Dec 18, 2009
FINALLY A.D.B. HAS COME BACK TO THE BLOGOSPHERE!!!
Ok so its not as momentous as THIS NEWS out of the pro wrestling world, but hey a broadcaster can dream can't he? After a very long hiatus, ITK (That's stands for IN THE KEY) :) , is back and better than ever. We've gone with a new layout design, currently working on a header, and we hope to put a ton of multi-media stuff on here.
The Professor Jonah Goldberg and I, (ok mostly him) work very hard on putting a lot of our multi-media stuff together for RGVIPERS.com and on the Facebook group, but we figured we had another venue for Vipers info right here so lets utilize it better.
Here are some of the things you will find on ITK moving forward.
I look forward to frequent posts here on the blog and hope we get a ton of feedback. I would like to get a Q and A going with our fans. If you have any questions for us e-mail us at Vipersradio@gmail.com . We would love to hear from you.
I will have a preview for you up on the blog before tonight's game and I will also link to Jonah's game notes as well as soon as they are up.
Don't forget tonight's game will be tipping off at 8pm and not 7pm because of a high school game in Tulsa. You can follow all the action on 104.9 JACK FM or on NBA Futurecast.
That is it for now. I'll chat with you later on tonight.
-ADB
PS here is a pic from today's shoot-around.
The Professor Jonah Goldberg and I, (ok mostly him) work very hard on putting a lot of our multi-media stuff together for RGVIPERS.com and on the Facebook group, but we figured we had another venue for Vipers info right here so lets utilize it better.
Here are some of the things you will find on ITK moving forward.
- Home and Road game stories
- We have done this before and you can find these on the main site. But when the team is on the road the D-League puts up the home team's story. Our game story will have a little more info on the Vipers.
- Pictures/Video from the road.
- I learned shortly after I purchased it that my Iphone takes awesome pictures and video. So I am going to use it to upload random things from time to time from our travels. Expect a lot of pics come D-League showcase time.
- Random Thoughts.
- I like to give my thoughts on potential expansion sites, the D-League's best players etc. You can find those posts here as well.
- Post-game video blogs.
- Here we will also post the video blogs Jonah and I do from the Dodge after homes games. I am also attempting to do a video blog for road games as well.
I look forward to frequent posts here on the blog and hope we get a ton of feedback. I would like to get a Q and A going with our fans. If you have any questions for us e-mail us at Vipersradio@gmail.com . We would love to hear from you.
I will have a preview for you up on the blog before tonight's game and I will also link to Jonah's game notes as well as soon as they are up.
Don't forget tonight's game will be tipping off at 8pm and not 7pm because of a high school game in Tulsa. You can follow all the action on 104.9 JACK FM or on NBA Futurecast.
That is it for now. I'll chat with you later on tonight.
-ADB
PS here is a pic from today's shoot-around.
Mar 15, 2009
VIPERS SLITHER PAST STAMPEDE WITH OT WIN
Jared Jordan’s jumper with 2:20 remaining in overtime turned out to be the game winner as the Rio Grande Valley Vipers (16-24) knocked off the defending D-League champion Idaho Stampede (25-15) Saturday night at Qwest Arena. With the win the Vipers sweep the season series against Idaho 2-0
Both teams had a chance to win the game near the end of regulation. Idaho had possession of the ball with the game tied at 103 and 23 seconds remaining. Kevin Burleson, in an attempt to find Brent Petway in the right corner for potential game winning jumper, over shot his teammate and threw the ball out of bounds giving the Vipers a chance to win it with 14 seconds remaining in regulation. Trent Strickland missed a jumper as time expired sending the game to overtime.
The Vipers outscored the Stampede 5-3 in the overtime period to earn the victory. It was a tight game from the opening minutes. The Vipers and Stampede traded the lead 21 times and were knotted up eight times. The Vipers are now 3-1 lifetime against defending D-League champions in their history.
Strickland tallied his first double-double since February 20th with a team-high 24 points while hauling in 10 rebounds. Jordan recorded his seventh double-double of the year with 15 points and 13 he assists, finishing three rebounds shy of a triple-double. Jawad Williams scored 22 and Quin Humphrey scored12 to round out the double-digit scorers for RGV.
