Martin Ides is a 33 year old 217cm head coach and has the German and Czech Republic citizenship that is coaching NBC. He played at Davidson(NCAA) from 1998-2002. He then started his professional basketball career for BK GA Nymburk. He then got valuable experience playing in countries like France, Sweden, Spain, Poland and Greece before coming to Germany in 2008 where he played for the Mitteldeutscher BC (Germany-ProA, starting five): 29 games: 8.1ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 46.7%, FT: 79.2%. He finished his basketball career for NBC playing there from 2009-2012 playing a total of 81 games. NBC is leading the playoff  series against the Duesseldorf Baskets 2-1 and he spoke with German Hoops before game four in Nurnberg.

Congrats on the 76-70 win in game 3 against the Duesseldorf Baskets. It has been an extremly hard fought series. How fortunate can you say is the team leading 2-1 in games?

YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, MILES. VERY TOUGH AND PHYSICAL SERIES. BUT THAT IS THE WAY PLAYOFFS SHOULD BE. WE CAME INTO THE SERIES AS AN UNDERDOG AND WE RESPECT DUSSELDORFS ROSTER QUALITY. ON THE OTHER HAND WE DIDN’T REACH THE PLAYOFFS TO BE HAPPY WITH ONE WIN. WE WANT TO WIN THIS SERIES AND IN ORDER TO DO THAT WE HAD TO WIN A GAME AWAY FROM NURNBERG.

How difficult was the bus ride after the game one loss? You seemed in good spirits after the loss. It seems that the better rebounding in this series has been key for NBC?

WE LOST, BUT I FEEL LIKE LATELY WE HAVE BEEN A TEAM THAT LEARNS FROM ITS MISTAKES. WE CAME BACK FROM BEING DOWN 21 POINTS IN THE 1ST HALF. THE TEAM SHOWED ITS WILL AND DESIRE TO FIGHT AND LAY EVERYTHING ON THE LINE. I THINK IT SHOWED US A WAY FOR THE UPCOMING GAMES. THE REBOUNDING IS HUGE FOR US, BECAUSE DUSSELDORF STRENGTH UNDER THE BASKET IS ABSOLUTELY THE BEST IN THE PRO A. BUT WE ARE PLAYING WITH AMAZING AMOUNT OF HEART AND WE ARE NOT AFRAID TO LAY OUR BODY ON THE LINE AND GET HIT.

NBC was traling 53-50 after three quarters, but poured in 26 points in the fourth quarter. What was key for getting the win in game three?

WE WENT BACK TO OUR GAME PLAN THAT WORKED IN THE FIRST QUARTER, PLAYED TOGETHER, MOVED THE BALL AND IMPROVED OUR SHOT SELECTION.

Zamal Nixon has been contained pretty well in this series. How important has been the emergence of Nikita Khartchenkov in the last two games?

The fact that Zamal is not scoring his usual amount of points does not mean he is contained. He does a great job of using his physical ability to get other guys on our team shots when the defense concentrates on him. Nikita’s outside shooting has been a huge part of our game plan. He does not miss when he is open.

Mr triple double Ahmad Smith had big man stats in game three with 21 points and 10 rebounds. How important has been his help under the boards. The game might have turned out differently without his services in game three?

OUR BIG GUYS ARE DOING A GREAT JOB CONTAINING DUSSELDORFS INSIDE PRESENCE, BUT WE TALKED ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO REBOUND WITH 5 PLAYERS ON THE DEFENSIVE GLASS. AHMAD IS THE BEST REBOUNDING GUARD IN THE LEAGUE AND WE MUST  HAVE HIS AND OTHER GUARDS REBOUNDING TO BE SUCCESSFULL IN THIS SERIES.

NBC can wrap up the series in game four Friday at home. Both teams know each other in and out now. What is key in a game like this where it is do or die for Duesseldorf. Is heart and effort the biggest keys?

WE HAVE SHOWED WE HAVE A HUGE HEART, WE PLAY WITH EFFORT AND IF WE PLAY DISCIPLINED I LIKE OUR CHANCES.

How much fun has it been battling head coach Murat Didin? You as a rookie coach have seen all kinds of coaches in the PRO A. Do you sometimes gather tricks form more experienced coaches?

OF COURSE. EVERY GAME IS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR ME. I DON’T THINK I CAN BECOME A GOOD COACH WITHOUT IT.

You are from Ostrava. Did you ever get any tips from Kamil Novak on the court when he visited home back in the day?

I WAS FORTUNATE TO PLAY TOGETHER WITH KAMIL FOR THE CZECH NATIONAL TEAM AT THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP IN FRANCE IN 1999. I WAS A ROOKIE AND TRIED TO LEARN ALL POSSIBLE FROM HIM AND REST OF THE TEAM. IT WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE PLAYING AGAINST GUYS LIKE SABONIS, KUKOC, NOWITZKI.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

TO BE HONEST I DON’T EVEN REMEMBER THE LAST DVD I SAW. NOT MUCH TIME THESE DAYS.

Thanks Martin for the chat.