With Christmas rolling along as quickly as the Green Bay Packers are mowing down NFL competition towards a perfect regular
season as if they are finding four leaf clovers each weekend, the Eurocup competition is also slowly coming to an end for the Fraport Skyliners. In the last Eurocup home game of the Fraport Skyliners, the team welcomed home Keith Simmons who played in the Main city from 2008-2009. The last time the New York native and ex teammate of bBC Bayreuth guard Kevin Hamilton at Holy Cross played in the Fraport arena, Ilian Evtimov was still shousing bombs from the parking lot, Lorenzo Gordon was still melting little girls hearts with his warm smile, and no day went by in the BCM where one didn´t hear old coach Murat Didin say the word Bubba at least 40 times. Since then Simmons has found a new home in Turkey with Banvit where he has played since 2009 and entered the Fraport arena with an extra portion of Baklava helping his team slip past the Fraport Skyliners 62-56. Simmons might not have led his team in scoring, but did in rebounds and assists and helped spark the defense in the victory. “Simmons is an all around great player. He doesn´t always have to score, but when they need anything like rebounds, assists or defending then he is there and does his job”, stressed Skyliner guard Michael Thompson. After the game, Mckinney and Simmons were joking around as if they were still teammates. Mckinney noticed that the game of Simmons has grown since his Frankfurt days. “Keith has always been a great defender and makes it so tough on offense. He just does his job. He has improved his shooting. He was already a good shooter with Frankfurt, but now he is a great shooter”, stressed Jimmy Mckinney. Simmons was glad to see his old friend again. “It was cool being back in Frankfurt. It was good seeing the Skybembels and Jimmy of course. The blue light outside in the front of the arena looked nice. Fraport seems to have done a good job. Jimmy played a strong game against us in Banvit, so it was key today to slow him down a bit even though he did get loose a bit. We trashed talked a bit, but it was all in good fun”, added Keith Simmons.
Month: December 2011
Kejuan Johnson: I Was Acting As A Determined Basketball Player)
Kejuan Johnson is a 26 year old 193cm guard from Long Beach, California. He played together with Jibril Hodges at Long Beach State. The two guys are reunited now in Hungry playing for Jaszberenyi. He started his professional basketball career in 2007 for Hapoel Galil Elyon (Israel-Premier League, starting five): released in Dec.’07: ULEB Cup: 2 games: 4.0ppg, 1.5rpg, 1.5apg, 1.5spg. In 2009-2010, he played for CRE Eagles Itzehoe (Germany-Regionalliga): 19 games: 29.2ppg, 6.5rpg, 4.9apg, 3.3spg, 2FGP: 56.5%, 3Pts: 36.3%, FT: 79.8%. Last season, he tore up the German PRO A for Paderborn Baskets (Germany-ProA, starting five): 29 games: Score-1(21.0ppg), 6.0rpg, Assists-5(5.1apg), Steals-1(3.0spg), FGP: 50.6%, 3PT: 34.2%, FT: 81.3%. He started this season with BG Illertal Weissenhorn averaging 9,0ppg, 2,0rpg and 1,5apg. He recently left the team and he and the club had their differences and the American wanted to tell his side of the story to German Hoops.
Kejuan, thanks for taking some time to talk toGerman Hoops You had a very short stay at BG Illertal Weiseenhorn for 10 days. Are you disappointed that this team didn´t work out for you?
No, I am not disappointed. I believe everything happens for a reason, and those10 days served my purpose there.
