Jordan Talbert is a 25 year old 198cm forward from Little Rock, Arkansas that is playing his second professional season with the Giants Nordlingen. He came to Germany as a rookie last season and played with the Giants TSV 1861 Noerdlingen (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 26 games: 21.6ppg, 9.6rpg, 3.2apg, 2.0spg, Blocks-4(1.5bpg), FGP: 51.7%, 3PT: 28.9%, FT: 78.4%. He played his college career at Missouri SO(NCAA2) from 2010-2014 and as a senior played 31 games averaging 11.7ppg, 7.4rpg, 2.9apg, 1.1spg, 1.7bpg, FGP: 44.8%, 3PT: 37.0%, FT: 70.1%. He spoke to German Hoops after the 69-60 loss in game one against Ehingen.

 

 

 

Jordan thanks for talking to German Hoops. A tough loss to Ehingen in game one 69-60. With the short bus trip back home to Nordlingen, what was play or aspect of the game had you most preoccupied?

What occupied my mind the most was what we could do to be better next Saturday and get the win on our home court.

When you look back at the final score and 40 minutes, was this a game where Nordlingen could have done more with the good defensive performance that the club practiced for 40 minutes?

 Yea our defense was good until we let them get out in transition. If we have better execution on the offensive end the less likely they are to get out in transition.

69 points was the least amount of points the team had scored since the loss to Dresden in mid March. What were you most disappointed with on the offensive side of the game of Nordlingen in game one?

Our shots just didn’t fall. I felt like we got a lot of good looks early we just didn’t capitalize on them when we had the opportunity.

The Giants Nordlingen had a solid start scoring 20 points in the first quarter, but then got cold mustering only seven points in the second half. What was key in the second quarter for Ehingen getting back in the game and trailing only 27-26?

We had a lot of missed opportunities. Plays we should have made in transition offense that we didn’t finish. Open shots that fall. It just wasn’t our night on the offensive end.

What did head coach Mario Matic tell the team to do better in the second half?

He just told us to stay focused and confident in ourselves. We knew it was going to be a grind it out game that came down to the final minute.

Nordlingen made a nice run in the fourth quarter and kept battling cutting the score to 61-58. Why couldn´t Nordlingen get over the hump in crunch time?

We had multiple opportunities. There are no excuses to why we didn’t get it done. We didn’t execute the way we normally do in close games and we plan on changing that next Saturday.

Nordlingen held Ehingen point guard Devon Moore to 11 points twice in the regular season, but in game one notched 27 points, six assists, seven rebounds and three steals. He really killed in the paint. Was his aggressiveness at another level?

Yea Moore came out aggressive from the beginning. He wanted to set the tone for his team early and we didn’t match his intensity. We’re confident that we can win game two if we come out and play our game.

You had 14 points and 14 rebounds but shot only 5/20 from the field. After a loss like this do you analyze the shots you took in your mind and go somewhat crazy or do you turn off the post game mind?

Of course it’s frustrating for me to have my worst shooting performance of the season at this point, but it’s just one game. Definitely going to be motivated to come out and make it up to my team in game two.

The Giants Nordlingen now have a do or die game at home. This will be the fourth meeting of the year. Will we see any surprises from Nordlingen or do the team know each other well enough after only three meetings?

 No I don’t think there will be any surprises. I anticipate another hard fought game from two good teams.

Both teams shot pretty bad from outside. Do you see game two becoming more offense or will it be a defensive battle?

I don’t know what kind of game it will be but I do expect it to be intense and the effort to be on another level.

No real surprises in the NBA playoffs, but the Boston Celtics did steal a game at home with Isaiah Thomas netting 42 points in the game. Is there anyway Boston can get by the Atlanta Hawks?

 If Isaiah keeps playing at that level the Celtics definitely have a chance. They have great chemistry and can cause problems for the Hawks.

Prince was big in another generation, but did he have any influence in your music taste when you were growing up?

 No my parents weren’t huge Prince fans in my household. I’m sure his influence was there in some way seeing that he was such a huge icon that transcends many cultures and genres of music.

What was the last movie that you saw?

The Lookout.

Thanks Jordan for the chat.

 

Lamar Mallory is a 198cm forward from Dayton, Ohio playing his first season in Germany with the Licher Basket Baeren (Germany-ProB). Last season he started his professional career with the Albury Wodonga Bandits (Australia-SEABL, starting five): 5 games: 17.8ppg, 10.2rpg, 1.2apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 56.5%, FT: 57.9%. He played at Glenville St. (NCAA2) and as a senior played  25 games: 18.6ppg, 8.2rpg, 1.1apg, 1.2spg, FGP: NCAA2-2(68.1%). He spoke to German Hoops after the big win against the BIS Baskets Speyer keeping Lich in the Pro B.

