Tag: Rod Strickland

What did former NBA star (and LIU head coach) Rod Strickland say about Cliff Omoruyi?

Rutgers basketball got a big Saturday game from Cliff Omoruyi.

Cliff Omrouyi had the kind of game on Saturday that Rutgers men’s basketball hopes will be a breakout for the rest of the year. Omoruyi had a season-high in scoring to lead Rutgers to an 83-61 win over Long Island University.

With 25 points, Omoruyi scored more points on Saturday than he did in his three previous games, combined (22 points). Omoruyi’s struggled a bit offensively, but in the win over LIU and a week ago in a win at Seton Hall, he looked stronger and more fluid offensively.

Omoruyi was a very efficient 12-of-15 from the floor against LIU.

Rod Strickland, the coach of LIU, played nearly 1,100 games in the NBA. He praised Omoruyi’s display on Saturday. He was one of the top point guards of his generation in the NBA.

“He’s physical and has great athleticism,” Strickland told reporters after the game.

“I think someone like that can’t give them any angles.  You have to try to get him to shoot the ball over time.  I think at times we did that but he played well.  He’s athletic and strong.”

Next up for Rutgers is a game against Mississippi State at the Prudential Center (Newark, New Jersey).

Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell also praised Omoruyi for what was easily his best display of the season.

“First of all, he scored his 1,000th point. I told him you have to start working on the next 1,000th, so we’re 25 into it,” Pikiell told reporters after the game.

“He was locked in, he had good real estate during the game, and he moved well. There were a couple more to that he would probably like to have back. We got him the ball when he was available, and I thought we moved the ball side to side and when we did it is hard to guard him. So he did a great job and he’s been practicing.”

Rod Strickland praises Nets’ Kyrie Irving’s game; is ‘in awe’ of him

Former NBA great Rod Strickland says that he’s “in awe” of Kyrie Irving’s game.

Brooklyn Nets superstar Kyrie Irving has received a lot of praise over the years for the way that he plays the game of basketball. Many players and analysts alike have shared their thoughts on how smooth and incredible Irving’s game is from handling the basketball to his acrobatic finishes at the rim. It looks like former NBA guard, and current head coach at Long Island University, Rod Strickland is another person around the game of basketball that’s a fan of Irving.

Irving, who is averaging 26.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and five assists per game while shooting 48.5% from the field and 37% from three-point land, has been on a tear lately. While trying to keep the Nets afloat as Kevin Durant is rehabbing his sprained right MCL, Irving has been playing arguably his best basketball as of late. In his last three game, Irving has scored 116 points (38.6 points per game) while leading Brooklyn to impressive wins over the Utah Jazz and Golden State Warriors.

Here’s what Strickland had to say to Nets radio personality Chris Carrino about Irving:

“As a comparison, there’s without a doubt, I mean, just getting to the lane, taking contact, and switching hands, and using the backboard. His left hand is probably better than mine, even though I had one. But, it’s almost like seeing something and then, you take it to another level. Kai (Kyrie Irving) plays with you, plays with you, plays with you and then reacts, you know what I mean? So, I look at him and I’m in awe of him. People think I’m a homer. But, when I look at the basketball game from my perspective, from what I’ve seen with my eyes, I don’t know if there’s another person that is as skilled as he is.I know people say Kobe, Isiah Thomas. There’s so many guys I’m sure you can say, but skill wise, shooting the ball, left hand, right hand, getting into spaces. I don’t know.”

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Celtics Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett talks G League, coaching with Rod Strickland

KG linked up with one of the original ‘Point Gods’ Rod Strickland to talk over the G League, their time playing together, and more.

The NBA’s G League has become an increasingly important part of the league’s ecosystem, with plenty of ball clubs helping their case to morph into (or remain) contenders through the rising prospects and rehabbing veterans they find in the ranks of the developmental league.

The Boston Celtics have the Maine Celtics, and most other teams have their own G League squad by now, along with a few unaffiliated G League teams as well. To get a better handle on the G League’s impact on the NBA of today, Hall of Fame Boston legend Kevin Garnett linked up with one of the original ‘Point Gods’ Rod Strickland to talk over the G League, their time playing together, and more.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear what the duo had to say.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Kyrie Irving’s godfather Rod Strickland opens up: ‘Kyrie’s just different’

Kyrie Irving’s godfather Rod Strickland opens up: ‘Kyrie’s just different’

Over the past five years, Kyrie Irving has been on the backend of some hateful comments by the media for the way he carries himself along his journey. In Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson’s interview with Kyrie Irving’s godfather, Rod Strickland, the former NBA great touched on why he isn’t really surprised on why some people react to Kyrie negatively.