Keith Simmons(Banvit, Turkey): We Won´t Underestimate Frankfurt. Even Without Gray and Leuer, They Gave Us A Tough Game
Keith Simmons is a 26 year old 196cm guard from Kingston, New York that is playing his fifth professional basketball season and fourth in Turkey. He played at Holy Cross (NCAA) from 2003-2007. In his senior year, he played 34 games: 16.9ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.9apg, 2.3spg, FGP: 49.7%, 3Pts: 34.9%, FT: 76.7%. In 2007-2008, he played for Kepez Bld Antalya (Turkey-TBL, starting five): 30 games: 16.2ppg, 5.7rpg, 2.1apg, 1.2spg, 2FGP: 56.8%, 3PT: 35.7%, FT: 73.5%. In 2008-2009, he played for the Deutsche Bank Skyliners Frankfurt (Germany-1.Bundesliga, starting five), injured in Oct.’08 and was off for 1 month: EuroChallenge: 8 games: 8.6ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.5apg; German League: 33 games: 11.3ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.4apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 59.6%, 3PT: 35.5%, FT: 74.1%. He has played for Banvit Basketbol Kulubu (Turkey-TBL) since 2009. Last season, he played EuroCup: 5 games: 10.0ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.6spg, FGP: 58.6%, 3PT: 30.0%, FT: 87.5%; Turkish League: 38 games: 10.4ppg, 5.1rpg, 1.8apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 54.4%, 3PT: 37.7%, FT: 76.4%. He spoke to German Hoops before the Eurocup game against the Fraport Skyliners December 13th.
Congrats on the 86-67 win against Besiktas Istanbul. How noticeable was the absence of the NBA players?
Their big man was already hurt and was also missing. Any time that you lose a guy like Deron Williams, it will effect their game. I think that they will be ok in the long run though.
Ekene Ibekwe Slithers Like An Angry Snake Dunking BBC Bayreuth Past The Fraport Skyliners 79-71
A few weeks ago, BBC Bayreuth basketball freaks may have been dreaming of Kevin Durant matching the 50 points of Deron Williams in a beko BBL game, meeting the NBA superstar in the city and holding a you tube moment forever, or examining his athletic moves and then making a fool of themselves trying to copy him, but since Durant never arrived, the basketball life in the Bavarian city that gave the world the musical composer has returned back to normal. However the team has showed that they don’t really need an NBA superstar as the team continues to play super basketball ever since Danny Gibson returned and new coach Marc Van Den Berg took the helm as the team has cut down their points allowed from 83 to 66. The team has sparkled like classic red wine on the court with solid team basketball with versatility at every position and came into the Fraport arena resting at position 11 and Kevin Durant 5007 miles away in Oklahoma leaving his play in a tiny part of their brain as they won their fifth game in their last six games stifling the Fraport Skyliners in their own living room 79-71. After the big win in Hagen last weekend, The Fraport Skyliners had to play catch up basketball in the second half never being able to retake the lead. “We played soft defense and didn´t make the necessary stops when we should of. We have to learn from these mistakes. BBC Bayreuth played very physical and we didn´t. Even when we got close there was something missing. We are good enough to get close, but not good enough to win”, stated Skyliner head coach Muli Katzurin. BBC Bayreuth played a very solid second half always going on small runs and just out playing the Skyliners in every phase of the game. “The key to the win tonight was our aggressiveness on defense. We were able to execute well on offense always finding the open man. We took the game on and not let the game come to us”, stressed BBC Bayreuth player Ekene Ibekwe. What was really impressive was even when Frankfurt came back, BBC Bayreuth was able to stay consistent as a team and play through pressure. “Our coach has preached staying together since he came. We keep fighting no matter what even in times when the opponent is pressuring us”, added BBC Bayreuth point guard Danny Gibson.
Michael Thompson(Fraport Skyliners): I Take 25-30 Floaters A Day
Michael Thompson is a 22 year old 177cm point guard from Chicago, Illinois that is playing his first season with the Fraport Skyliners. He played at Northwestern from 2007-2011. In his senior year, he played : 34 games: 16.3ppg, 2.2rpg, 4.3apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 45.2%, 3PT: 39.3%, FT: 82.5%. Awards/Achievements in his career have been HS: Chicago Public League All-Academic Team -07, All-Big Ten Honorable Mention -10, All-Big Ten 3rd Team -11, Big Ten All-Tournament Team -11, and NIT Elite Eight -11. He took some time to talk to German Hoops about his rookie season with the Fraport Skyliners.
Congrats to the 83-65 win in Hagen. How much of a relief was this win?
It was a major relief. Even though that we have been playing well the last weeks, we had some close games that we were unable to pull out.
You had some experience losing at Northwestern in the NCAA. Were you able to digest the losing streak better than other players since you knew what its like?
I went through some losing my freshman year and I understand how it feels and what happens. I just continue to try to help the team win and continue to work hard.
