Brandon Lockhart is a 25 year old 185cm guard from St Louis, Missouri that is playing hiss econd professional season and first with German team Giants Nordlingen. AS a rookie he played for BK Levicki Patrioti (Slovakia-Extraliga) playing 34 games: Score-5(16.7ppg), 3.8rpg, Assists-5(4.3apg), Steals-1(3.0spg), FGP: 50.2%, 3PT: 28.5%, FT: 78.9%. He played at Drury (NCAA2) from 2009-2013 and as a senior played 35 games averaging 12.5ppg, 3.9rpg, 6.1apg, 2.9spg, FGP: 50.9%, 3PT: 48.3%, FT: 77.1%. He spoke to German Hoops after the 69-60 loss in game one against Ehingen.

 

Brandon 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 play or aspect of the game had you most preoccupied?

During the trip home, I would say I was focused on what we can do better next game since not much I can do about a game already completed. We had a bunch of careless mistakes that led to them getting easier baskets than us in a really good defensive game.

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?

There were many opportunities for us to capitalize on good defense but we just failed to do so. But we know that and we can go into game 2 knowing that.

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?

 If I had to pick one thing, probably the number of layups we typically make, contested or uncontested, that we missed. But sometimes the ball just doesn’t bounce your way and last night was just one of those games.

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?

They did what we failed to do, capitalize on good defense. They were able to put together a couple of runs during that quarter that allowed them to cut into our lead before halftime.

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

 He just reminded us that it’s going be a fight all the way to the end. Wanted us to limit their easy baskets.

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?

 I don’t think its anything that we could not do, I just feel Ehigen played well enough to protect their lead they built before we made our run. When we had to foul, they showed toughness by stepping up to the line and making their FTs.

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?

 He is a good player that we let him get confident which is never a good thing. We allowed him to dictate everything which made things come easier for him. He is going to score because he is a talented player, but we have to make sure those baskets do not come so easy.

Does the fact that Ehingen really only got major input from Devin Moore and Daniel Berger on offense give the Giants Nordlingen hope that they can get another good defensive performance in game two?

 I think so because we are typically pretty good on defense. We know we have to excel on the defensive end so we can get out and run in transition.

You had 17 points, but shot only 5/16 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?

No, not too worried about it because they were not forced shots, I just have to step up and make them.

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 teams know each other well enough after only three meetings?

When you play a team this many times, not many things you can do to surprise them. It will just be another hard fought game between two really good teams. In the end, it will just come down to who wants it more.

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

 Both teams have players that are capable of putting the ball in the basket. So I think game two will be a little higher scoring.

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 do not think so. Boston is good but I think the Hawks have just a little bit more.

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

I listened to a lot of his popular stuff but I would not say he had much of an influence on my music taste growing up.

What was the last movie that you saw?

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2.

Thanks Brandon for the chat.