By Daniele Amandolini

Sporting a completely revamped roster and a new coach, the Maine Red Claws entered this new season with many unknowns. But after three weeks of action, we know at least one thing: This team is wicked fun.

With Jabari Bird on and off the team to fill up the Celtics’ injury-depleted roster, some unexpected players have stepped up and carried the team. This trend started on November 3rd, when the Claws opened the season hosting the Delaware 87ers, with NBA veteran Emeka Okafor highlighting their roster.
Bird and his fellow Celtic Kadeem Allen shared playmaking duties and displayed great assertiveness. But it was the contribution of Andrew White and Daniel Dixon off the bench that sparked the comeback and sealed the win.

Maine followed up their winning debut with back-to-back victories against the Erie Bayhawks, before they hosted the NBA Champion Kendrick Perkins and his Canton Charge on Sunday, Nov 12.

The absence of seven-footer Daniel Ochefu created a glaring hole in the middle for Maine, but the team came together to provide rim protection and rebounding. After a diligent first half, the turnover bug hit the Red Claws, resulting in a 17 points deficit midway through the third quarter. That’s when the bench mob led by Dixon, Adeyeye and Davis came in for the starters and lit the Charge on fire from the arc. Pickpocketing opposing guards, contesting every shot and making ridiculous three-pointers, the Claws scrapped their way back into the game.

Before a fully awake matinee crowd, Allen took matters in his own hands and tied the game one last time in regulation to force overtime. Two more minutes on the clock meant one last duel between Allen and Charge’s guard Holland, who went berserk and matched Allen’s heroics, eventually stealing the game with back-to-back three-pointers that brought his total to 43.

Despite recording their first loss, the Red Claws showed the tenacity needed to make it in this league, and the skills to play with the best of them.