A Short Kevin Durant Dream And Now Back To Building A Winning Season For BBC Bayreuth
Not too long ago, if one had mentioned the possibility of a Kobe Bryant Or Lebron James suiting up in a BBC Bayreuth jersey, it would have been as ridiculous as if Lionel Messi would give up his FC Barcelona contract and play in Denmark, Beavis and Butthead sitting on their couch for an episode and philosophizing about Shakespeare or Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Lopez taking a vacation together since rumors say they loathe each other, but a few weeks ago another NBA superstar Kevin Durant who is a step below a Lebron or Kobe actually was rumored to be headed to BBC Bayreuth. Since then there probably hadn´t been as much excitement in the 72,000 Bavarian city since the yearly fest spiele or when Richard Wagner fans visit his museum. At any rate for a little while, Bayreuth fans were able to dream and go through all the different scenarios of what a few games with Durant would look like and the publicity put the club on the world basketball map and also helped put the Beko BBL in the spot light to. BBC Bayreuth was on the world basketball map for a short while as were put in the same sentence as possible teams where the American was headed like Macabbi Tel Aviv and Valencia. Realistic German basketball fans never really believed the hype while BBC Bayreuth fans were living their own little dream world with Danny Gibson feeding Kevin Durant with quarterly ally-ops in the Beko BBL. “I viewed the whole affair as speculation. When you are dealing with a player of that caliber, you can never be positive about the hear say. I was just waiting to see what came of it. I think that Durant would have brought great exposure to the league. People not so familiar with the BBL would have taken notice. I also think that it would have solidified the BBL as one of the top leagues in Europe”, stressed Walter Tigers Tuebingen guard Josh Young. Then all of a sudden, the NBA announced that the lockout was ending and the possible arrival of Durant in the pretty Bavarian city was about as impossible as it snowing on the Bahamas, Tom Brady admitting that Wes Welker isn´t his all time favorite target or Kobe Bryant and Shaq ever playing a professional basketball game together again. With basketball normalcy back in Bayreuth, fans now could get excited again about seeing a Brandon Hunter crashing dunk, the continued development of German Stefan Schmidt or the possible point guard duo of Kevin Hamilton and Danny Gibson doing terror on the court. Even if Josh Young plays in the Schwaben land and not in Bavaria, there is always enough time in the day to dream about an encounter with Kevin Durant. “There is not too much that you can do to stop Kevin Durant. You have to deny him the ball and if he don’t get the ball, he can´t score. I also would just pressure up and play aggressive”, warned Josh Young.
Jacob Burtschi: All I Have To Do Is Throw It Near The Backboard And Tez Would Handle The Rest
Jacob Burtschi is a 27 year old 198cm forward from Chickasha, Oklahoma who will be playing his second professional basketball season in the best basketball league in Europe the ACB in Spain this season for CAI Zaragoza. He completed his rookie season for Phoenix Hagen averaging 14.2ppg, 6.9rpg, 2.5apg, Steals-3(1.5spg), FGP: 56.0%, 3PT: 44.2%, FT: 82.2%. He played at the Air Force from 2003-2007. In his senior year, he played 35 games averaging 13.5ppg, 6.0rpg, 2.3apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 49.7%, 3Pts: 39.0%, FT: 77.3%. He had offers to play in the NBA, but served in the Air Force the last three years and could only play club ball. Some achievements that he got in the NCAA were All-MWC Honorable Mention -05, MWC Regular Season Runner-Up -06, All-MWC 2nd Team -06, 07, NABC All-NCAA District 13 2nd Team -07, and NIT Final Four -07. He is still with ACB team Zaragoza waiting patiently for the right opportunity or the team finds a new player and he spoke to German Hoops about his desire to come play in Germany.
What kind of a feeling is it practicing with Zaragosa and playing in games even though you might be gone instantly?
In this business you must be ready to go every day. Whether it is with my team here or knowing I could be on a plane tomorrow to my next team.
What have been the most important things that you learned playing in the ACB against many top players?
My game has a lot of room for growth and improvement.
