Tulsa Report: White makes smooth transition; Dowdell a spark off the bench
Dec 29 2009 6:16PM
Thunder forward D.J. White joined the Tulsa 66ers in Reno on Saturday shortly after the team’s shoot around, and the second-year forward went on to record 41 points, 18 rebounds and four blocks in two games against the Bighorns.
It's been a seamless transition to Tulsa for White.
Because the Thunder owns the 66ers, White already knew the playbook and terminology. Now it’s about further developing his midrange and post skills offensively, as well as overall defense.
“It’s written out what is expected of him and he knows before he gets here and we communicate each day the things he can do offensively and defensively to improve his development plan,” Tulsa 66ers head coach Nate Tibbetts said.
The 66ers approach that development the same way the Thunder does.
Just like the Thunder has assistant coaches Mark Bryant work with post players before and after practices and Brian Keefe with the perimeter players, the 66ers' coaching staff does the same.
And while White benefits from more playing time in Tulsa, Tibbetts said the 66ers also gain from his presence. Having a player with the work ethic like White, who spent four years at Indiana University and has gotten invaluable experience with the Thunder over the last a year, provides a veteran presence for the 66ers’ younger players.
“Just having him go through a workout with (rookie) Latavious Williams, hearing it from D.J. those are very teachable moments where it can really sink in when it’s coming out of D.J.’s mouth, and hopefully that stuff will carryover,” Tibbetts said. “So it’s very beneficial to have a guy like D.J., who’s approaching it the right way and willing to help some of our guys, too.”
OFF THE BENCH
Zabian Dowdell has given the 66ers yet another player off the bench who can provide scoring and energy on both ends of the floor.
Zowdell, who Tulsa acquired two weeks ago, had his best game as a 66er on Saturday when he came off the bench to score 25 points on 10-for-11 shooting and dish four assists in 22 minutes.
“He’s going to be a good player,” Tibbetts said.
Zowdell played for the Phoenix Suns Summer League team and was a training camp invitee, but an injury prevented him from participating. Zowdell, who made the All-ACC Defensive team twice while at Virginia Tech, spent the last two years playing professionally in France and Italy.
At 6-3, 191 pounds, Zowdell has both backed up starting point guard Mustafa Shakur and has played alongside him, adding a different wrinkle to the 66ers offense with two ball handlers on the floor.
“He’s a really talented scoring point guard, kind of a combo point guard,” Tibbetts said. “Once he gets his legs under him and his wind back we’re going to see how good he is. The thing about him is I like how he comes to work every day. He comes to work early and leaves late.”
A WHITE CHRISTMAS
Last week’s snowstorm slightly affected the 66ers travel plans to Reno, Nev. Because of the snow, the team’s chartered bus couldn’t pick them up at the hotel. The 66ers had the hotel shuttles take them to the airport, and Tibbetts, who rents a Kia, took three players himself.
When the team arrived in Reno, they went out for a Christmas dinner at a local café. The team split two weekend games against the Bighorns.
HELLO, OLD FRIEND
Tibbetts will face his old team this weekend when the Sioux Falls Skyforce comes to Tulsa for two games.
Tibbetts is a Sioux Fall native and was the head coach of the Skyforce for two seasons before coming to the 66ers during the offseason. Skyforce head coach Tony Fritz served as an assistant to Tibbetts.
“They’re doing really good,” Tibbetts said of the Skyforce (7-4). “There’s four guys back from the team that I had last year and they’re all playing really, really well. I haven’t talked to or seen them in a while so I’m excited to see how they’re doing.”
Contact Chris Silva
It's been a seamless transition to Tulsa for White.
Because the Thunder owns the 66ers, White already knew the playbook and terminology. Now it’s about further developing his midrange and post skills offensively, as well as overall defense.
“It’s written out what is expected of him and he knows before he gets here and we communicate each day the things he can do offensively and defensively to improve his development plan,” Tulsa 66ers head coach Nate Tibbetts said.
The 66ers approach that development the same way the Thunder does.
Just like the Thunder has assistant coaches Mark Bryant work with post players before and after practices and Brian Keefe with the perimeter players, the 66ers' coaching staff does the same.
And while White benefits from more playing time in Tulsa, Tibbetts said the 66ers also gain from his presence. Having a player with the work ethic like White, who spent four years at Indiana University and has gotten invaluable experience with the Thunder over the last a year, provides a veteran presence for the 66ers’ younger players.
“Just having him go through a workout with (rookie) Latavious Williams, hearing it from D.J. those are very teachable moments where it can really sink in when it’s coming out of D.J.’s mouth, and hopefully that stuff will carryover,” Tibbetts said. “So it’s very beneficial to have a guy like D.J., who’s approaching it the right way and willing to help some of our guys, too.”
OFF THE BENCH
Zabian Dowdell has given the 66ers yet another player off the bench who can provide scoring and energy on both ends of the floor.
Zowdell, who Tulsa acquired two weeks ago, had his best game as a 66er on Saturday when he came off the bench to score 25 points on 10-for-11 shooting and dish four assists in 22 minutes.
“He’s going to be a good player,” Tibbetts said.
Zowdell played for the Phoenix Suns Summer League team and was a training camp invitee, but an injury prevented him from participating. Zowdell, who made the All-ACC Defensive team twice while at Virginia Tech, spent the last two years playing professionally in France and Italy.
At 6-3, 191 pounds, Zowdell has both backed up starting point guard Mustafa Shakur and has played alongside him, adding a different wrinkle to the 66ers offense with two ball handlers on the floor.
“He’s a really talented scoring point guard, kind of a combo point guard,” Tibbetts said. “Once he gets his legs under him and his wind back we’re going to see how good he is. The thing about him is I like how he comes to work every day. He comes to work early and leaves late.”
A WHITE CHRISTMAS
Last week’s snowstorm slightly affected the 66ers travel plans to Reno, Nev. Because of the snow, the team’s chartered bus couldn’t pick them up at the hotel. The 66ers had the hotel shuttles take them to the airport, and Tibbetts, who rents a Kia, took three players himself.
When the team arrived in Reno, they went out for a Christmas dinner at a local café. The team split two weekend games against the Bighorns.
HELLO, OLD FRIEND
Tibbetts will face his old team this weekend when the Sioux Falls Skyforce comes to Tulsa for two games.
Tibbetts is a Sioux Fall native and was the head coach of the Skyforce for two seasons before coming to the 66ers during the offseason. Skyforce head coach Tony Fritz served as an assistant to Tibbetts.
“They’re doing really good,” Tibbetts said of the Skyforce (7-4). “There’s four guys back from the team that I had last year and they’re all playing really, really well. I haven’t talked to or seen them in a while so I’m excited to see how they’re doing.”
Contact Chris Silva
