Month: November 2011

Hansbrough Watch – Nov 29

Review

Ben played a whopping 23 minutes and 21 seconds in FC Bayern’s 75:62 Eurocup loss against BC Spartak St. Petersburg today. As we know from the last edition of Hansbrough Watch, Jonathan Wallace is injured. He didn’t even make the trip to St. Petersburg with the team. Ben saw increased floor time because of this – and because SG Je’kel Foster also suffered an injury during the game. He twisted his ankle near the end of the second quarter and didn’t return. Details on the type and severity of his injury are not yet available.

Unfortunately, the game was not broadcast on TV (and I didn’t feel like hopping to St. Petersburg), so I can’t give you my impressions of Ben’s performance. I can only take a look at the boxscore, which is … not flattering:

23:21 Minutes

4 Points

1/5 FGs

0/2 3Ps

2/2 FTs

3 REB (1 OFF, 2 DEF)

1 Assist

1 Steal

2 Turnovers

4 Fouls

I didn’t see the game, so the following observations are just things I gleaned from the livescore:

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A Conversation With Velimir Radinovic

Velimir Radinovic is a 30 year old 212cm center that was born in Canada, but also has the Serbian citizenship as he has Serbian parents.  He played at Ohio State from 2000-2004. He turned professional in 2004 and played for Reflex Beograd (SCG-1A): ULEB Cup: 10 games: 4.4ppg, 2.4rpg, FGP: 51.7%; Adriatic League: 30 games: 6.0ppg, 2.7rpg, FGP: 56.0%; 1A League: 14 games: 5.4ppg, 1.7rpg, 0.3apg. In 2005-2006, he played for FMP Zeleznik Beograd (SCG-1A): ULEB Cup: 4 games: 1.0ppg; Adriatic League: 10 games: 2.1ppg, 1.4rpg, in Dec.’05 signed at KK Hemofarm Vrsac (SCG-1A): ULEB Cup: 6 games: 7.3ppg, 1.8rpg, 2FGP: 88.9%; Adriatic League: 14 games: 3.1ppg, 1.8rpg; SCG Superleague: 5 games: 5.6ppg, 2.0rpg, 0.8apg. In 2006-2007, he played for KK Hemofarm Vrsac (SCG-A): Adriatic League: 26 games: 4.9ppg, 2.6rpg; ULEB Cup: 12 games: 9.3ppg, 4.1rpg, 2FGP: 64.1%, 3FGP: 0%, FT: 66.7%. In 2007-2008, he played in France for Stade Clermontois Basket Auvergne (France-ProA, starting five): 28 games: 5.6ppg, 3.9rpg, 2FGP: 57.3%, FT: 79.6%. In 2008-2009, he played in Greece for Iraklis Thessaloniki (Greece-A2): 29 games: 7.0ppg, 4.4rpg, 2FGP: 55.0%, 3PT: 33.0%, FT: 87.0. He played for MBC from 2009-2011. Last season, for MBC, he played 27 games: 6.6ppg, 4.1rpg, FGP: 52.6%, FT: 68.8%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball recently before leaving The Walter Tigers Tuebingen.

How tough is it to defend Ratiopharm Ulm center John Bryant?

He is a big body. He missed his first shot, but then hit something like his next 11 shots. He had some nice pop out jumpers. When he gets going, he is hard to stop.

Have you ever played against a big guy like Bryant?

I defended many big guys in the Adriatic league. Guys that were 7.5.

Everyone knew before the season started that it wouldn´t be an easy season for the Walter Tigers Tuebingen. How is the mental state of the team?

The mental state is good. It is tough not winning games. We have many young guys who haven´t lost like this before in their career. There were quite a few games we could of won. You just have to look on to the next game. The positive thing is that we have many young players who are eager to come each day to practice and give new energy and continue to work hard.