The Vipers will finish their six game road trip on Friday night when they face the Albuquerque Thunderbirds for the final time this season. Tip-off from Tingley Coliseum is scheduled for 8:00 pm CT.
Both teams had a chance to win the game near the end of regulation. Idaho had possession of the ball with the game tied at 103 and 23 seconds remaining. Kevin Burleson, in an attempt to find Brent Petway in the right corner for potential game winning jumper, over shot his teammate and threw the ball out of bounds giving the Vipers a chance to win it with 14 seconds remaining in regulation. Trent Strickland missed a jumper as time expired sending the game to overtime.
The Vipers outscored the Stampede 5-3 in the overtime period to earn the victory. It was a tight game from the opening minutes. The Vipers and Stampede traded the lead 21 times and were knotted up eight times. The Vipers are now 3-1 lifetime against defending D-League champions in their history.
Strickland tallied his first double-double since February 20th with a team-high 24 points while hauling in 10 rebounds. Jordan recorded his seventh double-double of the year with 15 points and 13 he assists, finishing three rebounds shy of a triple-double. Jawad Williams scored 22 and Quin Humphrey scored12 to round out the double-digit scorers for RGV.
The Vipers will finish their six game road trip on Friday night when they face the Albuquerque Thunderbirds for the final time this season. Tip-off from Tingley Coliseum is scheduled for 8:00 pm CT.
Mar 12, 2009
COLORADO SWEEPS SERIES OVER RGV WITH 126-109 WIN
March 12, 2009
BROOMFIELD, Colorado-
The Colorado 14ers, led by Colorado assignee Sonny Weems’ 26 points, won the 4th quarter 34-15 en route to a 126-109 victory over the Rio Grande Valley Vipers Thursday night at the Broomfield Event Center. The 14ers closed out the season series with RGV taking all seven match-ups. The loss drops the Vipers franchise’s record against Colorado to 1-14 all time. The win is the fifth straight for the 14ers and the ninth in a row at home.
The Vipers and 14ers fought back and forth for the first three periods. The team’s traded the lead nine times with 11 ties on Thursday. The Vipers had leads in the each of the four quarters but could not hold on. Marcus Hubbard’s three pointer from the top-of-the key with 1:36 remaining capped off a 10-0 run gave the Vipers their largest lead of six points. Rio Grande Valley started the 4th quarter up 94-92.
Despite all kinds of shooting woes in the first three periods the 14ers scored at will to begin the 4th. Weem’s two free throws with 9:21 remaining in the 4th capped off Colorado’s 12-2 run to start the 4th quarter, which gave the 14ers the lead for good. John Lucas scored 13 of his 20 points in Colorado’s huge fourth quarter.
Jawad Williams scored 28 points and hauled in five rebounds to lead all scorers. Kurt Looby posted his sixth double-double of the season with 10 points and 15 rebounds while also swatting five Colorado shots. Quin Humphrey was the only double-digit scorer off the bench for RGV with 16.
Eddie Gill finished two assists shy of a triple-double scoring 16 points and tallying 10 boards. Josh Davis, despite a poor shooting night still scored 17 points and brought down a team high 12 boards.
The Vipers will continue their six game road swing on Saturday night when the Vipers face the defending D-league champion Idaho Stampede at Qwest Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 pm CT
BROOMFIELD, Colorado-
The Colorado 14ers, led by Colorado assignee Sonny Weems’ 26 points, won the 4th quarter 34-15 en route to a 126-109 victory over the Rio Grande Valley Vipers Thursday night at the Broomfield Event Center. The 14ers closed out the season series with RGV taking all seven match-ups. The loss drops the Vipers franchise’s record against Colorado to 1-14 all time. The win is the fifth straight for the 14ers and the ninth in a row at home.
The Vipers and 14ers fought back and forth for the first three periods. The team’s traded the lead nine times with 11 ties on Thursday. The Vipers had leads in the each of the four quarters but could not hold on. Marcus Hubbard’s three pointer from the top-of-the key with 1:36 remaining capped off a 10-0 run gave the Vipers their largest lead of six points. Rio Grande Valley started the 4th quarter up 94-92.
