Not only does the course of a basketball game change dramatically with a sudden and unexpected massive run similar in astonishment as to when New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriquez steps up to the plate with his broad shoulders and bulging pecs and squares to bunt with the bases loaded instead of hitting the baseball out of the park, but the start of a new season can change also within days due to certain events. The Deutsche Bank Skyliners recently had a 8-0 preseason winning streak and any doubts of a possible sour start were stopped with injuries and an unexpected released player have turned sweet expectations  to a positive beginning somewhat to raised eyebrows to the uncertainty of success just like if pop singer Rihanna started a concert with a Metallica cover, Tom Brady played a whole game without releasing bullets to wide receiver Wes Welker or The Los Angeles Lakers allowing Lamar Odom to run the show for a quarter instead of Derrick Fischer. Frankfurt enters the 2010-2011 season with some question marks as energy spark plug Quantez Robertson who is as active on the court as comedian Jim Carey can be with his facial expressions and basketball hulk Joe Dabbert are injured and roaming the sidelines. Forward Carlos Powell had a brief stay in Frankfurt and had to depart on account of not passing the medical check. With the season just around the corner, the current situation isn´t an easy one for the club, but captain Pascal Roller is confident that the club can be successful this season.. “This is a difficult situation for us. We have big games this week, but it is what it is. The injuries have been bad timing. I have a good impression of team so far. We had a good preseason and it has taken some time to get the new players integrated. We have a strong coaching staff that will find the strength of each player and how to use it best. The team has good character and I am sure that we will learn how to use the strength successfully”, warned guard Pascal Roller.

After the sensational 2009 BEKO BBL title win by The EWE Baskets Oldenburg, there were some careful tones about a possible dynasty start in Oldenburg like in Berlin in 1997. However these dreams were squashed last season as quickly as when people were thinking that Lebron James would turn his back on the big bucks and stay in Cleveland. In 2009-2010, The EWE Baskets Oldenburg finished the regular season in first place with a record of 25-9, but then seemed to run out of gas in the playoffs losing to The New Yorker Phnatoms Braunschweig in the first round 3-1 despite having a 1-0 lead. After the good season record, Oldenburg fans might have rather bet that fan favourite Ricky Paulding might jump into the Weser river and cool off on a hot day or possible future doctor Ruben Boumtje Boumtje coming on to the floor and replace the trainer shortly helping a hurt Oldenburg player than betting that the team would bow out of the playoffs so early and unexpectedly. “It wasn´t easy for Oldenburg all season as Jason Gardner was fighting his injury and having to find his rhythm all over again so often. As the defending champion, you are always the team that is chased by every other team. The opponents had nothing to lose and could play without pressure. I don´t think that Oldenburg really did much wrong. They were a good team, but were missing some luck in the playoffs”, stressed Pascal Roller. The way Oldenburg was kicked out of the playoffs was surprising for some and then again not for others. It spoke volumes for the competitive and balanced BEKO BBL were surprises area s normal as the almost daily press releases concerning new scandals with actress Lindsy Lohan. “ After the crazy regular season, it didn´t surprise me that Braunschweig beat Oldenburg in the playoffs. Anything is possible in the BEKO BBL. Last year no teams in the top 4 reached the semi finals which is something very rare in the European leagues”, stressed Skyliner sports director Kamil Novak.

