The Bring Back KD Movement is Gaining Steam

09

Nov

So I just got a message in my in box and it came with a link to this website. It looks like people are really starting to rally around the goal of bringin Kadiri Richard back to Halifax.  I’ve had a big spike in hits this week and a lot more people finding the blog through googling KD’s name than normal.  It’s pretty hard to deny that he was one of the most popular Rainmen both on and off the court, and I think it’d be a waste to not see him back in a Rainmen jersey for a few reasons.  See those reasons after the jump.

First, I think he has something to contribute on the floor.  He’s a similar player to Walter Moyse, but he’s better and more experienced.  He has a unique skill that is very hard to find in the minors (he had 13 blocks in one game last year!) and can really play anywhere from the three to the five.  Halifax’s front court is definitely more crowded (and much better) than last year, but I think Kadiri would fit into a bench role.  He’s a good character guy who can give you 10-15 energy minutes off the bench.  His athleticism would be very difficult for the other team’s second stringers to cope with, and he could get more offensive touches since he wouldn’t be fighting for shots with the starters.  He’s not going to be the starter if comes back, but in a new role I think he could be extremely effective.  The guy is built to fill a Jerome “Junk Yard Dog” Williams type role.  He’s absolutely perfect for it.

Second, he’s an established favourite of fans, particularly younger ones, who went well beyond the call of duty when it comes to getting out and being active in the community.  He’s a mature, articulate spokesman for the team who is also incredibly likable in a genuine way.

Third, I think he’s a player who is worth the money.  It may cost a bit more to bring him in as the ninth man as opposed to someone else, but he is going to be better and filling the energy guy role than whoever you bring in, is not an ego case still trying to make the big time (i.e. he has a real career), and can help at the gate.  Ignoring his on court benefits, you have to think that KD is worth an extra $2-$3k at the gate/sponsorship goodwill/positive earned media, and while I don’t know what sort of money they’ve negotiated, I’d think that the difference in cost between him and whoever else they’d have at the end of the rotation can’t be much more than that.  He is also the kind of guy who could probably pick up some extra money through local sponsors.

Fourth, why throw away the development from last year?  The Rainmen had a losing season last year, and part of the reason was a reliance on guys who hadn’t played minor league ball before, and/or were out of high level basketball for a long time (Ferguson, KD, Benoit, Oliver, etc.), part of last season was those guys getting back into the flow of things.  Well we spent the money on a losing season last year to get KD back into the flow of things, so let’s take advantage.  If Halifax doesn’t re-sign him then I am 99% sure someone else, probably Vermont or Manchester, will try to.  And if none of last year’s players did improve then isn’t that a reason to can the coach, not just the players?

I think it’s a testiment to Halifax’s fans, and the Rainmen organization, that people actually care about who comes back.  The Rainmen need to take advantage of that, and if they don’t want to then they should at least let KD go negotiate and sign with a new team before the 15th so that he can find himself in a good situation elsewhere.  I think they at least owe him that.

If you want to show that you want to see KD back then you have a few options:

• Go vote on the poll on the official Rainmen website.
• Post your thoughts in the comments section of this post.
• E-mail the Rainmen and let them know how you feel.  I’d suggest that Jad may be your best option:  jad [at] rainmenbasketball [dot] ca
• Go start a face book group.

15 years ago Short URL 16 Comments