Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day everyone! Hope you had a good day celebrating a man that would back down from nothing to stand up for what he believed was right. If you think about everything that Martin Luther King Jr. has done for this country it is phenomenal. I look up to him because of his strength, leadership and compassion for people. He has helped make this country better for people of all ages. Thank you Dr. King for all your well doings and happy birthday! On such a special day, I had a phone interview with J.R. Inman to ask him about how feels about Dr. King and of course, basketball! Read below for my Q&A session with J.R. Inman. As always, I welcome your comments.

Mike: Well, today, being Martin Luther King Jr. Day, how did Martin Luther King affect you?

JR: Well, I think that Dr. King not only affected me, and obviously the other minority people of color, he affected our whole society -- people from various cultural backgrounds, that have different upbringings  and come from different ways of life. More than anything, I think that Dr. King represented unity. I believe that as a nation, as a country, and as a people --because of people like Dr. King-- we’ve been able to be a stronger nation, we’ve been able to get many things accomplished, and it speaks volumes about the type of person that he was. His message of nonviolence in a time of civil disobedience  is something that I not only respect, but I use that as motivation for all of my endeavors, because in the 1960s, there were a lot of things going on in our country. What he was able to accomplish was incredible. So, certainly given the roadblocks that he had, if he can make those accomplishments during his life in the 60s, certainly we should be able follow him and do the same thing in 2014.

Mike: How would you characterize your experience in the D-League so far?

JR: It’s been quite an experience. I have had the opportunity to play with, and against, current and former NBA players. So, you know, they talk about the Developmental League being a farm-seeded link, some  even say a direct link, between amateur basketball and basketball at the highest level, the NBA.  Personally, it has given me the opportunity to play in front of NBA scouts every night and to build some relationships and networking opportunities with some of the biggest people in the business.           

Mike: I see that in 6 games you averaged a double-double with 11.5 PPG and 10.0 RPG. How long do you think you can keep up this level of play?

JR: Well now, that statistic was dating back, but now I’ve played around 15 games. Right now I am actually currently inactive, which means I am still practicing with the team, I’m still on the roster, but I am not playing in the actual games. For instance, we have a game today that I will not be playing. We have about 12 or 13 guys on the roster currently, and for game day situations you can only play or suit up 10 guys, so it is a situation where I would hope to get back on the floor as soon as possible.


Mike: To date, what would you say would be your highlight of the season?

JR: My highlight of the season? I can only speak on the best statistical game I had where we played against the Fort Wayne Mad Ants and I had 18 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 3 assists. I was scoring in multiple ways, inside, outside, really showing my full skillset and it was an exciting game. It was a pleasant experience because it was so far, and my signature game that I had, in terms of efficiency.

          

Mike: There have been various times this season where you have been moved to the center position and you have had to play against bigger and stronger guys but you have been able to contain them. What gives you the momentum to go up against these bigger and stronger guys and being able to stop them?

JR: I think that my experience playing in the Big East basketball conference, combined with my professional experiences abroad, have equipped me with the skills and the knowledge to be able to play against big guys. If you look at the NBA all-time defensive centers, like Ben Wallace, who at 6’9” was the defensive player of the year at the center position, being able to guard guys like Shaq and you say how does he do that? Defense is about desire and discipline, but it is also about technique and leverage. If you can simply get lower than your man, and you can hit him first to initiate contact, even if he is bigger and stronger than you, you can counter balance his strength with your technique. It’s science. Basketball, more than anything is a science, and that is why I have been able to do what I do when I play against guys who are bigger and stronger than me. I use my speed and I use my leverage to try to get lower, and I also initiate contact to push him out of the paint so he doesn’t have easy post position.

Mike: You have started 14 of your 16 games this season, and have really made an impact on the court. Your efficiency rating has been at +11.62, which is the third highest on your team. How are you keeping yourself so consistent?

JR: Overall, I am just trying to find my game. A lot of times, especially on this level, when guys are trying to make the NBA, sometimes people are overly aggressive and they try to do things that they are not overly comfortable with to try to impress scouts. In reality, a scout that is looking at you is either going to like your game or not.  And at this level, if they are even looking at you, they have some interest in you. It does add some pressure but I just go out and play my game and not worry about trying to impress anybody, but it is actually very interesting that you just told me that stat that I had the third highest efficiency rating in the team. There are so many aspects and there are so many variables that go into each and every game, each and every player being out on the floor that, no, it is not always the best guy, it is not always the most team-oriented guy on the court. There are so many factors that can determine the outcome of the game, the outcome of a team, and its construct. It is just important not to focus on those factors and just to focus on readiness and being prepared and waiting for your opportunity.

Mike: That is all I got. Is there anything else that you would like to add?

