Colorado vs. RGV 1-12-09 2nd Half

6:29 remaining in the third. Colorado leads 78-74

Both teams have scored 12 so far in the third. Vipers need to shoot their free throws better only 48% from the charity stripe

1:59 remaining in the third Vipers lead 87-84

Vipers are on a 13-6 run and have taken the lead on Colorado. The three-point shooting woes are really hurting the 14ers. Colorado is just 2/17 from downtown. Josh Davis is 6/16 from the field but 0/4 from 3. If the Vipers could make free throws they would be up big

End of the 3rd Vipers lead 94-92

The Vipers continue to force Colorado to shoot from the outside right now because right now they aren't making their threes. Whatever works I guess. RGV outscored the 14ers in the third 32-26. I  can't remember the last time we held Colorado to fewer than 20 points in a quarter... We'll get our interns on that one.... Oh by the way the 147 points from Tuesday is a D-League record.

9:21 remaining in regulation 14ers lead 102-96.

Colorado has  started the 4th on a 10-2 run thanks mostly to Sonny Weems. FYI 'Melo Anthony and some other Nuggets are in the building tonight to watch Sonny Weems play.

6:27 remaining in regulation 14ers lead 113-101. 

Colorado isn't missing. John Lucas has taken a step or two in and the Vipers are taking bad shots.. and missing them. Colarod is outscoring the Vipers 21-7 in the quarter so far.

Game Over Colorado wins 126-109.

Colorado and Eddie Gill live for the 4th quarter that was no different again tonight. Re-cap coming later on.

Colorado vs. RGV 1-12-09 1st Half Running Blog

5:59 Remaining 14ers lead 17-12

The Vipers are trading baskets right now with Colorado, well at least they were early. The Vipers are making Colorado shoot outside jumpers rather than the lay-ups they were getting on Tuesday. The problem? Colorado isn't missing right now. Free throws coming up for Looby out of the time out..

2:52 remaining 14ers lead 29-21

Why is Sonny Weems in the D-League? He just threw another one down alley-oop style and made a bad John Lucas pass look good. The pass was behind Weems, he caught it with one hand from behind and slug his arm up and forward for a thunderous slam...Still not enough stops for the Vipers...

End of the 1st 14ers lead 35-28

Right now the teams continue to go back and forth. Neither team is going on a run, and that may be good for the Vipers. The Vipers have more points in the paint 24-14. Meaning a lot of Colorado's points are coming from jumpers. Make a team beat you with outside shots. That's the only way to beat Colorado. Another important number Fastbreak points. Vipers with 6. Colorado with only 2

2:56 remaining in the half Game Tied at 55

The Vipers had a lead for a bit as they led 54-48 at one point. But Colorado is on a 7-1 run to tie the game back at 55-55. 

Halftime 14ers lead 66-62

Colorado always comes back... a little run at the end of the 2nd has the 14ers back on top at the intermission

Running Game Blog 3-10-09 vs. Colorado 2nd Half

The second half is about to begin, and I am still not one the air. The phone line guy for the arena is here and working on the issue. Still no go. I have never had phone line issues here. This isn't Chad Andrus's fault. He's always got stuff goin right. Erin Pahl too. This is the arena being terrible...Hmm where have I heard that before..

Phone works now... If you want to listen to the game head on over to 1240 AM ASAP.

5:43 remaining in the 3rd. Colorado leads 75-64

The Vipers are starting to chip away at this Colorado . They've score 19 points so far in the 3rd.  The Vipers are doing a much better job at making Colorado work.

2:48 Colorado leads 85-70

After the Vipers cut it down to 11. It's been back and forth ever since. The lead has stayed between 13-15 the last few minutes. Jawad continues to dominate for RGV. Weems for Colorado.. although it is Gill who leads Colorado in scoring with 14.

End of the 3rd Qtr. Colorado leads 98-79

That's it... Eddie Gill just gets up for RGV. His first game with the club this year after no practice... he nearly gets a triple double. By the way did I mention tonight is the one year anniversery of Eddie Gill's 15 assist performance against us. That is by the way the most assists an opponent has had against RGV in their history.. I am just saying.. 

5:17 remaining in 4th Qtr Colorado leads 118-104

The Vipers have made this interesting, but it could be too little too late.The Vipers have cut the deficit to 11 a few times in this 2nd half... but Colorado comes back each and every time and pushes it to 15 16 or 18. It has been the second unit shining for RGV with a lot of hustle and slashes to the basket.

Game Over... Vipers lose 147-119

Colorado scored 49 points in the 4th.

Re-cap is coming soon...