Despite all kinds of shooting woes in the first three periods the 14ers scored at will to begin the 4th. Weem’s two free throws with 9:21 remaining in the 4th capped off Colorado’s 12-2 run to start the 4th quarter, which gave the 14ers the lead for good. John Lucas scored 13 of his 20 points in Colorado’s huge fourth quarter.
Jawad Williams scored 28 points and hauled in five rebounds to lead all scorers. Kurt Looby posted his sixth double-double of the season with 10 points and 15 rebounds while also swatting five Colorado shots. Quin Humphrey was the only double-digit scorer off the bench for RGV with 16.
Eddie Gill finished two assists shy of a triple-double scoring 16 points and tallying 10 boards. Josh Davis, despite a poor shooting night still scored 17 points and brought down a team high 12 boards.
The Vipers will continue their six game road swing on Saturday night when the Vipers face the defending D-league champion Idaho Stampede at Qwest Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 pm CT
COLORADO SWEEPS SERIES OVER RGV WITH 126-109 WIN
March 12, 2009
BROOMFIELD, Colorado-
The Colorado 14ers, led by Colorado assignee Sonny Weems’ 26 points, won the 4th quarter 34-15 en route to a 126-109 victory over the Rio Grande Valley Vipers Thursday night at the Broomfield Event Center. The 14ers closed out the season series with RGV taking all seven match-ups. The loss drops the Vipers franchise’s record against Colorado to 1-14 all time. The win is the fifth straight for the 14ers and the ninth in a row at home.
The Vipers and 14ers fought back and forth for the first three periods. The team’s traded the lead nine times with 11 ties on Thursday. The Vipers had leads in the each of the four quarters but could not hold on. Marcus Hubbard’s three pointer from the top-of-the key with 1:36 remaining capped off a 10-0 run gave the Vipers their largest lead of six points. Rio Grande Valley started the 4th quarter up 94-92.
Despite all kinds of shooting woes in the first three periods the 14ers scored at will to begin the 4th. Weem’s two free throws with 9:21 remaining in the 4th capped off Colorado’s 12-2 run to start the 4th quarter, which gave the 14ers the lead for good. John Lucas scored 13 of his 20 points in Colorado’s huge fourth quarter.
Jawad Williams scored 28 points and hauled in five rebounds to lead all scorers. Kurt Looby posted his sixth double-double of the season with 10 points and 15 rebounds while also swatting five Colorado shots. Quin Humphrey was the only double-digit scorer off the bench for RGV with 16.
Eddie Gill finished two assists shy of a triple-double scoring 16 points and tallying 10 boards. Josh Davis, despite a poor shooting night still scored 17 points and brought down a team high 12 boards.
The Vipers will continue their six game road swing on Saturday night when the Vipers face the defending D-league champion Idaho Stampede at Qwest Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 pm CT
BROOMFIELD, Colorado-
The Colorado 14ers, led by Colorado assignee Sonny Weems’ 26 points, won the 4th quarter 34-15 en route to a 126-109 victory over the Rio Grande Valley Vipers Thursday night at the Broomfield Event Center. The 14ers closed out the season series with RGV taking all seven match-ups. The loss drops the Vipers franchise’s record against Colorado to 1-14 all time. The win is the fifth straight for the 14ers and the ninth in a row at home.
The Vipers and 14ers fought back and forth for the first three periods. The team’s traded the lead nine times with 11 ties on Thursday. The Vipers had leads in the each of the four quarters but could not hold on. Marcus Hubbard’s three pointer from the top-of-the key with 1:36 remaining capped off a 10-0 run gave the Vipers their largest lead of six points. Rio Grande Valley started the 4th quarter up 94-92.
Despite all kinds of shooting woes in the first three periods the 14ers scored at will to begin the 4th. Weem’s two free throws with 9:21 remaining in the 4th capped off Colorado’s 12-2 run to start the 4th quarter, which gave the 14ers the lead for good. John Lucas scored 13 of his 20 points in Colorado’s huge fourth quarter.