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TBB Trier Give EJ Gallup A Sweet Farewell With A 64-54 Grind Out Win Against The Fraport Skyliners

Whoever said, you can only be a Lebron James or Kevin Durant to have a whirlwind basketball career with so much happening like the James and Rashard Lewis rumors about foul play and a girlfriend last summer or Durant seemingly being headed to every team in Europe even BBC Bayreuth, but even a Beko BBL player like EJ Gallup has had a very exciting 2011 going from the restaurant business to playing in the IBL with the Albany Legends to TBB Trier for a few months after being a away for three years. Recently, the American confirmed that he will be heading back to the States to pursue a coaching career. After TBB Trier was unable to send him on his way with a win at home, the team had one last chance winning in Frankfurt and the club from the Mosel river was as focused as Green  Bay Packer quarterback Aaron Rodgers is to follow in the footsteps of New England quarter back Tom Brady for a perfect regular season, Justin Bieber telling David letterman that he can smell a weasel concerning the woman who claims that she is fostering his baby or Chester Frazier is getting back to playing professional basketball with the s. Oliver Baskets Wurzburg after being away from the professional ranks for a season going back to Illinois(NCAA) helping as an assistant coach as Gallup as his teammates grinded out a big 64-54 win. Gallup played only four minutes, but is just happy to leave the floor as a winner and has fond memories of teammate dru Joyce.. “This was my first win here in this arena. With Ulm, I left as a loser here. This win was nice. I understand that since I am leaving, coach doesn´t want to keep building the team after I go. I remember Dru showing me the ropes in UIm and when I came to Trier, he was first guy I met and helped me out. I consider Joyce a good friend”, stressed Dru Joyce. After the tough win Joyce was stretching on the floor and had some time to reflect about EJ Gallup. “I am excited that we got him the win. This was a big win for us and him. I remember my rookie season in Ulm, he helped me out when I came in. I remember him showing me how to drive manual. He really looked out for me”, added Dru Joyce. “We will miss Gallup a lot. He helped us out so much on the court. He is a great guy and I wish him the best of luck”, stressed TBB Trier guard John Bynum.

It had been 46 day and 8 losses since the Fraport Skyliners last won a game and that was only accomplished do to a buzzer beater from Justin Gray which has been simply dubbed the shot and with the overall play of Frankfurt vastly improved over the last games, the team was hoping for a success experience, but were disappointed again as they played a more than solid defensive game, but mustered only 54 points losing their ninth game in a row and entering the deregulation a place they hadn´t seen since the Charles Barton era of 2006. “Big today was that we stayed together as a team from the start until the end, but we had way to many turnovers and didn´t rebound as much or as good than in the past. We have to keep positive, not feel sorry for ourselves and keep fighting”, stressed ex NBA player Jermareo Davidson. For TBB Trier they were riding a three game losing streak and so far in the Henrik Rodel era had never lost more than three games in a row and showed a solid effort for 40 minutes. “We played consistent for 40 minutes, kept our style and didn´t let Frankfurt put us under pressure”, stressed TBB Trier center Maik Zirbes. Lebron James friend Dru Joyce has lost enough games against Frankfurt in his career including two last season as a Dashaun Wood was in control and knows how Frankfurt feels now. “I really feel for Frankfurt. You never want to lose so much. I know many guys in the team and they worked very hard tonight and left it on the floor. I know that when they are healthy, that they have the talent to win many games”, warned Dru Joyce. Jon Leuer friend and teammate Keaton Nankivil was at the game to support him and was in awe of the hard fought game. “I saw two good teams today and they did good things on the court. Frankfurt lost some steam in the second half, but every game is tough and Frankfurt just has to move on to the next game”, stressed ratiopharm Ulm forward Keaton Nankivil.

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Hansbrough Watch – Nov 27

Review

In the last edition of Hansbrough Watch, I predicted a close game between FC Bayern and ALBA and a Bayern loss by a margin of 7 to 15 points. I also predicted another DNP-CD for Ben Hansbrough. My first prediction wasn’t too far off the mark. Bayern lost by 6, but was in the game right up to the end.

My other prediction, however, was wrong. Hansbrough played for 11 minutes and 9 seconds, his longest in the last nine games. Rejoice!

But what happened? Why did Coach Bauermann decide to throw Ben into the deep end of an extremely high-profile and close-fought game all of a sudden? There are two main reasons:

1. Bauermann wasn’t happy with the play of his starting PG Steffen Hamann at the start of the third quarter. Hamann’s defensive lapses helped ALBA star DaShaun Wood score 9 points in the first two-and-a-half minutes of the quarter. Not long after that, Hamann committed one of his signature turnovers when he drove the lane, couldn’t find anyone to pass the ball to and blindly threw it away… right into the waiting hands of DaShaun Wood, leading to an uncontested ALBA fast break.Bauermann immediately yanked Hamann. On his way to the bench, Hamann didn’t look at Bauermann when he passed him, just gave him a dismissive wave with his hand. Bauermann was not amused. He chased Hamann to his seat on the bench and berated him, his face as red as the hardwood floor in the lanes of FC Bayern’s Audi Dome. To see Bauermann and Hamann go at it and to hear Bauermann angrily ask Hamann “What the fuck are you doing, Steffen?” was well worth the 550 euros for my season ticket behind the Bayern bench.

