It was a strange sight on Sunday night inside the Tulsa Convention Center. Mustafa Shakur ... in red ... running the other team's offense against the Tulsa 66ers.
During Tulsa's magical playoff run last season, Shakur ran the offense to precision from his point guard position. On Sunday night, Tulsa fans saw Shakur once again work his magic, but this time for the other team in Rio Grande Valley's 117-105 decision over the 66ers.
Shakur finished with a typical "Mustafa line" ... 17 points, six rebounds, six assists.
"We're fortunate to have him," said Rio Grande Valley head coach Chris Finch. "He does a lot of things for us and, once we get our team settled around him, I think he's going to be able to do even more. He has a great chance to crack through to the next level."
Shakur was called up by the Oklahoma City Thunder last season after scoring 19.2 points and dishing out 6.9 assists per game. After this year's D-League draft, Shakur was traded to the Vipers in exchange for Robert Vaden, who was selected by Rio Grande Valley in the first round of the draft.
"It wasn't a complete shock when I heard I was traded," Shakur said after Sunday night's game. "Once it happened, it hit me that I was really going to have to start all over. I knew I had to go to a new place and learn a new system."
And how did it feel to go to one of Tulsa's D-League rivals?
"Ironic," Shakur smiled. "But it's been a blessing. I've played for two teams where the NBA franchises are very involved in the teams."
Shakur described Sunday night's game as "bittersweet," knowing he'd be playing against his former coach (Nate Tibbetts) and former teammates Larry Owens, Latavious Williams, Marcus Lewis, and Zabian Dowdell.
"It was a bittersweet night," Shakur said. "I'm glad we got the win, but it was playing against an organization that has done so much for me."
It was also a different kind of night for Tibbetts, watching his former point guard drive, dish, and score like he did so many nights last year inside the Tulsa Convention Center.
"He's a great guy and a great person and we certainly wish him nothing but the best," Tibbetts said.
As for Shakur's future, he believes being a leader will be the key to advancing to the NBA.
"I know I have to work on my leadership and continue to lead the young guys," the former Arizona guard said. "I also have to show some more continuity in my game."
Shakur was one more game against his former team this season, with the Vipers scheduled to return to Tulsa on March 26.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Aldrich assigned to 66ers
Oklahoma City Thunder has assigned center Cole Aldrich to the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Development League, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.
Aldrich has appeared in five games this season for the Thunder, averaging 1.0 points and 2.2 rebounds in 9.6 minutes per game.
Aldrich represents the 16th assignment by a Thunder player to the Tulsa 66ers. Over the past two seasons Thunder roster players have appeared in more than 100 D-League contests with the 66ers.
Aldrich has appeared in five games this season for the Thunder, averaging 1.0 points and 2.2 rebounds in 9.6 minutes per game.
Aldrich represents the 16th assignment by a Thunder player to the Tulsa 66ers. Over the past two seasons Thunder roster players have appeared in more than 100 D-League contests with the 66ers.
Friday, November 19, 2010
66ers open season tonight at Bakersfield ... what to watch
The Tulsa 66ers begin their quest for the NBA D-League championship tonight in Bakersfield where they'll meet the Jam in the first of back-to-back games this weekend. Tulsa will be looking for better luck than it had last season in Bakersfield when it dropped both games.
Just four of Tulsa's 10 players were with the 66ers last season, meaning life on the road in the D-League could be a new experience for the majority of the players.
"We've been talking about how we're going to approach things on the road," Tulsa head coach Nate Tibbetts said. "These are guys who have played on big-time college programs in front of big road crowds. We're going to emphasize bringing energy and effort every night."
One of the players who will set the example for the newcomers is 6-foot-7 forward Larry Owens, the former Oral Roberts University star who started all 50 games for the 66ers last season. Owens averaged 15.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game last season, then played for the D-League Select team in the NBA's Las Vegas Summer League.