Running Game Blog 3-10-09 vs. Colorado 1st Half

I am having technical issues with my radio broadcast tonight, which hopefully will be alleviated by the 2nd quarter. But for you will have to settle for the blog. (Which I know hasn't been updated in forever).

6:09 remaining Colorado 18  Rio Grande Valley 10

The 14ers have gotten out to a hot start. What else is new?  Colorado is 6/8 from the field, RGV is 5/18 from the field. The Vipers need to start better and dig out of this hole... and fast. 

In case you didn't know the Vipers are 1-12 lifetime versus the 14ers. They would love a reversal of fortunes in a rivalry (can you call it that?) That has been ALL COLORADO.

More updates as we move along..

It is always tough to play in this building. Why? BECAUSE THERE IS NEVER ANYONE HERE!!. The financial problems of Colorado's ownership has been well documented. Don't forget that the altitude plays a factor and the floor has the tendency to be a little slippery. I hope Colorado doesn't go away next season. Wait... what am I saying. No in all seriousness. I love their building, the town, the front office, the press table. This is a trip I always look forward to. Except for the 0-5 record here in the Broomfield Event Center. I hope they find a buyer for the team. But in this financial landscape, I find it highly unlikely.

1:00 min remaining in the 1st Qtr. Colorado leads 27-20.

We got our first look at John Lucas III. He's a guy that's as good as any point guard in the NBA, but his size limits him tremendously. Right now they have Lucas and Gill on the floor at the same time. Gill is struggling right now he already has 4 turnovers, but he does have 4 points. (One turnover was Dominique Coleman not paying attention so I'll spot Gill one)

Coach said before the game that Jared could have 25 assists in this game... well he has 5 already. Not quite on pace for 25... but pretty close. The Vipers have closed the gap.. but need more defensive stops... or of course Colorado could miss a few shots...(sigh) wishful thinking sometimes.

End of 1st Qtr. Colorado leads 30-20

The Vipers can't buy a bucket tonight. We've seen a couple airballs and a ton of shots that haven't been close. Colorado does a nice job of switching up their defenses. Half court trap, zone defense, etc. RGV is shooting a terrible 29% right now. They need to find some offense somewhere. so far Jawad Williams leads the team in scoring with 6. 

Can I just say that Eddie Gill is another one of those players you love when he is on your team, but loathe when he is a opponent. Not just because he's good... which Gill is. But he's good and he plays hard, and with a little bit of a swagger...I love to hate Eddie Gill. He reminds me a little bit of Stockton...you know as a player you love to hate.

8:52 remaining 2nd Qtr Colorado leads 42-24. 

12-4 run to start the second period for Colorado. They are absolutely relentless. They just keep coming at you and THEY DONT MISS SHOTS. They are like the Mike D'Antoni Phoenix Suns... a ton of points... no defense. Maybe that's why their the best regular season team in D-league history. But with no championship to show for it.  Did I mention every 14er who has entered the game has scored. This may be a long night.

 

6:34 remaining 2nd Qtr Colorado leds 50-24. 

Did I say 12-4 run? I meant 20-4 run. No offense...We've been scoring at will lately. Just not tonight. Colorado is not good defensively we just cannot make shots. RGV is 11/38 from the field. Math majors that's 28.9 %. Last time a team won shooting under 30% from the field. They were still shooting at peach baskets with no holes on the bottom. 

By the way Sonny Weems is REALLY GOOD! He has nine points, two alley oop dunks, but the second was not intended to be an ally-oop just a pass to him in the lane. But he was so athletic he caught the ball while jumping and still elevated above the rim for he Jam. With the way the Nuggets have been playing lately. I think they should call him back up, like tomorrow.  Please?!

Ok It's official. The 14ers are the Utah Jazz of the D-League. For a team who is up... 58-33 as I write this, they COMPLAIN about EVERY CALL. Pick your Jazz team.. the late 90's team or the current Jazz team. They are exactly the same. I know. I know I am a Rockets fan, so I am supposed to hate the Jazz... but the 14ers are the Jazz... don't try to argue this point with me.... jus't don't. I mean D-league fans of other teams....do you or do you not hate the Colorado 14ers... I rest my case.

Halftime - Colorado leads 63-45.

In the imortal words of this guy "AYE AYE AYE AYE AYE" We just cannot buy a bucket right now. Meanwhile the 14ers continue to do what they do. Score, SCORE  and SCORE MORE!! It will be interesting to see what happens to the rights to all of the players if the 14ers don't come back. Six 14er players have eight or nine points. No one is in double-figures for them. Lucas and Weems both have five assists.