2. When Bauermann took Hamann out, he called Ben’s number. Jonathan Wallace, Hamann’s regular backup, was busy riding a stationary bike behind the bench. Apparently, he had suffered a minor groin injury in his eight minutes of floor time (in which he looked somewhat overwhelmed at times, turning the ball over on two consecutive possessions against defensive pressure in the backcourt).

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Teamcheck 2011/2012: EWE Baskets Oldenburg

The EWE Baskets Oldenburg had a rollercoaster season full of ups and downs in 2010/2011. Most of the new signings could not fulfill the expectations and were either replaced throughout the season (Nemanja Protic and Steven Smith) or had to go this summer (Aron Baynes and Lou Campbell).

Only Rickey Paulding and Robin Smeulders remained with the club and coach Krunic had to build a whole new team this summer. It is pretty obvious that the management and Krunic were not in the mood for big experiments. With just two exceptions all rotation players are familiar with the BBL what should minimize the risk of another signing fiasco.

The Thunderbirds could never really fill the gap left by the departure of Jason Gardner. Gardner, a former BBL MVP was one of the main reasons for Oldenburg’s championship in 2009 and retired due to back problems in 2010. I think it must have been Oldenburg’s first priority to find a real quality player for the Point Guard spot.

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Elvir Ovcina (LTi Giessen 46ers): This Win Against Bamberg Was Very Special For The LTi Giessen 46ers

Elvir Ovcina is a 35 year old 211cm power forward/center that was born in Sarajevo and is playing his second season with the LTi Giessen 46ers. He played for Syracuse from 1995-1999 reaching the NCAA final in 1996. After playing in Slovenia for two seasons, he came to Germany and played for the EWE Baskets Oldenburg from 2001-2004. In the 2003-2004 season, he played 27 games: 14.9ppg, 9.3rpg, 2.7apg, 2.8bpg. In 2004-2005, he played for Olympiakos S.F.P. Pireus (Greece-A1): Euroleague: 8 games: 4.3ppg, 5.6rpg; Greek League: 9 games: 5.7ppg, 3.1rpg, 2FGP: 52.0%, in Dec.’04 moved to RheinEnergie Koln (Germany-1.Bundesliga): ULEB Cup: 5 games: 11,2ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 51.3%, 3Pts: 33.3%; German Bundesliga: 21 games: 10.1ppg, 4.9rpg, 1.5apg, 1.6bpg, 2FGP: 49.7%, 3FGP: 20.0%. In 2005-2006, he played for Khimik-OPZ Yuzny (Ukraine-Superleague): EuroCup Challenge: 2 games: 10.5ppg, 3.0rpg, 0ast, FG: 63.6%, 3PT: 50%; Ukrainian League: 8 games: 7.6ppg, 3.8rpg, 2FGP: 51.0%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 66.7%, in Dec.’05 joined Telindus BC Oostende (Belgium-D1): 21 games: 10.7ppg, Reb-4(7.8rpg), 1.7apg, 1.2spg, 2FGP: 55.0%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 55.0%. He then played in Belgium from 2006-2008 for Telindus BC Oostende winning the cup in 2008. In 2008-2009, he played for Bosna ASA BH Telecom Sarajevo (D1): Adriatic League: 5 games: 9.8ppg, 9.2rpg, 3.6apg. in 2009-2010, he played for Polzela (Slovenia-Liga UPC): 5 games: 12.8ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 55.3%, 3PT: 66.7%, FT: 85.7%, in Jan.’10 moved to LTi Giessen 46ers (Germany-1.Bundesliga, starting five): 14 games: 14.1ppg, 8.1rpg, 2.8apg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 57.7%, 3PT: 32.3%, FT: 69.4 Last season for Giessen he played 34 games: 11.4ppg, 6.6rpg, 2.4apg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 17.6%, FT: 76.4%. He spoke to German Hoops after the stunning 68 -65 win against the Brose Baskets Bamberg.

Congrats on the 68-65 win against Bamberg. Was the Osthalle like a zoo after the siren sounded ending the game?