Michael Thompson(Fraport Skyliners) I Take 25-30 Floaters A Day
Michael Thompson is a 22 year old 177cm point guard from Chicago, Illinois that is playing his first season with the Fraport Skyliners. He played at Northwestern from 2007-2011. In his senior year, he played : 34 games: 16.3ppg, 2.2rpg, 4.3apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 45.2%, 3PT: 39.3%, FT: 82.5%. Awards/Achievements in his career have been HS: Chicago Public League All-Academic Team -07, All-Big Ten Honorable Mention -10, All-Big Ten 3rd Team -11, Big Ten All-Tournament Team -11, and NIT Elite Eight -11. He took some time to talk to German Hoops about his rookie season with the Fraport Skyliners.
Congrats to the 83-65 win in Hagen. How much of a relief was this win?
It was a major relief. Even though that we have been playing well the last weeks, we had some close games that we were unable to pull out.
You had some experience losing at Northwestern in the NCAA. Were you able to digest the losing streak better than other players since you knew what its like?
I went through some losing my freshman year and I understand how it feels and what happens. I just continue to try to help the team win and continue to work hard.
What was the secret to the win in Hagen?
We just stayed together.
Coach Muli Katzurin stated before the Hagen game that the team was tired because of Eurocup play, but the team looked fresh in Hagen. Was this a tactical measure form coach trying to confuse Hagen?
I don´t know. He is a great coach. We all came out and had the needed energy to get the win.
The body language was great in Hagen and different than before. What happened for the body language to change?
We did the same things that we always did in practice and we had good energy in the game that helped us win game.
What was the biggest strength on offense in Hagen?
We had better and faster ball movement, shared the ball well and found the open man more.
How are you adjusting to the beko BBL?
It is going well. It is a learning process. I still need to grow, but I will continue to work hard.
What is still the most difficult thing that you have to adjust to on the court?
I still am adjusting to defense. It is a lot faster at this level and I am still learning to fight through ball screens.
How many times do you practice your juicy juice floater each day?
I take 25-30 floaters a day.
Thanks Juice for the chat.
Ali Traore And Lok Kuban Wear Down The Fraport Skyliners Slamming The Door 69-58 In Eurocup Play
After 40 minutes in the thunderbird cage in the Enervie arena last weekend, the expression of relief on the sweaty face of Skyliner captain Marius Nolte spoke volumes as if he had finally got that long awaited guitar lesson from Guns and Roses Slash, defeated good friend Steven Esterkamp in a three point shooting contest despite the Ulm player being blindfolded or knowing that he doesn´t have a Santa Claus job at the Frankfurt Christmas market as a second job, but all that happened was that the Fraport Skyliners had finally won again after 52 days of being winless in the Beko BBL. 72 hours later, The Fraport Skyliners wanted to win their first game in Eurocup play and were as focused as German national player Heiko Schaffartzik was taking three pointers at Wetten Das, NBA legend Dirk Nowitzki watching his teammate taking shots at Wetten das or how Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow has been playing this season, but their opponent Lok Kuban were too strong in the second half wearing down Frankfurt 69-58 and moving to 3-1 in Eurocup play as the Skyliners get elimated. “We were as focused as we were in Hagen. We did come out sluggish, but we played them toe to toe until the end. We were very focused”, stressed 2011 NBA Draft pick Jon Leuer. “Frankfurt is a god team. When they are able to play their pace, then they can beat anyone. We are 3-1 now in Eurocup play and just take it one game at a time. We know what it takes to get to the next round. We will continue to dig down, execute and win games”, warned ex NBA player Lionel Chalmers. The Fraport Skyliners lost their fourth game in a row in Eurocup play, but gave a spirited effort. “We got off to a slow start and did a good job battling back, but were unable to bounce back”, said Skyliner guard Michael Thompson. Just like in Russia a week earlier, Lok Kuban took control in the second half. “We tightened up our defense in the second half and didn´t look back anymore. We kept up our intensity until the end”, added Lok Kuban guard Roderick Blakney.
Hansbrough Watch – Dec 7
In case you’re pressed for time, here’s the gist of today’s Hansbrough Watch: Ben Hansbrough was FC Bayern’s best player in last night’s Eurocup loss against BC Spartak St. Petersburg (along with Chevy Troutman).
German Hoops 