On the Viper end of things Jawad has been getting to the foul line where he was 8-8 to aid in his 14 point first half. RGV still shooting an AWFUL 33.3 % from the field including 1/10 from downtown. RGV will have a tough time coming back in this one sorry to say. Unless Colorado misses a bunch of shots.. and when I say a bunch... I mean like...35+ The 14ers don't surrender big half time leads... they just don't. The Vipers may have to play for Thursday now and watch their minutes for guys like Jordan, Williams, and Strickland.

FYI last time we were here , there was no William T. Goat and no dancers. Today we have both. Too bad they are performing in front of a crowd of about... 200, and I am not joking. This is the best facility in the D-League. I hope I get to come back. SOMEONE BUY THE 14ers!!!

Vipers vs. T-Birds 1-2-09 3rd Qtr

8:37 remaining 3rd

T-Birds 57
Vipers 53

The T-Birds have started the 3rd on a 10-5 run and now lead it by 4. David Noel has five 3rd Qtr points for ABQ. The Vipers have Alton Ford on the bench with 4 fouls


2:47 remaining 3rd

Vipers 71
ABQ 62

Wait... are the Vipers dominating a third quarter???? Ok maybe not but they are winning one and going on a nice run to take their largest lead of the game at 9. Trent Strickland is starting to heat up with eight 3rd quarter points.

End of 3rd Qtr

Vipers 79
T-Birds 65

Ok the Vipers just DOMINATED a third quarter. They outscored ABQ 31-18 in the period and finally were able to get Trent Strickland and Alpha Bangura involved the offense. Strickland scored 11 points in the third period, Bangura scored 10 of his own..Nice third quarter.. lets keep it up

Vipers vs. T-Birds 1-2-09 Halftime

Halftime-

Vipers 48
ABQ 47

Red Panda is performing right now.

Vipers did a nice job of regaining the lead with .3 to go... another offensive rebound by Joey Dorsey and a put back. Dorsey has 12 and eight rebounds, while Smush Parker scored eight of his game high 13 points in the second quarter to lead the scoring load for RGV. Trent Strickland has only take six shots, it would be nice to get him going a little more.

Meanwhile Will Conroy continues to be a pest. 11 points , 4 assists three boards, and a steal. The Vipers should have a much bigger halftime lead but they let the T-birds stick around. Give ABQ credit they are doing the little things to chip away, mostly drawing fouls, getting to the line, and making their foul shots.

Expect more inside play in the second half with Ford, Strickland, and Dorsey doing a lot of posting up. The Vipers are terrible in the transition game right now, they need to get back on D.

Second half about to start....HERE WE GO!!

Vipers vs. T-Birds 1-2-09 2nd qtr

4:23 Remaining 2nd qtr

Vipers 36
ABQ 34

The Vipers are allowing the T-birds to hang around. Cory Underwood has come in to give the T-birds some good 2nd qtr minutes. Big Jasper Johnson, who has a striking resemblance to this guy hit a long three. Not bad for the 275 pounder.

2:59 remaining 2nd Qtr.

Vipers 37
ABQ 38

The T-birds have gone a nice little run to regain the lead. We have have had eight lead changes in the game. No Viper is in double figures Parker and Dorsey each have eight

Vipers Game Blog

Halftime Vipers 52 - Wizards 42

Solid first half for Rio Grande Valley although Smush Parker is taking some terrible shots right now. He looks like he is just trying to get into a rhythm but hasn't been able to so far tonight. Craig Winder and Trent Strickland both have 11 points with Winder's coming off the bench. Alton Ford is drawing fouls from any Dakota players the crosses his way and he is making them pay as big Al has 12 points, but most importantly is 8 for 8 from the foul line. As for Dakota the don't have a single player in double figures.  Quemont Greer has nine points to lead the way for Dakota. The Wizards have played all 11 players. Let me just say that Hamed Haddadi is a beast. He needs ALOT of developing... but he is a beast!!

5:44 Remaining 2nd Qtr  Vipers 40 - Wizards 35

Dakota must like spotting its opponents  big leads and coming back. Vipers have led by as many as 12 but the Wizards have brought the game back into close single digits. Craig Winder has looked good off the bench with 9 points including two three pointers. Mo Baker is just a pest defensively and he has also put up seven points...He is a really good player on what could be a good Dakota team.

Second Media timeout 2:44 remaining Vipers 25, Wizards 13

Trent Strickland looks like the Trent Strickland from the weekend. He has nine 1st quarter points and is 4-5 shooting from the field. Quin Humphrey has been agressive in the early going as well with seven points.

Vipers are shooting over 70% from the field right now.. Lets see if they keep it up