Tulsa's other returnees include former ORU center Marcus Lewis, point guard Zabian Dowdell, and forward Latavious Williams, who finished 13th in the D-League in rebounding last season as a rookie, averaging 7.7 boards per outing.
"It's valuable to have those four guys on our team because there's a comfort level there from last season," Tibbetts said. "They know our philosophy and know what to expect from these road games."
Here are three things to watch in this weekend's series...
1. Does Tulsa have a lack of height? When the 66ers cut 7-footer Josh Lomers in the last round of cuts, that left rookie Perry Stevenson as the tallest Tulsa player on the roster at 6-9. Will that be a problem for the 66ers facing Bakersfield's 6-11 Luke Zeller and 6-10 Drew Naymick? We'll see.
2. Tulsa is the hunted, not the hunter. Last year the 66ers weren't expected to do much and surprised everyone with a strong season. This year, Owens, Williams, and the 66ers are well known throughout the league. Will that additional expectation play a role?
3. How will the rookies play? Tulsa traded for Robert Vaden and he's expected to be a scoring force this season. "Tweety" Carter is expected to help Dowdell at the point and Stevenson may be depended upon for some big minutes (and rebounds) inside. How will they play, and what kind of chemistry will evolve on this team?
Just four of Tulsa's 10 players were with the 66ers last season, meaning life on the road in the D-League could be a new experience for the majority of the players.
"We've been talking about how we're going to approach things on the road," Tulsa head coach Nate Tibbetts said. "These are guys who have played on big-time college programs in front of big road crowds. We're going to emphasize bringing energy and effort every night."
One of the players who will set the example for the newcomers is 6-foot-7 forward Larry Owens, the former Oral Roberts University star who started all 50 games for the 66ers last season. Owens averaged 15.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game last season, then played for the D-League Select team in the NBA's Las Vegas Summer League.
Tulsa's other returnees include former ORU center Marcus Lewis, point guard Zabian Dowdell, and forward Latavious Williams, who finished 13th in the D-League in rebounding last season as a rookie, averaging 7.7 boards per outing.
"It's valuable to have those four guys on our team because there's a comfort level there from last season," Tibbetts said. "They know our philosophy and know what to expect from these road games."
Here are three things to watch in this weekend's series...
1. Does Tulsa have a lack of height? When the 66ers cut 7-footer Josh Lomers in the last round of cuts, that left rookie Perry Stevenson as the tallest Tulsa player on the roster at 6-9. Will that be a problem for the 66ers facing Bakersfield's 6-11 Luke Zeller and 6-10 Drew Naymick? We'll see.
2. Tulsa is the hunted, not the hunter. Last year the 66ers weren't expected to do much and surprised everyone with a strong season. This year, Owens, Williams, and the 66ers are well known throughout the league. Will that additional expectation play a role?
3. How will the rookies play? Tulsa traded for Robert Vaden and he's expected to be a scoring force this season. "Tweety" Carter is expected to help Dowdell at the point and Stevenson may be depended upon for some big minutes (and rebounds) inside. How will they play, and what kind of chemistry will evolve on this team?
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
66ers make a trade after the draft
I didn't blog last night because I felt something was in the works. At the 66ers draft party last night, you could just get the feeling when Rio Grande Valley took Robert Vaden with their first-round pick that he would eventually come into Tulsa's hands. After all, Vaden was familiar with the Thunder system after spending some time in it this summer.
Today, Vaden came back to the Thunder family .. and the 66ers. The 66ers acquired Vaden, a guard and the seventh overall pick in 2010 D-League Draft, from the Vipers in exchange for guard Mustafa Shakur..
Additionally, the 66ers obtained a 2011 first round draft pick from the Springfield Armor in exchange for guard Scottie Reynolds. Tulsa selected Reynolds with its 13th pick in the first round of the 2010 D-League Draft. This was big news as Reynolds, the All-American from Villanova, was arguably the biggest "name" available in the draft.