 

 

Congrats Lamar in helping the Licher Basket Baeren in the Pro B. What kind of feeling do you have helping keep Lich in the Pro B?

It felt really good. I also would like to say “Thank You” Licher Basketbaren for having me this past season, it has been a pleasure playing here and a valuable learning experience for my career as Professional Basketball Player. “Thank you”

How can you explain from a players standpoint what kind of feeling you get keeping a team in the league opposed to winning a title. You didn´t win a title, but can call keeping the team in the league also a success?

Um, Its satisfying but its not as satisfying of course, we would rather had won a title, for sure. But its still a good thing, especially for the organization to build on next season.

How proud are you of the team after the lousy start to the playdowns scoring 48 points in the first game against Wurzburg and losing the second game against Speyer and now winning it´s third in a row?

I am very proud of the team, I am happy everyone wanted to keep fighting and believing in what we are doing and trying to accomplish as far as keeping Licher in the ProB.

Lich averaged 92 points in the first two wins against Speyer, but scored only 77 points in the loss in the third game. How much revenge was on your mind after the last loss to Speyer?

To be honest, I think there was a lot revenge for all of us, and pressure. We knew what we had to do and we are all very happy we were able to get it done.

It was a tight game, but Lich won all four quarters if you count the 30-30 third quarter. Was this a good 40 minute basketball game for the Licher Baskets Baeren?

Licher yes, as a team I think we were focused and we played hard. But for my individual performance I think I could have done some moments better that could’ve changed the rhythm of the game for the better, but we got it done so its all good.

The game was a real battle in the second half, but Lich had the lead for the most part. What do you feel was key for not letting Speyer get over the hump?

Actually I think not letting Speyer take the lead was a big key for us. Because in the last game we were leading by 8 or 9 points at the start of the 3rd quarter, then Speyer took the lead and it changed our rhythm a little. So I think staying ahead and making sure every basket counted, was a big key for us.

How vital were the 21 turnovers that Lich forced Speyer and seven extra possessions to being able to manage the game better?

Very vital, I think the extra possessions gave us more momentum as a team. I think it let us be ourselves and play with the confidence that we usually play with.

Lich got 23 valuable points combined from Germans Marian Schick and Simon Kutzschmar. How soothing is it too know that you can take a breather on the bench and know you can put the game into their hands?

I mean its always a good feeling when you have guys on your team that are like that, who can take over a game at any point in time and can change the rhythm. Schick can definitely change the rhythm, He’s a force, He’s hard to guard and Simon just plays hard, He has the skills and the IQ for the game, and they both really understand the game, which makes them both dominant basketball players. So it feels good.

You had a monster game scoring 28 points and grabbing 19 boards. Was this your best game of the season?

I would say this was one of my better games. The team put a lot of trust and focus on me, which I definitely appreciate. They wanted me to “attack” every time and it felt good to contribute and help bring the victory home.

Did you have an extra motivation going into the game since so much was riding on the line for the team?

A little, the frustration of us taking the losses in the beginning of the play downs, that had a lot to do with my motivation. And I just wanted to win, so bad.

When so many teammates are contributing so well, does it put less pressure on your game to have the need to perform which gets you into a good game flow without having to overthink?

I understand what you are saying, but no. Every moment of every game is pressure for me. I put that pressure on myself that is just the type of player I have been trained to be.

You have stepped it up a notch in the play downs. Has your game reached a new level in the last month?

Thank you!, but I don’t know man. I feel like I have developed more as a player. But as far as reached a new level, I’ll leave that for the fans to decide.

Can the Licher Baskets Baeren top this win against Speyer with something special next weekend in the last game against Wurzburg?

I hope so, because Wurzburg also beat us in the play downs, so it would be nice to take that win back to Lich.

No real surprises in the NBA playoffs, but the Boston Celtics did steal a game at home with Isaiah Thomas netting 42 points in the game. Is there anyway Boston can get by the Atlanta Hawks?

Yes, I think its definitely possible. In general with basketball, anything can happen, its such an unpredictable sport.

Prince was big in another generation, but did he have any influence in your music taste when you were growing up?

R.I.P. Prince. But no, I was too young lol.

What was the last movie that you saw?

The last movie I saw was “The Ant Man”. I thought it was a good movie.

Thanks Lamar for the chat.

 

Elijah Allen is a 26 year old 195cm swing man from Columbus, Ohio that is playing his fourth professional season in Germany and second with Lich. He started his basketball career at NW Missouri St. (NCAA2) in 2007 where he played until 2011 playing a total of 103 NCAA games and as a senior played 26 games: 14.9ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.1apg, FG: 44.8%, 3Pts: 23.1%, FT: 74.8%. He came to Germany in 2012 and played his first two seasons for the VfB 1900 Giessen Pointers (Germany-Regionalliga) and in the 2013-2014 season played 26 games averaging 20.0ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.3apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 58.7%, 3PT: 30.7%, FT: 68.4%. Last season for the Licher Basket Baeren he played 28 games: 10.4ppg, 4.1rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 54.9%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 72.2% He spoke to German Hoops after the 94-86 win against the BIS Baskets Speyer.

 

 

Congrats Elijah in helping the Licher Basket Baeren in the Pro B. What kind of feeling do you have helping keep Lich in the Pro B for a second straight season?

Hello Miles, Thank you for the interview. Keeping Lich in the Pro B is very important for the youth for next season. We have some talented players and in Pro B the players can use the time to get experience and get better while playing at a decent level. I am very proud of our team for the effort we gave last night in our final home game.

What was more difficult for you personally helping keep Lich in the league last season or this season?

The most challenging thing that I faced this year was having to accept that we were playing in play downs and not playoffs. We lost some really close games this season in the final seconds and ultimately that put us in the bottom positions. Being 1 win/shot away from making the playoffs was hard for me to accept.

How can you explain from a players standpoint what kind of feeling you get keeping a team in the league opposed to winning a title. You didn´t win a title, but can call keeping the team in the league also a success?

Keeping the team in the league is definitely a success. The owners and players pay money for us to do our job and the last thing we want is to drop a league and let them down. We know that we didn’t deserve to be in the position that we were in but that’s how the game goes.

How proud are you of the team after the lousy start to the play downs scoring 48 points in the first game against Wurzburg and losing the second game against Speyer and now winning it´s third in a row?

I am very proud of our team the way that we have fought in the play downs. Wurzburg and Speyer are good teams that were also in a bad position. Both teams can win any night but had there ups and downs this season. It’s sad that one of those two teams have to drop. They both have quality players and good coaches.

Lich averaged 92 points in the first two wins against Speyer, but scored only 77 points in the loss in the third game. How much revenge was on your mind after the last loss to Speyer?

There was a lot of revenge on my mind. After they beat us they went on and won two more games against Wurzburg which fueled them with a lot of confidence. They really did a great job fighting the past few games.

It was a tight game, but Lich won all four quarters if you count the 30-30 third quarter. Was this a good 40 minute basketball game for the Licher Baskets Baeren?

We played our pace for about 32min of the game. I am very happy for the effort that we gave.

The game was a real battle in the second half, but Lich had the lead for the most part. What do you feel was key for not letting Speyer get over the hump?

Woodmore and Williamson are two really good players and in my opinion deserve a chance in the Pro A. I think both players need to be pushed at a high level to reach their full potential. Containing both of them is a really hard task so the key was to try and not let the others become factors in the game.

How vital were the 21 turnovers that Lich forced Speyer and seven extra possessions to being able to manage the game better?

The turnovers we forced came from us playing at a high rhythm the whole game. Once we got going on defense it gave us a good rhythm and confidence on offense.

Lich got 23 valuable points combined from Germans Marian Schick and Simon Kutzschmar. How soothing is it too know that you can take a breather on the bench and know you can put the game into their hands?

Marian and Simon have been key factors for us all season. Both are very confident players and give us a good balance on the defensive and offensive end. It has been fun playing with them this year.

You had a solid game scoring 19 points. Was it difficult for you going into the game having had a monster 34 point game against Saarlouis?

I don’t feel it was difficult going into the game after scoring 34 points. Every game will be different and teams always adjust to how a player is playing. I just wanted to do whatever it took to win the game so we could keep our team in the league.

When so many teammates are contributing so well, does it put less pressure on your game to have the need to perform which gets you into a good game flow without having to overthink?

When everyone is contributing it makes the game a whole lot easier. It gives less pressure than when constantly trying to score to keep the team in the game.

Can the Licher Baskets Baeren top this win against Speyer with something special next weekend in the last game against Wurzburg?

Next weekend will be a no pressure situation for both clubs and I would not be surprised if both teams decide to have the younger guys who have deserved minutes get a chance to play a bit.

No real surprises in the NBA playoffs, but the Boston Celtics did steal a game at home with Isaiah Thomas netting 42 points in the game. Is there anyway Boston can get by the Atlanta Hawks?

I actually would like the Celtics to win this series. I always have to root for the Ohio guys (Jared Sullinger).

Prince was big in another generation, but did he have any influence in your music taste when you were growing up?

I was never a big fan of Prince. I respect what he has done for the music industry and the culture but I have never really connected with his songs.

What was the last movie that you saw?

The Jungle Book.

Thanks Elijah for the chat.