than you?

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by Jon L on Apr 20, 2025 9:16 PM EDT up reply actions

And still

While hitting a box score with a water bottle.

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 9:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Marcus Lewis is quietly having a solid game.

The rebounding could be better, I guess, but 4-4 shooting.

Ridiculous Upside, where developing talent and winning are not mutually exclusive.

by Jon L on Apr 20, 2025 9:28 PM EDT reply actions

Two things I did not expect to see

A flagrant 1 on Atchley and a technical on Larry Owens for jawing.

Ridiculous Upside, where developing talent and winning are not mutually exclusive.

by Jon L on Apr 20, 2025 9:35 PM EDT reply actions

Oh Trepagnier

Please see above.

Ridiculous Upside, where developing talent and winning are not mutually exclusive.

by Jon L on Apr 20, 2025 9:37 PM EDT reply actions

Only three rebounds for Stinson?

Nick Nurse should tell him to improve on that.

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by Jon L on Apr 20, 2025 9:38 PM EDT reply actions

Tirrell just announced that Tulsa timeout

as if Iowa wasn’t still down by eight.

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by Jon L on Apr 20, 2025 9:39 PM EDT reply actions

Oh hey I'm back.

Surprisingly, my inbox wasn’t flooded with high school sports scores in North Dakota tonight.

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 9:49 PM EDT reply actions

Deron's Washington's offensive repertoire in three easy steps

1. Drive into the paint and throw the ball in the general direction of the rim
2. Hope to get fouled
3. Repeat

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by Jon L on Apr 20, 2025 9:50 PM EDT reply actions

If it works...

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 9:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Just like that.

That might be the ultimate in “throwing the ball in the general direction of the rim.”

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by Jon L on Apr 20, 2025 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions

It's weird

For a guy with almost no jumpshot to speak of, he’s a pretty good free throw shooter.

Ridiculous Upside, where developing talent and winning are not mutually exclusive.

by Jon L on Apr 20, 2025 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions

The announcers are calling the refs out by name

Love it.

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by Jon L on Apr 20, 2025 9:53 PM EDT reply actions

As long as it's not Nick Buchert...

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Better chance of NBA roster next season

Latavious Williams or Larry Owens?

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 9:55 PM EDT reply actions

I was just thinking about that

Owens started to get into the pipeline last year going to Summer League and training camp with the Hornets. The problem is that he plays a position (SF, really) that’s in abundance.

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by Jon L on Apr 20, 2025 10:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Stinson may have vomited on the court?

Gross.

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by Jon L on Apr 20, 2025 10:14 PM EDT reply actions

Marty Tirrell is not making this any better.

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by Jon L on Apr 20, 2025 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't have volume

and just had to type up North Dakotans that ran in the Boston Marathon… Fill me in.

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 10:19 PM EDT up reply actions

I didn't see what started it

but I think Stinson was fouled, then they said he had blood on him, then he ran out into the tunnel and almost immediately ran back putting on a new jersey. They still said there was blood on his face (unknown whether it was his or someone else’s), then the booth was informed that he had vomited on the court. Then Stinson also changed his shorts.

Ridiculous Upside, where developing talent and winning are not mutually exclusive.

by Jon L on Apr 20, 2025 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Meanwhile Tirrell starts talking about

“it looks like he had cheeseburgers and french fries for lunch.”

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by Jon L on Apr 20, 2025 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm really mad for missing this.

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions

There were several "foot out of bounds" calls in that Austin/RGV game too.

I don’t know if these guys just notice them more often, or “notice” them.

Ridiculous Upside, where developing talent and winning are not mutually exclusive.

by Jon L on Apr 20, 2025 10:19 PM EDT reply actions

Bonus of having no volume:

I can practice my Rick Kamla impression.
Coby Karl was recently called-up the Denver Nuggets. Look, he’s a good dribbler. And if he sticks, and his dad George is able to return from cancer, they’ll be father and son on the same team. AND BRIAN BUTCH was called up. He was really good at the all-star game. Look, there he missed a bunny, but then he made it after the rebound. And here he misses twice, but then he makes it! Kid’s resilient!

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 10:27 PM EDT reply actions

Oh, and as a segue back to the game

Let’s show some Kirk Penney highlights. And look at that dunk last week from Hasheem Thabeet! Mo Charlo has a nice game and his name rhymes!

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Right to the wire...

…with blood and vomit thrown in for free!

by Rumble on Apr 20, 2025 10:27 PM EDT reply actions

It's hard to tell what's a Deron Washington flop anymore

since I think the Energy are genuinely annoyed with him and trying to take him down.

Ridiculous Upside, where developing talent and winning are not mutually exclusive.

by Jon L on Apr 20, 2025 10:28 PM EDT reply actions

Watching realtime

I thought that was a charge. With replay, I can’t tell due to a poor angle. Connor was there in time, but it looks like his feet shuffled… not sure if that was due to contact.

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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions