33 year old Michael Jordan (183-G-77, college: Pennsylvania) is a 183cm guard from Philadelphia. He played at the University of Pennsylvania graduating in 2000. His first two years found him jumping around leagues in France and Spain before he found a new home in Germany with TSV Quackenbruck. In the 2002-2003 season, he helped lead Quackenbruck into the BBL with exceptional stats in 30 games, 21.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 6.9 apg. He helped turn The Artland Dragons into a playoff team in the 2004-2005 season as they lost the BBL Quarterfinal playoff series to The Opel Skyliners in five games. That season he averaged in 34 games: 11.1ppg, 3.4rpg, Ast-1 (6.4apg), 1.3spg, 2.6bpg, 2FGP: 52.5%, 3FGP: 31.3%. The next season, he was released by The Artland Drgaons, but went to Rhein Energie Cologne and won the BBL championship in 2006 averaging in 33 games: 9.8ppg, 2.3rpg, Assists-4 (4.1apg), 1.0spg, 2FGP: 45.3%, 3PT: 40.3%, FT: 52.2%. The next season, he went to Italy and played at Cantu where he led the league in assists and averaged in 37 games: 13.8ppg, 2.7rpg, Assists-1 (5.2apg), 2.0spg, 2FGP: 54.6%, 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 74.0%. The next season, he played in Belgium for Charleroi averaging in15 games: 9.5ppg, 1.6rpg, 3.6apg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 56.0%, 3PT: 36.0%, FT: 90.0%;. He had injury problems and finished the season in Greece with PAOK. In 2008-2009 after a very short stay in Israel, he played a few months in Bamberg before going to the Cologne 99ers averaging 10,5ppg, 2,4rpg and leading the BBL in assists with 6,2apg. Last season, he played for Phoenix Hagen helping the team remain in the BEKO BBL. He played 16 games: 8.9ppg, 2.3rpg, Assists-5 (5.3apg), FGP: 44.2%, 3PT: 32.5%, FT: 73.3%. This season he played for MBC averaging 9,3ppg, 1,9rpg and 4,3apg before moving on to the Giessen 46ers. He spoke to German Hoops after the 82-64 win against The Walter Tigers Tuebingen.

Congrats on the 82-64 win against The Walter Tigers Tuebingen who were one of the hotter teams. How focused was Giessen tonight and caging the Tiger seemed a lot easier than it was stopping Frankfurt last weekend?

We were well prepared and focused on getting this win. We played together for mostly the entire game. We had a lapse in the 2nd qtr but were able to get back to form. Getting Moe Jeffers back helped us a lot as well as the early performance of Jannik Freese.

Giessen had the 46-42 lead at halftime. What did coach Steven Key tell the team to do better in the second half?

Coach was livid @ halftime because in the 2nd qtr we reverted back to holding the ball, not executing, not sharing the ball, and slacked up on defense. So he came in and got straight to the point. Slammed a couple doors and laid into us pretty good. It was much needed and we deserved it. Told us to step it up on Defense, rebounding, and to continue sharing the ball

It seemed like Giessen listened to coach as Tuebingen only scored 9 points. All in all the Tuebingen weapons seemed silenced except for Anatoly Kashirov. What was the secret on defense that kept so many players in check?

I think we all challenged ourselves to get better defensively after our last two games. This game was a must win for us. Our last two outings were embarrassing. As a team we were focused on taking them out of what they wanted to run and we have to do that every time we take the floor.

Was one of the biggest stengthes holding Bane Ratkovica to 0 assists and 7 turnovers? I am sure you had a big smile on your face after this win?

Miles, you know it always feels good to get a win so yeah I was most definitely smiling from ear to ear. I learned a long time ago to never get too high after a win, and never too low after a loss, but as I said before this was a much needed victory. One of our keys to the game was to not let Bane stand out there and pick us apart. We wanted to pressure him and limit his assists. Our perimeter players took it as a challenge to bottle him up and I think we did a decent job. I mean @ home he gets 13 assist at the least so we didn’t want him to have that many in our house.

Jannik Fresse had 12 points on 6/7 shooting. Did you give him a special MJ pregame pep talk or was his performance 100% Big Freeze effort?

With Zack missing a few days of practice this week, (because of a minor injury) we’ve been on Young Freezer all week to be more confident, play harder and be more focused. I was happy and proud to see him come out aggressive. Now we have to get him to play like that all the time and the entire game. We now know that he can do it so we are now going to expect it from him. He has been shooting with me this week in practice so that might have something to do with it as well.
(On the low low, I am the shooting champion on the team)

The Miami Heat beat the Los Angeles Lakers the other night. Was this just another win for Miami or do you think they will be able to make a late season run with the taste of this win increasing their self confidence?

Miami has Three NBA All Stars. It’s not hard to get hyped up to play the Lakers. I’m not worried about the Heat. They are gonna be a problem when the post season rolls around. That being said, i’m riding out with The BEAN (Kobe) ALL DAY!!!!

Which player will be the star of the NCAA March Madness?

There are so many guys putting in work Miles that it’s hard to say. Fredette and Kemba will put up crazy numbers, but I am sure like every year that someone will surprise us all.

Michael Jordan said that Chicago Bull Derrick Rose is the early MVP favorite. Do you agree with him?

I agree with MJ, I think D. Rose is the MVP right now. If he doesn’t get it I will be very surprised. He’s playing at a high level and he has his team rolling!!!

Thanks MJ for the chat