Jawad Williams scored 28 points and hauled in five rebounds to lead all scorers. Kurt Looby posted his sixth double-double of the season with 10 points and 15 rebounds while also swatting five Colorado shots. Quin Humphrey was the only double-digit scorer off the bench for RGV with 16.
Eddie Gill finished two assists shy of a triple-double scoring 16 points and tallying 10 boards. Josh Davis, despite a poor shooting night still scored 17 points and brought down a team high 12 boards.
The Vipers will continue their six game road swing on Saturday night when the Vipers face the defending D-league champion Idaho Stampede at Qwest Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 pm CT
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
Vipers vs. Colorado March 12th Pre-Game
Back we are at the phenomenal Broomfield Event Center. It will be the last time the Vipers will take on the 14ers this season, and perhaps ever unless someone buys this team and does a MUCH better job of marketing it to Broomfield and the outlying communities. Crowds here are sparse to say the least and with the problems that Tim Wiens (Owner of the 14ers and Rocky Mountain Rage) is having it is unlikely that the 14ers will survive. Although the league is pretty adamant about not letting teams die. We will have to just wait and see I guess.
As for the game, the Vipers will need to get off to a much better start than they did on Tuesday when they were down 30-20 at the end of the first and shooting the ball at a 9/31 clip. That's just not gonna get it done. As I've said before the 14ers are the Mongoose to our Snake, Or is it the Snake to our Mongoose?? Either way it's bad... I don't know animals. :)
The Vipers are 1-13 against Colorado... 0-6 in Broomfield...I'd like to say they are due...but Colorado is the best team in the league. I don't think its close. But I don't think they will win the 2009 D-league Championship. They just remind me too much of Phoenix and in a one and done, a bad shooting night for Colorado could mean an early exit. I am going to try to blog during the game. But the info at each time-out will be short.
We are the only night game in the D-League tonight. Iowa lost to Tulsa 108-107 in overtime... (wait what?) Yes the Tulsa 66ers beat one of the best teams in the D-League on their home floor earlier today. Don't know how that happened. But hey if there is one upset in the league today, why can't we have another one in Broomfield tonight?
Starters are out here they are
RIO GRANDE VALLEY VIPERS
- G- Jared Jordan
- G-Stanley Asumnu
- C- Kurt Looby
- F- Jawad Williams
- F- Trent Strickland
COLORADO 14ERS
- G - Eddie Gill
- G - Dominique Coleman
- C - Joe Dabbert
- F- Trey Gilder
- F- Josh Davis
Tip-off is coming up shortly... check out all the action on ESPN 1240-AM.. Or you can watch on Futurecast and listen to Chad Andrus who is one of the better broadcasters in the D-League...Or follow the live stats on D-League.com
D-League Expansion..Rumblings.. etc.
A lot has been happening around the D-League lately. There has been a lot happening around the Vipers as well. I apologize for not updating In the Key a little more often. The travel has been crazy and I have taken on some new responsibilities as well. But I should be able to spend a few minutes to blog.So here I am.
I posted several weeks back about possible D-League expansion. D-League Maine has already been announced. Congrats to Abby Pierce who is head of their marketing efforts. She was in RGV when we started up and I think she's awesome. Maine made a good hire. They will be the Maine (Insert Nickname here). They want to market to the whole state and didn't want to be confused with the Trailblazers home city. They also will not be the Shamrocks... which I thought would have been awesome since they will unofficially-officially be the Celtics affiliate. You can help choose the name HERE.
Now you can't just add one team right? But where else is the D-League expanding to? There were a lot of rumors and the D-League did a great job this year of keeping the potential additions hush-hush as opposed to last year when we all knew it was Erie and Reno. We knew about Portland since last season, but the 18th team was a mystery. Just rumors. Well it appears the secret is out finally as Springfield, MA (the home to Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, and the birthplace of basketball) will be home to a D-league franchise.
It will be interesting to see who Springfield will be affiliated with since Boston appears to be going to Maine. Although I think it doesn't really matter it's out in Western, MA. You could easily put the Nets, Sixers or, Knicks in this same area. Or even both NJ and NYK.