“Kyrie’s just different,” said Strickland. “He thinks different and I think people don’t like that. We live in a world now where everybody thinks if you say this I’m supposed to go along with you and if I’m against that, then I’m wrong — You can just watch him play basketball and tell that he’s different.”

In addition to the topic of his godson, Rod Strickland picked the Los Angeles Lakers and the Brooklyn Nets to match up in the NBA Finals.

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Rod Strickland thinks godson Kyrie Irving is most skilled NBA player ever

Kyrie Irving’s godfather already has him making the Hall of Fame, and he feels the only player to rival Nets guard’s skill is Isiah Thomas.

Kyrie Irving is often described as an artist because of the way he moves with the ball in his hands. Many feel he has the best handle of all-time.

That’s largely the result of Irving’s creative mindset, which naturally carries over into other facets of his life — and led to criticism, as well. Almost every time Irving comments on something or someone, the Brooklyn Nets’ point guard’s remarks are dissected seven different ways.

It’s something his godfather and former NBA guard Rod Strickland tries to ignore. Even still, there are some things he can’t help but notice.

“I’m one of those people that — I’m not too much into trying to dissect the person that everybody’s talking about,” Strickland told Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson on Heavy Live with Scoop B. “I’m usually thinking about the person who’s talking about the person. I’m like a lot of times, I try to think of their reasoning or why they’re doing that. Because he’s who he is.

Then it came time for Strickland to praise his godson for his play — and he did not hold back.

“He’s an incredible basketball player, he’s won a championship, perennial All-Star, sure-fire Hall of Fame, intelligent, good looking, obviously has made all types of money, does plenty of things in the community. So what’s the issue?

“It’s hard for me sometimes to see successful people being chopped down. It’s like you become successful and then there’s all this judgment. … I’ll say this to you and people can say whatever they want to say; if you’re talking about skill and talent, you have to tell me another player in NBA history who’s as skilled and talented as Kyrie is. The great Isiah Thomas, who you said you just had, now I’ve seen him. I’ve seen him before the little Bad Boys image when he first came to the Pistons, I’ve seen him in Chicago at the Push Excel [Basketball Classic], so I’ve seen Isiah do some things that I don’t think a lot of people have seen. So if you want to name Isiah skills-wise, cool. But other than that, it’s hard.”

Kyrie Irving’s godfather may be candidate to join Nets’ coaching staff

Steve Nash may have been Kevin Durant’s choice, but it looks like Kyrie Irving will have his fingerprints on the rest of the coaching staff.

Since hiring Steve Nash as head coach, the only assistant coach Brooklyn Nets have confirmed is Jacque Vaughn, who is set to be the team’s top assistant.

However, Vaughn’s name is popping up in head coaching searches. If he gets an offer, even with a team that isn’t set to be a force next season, it’s hard to imagine Vaughn turns down any opportunity when his stock is so high.

Nash reportedly tried to bring Dirk Nowitzki along with him to Brooklyn, but that’s not happening. Jeff Van Gundy has now been mentioned as an option, as has Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Phil Handy on multiple occasions.

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson of Heavy.com has added Rod Strickland to the list of candidates who could join Nash’s staff in Brooklyn.

The 1998 All-NBA guard has been the program manager for the G League’s professional path program since 2018.

Also, Strickland happens to be the godfather to Brooklyn’s superstar point guard, Kyrie Irving.

LeBron James shouted out Rod Strickland for 20-20 game from 1998

LeBron James recognized Rod Strickland’s greatness in a tweet Friday.

Rod Strickland simply could not be checked on Feb. 10, 1998.

Strickland and the Washington Wizards were playing the Golden State Warriors, and the Wizards were 25-24 heading into the matchup. Golden State was 8-37. By the time the Wizards had finished beating the Warriors, Strickland had put together a stat line for the ages.

He had a triple-double, scoring 21 points, dishing 20 assists and grabbing 12 rebounds. According to Basketball Reference, he is one of four guards in league history to score at least 20 points, dish 20 assists and grab 10 rebounds. Russell Westbrook, Isiah Thomas and Guy Rodgers are the other three.

Strickland’s performance was so good, that Los Angles Lakers star LeBron James shouted it out Friday on Twitter, quote tweeting a highlight video that showed Strickland’s career night.

James has always recognized the league’s greats, and Strickland was one of the best guards of his era. He was a crafty dribbler and had one of the best layup packages ever.

In 17 seasons, Strickland scored 13.2 points per game, dished 7.3 assists a game and shot 45.4% from the field. He ranks third on the Wizards’ all-time assists leaders, right behind John Wall and the late Wes Unseld.

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