Tulsa Time: 66ers sweep Springfield, improve to 4-4
A quick look at Oklahoma City’s D-League affiliate, the Tulsa 66ers:
Thursday: Tulsa took on the Springfield Armor, a squad that features former Oklahoma State Cowboy JamesOn Curry as its leading scorer. The 66ers won 90-74, behind 20 points from Larry Owens and 23 from Cecil Brown. Mustafa Shakur had 10 points and 11 assists in the win and Byron Mullens added 14 points, nine rebounds and three blocks. DeVon Hardin had six points and seven rebounds and Latavious Williams added six and seven in just 11 minutes.
Saturday: The 66ers used a big third quarter to win their second straight, 98-91. Shakur led the way with 27 points (all in the second half), six assists and five rebounds. Byron Mullens added 19 points and six boards, Latavious Williams 10 points and seven rebounds and DeVon Hardin with four points and nine boards. (Video Highlights)
Thunder Player Recap
- Mullens averaged 16.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg and 1.5 bpg for the week. He’s averaging 16.0 ppg and 10.1 rpg for the season.
- Hardin 5.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg and 2.0 bpg for the week and is averaging 6.8 ppg and 7.3 rpg on the year.
Next week Tulsa has three games, starting with a road tilt against the Maine Red Claws Sunday. The week wraps up with two home games against Rio Grande Valley Friday and Saturday. Remember, you can watch all games for free on the D-League’s official site.
In that picture, Mullens looks like he’s trying out for the ballet. Of course, if that’s the case, he’s going to have to straighten out that leg.
I love how Mullens is rebounding so well. I hope that translates to the NBA.
I just hope his good play in the D-league isn’t just a talent thing as well. He looked like a man among boys in college, and was once expected to go number 1 overall. Thing is, he played lackluster all around against NBA players. I would enjoy seeing him come up for a few games (perhaps in exchange for Ibaka, who could get more PT and individual coaching in Tulsa) after the gauntlet ahead. More of a developmental thing than a test, as even if he does well I’m not sure we bring him up for the rest of the season right away.
Mullens is shooting 43% from the field! Blech!
I need to be making it to the 66er’s games. Work is killing me though!
When are the DT t-shirts going to be in stock again?
@Chris
I’ve been in touch with Tree & Leaf, and he said probably within 5-7 days.
Re: the 66ers, my wife is from Maine, and I really wish the 66ers were playing the Red Claws a bit later–I would PROUDLY sport my Zombie Sonics tee and root on Byron and Mustafa over the Xmas break. Ah well.
Can we please call up Mustafa now? I’ve had quite enough of Mike Wilks.
@justin
I think that’s because he’s still a jumpshooting big at this stage, but you can’t deny the improvment since he’s been in Tulsa.
@Keith
I agree with the trade off for a few games, but the players he’s playing in Tulsa are better than just college players and he’s starting to become a rebounding machine.
Larry Owens from ORU?
I hadn’t paid attention to Shakur til now but he might get a shot at some point. More likely if the Livingston experiment ends.
Given that R Bowen was essentially just a practice player I would have preferred to try Mike Harris at the spot. Might not still be around when 10 day contract are available. Question marks about defense and shooting in the NBA but he could be a scoring 3/4 and primarily an inside force.