Oldenburg management didn´t want to risk any possible future disappointment with the core of the team that lost to Braunschweig and decided on an extensive house cleaning losing Americans Jason Gardner, Je Kel Foster and BEKO BBL rookie Josh Carter. The club also said farewell to the eastern block fraction with players Jasmin Perkovic, Milan Majstorovic and Marko Scekic. Ruben Boumtje Boumtje also departed even if it isn´t so far away to the Artland Dragons. Despite the extreme face lift, the EWE Baskets Oldenburg should belong to the top teams in the BEKO BBL. “I think that Oldenburg will be strong again. Campbell can take control of the game at any time. Many guys left, but I think that the team will find themselves and be very strong again”, warned Skyliner captain Pascal Roller. BG Goettingen coach John Patrick isn´t the only coach in the BEKO BBL that has the right feeling of taste how to add the right spices for a successful team, but Oldenburg coach Predrag Krunic also has had a knack for having the right touch. This season, he has added a solid mix with two Americans, two Serbians, two Germans, an Australian and a Lithuanian. The biggest signing and somewhat of a coup was getting the services of American Lou Campbell. He is a 31 year old 190cm point guard from New Jersey that played three years in Japan was easily the top playmaker in the BEKO BBL last season. Had he been with Oldenburg last season, he might have made the difference between an early exit in the playoffs and a second championship. Last season, he played for the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven leading the team into the playoffs playing 43 games averaging 13.0ppg, 3.6rpg, Assists-2(5.7apg), 1.1spg, FGP: 48.7%, 3PT: 35.2%, FT: 81.6% . He can guide an offense, but also score when needed especially in crunchtime and has the experience to help take Oldenburg over the top. The club also signed Steve Smith who is a 27 year old 203cm forward from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He played at La Salle and in his senior year played 27 games: ScoreA10-1(19.7ppg), RebA10-3(7.9rpg), 2.5apg, 1.2spg, FGPA10-5(48.6%), 3PT: 33.8%, FTA10-5(77.3%): Finished career at ranked seventh all-time in scoring (1,931 points) and fifth all-time in rebounding (861) at La Salle. He wasn´t drafted, but reached the NBA in his rookies eason playing for the Philadelphia 76ers (NBA): 8 games: 0.6ppg, 0.8rpg, FGP: 25.0%, waived in Jan.’07, in Feb.’07 moved to Anaheim Arsenal (D-League, starting five): 23 games: 18.4ppg, 7.0rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 51.9%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 81.8%, in April ’07 signed at Caja San Fernando Sevilla (Spain-ACB, starting five): 6 games: 4.8ppg. Since then, he has built a nice career in Europe having played in Italy, Greece and Israel. Last season, he played for Ironi Nahariya (Israel-Premier League, starting five): 11 games: 16.9ppg, 7.5rpg, 1.5apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 55.3%, 3PT: 42.2%, FT: 81.4%. Smith is a scorer and will be the go to guy for Predrag Krunic and possibly a candidate for top league scorer.

The team signed two players from Serbia with Oliver Stevic and Nemanja Protic. Stevic is a 26 year old 204cm forward. He has collected experience playing four years in the Polish league and last season played for top Serbian team KK Crvena Zvezda Beograd (Serbia-A League, starting five): Serbian League: 16 games: 9.0ppg, 6.6rpg, 1.1apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 57.7%, FT: 58.2%; Adriatic League: 24 games: 7.0ppg, 3.9rpg, FGP: 62.7%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 66.7%; EuroCup: 11 games: 8.2ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.2apg, 1.5spg, FGP-1(71.9%), FT: 53.3%. Protic is a 24y ear old 182cm guard that started his basketball career in 2005-2006 with KK Borac Cacak. Since 2006, he played for FMP Zeleznik Beograd. Last season, he played EuroChallenge: 13 games: 12.2ppg, 1.8rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 43.8%, 3PT: 42.2%, FT: 87.8%; Adriatic League: 25 games: 11.8ppg, 2.2rpg, 2.1apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 58.6%, 3PT: 34.8%, FT: 77.2%. Coach Predrag Krunic got real experience with Mindaugas Lukauskis who is a 31 year old 198 cm forward from Lithuania. He played for top European club Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius from 2003-2009. In this time, he played 39 Euroleague games and 38 Eurocup games. Last season, he played in France for ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket (France-ProA, starting five): French League: 30 games: 10.1ppg, 2.8rpg, 3.3apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 61.5%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 83.0%; Euroleague: 10 games: 8.1ppg, 2.0rpg, 3.1apg, Steals-2(2.3spg), FGP: 67.7%, 3PT: 27.3%, FT: 80.0%. He could become the x factor this season at the forward position.