After being selected by the Charlotte Bobcats with the 54th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, Vaden’s draft rights were acquired by the Oklahoma City Thunder. He spent the 2009-10 season playing overseas in Italy for Aget Imola. Vaden appeared in 29 games and averaged 16.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 35.7 minutes per game.
Vaden, 6-5/215, enjoyed a successful collegiate career at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, where he became the fastest player in UAB history to score 1,000 points (50 games).
Information on some of Tulsa's other draft picks...
Looking to add some size, Tulsa picked former Kentucky forward Perry Stevenson with its second-round pick. The 6-9 forward played in 34 games for the Wildcats last season.
In the third round, the 66ers went even bigger when they tabbed Josh Lomers, a 7-footer out of Baylor. Lomers averaged 6.6 points and 3.7 rebounds for the Bears last season.
Tulsa spent its fourth-round pick on Devin Sweetney, a 6-6 wing who played for St. Francis (Pa.). In his four seasons for the Red Flash, he was a member of the Northeastern Conference All-Freshmen Team and was named All-NEC last season after posting 16.9 points and 7.4 boards per game.
In the fifth round, Tulsa selected Mamadi Diane, a 6-6 guard/forward from Virginia. He Played professionally in Spain for the 2009-10 season, averaging 11.3 points and 22.5 minutes in 26 games for CB Penas Huesca of the LEB, the second Spanish basketball league.
Tulsa's final three draft picks were Brandon Brooks (sixth round, Alabama State), Marlon Jones (seventh round, Oklahoma City), and Michael Sturns (Holy Family).
Today, Vaden came back to the Thunder family .. and the 66ers. The 66ers acquired Vaden, a guard and the seventh overall pick in 2010 D-League Draft, from the Vipers in exchange for guard Mustafa Shakur..
Additionally, the 66ers obtained a 2011 first round draft pick from the Springfield Armor in exchange for guard Scottie Reynolds. Tulsa selected Reynolds with its 13th pick in the first round of the 2010 D-League Draft. This was big news as Reynolds, the All-American from Villanova, was arguably the biggest "name" available in the draft.
After being selected by the Charlotte Bobcats with the 54th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, Vaden’s draft rights were acquired by the Oklahoma City Thunder. He spent the 2009-10 season playing overseas in Italy for Aget Imola. Vaden appeared in 29 games and averaged 16.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 35.7 minutes per game.
Vaden, 6-5/215, enjoyed a successful collegiate career at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, where he became the fastest player in UAB history to score 1,000 points (50 games).
Information on some of Tulsa's other draft picks...
Looking to add some size, Tulsa picked former Kentucky forward Perry Stevenson with its second-round pick. The 6-9 forward played in 34 games for the Wildcats last season.
In the third round, the 66ers went even bigger when they tabbed Josh Lomers, a 7-footer out of Baylor. Lomers averaged 6.6 points and 3.7 rebounds for the Bears last season.
Tulsa spent its fourth-round pick on Devin Sweetney, a 6-6 wing who played for St. Francis (Pa.). In his four seasons for the Red Flash, he was a member of the Northeastern Conference All-Freshmen Team and was named All-NEC last season after posting 16.9 points and 7.4 boards per game.
In the fifth round, Tulsa selected Mamadi Diane, a 6-6 guard/forward from Virginia. He Played professionally in Spain for the 2009-10 season, averaging 11.3 points and 22.5 minutes in 26 games for CB Penas Huesca of the LEB, the second Spanish basketball league.
Tulsa's final three draft picks were Brandon Brooks (sixth round, Alabama State), Marlon Jones (seventh round, Oklahoma City), and Michael Sturns (Holy Family).
Monday, November 1, 2010
D-League Draft happens tonight
I'll be at the Tulsa Convention Center tonight to cover the 66ers' draft. The team drafts 13th in the 16-team draft, which will go in serpentine-style.
