Curtis Stinson Named NBA D-League MVP While Nick Nurse Takes Coach Of The Year Honors

by Scott Schroeder on Apr 19, 2025 10:00 AM EDT in NBA D-League Player News

Prior to the Iowa Energy's dismantling of the Tulsa 66ers to earn a spot in the D-League Finals against a TBD opponent, the Energy announced that point guard Curtis Stinson was named MVP while Nick Nurse finally took home Coach of the Year honors.

If I would have had a vote on the matter, I would have put Nurse in the top spot while also giving strong consideration to Reno's Eric Musselman and Erie's Jay Larranaga so the Coach of the Year award isn't all that surprising, but it is interesting that Stinson was awarded the NBA D-League's MVP award.

There's no question that Stinson's statistics -- 19.3 points, 9.8 assists and 5.7 rebounds -- as well as his being the catalyst of the top-seeded Energy justify his being named the MVP, but it sends the wrong message to the rest of the basketball viewing community that a player without much of an NBA future is named the Most Valuable player in the NBA Development League after his fourth season and fifth team in the D-League.

Draft Express's Jonathan Givony summed up the argument against Stinson being named MVP pretty well in a series of posts on Twitter.

"What does Curtis Stinson -- a guy no team in the NBA or Europe has any interest in -- winning MVP of the D-League, say about the D-League?," Givony asked. "Stinson played in Europe a couple of times but couldn't adjust his game, or mentality enough, so he was cut. This summer he had zero offers."

The MVP of the D-League doesn't say much in terms of NBA talent, actually, as there were a record 103 former D-League players on NBA rosters to end the season and a grand total of one of them -- Charlotte Bobcats reserve Matt Carroll -- had previously been named the NBA Development League's Most Valuable Player since the award was introduced in 2002.

Givony then went on to say that he "wasn't trying to bag on Stinson. Just pointing out how little the stats and style that's played in the D-League translates to real basketball."

He's right.

If any NBA executive looks solely at the box scores and tries to decide which players are worthy of an NBA look, they're probably ~~employed by the New Jersey Nets (Mario West) or Los Angeles Clippers (JamesOn Curry)~~ going to have a better chance of finding a player that excels at what it takes to excel in the D-League as opposed to finding a player that cna do the little things well enough to stick on an NBA roster.

Stinson has excelled for the past two seasons and earned the MVP award under Nurse because he does the things needed to be successful in Nurse's system and has had a good cast of talent around him, not necessarily because he's exhibiting NBA talent night in and night out -- and, like Givony, I don't know if that's sending the right message to those that don't follow the D-League as closely as you and I.

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Comments

I agree with the picks.

Being a Bayhawks’ fan, I would have loved to see Laranaga win Coach of the year or Ivan Johnson win MVP. However, with all the roster turnover in Iowa this year, the Energy had the league’s best record. The two main reasons, Nick Nurse and Curtis Stinson. As far as what it says about the D-League having a career minor leaguer win the MVP, I think it says nothing. I think what it does say is it is high time Stinson gets a call up.

by ZinErie on Apr 19, 2025 8:24 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I've seen him play a whole game once - i think when earl clarke was sent down

What is lacking / can you give me a scouting report as to why this makes sense? He looks good in the few minutes i have watched, and he seems to be solid - what’s he lacking?

by MMotherwell on Apr 20, 2025 6:14 AM EDT reply actions

Curtis Stinson

If given the right opportunity , he could be a solid backup in the NBA. It is just timing. Only knock was that he didnt have a consistent jump shoot and I think he has improved every year in the Dleague. Every backup Pg in the NBA has flaws , even most starters. The overseas crap is overrated. The greek guard came to Houston and was terrible , does that mean he cant play . No!!!! He was considered one of the best in Europe. European basketball isnt for everyone.. Doesnt mean he cant play.The NBA isnt either but he deserves atleast a 10 day Give this guy his due.He desrves a chance to play in the NBA. Scouts and Basketball guru’s stop living off scouting reports from 5 years ago. The guy would be serviceable in the NBA as a Backup or 3rd PG. Congrats to Curtis Stinson

by Sid Vicious on Apr 20, 2025 10:29 AM EDT reply actions

I agree on most points

But you do realize he shot 16% from 3-point land this season, right Sid?

I write about basketball players with Ridiculous Upside. I know you'll love it.

by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes , i realize that but Avery Johnson was never a 3pt shoot and he won a ring in San Antonio. Who says you have to be a 3pt shooter to be a NBA Pg. Rod Strickland never shot 3’s. He is a winner , value that Scott. Tough and will run a team. You can win with aCurtis Stinson, isnt that what matters most

by Sid Vicious on Apr 20, 2025 1:57 PM EDT reply actions

I said I agreed on most points

Just noted that he shot 16% from 3 this year after you said “he didnt have a consistent jump shoot and I think he has improved every year in the Dleague.”

I write about basketball players with Ridiculous Upside. I know you'll love it.

by Scott Schroeder on Apr 20, 2025 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions