Butler simply leads 66ers by example
By KEVIN HENRY World Correspondent on Apr 19, 2013, at 1:57 AM Updated on 4/19/13 at 6:26 AM
Pro - 66ers
The Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Development League have announced plans for an open tryout.
The Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Development League tip off their season with back-to-back home games Nov. 22-23 against the Iowa Energy.
While youth may be considered a virtue, there is something to be said for the importance of experience when it comes to the postseason. For the Tulsa 66ers, the voice of experience is 11-year NBA veteran Rasual Butler and it's a role he is glad to fill.
Butler and the 66ers renew their quest for the NBA Development League title when they meet Rio Grande Valley in the opening game of the best-of-three semifinals on Friday night inside the SpiritBank Event Center. It will be the seventh meeting of the year between the teams, with each team posting three wins on its home floor.
Following Friday' game, the series shifts to Hidalgo, Texas, and Rio Grande Valley's home court for Game 2 on Sunday and Game 3 (if necessary) Tuesday.
"They're an explosive team with a lot of athletic guys who can run the floor and finish above the rim," Butler said. "This is a dangerous team that can score a lot of points, so we have to have our defensive principles down and be locked down on defense on every possession."
Since being signed by Tulsa on Jan. 18, Butler has appeared in 31 games and averaged 17.8 points per outing. He has played against Rio Grande Valley twice, logging a game-high 27 points, including a 7-for-13 performance from 3-point range, in a 104-94 loss on March 26.
"I came into the league as a guy who could get his shot off against anyone, then I moved into a specialist shooting role," Butler said. "With Tulsa, I've really come full circle because I get to do other things than just be a shooter, like post up inside. My goal is to always become a better player and leader and I'm able to work on that here."
Being in the postseason is nothing new for Butler, who has made it to the NBA playoffs with Miami, New Orleans, and Chicago. With that experience, he is being looked to for guidance on a Tulsa team filled with rookies and second-year players.
"The guys ask a lot of questions and I do my best to answer them," Butler said. "I've always been a guy who leads by example, but I've been more vocal this postseason. When you get to the playoffs, every possession counts and to be successful, you really have to understand that."
D-LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
66ers up next
Vs. Rio Grande Valley
7 p.m. Friday
Radio: KAKC am1300
Pro - 66ers
The Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Development League have announced plans for an open tryout.
The Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Development League tip off their season with back-to-back home games Nov. 22-23 against the Iowa Energy.