The real questions is will the D-League be at 18 teams next year? Or will it still be 16? We have documented on this blog before and Scott over a RU has as well, the financial problems the Colorado 14er owners are having. The word on the street is that Anaheim may be in even worse shape than that of Colorado...If that is even possible. It's a shame that the nicest building in the D-league (Not named Staples Center) may not be back but it could be a reality. Kroenke apparently would only have interest in managing the arena... not buying the 14ers, and it doesn't appear anyone wants to buy the team and move it to Loveland, CO to the Budweiser Events Center. Will the league operate this team until a buyer can be found? Will the new "Hybrid Affiliation System" change the Nuggets mind? I guess we will have to wait and see.
I will post my thoughts on the Hybrid System soon.. I want to get more details and get some thoughts from D-League coaches.
I will post a brief pre-game blog before tonight's game versus Colorado as soon as I get to the building.
Mar 11, 2009
14ERS SCORE TEAM RECORD 147 POINTS IN WIN OVER RGV
March 11, 2009
BROOMFIELD, Colorado-
The Colorado 14ers scored a franchise record for points, including 49 in the fourth quarter, and led from the opening tip as they knocked off the Rio Grande Valley Vipers 147-119 Tuesday night at the Broomfield Event Center. The 147 points is the most Rio Grande Valley has ever allowed in franchise history. The win for Colorado extends their home win streak to eight straight and their fourth straight overall. The loss ends RGVs season high three game win streak. RGV is now 1-13 lifetime versus Colorado.
Rio Grande Valley struggled from the opening tip. The Vipers could not find the bottom of the hoop in the opening frame as the shot 29% from the field and were outscored 30-20. The Vipers could not stop the bleeding in the second frame. Julian Sensely’s jumper with 5:54 remaining in the half capped off a 22-4 Colorado run that ran their lead to 28 points. The Vipers did manage to close out the quarter on a 15-5 run to cut the deficit to 18 at the break.
The Vipers attempted to chip away at Colorado’s lead in the second half, cutting the deficit to as few as 11 on a Craig Winder three-point play with 6:18 remaining. Colorado pulled away outscoring RGV 49-40 in the 4th to finish off the win.
Williams’ 29 points led Rio Grande Valley’s scoring load. Kurt Looby tallied another double-double with 10 points and 12 boards. Denver assignee Sonny Weems led the 14ers in scoring with 27 points. Eddie Gill scored 21 and dished out five assists in the Colorado win.
The Vipers will play Colorado for the final time in 2008-09 on Thursday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 pm at the Broomfield Event Center.
BROOMFIELD, Colorado-
The Colorado 14ers scored a franchise record for points, including 49 in the fourth quarter, and led from the opening tip as they knocked off the Rio Grande Valley Vipers 147-119 Tuesday night at the Broomfield Event Center. The 147 points is the most Rio Grande Valley has ever allowed in franchise history. The win for Colorado extends their home win streak to eight straight and their fourth straight overall. The loss ends RGVs season high three game win streak. RGV is now 1-13 lifetime versus Colorado.
Rio Grande Valley struggled from the opening tip. The Vipers could not find the bottom of the hoop in the opening frame as the shot 29% from the field and were outscored 30-20. The Vipers could not stop the bleeding in the second frame. Julian Sensely’s jumper with 5:54 remaining in the half capped off a 22-4 Colorado run that ran their lead to 28 points. The Vipers did manage to close out the quarter on a 15-5 run to cut the deficit to 18 at the break.
The Vipers attempted to chip away at Colorado’s lead in the second half, cutting the deficit to as few as 11 on a Craig Winder three-point play with 6:18 remaining. Colorado pulled away outscoring RGV 49-40 in the 4th to finish off the win.
Williams’ 29 points led Rio Grande Valley’s scoring load. Kurt Looby tallied another double-double with 10 points and 12 boards. Denver assignee Sonny Weems led the 14ers in scoring with 27 points. Eddie Gill scored 21 and dished out five assists in the Colorado win.
The Vipers will play Colorado for the final time in 2008-09 on Thursday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 pm at the Broomfield Event Center.
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