Yes it was like a zoo. Fans gave us great support for 40 minutes. It was loud for the whole 40 minutes and it is a great victory for Giessen.

Was this your biggest win in Germany?

I don’t know. I have played 6-7 years in Germany and have had some special wins. I know that this win against Bamberg was very special for the LTi Giessen 46ers.

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DaShaun Wood(Alba Berlin): Winning In Munich Was like A Dream For Me

DaShaun Wood is a 26 year old 185cm point guard from Detroit, Michigan that is playing his second season in Germany for Alba Berlin. He is a young point guard with 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 3pts arch. Despite lack of size, he can be effective even at the defensive side. He played at Wright state from 2003-2007. In his senior year, he played 33 games averaging 19.6ppg, 5.1rpg, 4.0apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 43.5%, 3Pts: 37.3%, FT: 88.3%. In 2007-2008, he played his rookie season for 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%. In 2008-2009, he played for : Benetton Treviso (Italy-SerieA), injured in Oct.’08 and was off for 2 months: Eurocup: 12 games: 5.3ppg, 2.0rpg, 3.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 40.0%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 87.5%; Italian League: 17 games: 7.2ppg, 2.9rpg, 3.2apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 43.1%, 3PT: 35.6%, FT: 70.4%. Last season, he was the Beko BBL MVP with The Deutsche Bank Skyliners playing EuroCup Qualifying Round: 2 games: 13.5ppg, 2.5rpg, 5.0apg; EuroChallenge: 6 games: 16.3ppg, 3.8rpg, 5.2apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 46.9%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 73.7%; German League: 42 games: Score-1(19.0ppg), 4.6rpg, Assists-2(5.9apg), 1.2spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 33.2%, FT: 80.3%. He spoke to German Hoops after the 85-79 win against FC Bayern Munich.

Congrats on the 85-79 win in Munich giving the team of Dirk Bauermann their first loss at home. What was the atmosphere like there playing in front of German soccer player Bastian Schweinstieger and everyone else?

Winning in Munich was like a dream for me.  It is a great city with great fans, a great coach and many great German national players. The atmosphere was great and it was great competing at a high level and winning the game in their arena.

Michigan beat Ohio State 40-34 today who have the blue and yellow colors as does Alba Berlin. I guess the color of the day was blue and yellow?

I am from Michigan and today was perfect. Michigan and Ohio State are two great rivals and the funny thing is that Ohio State and Bayern Munich both wear the color red.

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Where Will The Journey Of TBB Trier End With An Added Concentration On German Players And Extra Focus On Team Defense?

The biggest successes with TBB Trier are already 13 and 10 years old as they were able to hoist the Beko BBL cup twice in 1998 and 2001, but since then the club has been as far away from consistency and the Beko BBL playoffs as Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries are of reconcilatation, as any one could ever imagine Leborn James playing a pick up basketball game at a community college in his home state where they lit his jersey on fire last season after he announced going to the Miami Heat or Charlie Sheen ever will have of returning to Two and a half men after his death on the show. The last time that TBB Trier were able to taste some post season air, The Opel Skyliners were still searching for their first BEKO BBL league championship, Skyliner Justin Gray was still practicing with NBA superstar Chris Paul daily at Wake Forest, Lance Armstrong was about to win an unprecedented six consecutive Tour De France, The Montreal Expos organization was still playing in Canada before moving to play in Washington D.C and Lindsay Lohan was still far away from becoming a usual guest in the tabloids as 2004 was the last time the Mosel river club had reached the promised land as they finished at position seven. In the seven seasons since their last playoff appearance the team has averaged a 12th place finish in those years. “It has been a pity that TBB Trier hasn´t been in the playoffs for a while, but we that budget wise, we don´t belong there. It may sound crazy, but if you look at the budgets of other teams, you can see it like that. We were close last year making the playoffs and it hurt that we didn´t make it. This season we are young so making the playoffs is a big challenge”, stated TBB Trier center Maik Zirbes.

 

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Hansbrough Watch – Nov 24 / Bayern – ALBA preview


A quick update on Ben Hansbrough’s situation:

During a press conference today, FC Bayern München coach Dirk Bauermann said that there was a clear hierarchy for his PG spot: Hamann, Wallace, Hansbrough. He also said that Ben’s chances for seeing any playing time had not increased. (All my blogging! All the hard work! All the blood, sweat and tears! For nothing! Oh, the humanity!)

