Dashaun Wood is a 26 year old 185cm point guard from Detroit, Michigan that is playing his second season in Germany and first 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 75-67 win in game one of the playoffs.

Congrats on the 75-67 win against the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg in game one. How difficult was it waiting eight days to play the first playoff game?

The wait was long and hard, but it gave us time as a team to be together. He went to the hotel of your president and did some team activities and tam building. This gave us a chance to practice hard and hang out together. It also gave us time to get rested up and heal some minor injuries. We prepared well for Wurzburg and it showed as we only had 10 turnovers which is very good when you play against a team like them.

It is no secret that Wurzburg play very hard. Did you learn something new in the trash talking language?

No I didn´t learn anything new.lol. This was the third time that we played them and they play physical each game and always play with a lot of intensity and have trash talking. That is how they play and it won´t change in this series. We have to make sure that we can match their energy in every game, because no team plays with as much energy as they do.

Alba Berlin had the comfortable 44-31 lead at halftime. What was key in the first half for having the lead?

The key was simply that we made shots, played good defense and had little turnovers.

The s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg kept Alba Berlin to six points in the third quarter. What adjustments did they make to keep you at bay?

I didn´t see them make too many adjustments. We just missed many shots that we usually would have made. Marko Simonovic missed some wide open jumpers and we missed easy lay ups. But what was key was that we continued to play good defense. Even though our offense was working, we continued play good defense holding them to 16 points.

What was key in the fourth quarter for buckling down and getting the win at home?

It just came down to us not wanting to loose this game. In the playoffs it is so important to win that game one and have the opponent against the wall. I think that we just wanted to win it more and we just left it out on the court.

Does it help in general seeing a team like Wurzburg an added time in how you gear up for them?

I think that it is very important that we have them in the first round. Wurzburg sets a tempo and intensity level that no other team has in the league. If we can get by Wurzburg, then we already know what it takes to advance, because they never give up and fight until the end. This will help us a lot in the next rounds. Their physical play will help us get stronger for the next teams.

Many have said that Wurzburg plays dirty, but Jason Boone says that they just play very physical. How is your take on all of this?

I come from a city Detroit where the nick name is the bad boys and Wurzburg just plays hard and physical. I don´t think that they play dirty, but just give the maximum effort to win each game. When you play a team like that, you always have to be ready for them. It is like a boxing match when your fighting 12 rounds. If your not ready for the whole 12 rounds then they will get you.

How surprising was it for you to see Kyle Weaver and Torin Francis with more assists?

People still get caught up with my situation last year in Frankfurt where I had to do so much. This season it is different. We have so many different guys that can be top scorer, rebounder or assist guy. Weaver didn´t score much, but he did a lot on defense and got assists. When you have a team like Alba Berlin that has so many weapons, it always depends what weapon you will use.

Alba Berlin lost in Wurzburg this season. What will Alba Berlin need to do to steal a game and go home with the 2-0 lead?

In game two, our mental and physical focus will need to be at an all time high. They are very strong at home and have unbelievable fans. They won´t give up easy. We will have to play one of our best games of the season.

Mauricio Parra said after the win 8 more to go. Does the title aspirations grow each day for Alba Berlin?

It grows each day. You have to win nine games and now we are a step closer. Many players came to Alba Berlin to win a title and I think I may want to win the most.

Can the Artland Dragons come back and win the series against FC Bayern Munich?

Artland is a very good team and can beat any team on any given night, but then again Bayern Munich is unbeatable at home. It will be very hard for Artland to steal a game there. Artland does have the talent to do it and in the playoffs anything can happen.

Can the Telekom Baskets Bonn make another surprise against the Brose Baskets Bamberg?

Come on, you know me better than that. Bamberg is the champion. It doesn´t matter if they are down 1-0 or 2-1. Its playoffs and they are still the champions.

What is your prediction of Ulm-Braunschweig?

It is just one game. Next weekend it could be 1-1. I think this a series that will go 4-5 games.

Were you surprised that the Dallas Mavericks were swept by the Oklahoma Thunder?

I was very surprised. The Mavericks played very well in Oklahoma City that I thought they would come home and win. That just showed again how unpredictable the playoffs can be.

Thanks Dashaun for the chat.