Chris Oliver is a 26 year old 198cm forward that is playing his first season with SIG Strassburg. He is a athletic forward that has great hands, the versatility to play inside and outside, with three-point range on his jump shot, and has tremendous poise and maturity. He played at Radford from 2003-2007 and in his senior year, he played 30 games averaging 18.8ppg, 8.3rpg, 2.1apg, 1.9spg, 1.3bpg, FGP: 48.7%, 3Pts: 25.8%, FT: 74.8%. He came to Germany in 2007-2008 and played for the Kaiserslautern Braves of the PRO A playing 30 games: Score-2(20.5ppg), Reb-5(9.0rpg), 1.2apg, 1.3spg, 1.7bpg, FGP: 56%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 79.6%.In 2008-2009 in Goettingen, he averaged 10.6ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.4spg, FGP: 46.4%, 3PT: 37.0%, FT: 75.5% in 34 games. In 2009-2010, he won the Eurochallenge and played ): EuroChallenge: 13 games: 11.5ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.0spg, FGP: 41.7%, 3PT: 37.9%, FT: 77.1%; German League: 35 games: 14.1ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 50.9%, 3PT: 27.3%, FT: 80.9%. Last season, he played for The Walter Tigers Tuebingen playing 34 games: 13.5ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.3apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 46.8%, 3PT: 21.9%, FT: 78.9%. He spoke to German Hoops about life in France.

You are playing your first season in France with SIG Strassburg after having played four seasons in Germany. How are you getting used to the French league?

The French league is more athletic and fast paced and have more possessions. It is not as physical. I like the league.

Does the France PRO A suit your game more?

Yes I think it does. All on the floor are more athletic and you see that with the some NBA players and guys from the French national team in the league.

What is your role in the team of SIG Strassburg?

My role has changed since Justin Harper and Lavoy Allen who got drafted by the NBA left the team to join the NBA. Before I played more the two/three position, but now I play more the three position. I have to do more now with scoring, rebounding and defending.

How happy are you with your play so far in the France PRO A?

It has been ok. I am not playing as much minutes as I have been used to in Germany. I still think that I can pick up my game on offense and defense and I have to rebound much more now.

You have the France national coach as coach at SIG Strassburg. What was is the most important thing that you have learned from him?

Coach has helped me on defense especially on down screens. I have played more the two early in the season so he helped me a lot on how to defend guys coming off a screen. He also has helped me a lot on my jump shot.

You played against NBA superstar Tony Parker and Asvell losing 80-74. Parker had 23 points, eight assists and five rebounds. What kind of an experience was that for you?

What more can I say about Tony Parker except that he is a great player. He really can play the game. If you double team him, he still finds the open man and on one on one situations he is hard to defend. He is one of the best players that I have played against.

Did you speak to him before or after the game?

I spoke to him a little after the game. He is very down to earth.

What is a strength in the game of SIG Strassburg?

We play team basketball. Coach doesn´t like one on one play. He likes to have the whole team involved always. It has been different to what I have been used to, but its effective. I have had no problem adjusting my game to his style.

How have you experienced the development of 2011 NBA draft picks Justin Harper and Lavoy Allen?

Both guys are very skillful. I think that both could have nice careers in the NBA. Harper can shoot out the lights. He has developed very well becoming more of a physical defender and it has been a big change from the first day. Allen can defend, shoot and is one of the best rebounders that I have ever played against.

Is Kevin Anderson really 1.82cm? How is he different from point guards like Bana Ratkovica and Kyle Bailey?

Anderson is probably 2 inches shorter. He is similar to Bailey in that he is a scoring point guard. Ratkovica was bigger and was more of a passing point guard.

Who is the best opponent that you have played against and the best at your position?

The best player was Tony Parker. At my position the toughest guys I had to play against were John Holland from Roanne and John Cox from Le Havre.

What do you miss from Germany?

I miss playing in the Beko BBL. I miss the people and how easy it was to communicate since most knew English. I also miss the food. Germany really spoiled me.

Strassburg is on the German boarder. You can visit Germany often.

Yes I have been to Germany a few times. I was at the US army base in Heidelberg recently.

Have you been following your ex team Walter Tigers Tuebingen? They are a young team and are slowly finding their rhythm.

I am happy to see that they have picked up their game. I am happy for the team and coach Igor Perovic. I hope that they continue to improve and gain experience.

Your ex team BG Goettingen is struggling. Have you spoken to Kyle Bailey about their misfortune?

I haven´t had much chance to talk to him. I spoke to Louis Dale before the season started. They are dealing with a lot right now. I wish the organization and coach Michael Meeks the best.

Who wins a one on one, you or Ricardo Greer?

He is a bit shorter than me. We don´t really get a chance to play one on one. He is more of a physical banger and I like to go by people. I think we even it out.

Have you spoken to ex teammate Kenny Wiliams?

No I haven´t talked to him since last summer.

What did you miss the most from the NBA during the lockout?

I just missed watching the games. It always gave me something to do.

What was the last DVD movie that you watched?

The Smurfs and Our idiot brother a comedy. It was pretty good.

Thanks Chris for the chat.