87ers Home Debut Success!

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This is part one of a two part blog.

On a very snowy Sunday, I went to see J.R. Inman and the Delaware 87ers in the NBA D-League play against the Canton Charge in their first home game of their inaugural season. It was lots of fun and I got in a couple of interviews with former NBA player Kendall Marshall and J.R Inman. The game was close at the beginning with the score at 35-26 with the Delaware 87ers in the lead. J.R. Inman and the 87ers really worked hard to keep the lead and ever since then, they started to pull away. At the half, the 87ers were up 64-49 and they seeked victory. At the end of the third, the 87ers were leading 107-79 and everyone thought it was over but the Charge would have none of that. The Canton Charge outscored the 87ers in the 4th quarter 33-14, but it would not be enough. The Delaware 87ers pulled out a victory in their first ever home game with the score at 121-112. After the game, I got autographs from everyone on the team and I got an interview with J.R. Inman with all of the cameras pointing at me and I had a lot of fun doing it. Here are the transcripts for J.R. Inman and Kendall Marshall.

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J.R. Inman Interview

Mike: What do you think were some key factors in tonight’s victory?

J.R.: I think that we pushed the ball very well. I think that we controlled the tempo which is something that coach always talks about, getting out early in transition and getting into our sets quickly. You give your hat off to the other team because they ran the floor and did some good things but I think we executed very well and that was the reason we were able to be effective.

Mike: How does the team look this year? Do you think you can make a run for the playoffs?

J.R.: Well, this is our first home game and home win so we’re definitely looking to build off that. We have two wins in the season, two back-to-back, so hopefully we’ll get some momentum. We’ve got some new guys that are really helping us fill in some holes that we had earlier in the season so I think that is all positive stuff and I think we are going to have a good year.

Mike: Statistically in your first game, they put you down for having one block, however word has gotten around for you having three blocks. How do you feel about that?

J.R.: I have never been a big stat guy, obviously you just want to impact the game however you can, each player has different responsibilities, so for me it is just important to focus on running the floor, defending, and just doing whatever I can do to help the team win, so it was a good win tonight and I am excited about that.

Mike: You looked really good in the first quarter, leading your team in points, until they took you out, too early in my opinion, how do you feel about that?

Mike Interviewing J.R. Inman

J.R. Inman responding to Mike

J.R.: Again, you know, it’s a process, this is my first game back from being inactive, so I was just happy to be out there again with the guys and it is my second game of the year and I’m just looking to keep building.

Mike: It appeared they were calling it tight and you got in foul trouble throughout the game, what do you think you can do in the next game to prevent this without losing your aggressiveness?

J.R.: Well, like you just said, it is important to remain aggressive throughout the whole game, sometimes when you are being overly aggressive and the refs are calling it tight, especially in the post, where it’s a battle down there, you definitely want to keep working around and getting in front, which is what I was trying to do, but you have to learn the principles, stay true to what you always learned on the defensive side, getting around in front, not using your hands but using your feet, certainly, you know there was a couple of questionable calls, but overall, I think the officials did a very good job and you just hope that next game, I don’t get in foul trouble as early as I did.

Mike: It was great to see you play tonight, anything you want to add or tell your fans like myself about the rest of the season?

J.R.: I think it is going to be exciting, it is always good to be a part of an inaugural season, for us this is a very exciting experience for the people of Delaware, and just the Developmental League in itself, with the relationship that this team has with the Philadelphia 76ers, so I just want to encourage people like yourself and everybody that came out today and was watching on YouTube to keep supporting us, and we’ll have a good year.

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Mike getting ready to interview Kendall Marshall

Kendall Marshall Interview

Mike: What do you think were some key factors in tonight’s victory?

Kendall: Some key factors tonight were, I think, we shot the ball extremely well. It helped us get out to a big lead, and we were able to set a cushion. The fourth quarter was a little tough, but we still pulled it out.

Mike: How does the team look this year? Do you think you can make a run for the playoffs?


Kendall: That’s the plan, you know, we are starting to play well right now, we won two games in a row, so hopefully we can build on that.

Mike: Opening home debut tonight, do you think it was a good performance by the team?

Kendall: As long as we got the win, I’m happy. Like I said, the way we want to start out at home, you know, a new franchise, and we got another one on Wednesday.

Mike: You were making a lot of your shots, scoring 16 points, how do you feel about your individual performance?

Kendall: I felt okay, I think it would have been nice to knock down a couple more, but I said that our whole team shot the ball well and that is what I am most happy about.

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The 87ers coach, Rod Baker, did a great job of spreading the offense and getting everyone involved. To prove this, six of his players were in double figures. Great job Coach!!!!


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87ers Coach Rod Baker being interviewed