The club also signed Australian Aron Baynes who is a 24 year old 208cm center. He played at Washington State from 2005-2009. Last season, he played for Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius playing Euroleague: 10 games: 5.5ppg, 3.0rpg, FGP: 51.1%, FT: 64.3%; Baltic League: 15 games: 10.1ppg, 4.5rpg, Blocks-5(1.1bpg), FGP-3(66.7%), FT: 77.5%. For a 24 year old, Baynes has a lot of potential and already has gathered much experience playing U-20 and U-21 for Australia, playing four games at the World Championships in Turkey averaging 1,5ppga nd 1,3rpg, reaching the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2008 and winning the  Lithuanian Cup in 2010. The team also signed up and coming German national player Christopher Mcnaughton. Mcnaughton is a 27 year old 211cm center. He is a true back-to-the-basket big man, but does possess good mobility for his size. He started his basketball career in the Bamberg system in 2000 playing 35 games for TSV Troester Breitengrussbach in the second Bundesliga. He then played at Bucknell from 2003-2007. After getting valuable experience in the NCAA, he played two years in spain before moving to BG Goettingen in 2009-2010. He helped the club win the Eurochallenge and scoring 22 points in the final. He played EuroChallenge: 15 games: 8.9ppg, 4.1rpg, FGP: 61.4%, FT: 71.1%; German League: 37 games: 7.4ppg, 2.9rpg, FGP: 62.2%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 71.4%. The team also signed Robin Smeulders who is a 23 year old 208cm forward who was born in Munster and has the German/Dutch citizenship. He started his basketball career at SG FT/MTV Braunschweig (Germany-2.Bundesliga). He then went to the States and played at Portland from 2006-2010. In hiss enior year, he played 32 games averaging 12.3ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 50.7%, FT: 73.3%. The team kept Rickey Paulding who is a 27y ear old 196cm guard that averaged 13.2ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.2apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 55.5%, 3PT: 33.2%, FT: 72.6%. This could be the season where more focus is drawn upon him since the departures of Gardner and Foster, but then again with Steve Smith on board might not get the total exposure. Young German Daniel Hain who is a 25 year old 195cm guard/forward who got a first taste of the German National team in a training camp in Mallorca this past summer is starting his fourth season in Oldenburg. Last season, he played 36 games averaging 1.4ppg, 1.1rpg. The team also kept Acha Njei who is a 25 year old 190cm guard and will be playing his second season for Oldenburg. “Oldenburg got stronger inside with Mcnaughton and Smeulders and a strong playmaker with Campbell. They are very strong on paper”, stated Kamil Novak.

The roster of the Deutsche Bank Skyliners aren´t complete at the moment, but the team has brought back captain Pascal Roller who will be playing his 11^th season in Frankfurt. Last season, he played 46 games averaging 8.5ppg, 2.0rpg, 2.7apg, FGP: 44.3%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT-1(90.8%). As the older he gets, the less of a role he has, but he is still the first option in crunch time for that big shot. This season, he can play the position two again and work on swishing shots since Dashaun Wood will carry the bulk at the point guard position. Dominik Bahiense De Mello is back for his 6^th season and last year played 43 games averaging 2.6ppg. The shooting guard position always seems to be filled and that wont be any different this season, but with age and experience playing time could still rise. “It seems like this years team is differently coached than the end of last season despite the same coach. I think that De Mello will get his chance this year and show the good quality that he has”, added ex Braunschweig center Jannik Freese. The team also brought back Marius Nolte who will be playing his second season in Frankfurt. Last season in a reduced role, he played 28 games: 2.5ppg, 1.0rpg. Already in preseason, he has shown that he wants to play more with very good results including 11 points in the final in Trier. Nolte will get his chance in the next weeks since new center Joe Dabbert is injured and will return in 3-4 weeks. Nolte has a big heart and has the confidence of colleagues as well. “He can become a factor if he can fullfill his role. He can definitely help Frankfurt with his spirit and fighting mentality”, stated Jannik Freese. The team received a shock as Quantez Robertson was injured and will miss 6-8 weeks. The spark plug on defense played 48 games last season averaging 6.0ppg, 4.0rpg, 2.1apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 49.3%, 3PT: 35.6%, FT: 60.0%. Last week, the club also brought back Grayson Moyer who is  a very versatile player with the deadly pass, shot and will dive into the third row even if there is a bee hive there. Last season, he played 44 games averaging 5.2ppg, 2.0rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 49.4%, 3PT: 34.4%, FT: 63.0%. Jimmy Mckinney will be playing his 5^th s eason with The Deutsche Bank Skyliners. Last season, he played 39 games: 5.7ppg, 1.4rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 53.0%, 3PT: 40.3%, FT: 71.4%. He has been plagued with injuries the last years and is still trying to find the form of his rookie season where he averaged 12.3ppg, 3.2rpg, 1.6apg, 2FGP: 44.9%, 3FGP: 38.5%, FT: 77.2%. He came to life at the end of las tseason as coach Gordon Herbert arrived. Since his arrival last season, Mckinney scored in double figures 8 times in the last 18 games. His confidence is as strong as ever and this could be his breakout season.

