backPhil
12-10-2007, 05:56 PM
By Darnell Mayberry
Staff Writer
DOrK (http://newsok.com/article/3178997/1197290078)
When JamesOn Curry kept his name in the 2007 NBA Draft, few (uO homers)
around here thought the former Oklahoma State Cowboy made the right
decision.
Instead of sticking around Stillwater for his senior season, Curry was selected
in the second round by the Chicago Bulls. And he has yet to step foot on
the United Center court during a game.
But Curry is quietly working his way toward NBA relevance while playing in
the obscure D-League, the NBA's version of Triple-A baseball. Curry is
averaging 22 points, 6.6 assists and 3.4 rebounds in his first eight games
with the Iowa Energy. He's averaging more than 39 minutes and shooting
better than 45 percent from the field.
With his early performance, Curry could be setting himself up to join a long
list of former D-League players who have found NBA success.
The list includes Milwaukee's Bobby Simmons, Charlotte's Matt Carroll and
former Hornets Chris Andersen and Devin Brown.
Former Tulsa Victory Christian standout Kelenna Azubuike is the most recent
success story, now averaging 13.4 points and 4.9 rebounds for the Golden
State Warriors. Azubuike averaged a league-leading 26 points, 5.0 rebounds
and 3.2 assists in 12 games with the Forth Worth Flyers last season before
what proved to be a permanent call-up.
Curry looks to be on a similar path.
"I think he needs a little bit more time,” said Energy coach Nick Nurse. "But I
think at the right time and in the right situation he can play up there.
"He can play up there right now, but I think it'd be better for him to get more
confidence and more minutes in the situation that he's in right now.”
The Bulls, Nurse said, sent Curry down so he could get significant playing
time. The parent club wants to see Curry develop his skills running an
offense while learning how to defend NBA-caliber guards.
"I think he understands where he is and what he needs to do to get better,”
Nurse said. "I don't think he's doubting his abilities to play at that level
whatsoever. He's excited to learn the game in a different way and get
better. His basketball IQ is very high.
"Absolutely from the day he stepped here he's been all about team and all
about working hard and he's been all about winning. He's a 10 out of 10
attitude-wise. He's been awesome.”
Nurse said the Bulls have talked about calling up Curry once or twice this
season to give him some experience in the NBA. But playing time is most
important for Curry right now, something he likely won't see with a loaded
backcourt in Chicago.
But all indications point to Curry becoming the next player to turn a D-League
stint into a solid NBA career.
"He's expressed to me that he's here to get better,” Nurse said. "And he's
excited about getting better as a player.”
Staff Writer
DOrK (http://newsok.com/article/3178997/1197290078)
When JamesOn Curry kept his name in the 2007 NBA Draft, few (uO homers)
around here thought the former Oklahoma State Cowboy made the right
decision.
Instead of sticking around Stillwater for his senior season, Curry was selected
in the second round by the Chicago Bulls. And he has yet to step foot on
the United Center court during a game.
But Curry is quietly working his way toward NBA relevance while playing in
the obscure D-League, the NBA's version of Triple-A baseball. Curry is
averaging 22 points, 6.6 assists and 3.4 rebounds in his first eight games
with the Iowa Energy. He's averaging more than 39 minutes and shooting
better than 45 percent from the field.
With his early performance, Curry could be setting himself up to join a long
list of former D-League players who have found NBA success.
The list includes Milwaukee's Bobby Simmons, Charlotte's Matt Carroll and
former Hornets Chris Andersen and Devin Brown.
Former Tulsa Victory Christian standout Kelenna Azubuike is the most recent
success story, now averaging 13.4 points and 4.9 rebounds for the Golden
State Warriors. Azubuike averaged a league-leading 26 points, 5.0 rebounds
and 3.2 assists in 12 games with the Forth Worth Flyers last season before
what proved to be a permanent call-up.
Curry looks to be on a similar path.
"I think he needs a little bit more time,” said Energy coach Nick Nurse. "But I
think at the right time and in the right situation he can play up there.
"He can play up there right now, but I think it'd be better for him to get more
confidence and more minutes in the situation that he's in right now.”
The Bulls, Nurse said, sent Curry down so he could get significant playing
time. The parent club wants to see Curry develop his skills running an
offense while learning how to defend NBA-caliber guards.
"I think he understands where he is and what he needs to do to get better,”
Nurse said. "I don't think he's doubting his abilities to play at that level
whatsoever. He's excited to learn the game in a different way and get
better. His basketball IQ is very high.
"Absolutely from the day he stepped here he's been all about team and all
about working hard and he's been all about winning. He's a 10 out of 10
attitude-wise. He's been awesome.”
Nurse said the Bulls have talked about calling up Curry once or twice this
season to give him some experience in the NBA. But playing time is most
important for Curry right now, something he likely won't see with a loaded
backcourt in Chicago.
But all indications point to Curry becoming the next player to turn a D-League
stint into a solid NBA career.
"He's expressed to me that he's here to get better,” Nurse said. "And he's
excited about getting better as a player.”