by Peter Clarke
Coming off of some major changes within the organization, the Rainmen dominantly defended their home court last weekend.
Rainmen put exclamation point on Maritime rivalry
The Rainmen put together a strong performance on Saturday against their East Coast rivals, the Saint John Millrats and recorded the 97 to 84 win.
The game didn’t seem so strong at first, however. Up until the two-minute mark, either team had managed to put together more than a few successful possessions.
Things picked up in the second quarter especially for the Millrats who outscored the Rainmen 30 to 23. They could not carry that success into the second half though and the Rainmen completely took over the game.
Halifax beats Rochester, makes posters
The Rainmen capped their weekend with their second win in less than 24 hours by beating the Rochester Razorsharks 111 to 97.
Halifax put together a monster 37 point first quarter and made the Sharks look very inept. They continued to outscore them all game long except for the fourth, but at the point it was essentially garbage time for the Rainmen.
With the two wins at home the Rainmen are tied for second in the league at 6-2 with the Quebec Kebs whom they play this weekend.
WHO DID IT
Marshall Brown had a big weekend for the Rainmen and led the way with 20 points and eight rebounds versus the Millrats. Josh Dollard followed him with 16 and seven and hit a three-pointer. The Rainmen also got big time contribution from Tajaun Porter who shot 4-of-7 from the three-point line and racked up 14 points. Taliek Brown was consistent as usual scoring 13 and dishing out eight assists.
Against the Sharks, Mike Mercer led the Rainnmen with 22 points and seven rebounds from the shooting guard position. Marshall Brown continued to dazzle the home fans with 21 points, which included a monster one-handed dunk over several Rochester players. Taliek Brown notched a double-double 15 points and 11 assists.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE
The Rainmen have been moving along rather nicely as of late. The offense in fast and clicking, especially now under coach Mike Evans.
Unfortunately though a prospect could be leaving. Former NBA player Kirk Snyder has reportedly been looked at to join a team in China, which has seen several NBA players, join its profession league, including former Knicks star guard Stephon Marbury. He would make substantially more money overseas and Andre Levingston has given his blessing for Snyder to whip himself back into shape and make the journey.
It’s a shame because it would have been a great story for Halifax to have him rebuild his career here and make his way back to the NBA.
That is the kind of situation (knock-on-wood) that would make a case for Halifax to be the home of an NBA D-league team, which if you’re watching it on TV looks like they get less fans in the stands the Rainmen.
That is all hypothetical though.
In the real world, the quality of Rainmen basketball is much better than it was last year and I think the credit can be almost solely placed on the shoulders of Taliek Brown.
Brown is a great all-around point guard and a quality leader on the court. His passing helps get every player on the roster involved and he can score and get to the line when he needs to as well.
Halifax didn’t have that last year, as their two frontline guards, usually just played isolation basketball and ball movement was kept to a minimum.
Yes, people like flash when they watch basketball. Dunks and trick-layups fill sell seats, but so does smart, fundamental basketball – and that is what the Rainmen have been moving toward since Brown put on the jersey.
HECKLER’S ROW BURN OF THE WEEK
“DAVIS HUNGRY. NOW DAVIS TIRED!” – said to Razorsharks forward Lorenzo Davis who took a shellacking from the costumed comics.
Peter Clarke lives in Halifax and can be followed on twitter @rainmenblogger. Check out his website at http://rainmen.kingsjournalism.com/.