The Deutsche Bank Skyliners added five new players. The first signing was experienced BEKO BBL player AJ Moye who played in Finland last season for Kouvot Kouvola (Finland-Korisliiga, starting five): 52 games: 18.6ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 52.4%, 3PT: 35.2%, FT: 87.7%. He played for the Walter Tigers Tuebingen from 2006-2009. He is a great player who can do it all. Can score in a variety of ways and is a very spectacular Player. Makes everybody around him better, is a fantastic defender, great 1-1 Player and a team leader on and off the Court. He is a guy when the going gets tough will get vocal on and off the court to get the team going. The team than proceeded to sign 24 year old 185cm guard Dashaun Wood who is from Detroit, Michigan. He had a healthy college career at Wright state from 2003-2007. In his first two seasons as a pro, he played in Italy and showed his qualities at Tisettanta Cantu (Italy-SerieA, starting five): 38 games: Score-5(16.9ppg), 3.0rpg, Assists-4(3.3apg), 2.7spg, 2FGP:52.1%, 3PT-2(42.8%), FT:77.4%. He has natural leadership abilities, who directs teammates on the floor and takes the ball in clutch moments. Loves to go inside to score, challenging the big guys, but has also shooting range from behind the 3 point arch. Despite lack of size, he can be effective even at the defensive side. Shortly before the Eurocup qualifying game against Besiktas Istanbul, the club brought in 26 year old 205cm 111 kilo American Bradley Buckman. He is from Austin, Texas and played at Texas (NCAA) from 2002-2006. In the 2006-2007 season, he played for the Austin Toros (D-League): 42 games: 6.6ppg, 4.3rpg, FGP: 38%, 3PT: 27.5%, FT: 71.2%. In 2007-2008, he played for Keravnos Strovolou (Cyprus-Division A): EuroChallenge: 4 games: 4.8ppg, 3.8rpg; Cypriot League: 9.2ppg, 4.5rpg, left team in Dec.’08, in Jan.’09 moved to Altshuler Saham Galil Gilboa (Israel-Premier League): 16 games: 7.3ppg, 4.6rpg, FGP: 52.5%, 3PT: 31.0%, FT: 51.9%. Lasts eason, he played in Turkey for Kepez Bld Antalya (Turkey-TBL, starting five): 25 games: 10.3ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 59.8%, 3PT: 34.6%, FT: 68.8%. He was very successful at Texas reaching the Final 4 in 2003, sweet 16 in 2004 and the last 8 in 2006.

The team then signed Kimmo Muurinen who is a 29 year old 202cm forward from Finland. He is playing hiss econd season away from his home country. Last season, he played in Italy for Martos Napoli (Italy-SerieA, starting five): 12 games: 7.3ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.0spg, FGP: 51.7%, 3PT: 42.9%, FT: 56.3%, in Jan.’10 moved to Scafati Basket (Italy-Lega2): 18 games: 4.4ppg, 3.3rpg. He is a swingman with great athletic ability, agility and versatility. The team then signed Joe Dabbert who is a 29 year old 210cm center from Bailey, Colorado. He played at Creighton(NCAA) from 2000-2004. Most of his career was spent in the States in the D-League, CBA and USBL league. He also played in Spain and Korea. Up until his injury, he has left a fine impression with his play under the boards being leading scorer in some preseason games.         Since the 2005-2006 season, The Deutsche Bank Skyliners have a weak 6-8 record against The EWE Baskets Oldenburg. In the 2005-2006 season, even five years later stick in the minds of many as in the 98-75 loss in Oldenburg saw Malick Badiane get ejected after kicking a chair and in the last game of the season, Frankfurt had to win to stay in the league and did 70-58 thanks to 22 points from American Kavossy Franklin. In the 2006-2007 season,  won the season series with a 80-70 win in Oldenburg and a 76-70 win at home despite 30 points from Ricky Paulding.In the 2007-2008 season, the teams split the  season series as Derrick Allen combined for 48 points in the two games. In the 2008-2009 season, the teams split the season series as Frankfurt totally crushed Oldenburg 84-53 at home, but lost 66-58 on the road. Oldenburg got the last laugh in the quarterfinals of the playoffs winning the series 3-1. Last season, Frankfurt lost a nail bitter in Oldenburg 63-61 and 75-69 at home despite 26 points from Derrick Allen.

The EWE Baskets Oldenburg are the favourite on paper, while The Deutsche Bank Skyliners go into the game with injuries and obviously weakened, but on the other hand could develop some extra strength with their fragile state and possibly get something going in the EWE arena with their heart. Oldenburg has a huge height and physical advantage and Frankfurt will have to find a way to stop the opponent from getting easy points inside. Frankfurt often showed their fighting mentality last season when they weren´t necessarily the favourite and should keep that path this season. “We have to fight in Oldenburg and show our quality from the preseason and defend well as well”, added Kamil Novak. One thing that Oldenburg did well the last years was setting the tempo and that should be even better with Lou Campbell this season. “It won´t be easy on the road. We can´t let Oldenburg dictate the tempo. We have to find a way on defense to compensate the injuries that we have”, added Pascal Roller. The EWE Baskets Oldenburg host The Deutsche Bank Skyliners on October 2 at 20:00.