JR: I would like to say that we have been struggling in terms of win/loss however, this is an experience that I will never forget. I am appreciative, but you know, I came a long way, I was the 8th round draft pick in the D-League draft. I went from being the 8th round pick to starting 14 of my 16 games. Most players that we drafted are not even on our team anymore. In fact, we only have four players currently, from the original training camp roster, that are still with us. So, the fact that I was able to defy the odds by going from an 8th round pick to becoming a starter in just a month span, it speaks volumes of my work ethic and I just think that is something in itself and an example for young children to understand. Some kids, especially in the high school level, they may say, "Oh coach doesn’t like me because I don’t get much playing time" but where you are at today has nothing to do with where you will be at tomorrow or the next day. As long as you put your best foot forward each and every day, you can continue to work hard to reach your goals and aspirations. I believe there is a saying that the crane always rises to the top and that is what happened with me and the 87ers.



Thanks for reading and please comment!

On Sunday in the NBA D-League, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants played the Delaware 87ers. Both teams worked hard but you know there is only one winner. The Fort Wayne Mad Ants won the game 108-100. Although the 87ers lost, J.R. Inman had a great performance with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists in  this game. This is an NBA caliber performance. He really showed what he can do on the basketball court. This shows that he is NBA ready. Thanks for reading! Please comment.

This is part two of the first blog. "87ers Home Debut Success!"

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.

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.

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.

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.

A few days ago, I talked with an international star who might be
in the NBA one day. His name is Gerald (J.R.) Inman and it was an honor to speak with him. I asked him about his life and about the history of his basketball career. I was fascinated at some of the things he said and I wanted to share his sayings with the world. He has been to many NBA training camps, played with some of the players you see daily, and was once a Harlem Globetrotter. Also, he gave me an EXCLUSIVE! Read to the end to find out.

Mike: When was the first time you ever touched a basketball and do you remember the very first shot you made? 

J.R.: Well, can’t say I remember the very first shot that I made, I can just reflect on my earliest basketball memory when I was 8 years old I played at PAL in Rockland County, New York, and my father was my first coach, and he encouraged me to work hard and basically I played multiple positions because he believed that at the age it would be at my personal benefit to just maximize my skills everywhere on the court and we won the championship that year when I was 8 years old. As a young kid I was exposed to success, competitive greatness, and just wanting to win and achieve my goals.

Mike: What was the first AAU team you made?

 J.R.: First AAU team I made was the New York City Gauchos in the Bronx New York.

Mike: Who did you play for in high school and college?

 J.R.: In high school, for St. Joe’s Regional in Montvale, New Jersey, I also played AAU basketball with the Tim Thomas players which is a world renowned organization. I played with the likes of J.R. Smith, Gerald Henderson, Wayne Ellington, Earl Clark, and so many
other players that you probably see on your television set all the time. For college, I played at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. 

Mike: When did you make the choice that you were going to commit your life to basketball?

 J.R.: Once I realized that with a little rubber ball with black lines running through it, one could open up windows of opportunity that will not only expose them to futuristic happenings in the future but it also gave me an opportunity to receive a full college scholarship and not have to pay for my education.

J.R.: Humbling, I was away from friends and family, I was in a different environment unfamiliar to my own, I really had to adjust to different cultural customs and eating habits and just the life of a professional athlete in general just getting paid for playing the game you love is a big responsibility because you are on a public sphere where people can evaluate you daily and most of the time you’re judged based off of two things, wins and losses.

Mike: What was your greatest game of all time?

 J.R.: Greatest games of all time, I have to take it in levels, high school, it was when we, St. Joe’s
Regional vs. Episcopal Academy at Kennedy High School and that was fall 2005 and Episcopal featured 2 players I already mentioned Wayne Ellington who went on to play at the University of North Carolina and got drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves and Gerald Henderson who played at Duke and then went on to play for the Charlotte Bobcats. These two were McDonald’s all-American players and I was a top 75 recruit but I was certainly not ranked as high as they were and I remember telling the tournament director that St. Joe’s was going to win because we had the greatest defensive backcourt in the country, I was talking about Jason and Devin McCourty who are NFL quarterbacks to this day, they were in the backcourt with myself and two other players so I remember telling the director that we were going to win the game. When the game starts from start to finish, I just dominated the game, I wound up with 36 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, and 3 blocks, something like that. We won the game by 5. Wayne Ellington had 19 points and Gerald Henderson had 21. So for me, that was when I realized how good or how high of a level I am able to play this game on.

Mike: That’s Awesome!

J.R.: And in college I had certain things you know I would say probably my last game was my career high and I had a 26 point and 13 rebounds game, there are a couple of games out of my career that I kind of remember, but those two probably stick out the most.

 Mike: Was that your highest scoring game?

J.R.: No, I played in the Pro AM East Orange campus in East Orange, New Jersey summer league one year and actually I was still in college I was only 19 years old playing against grown men so it was a good experience and I had 40 points in that game, I played for the NJ Roadrunners with Randy Foye.

Mike: So what I understand is that next month is a big month for you can you explain to me what is going on and how you are feeling?

 J.R.: Well every year the D-League has a draft with11 rounds I believe, on November 1st of every year where players will be selected and report to their teams and they go through a 2 week training camp period where cuts are made and the talent is being assessed and evaluated and if
you are lucky to make it to the end of November and the season starts early December, then from there they go over every D-League player and they might get an NBA call up. Basically, that means the team contacts your agent and says they want to extend a 10 day contract to play for us. 