I'll be blogging tonight, giving you updates on Tulsa's newest players as the draft goes from 6-8 p.m. CT.
I'll be blogging tonight, giving you updates on Tulsa's newest players as the draft goes from 6-8 p.m. CT.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
66ers draft position announced
The Tulsa 66ers received the 13th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Development League Draft via lottery at the League’s annual coaches meetings in Dallas Tuesday evening. The draft will be held on Nov. 1.
Additionally, the 66ers will select 20th, 45th, 52nd, 77th, 84th, 109th, and 116th.
Additionally, the 66ers will select 20th, 45th, 52nd, 77th, 84th, 109th, and 116th.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
A first glance at the 66ers schedule ... the good, the bad, the ugly
While the Tulsa 66ers' 2010-11 schedule has been out for some time, I waited until today to really take a look at it because tonight will be the first 66ers-related activity of the season as the Preseason Bash is held at Dave & Buster's from 7-9 p.m. If you're in the area, free appetizers will be served tonight and the first 40 guests to arrive will receive free $5 game vouchers.
Here are a few of the highlights from my perspective...
The season opens with back-to-back games in Bakersfield on Nov. 19-20. Despite the Jam's subpar record last season, that was a tough place for Tulsa to play and will be a tough place to open with consecutive games.
The first home games of the season? Who better than Iowa to come to Tulsa on Nov. 26 and 27? The 66ers and Energy had an amazing playoff battle last season, including a crazy, emotion-filled deciding game in Des Moines. These will be two big tests for the 66ers in front of what should be a good crowd over Thanksgiving weekend.
Tulsa meets new D-League franchise Texas on their home court on Dec. 4 in what could be the start of a good rivalry (you know how Texas and Oklahoma teams love each other, and how the Thunder and Mavericks will be jockeying for Western Conference bragging rights this season). The next night, Tulsa returns home to face Rio Grande Valley for the first time since the Vipers took the championship on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer.
Tulsa's next action will then be two games at Sioux Falls, meaning five of the 66ers' first nine games will be against opponents they faced in the playoffs last season. Talk about an early test!
The 66ers have just three home games in January, including a stretch of just two over the final three weeks of the month. The tables turn in February, however, as the 66ers will be home for all but one game (and that one road game is a short trip to face Texas).
Tulsa gets the final five games of the season at home, during what could be a push for playoff seeding. Those final five will not be easy as they include Austin, Rio Grande Valley, Texas, and the last two of the season against Dakota.
Here are a few of the highlights from my perspective...
The season opens with back-to-back games in Bakersfield on Nov. 19-20. Despite the Jam's subpar record last season, that was a tough place for Tulsa to play and will be a tough place to open with consecutive games.
The first home games of the season? Who better than Iowa to come to Tulsa on Nov. 26 and 27? The 66ers and Energy had an amazing playoff battle last season, including a crazy, emotion-filled deciding game in Des Moines. These will be two big tests for the 66ers in front of what should be a good crowd over Thanksgiving weekend.
Tulsa meets new D-League franchise Texas on their home court on Dec. 4 in what could be the start of a good rivalry (you know how Texas and Oklahoma teams love each other, and how the Thunder and Mavericks will be jockeying for Western Conference bragging rights this season). The next night, Tulsa returns home to face Rio Grande Valley for the first time since the Vipers took the championship on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer.
Tulsa's next action will then be two games at Sioux Falls, meaning five of the 66ers' first nine games will be against opponents they faced in the playoffs last season. Talk about an early test!
The 66ers have just three home games in January, including a stretch of just two over the final three weeks of the month. The tables turn in February, however, as the 66ers will be home for all but one game (and that one road game is a short trip to face Texas).
Tulsa gets the final five games of the season at home, during what could be a push for playoff seeding. Those final five will not be easy as they include Austin, Rio Grande Valley, Texas, and the last two of the season against Dakota.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