So, Ben is third in the PG rotation. Trouble is, SG Je’Kel Foster also sees a few minutes on the PG spot in almost every game. SF Philip Schwethelm also takes the ball upcourt sometimes. So in reality, the PG rotation looks like this:

Hamann
Wallace
Foster
Schwethelm
Hansbrough

And why doesn’t Ben get some burn as a SG, which is the position he is better suited for anyway?

****

A look ahead:

Bayern’s next game is at home against ALBA Berlin on Saturday. ALBA is a perennial contender that’s been on a roll lately. Last weekend, they beat Brose Baskets Bamberg, the reigning German champions and cup winners (both back-to-back, in fact) who have been dominating the league for two years. On Tuesday, ALBA easily dispatched Buducnost Podgorica (Montenegro) in their second Eurocup game of the season. They seem to be clicking / firing on all cylinders / [add your favorite cliché here].

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Justin Gray(Fraport Skyliners): Konrad Wysocki Was A Great Locker Room Guy

Justin Gray is a 27 year old 188cm guard from Charlotte, North Carolina that is playing his firstseason with the Fraport Skyliners. He is versatile enough to excel at point guard as well as big guard. An enthusiastic, high-energy guard who brings a swagger to the team. Gray is one of the team’s vocal leaders, possesses great quickness, and is an exceptional perimeter shooter. He started his basketball career at Wake Forest where he played with NBA superstar Chris Paul. Gray played at wake Forest from 2002-2006 and in his senior year played 33 games: ScoreACC-4(18.2ppg), 3.6rpg, AssistsACC-5(4.3apg), 1.0spg, FGP: 36.7%, 3PTACC-4(36.1%), FTACC-5(83.4%): Finished career ranked 8th in Wake Forest history in scoring (1,946 points), 1st in three-point attempts (860), 2nd in three-point field goals (319) and 8th in assists (382). His 319 career three-point field goals are 7th best in ACC history. In 2006-2007, he started his professional basketball career for Verviers-Pepinster (Belgium-D1): 32 games: 14.0ppg, 1.8rpg, 2.9apg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 51.0%, 3PT: 36.0%, FT: 51.0%. In 2007-2008, he played for Dexia Mons-Hainaut (Belgium-D1, starting five): 36 games: 15.1ppg, 1.9rpg, 1.8apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 52.0%, 3PT: 46.0%, FT: 89.0%. In 2008-2009, he played for CEZ Basketball Nymburk (Czech Rep.-NBL): Eurocup: 6 games: 15.5ppg, 1.3rpg, 3.8apg; Czech Rep. League: 43 games: 10.9ppg, 1.9rpg, 2.4apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 51.9%, 3PT: 39.7%, FT: 77.2%. In 2009-2010, he played for PGE Turow Zgorzelec (Poland-PLK, starting five): EuroCup: 6 games: 9.7ppg, 2.3rpg, 4.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 23.8%, 3PT: 31.1%, FT: 85.7%; Polish League: 30 games: 14.6ppg, 2.7rpg, 3.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 53.6%, 3PT: 34.2%, FT: 89.3%. Last season, he played for PAOK Thessaloniki (Greece-A1, starting five): Greek League: 18 games: 11.8ppg, 2.9rpg, 2.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 46.1%, 3PT: 31.4%, FT: 81.3%; EuroCup: 6 games: 11.5ppg, 1.8rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 40.7%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 79.3%, left in March’11, in Apr.’11 moved to BC Donetsk (Ukraine-Superleague): 16 games: 6.4ppg, 2.3rpg, 2.4apg, FGP: 37.5%, 3PT: 38.9%, FT: 70.4%2011: Guangzhou Free Man (China-NBL, starting five): 9 games: 24.4ppg, 5.4rpg, 3.0apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 37.8%, 3PT: 41.8%, FT: 85.4%.  He reached the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2004, was Czech Rep. League Champion -09, Czech Rep. Cup Winner -09, and played at the Polish League All-Star Game in 2010. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

You have played against Chevon Troutman in your career. Does he belong to the top centers in the beko BBL?

When he is at his best yes. He is a big key for the success of FC Bayern Munich. I would put John Bryant at the top with him.

How much of a factor was Muli Katzurin for you coming to the Fraport Skyliners?

He was very key for me coming to Frankfurt. I had played for him at Nymburk and know he coaches. Another important reason was that Frankfurt is a great organization and I heard only good things.

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