Vipers' Strickland standing out during start of season

HIDALGO - During last year's NBA Showcase in Idaho, Clay Moser was doing some scouting work for the Phoenix Suns and couldn't help but notice the play of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers forward Trent Strickland.

The 6-foot-5, 196-pound Strickland was forced to battle power forward and didn't give an inch even though he was often battling players three, four or five inches taller and up to 35 pounds heavier. Despite being battered and bruised, Strickland held his ground and earned Moser's respect.

As fate would have it, Moser was named the Vipers' coach in July. Moser remembered Strickland's play from last season and the Showcase in particular. Provided the Wake Forest product would be willing to return to RGV from his team in Lebanon where he toiled in the summer, Strickland had a starting spot at his natural small forward position waiting for him with the Vipers.

Strickland did come back, and he's meeting Moser's expectations as the Vipers prepare to play host to the Los Angeles D-Fenders at 7 p.m. today at Dodge Arena.

"He was a guy I targeted all summer long," Moser said. "He actually did go to Lebanon then came back. There's no doubt in my mind he's not only a starter in this league, but he's all-star caliber in this league."

Strickland, 24, is making his case as one of the league's finest. He arguably outplayed Boston Celtics second-round pick Bill Walker during a game last month and has been the Vipers' most consistent player.

One season after averaging 12.9 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, Strickland has upped his numbers to 19.4 ppg and 6.1 rpg and is shooting 48.4 percent from the field during 34.6 minutes per game.

Strickland started hot, opening the season by scoring 24 and 26 points in wins over Tulsa and Utah, respectively. He's proven that teams will have to respect his jumper (39.4 percent on 3-pointers) as well as his ability to score in the paint against bigger players, something he got used to doing last season.

But for Strickland, the bottom line is the scoreboard, not the stat sheet. With the Vipers off to a 5-7 start, he doesn't take much solace in his individual success.

"I think I've been playing pretty well, but obviously not well enough because we haven't been winning," he said. "I'm trying to give the effort and do what we need to do to get the job done, whatever it is from passing, to defending to rebounding. Whatever it may be. Overall I think, I'm doing a little well but maybe I could do a little more."

IN THE BONUS: Los Angeles, which is owned by the NBA's L.A. Lakers, is 3-7 but coming off an impressive 100-96 victory at Dakota on Monday. Guard Joe Crawford, the Lakers' second-round pick in the 2008 NBA Draft out of Kentucky, is fourth in the D-League at 21.9 points per game. ... Vipers power forward Kendall Dartez (13.4 ppg, 6.9 rpg) injured his ankle during practice this week and is doubtful for tonight's game. Stanley Asumnu is expected to start for Dartez at power forward.

Todd Mavreles covers the Rio Grande Valley Vipers for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4451.