Mike: What is your career high in rebounds?

J.R.: I had a couple of  22,  23 rebound games.

Mike: Which coach were you most
influenced by?

J.R.: Coach Reginald Sainte Rose he was my first coach at St. Joe’s and he was my Theology teacher pretty much my four years there I looked up to him.

Mike: What did he do to make you feel this way?

J.R.: He did not show  favoritism and he did not expect or demand a lot out of his players.

Mike: When you were younger, what player or players did you look up to?

J.R.: I looked up to and my favorite player of all time is Kevin Garnett, I love the intensity and  enthusiasm that he brings to the game and he is a fierce competitor and a future hall of famer. Tracy McGrady was another one of my favorite players growing up, obviously he was hit by the injury bug but in terms of natural talent in his prime there was no one else who was better besides Jordan himself.

 Mike: Have you had any game winners?

J.R.: Yes I have, actually. My junior year the first year of the Prudential Center when it was built I hit a  fade away one legged three pointer at the buzzer against Seton Hall, our last game of the
season. It was crazy because I caught the ball with 3 seconds left and I kind of like jumped up and threw it up but I always remember to hold my follow through because that is the most important part, it’s not really your feet but like your follow through will direct where the ball goes so that is  just what I focused on but and like got my picture in the Star Ledger so it was kind of like a big deal.

Mike: So what I understand is that next month is a big month for you can you explain to me what is going on  and how you are feeling?

 J.R.: Well every year the D-League has a draft with11 rounds I believe, on November 1st of every year where players will be selected and report to their teams and they go through a 2 week training camp period where cuts are made and the talent is being assessed and evaluated and if you are lucky to make it to the end of November and the season starts early December, then from there they go over every D-League player and they might get an NBA call up. Basically, that means the team contacts your agent and says they want to extend a 10 day contract to play for us. 

Mike: Good luck with that.

J.R.: Thank you I’m trying to get there.

 Mike: Has any NBA team shown interest in you?

 J.R.: There was the San Antonio Spurs training camp, I was invited to the New York Knicks training camp, and I have been to some unofficial practices for the Nets and their affiliates. I was drafted by the Sioux Falls Skyforce in 2011, most recently received interest from the Springfield Armor which is the minor league team of the Brooklyn Nets, so it is pretty much all coming together I guess the next step is meeting Jay-Z and me asking him for a sit down conversation.

 Mike: What advice would you give to younger players with basketball dreams?

 J.R.: I would tell them to work hard for their goals and strive for perfection and encourage them to look at basketball as a window of opportunity to make their ultimate dreams become reality.

 Mike: When you were growing up, what NBA team did you route for?

 J.R.: Bulls.

 Mike: Are you still a fan of that team?

 J.R.: I was not a fan of them, I was a fan of their players, Scottie Pippen and Toni Kukoc were two of my most favorite players of all time. And obviously there was Michael Jordan.

 Mike: Which teams do you think will lead the NBA this year?

 J.R.: I think the Miami Heat, I know everybody does not want to admit it but they are good, man, now that they have added, what’s his name? Mike: Oden. J.R.: The big man Greg Oden, I think he could give them something but Michael Beasley was who I was thinking of, huge pickup for them.

Mike: Can you tell me something about your Harlem Globetrotter days?

J.R.: It was cool, I went on an East Coast tour, it was like 7 cities, I got a chance to touch some people’s  lives with the game of basketball and that shows you an appreciation of the social status of a professional athlete that there are kids that really admire and look up to you and they have fun and they want to see you and you have got to always give back and show your appreciation on the court.

Mike: Is there anything that I haven’t asked you that you might like to add? Possibly an Exclusive?

 J.R.: Yes, actually. On August 13th of this past year I signed with J.R. Harris and his sports agency “PEM360, Personal Emissary Management”. J.R. Harris is an NBA certified agent who represented Cliff Robinson who has over 18 years of NBA experience. This is the presentation I have been waiting for that could be the difference maker in me getting a realistic shot at the NBA.

Mike: WOW!!! Is there anything else?

J.R.: Just hoping Spike Lee reads your article and contacts you about it for further questions because at this point everyone in the NBA knows who I am because of where I have been and
my resume speaks for itself and that’s all about that connection and that is what we are talking about. Social media has impacted our society so much more than it ever has in its most recent years, and that’s what I am trying to and that’s how I plan on taking that extra step just getting out there, talking to people, meeting people, seeing who knows who, so if I was blessed to have an
opportunity to meet somebody like Mr. Spike Lee or Jay-Z, somebody like that and I feel that it will be that easy because once they submit my resume with my video footage and player profile it becomes easier when you can match all of that with a face. That’s what I hope my life brings for me next. 

This is the end of the interview. I cannot believe it! J.R. Inman has the agent that Cliff Robinson
had! This is insane. Now, J.R. has an even more realistic shot at getting into the NBA! You might see him on your television sets. I’m extremely excited about his chances and I’m rooting for him all the way. Well, thanks for reading and please comment!