Jordan Talbert is a 25 year old 198cm forward from Little Rock, Arkansas that is playing his third professional season and first with the PS Karlsruhe Lions. He came to Germany as a rookie in 2014 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%. Last season with Nordlingen he tore up the Pro B averaging 17.5ppg, Reb-1(11.0rpg), 2.4apg, 1.7spg, Blocks-5(1.5bpg), FGP: 48.5%, 3PT: 27.5%, FT: 73.4%. He spoke to German Hoops after winning the Karlsruhe derby against BG Karlsruhe 79-68.

 

 

 

 

Jordan thanks for talking to German HoopsCongrats on the 79-68 win against BG Karlsruhe in the big derby game. What did it feel like playing in your first Karlsruhe derby game?

The atmosphere was great. There was a huge build up to this game all week long. I’m glad it’s over now and we can really focus on the rest of the season and building chemistry within the team.

How did it compare to your biggest rivalry you had at Missouri Southern State University?

 I think my college rivalry was a little bigger but the energy of the gym is all the same. Always a little more motivation on both sides making it more than just a regular game.

After the unsatisfying 61-56 loss against the Fraport Skyliners Juniors in the season opener, what did the club want to do differently against town rival BG Karlsruhe?

 I don’t think we did anything much different. The Skyliners and BG are 2 different types of teams so we just wanted to come out and play our game. Fortunately we had more success doing that this game than we did against Frankfurt.

PS Karlsruhe came out roaring having the 20-8 lead after one quarter. What was key for keeping a talented offensive team like BG Karlsruhe in check?

We knew who their offensive players were that did most of their scoring and we wanted to key our defensive on them. We had a good week of preparation which paid off early.

How refreshing was it having a guy like Dmitrij Kreis carrying the team in the second quarter and keeping a nice 12 point lead?

It was great. He made some tough shots for us which allowed us to stay in control for most of the game.

BG Karlsruhe got back in the game in the third quarter trailing only 51-49 after 30 minutes. Did PS Karlsruhe lose some focus after the having a big lead throughout the first half?

Basketball is a game of runs. Each team will have certain points in the game where everything is going their way. Good teams know how to maintain composure and weather the storm. I think we did that and found a way to close out the game.

German Deon Mcduffie nailed three three pointers in the first five minutes. Did you know that the kid could shoot so well?

 Yes I did actually. We practice together every day so I’ve seen him shot hundreds of shots and I have complete confidence in him whenever he lets it fly.

What was key in the fourth quarter for preserving the win? It seemed like you played your best team basketball in the last frame.

I think it started on the defensive end. We forced them to take tough shots down the stretch and limited them to one shot with good rebounding. We stayed calm and didn’t get rattled at any point which I think is what won us the game.

You and Orlando Parker combined for only 13 points. How refreshing was it to see Croatian Dino Jakolis and German Eric Curth lead the team in scoring? Is he a guy who you can see doing this again?

It was great to see them step up and do what they do. I think that’s the dangerous thing about this team is that we all have the ability to carry the scoring load. Anyone can have a big game at any point. We just have recognize who night it is that night and let them play.

BG Karlsruhe won the Pro B south last season, but started this season 0-2. They lost many key players, but still have a solid roster. Do you see them coming out of their funk?

I think it’s really too early to make that call. I have yet to see the rest of the teams in the league. But I wouldn’t be surprised to see them get on a roll and win a few in row.

Ricky Easterling had another big game with 29 points. He is Mr Mid distance shot, but why do teams continue to find no solution how to limit him?

He’s no doubt a great scorer. Definitely one of if not the best in the league. He’s so crafty with a high IQ it’s hard for defenders to stay in front of him. We recognize that he’s going to get his points but at the end of the day if we get the win it really doesn’t matter.

He shot five three´s for only the third time in three seasons. Is letting him shoot the three a way to limit him since it isn´t his biggest strength?

True. That’s his least favorite shot to take so that’s the shot we want to force him to shoot.

You played only 16 minutes fouling out scoring three points. What made this game so difficult for you to stay out of foul trouble?

My fouls were questionable, but that’s the way the game goes. No one is perfect and reffing is an extremely tough job. My teammates stepped in my absence and glad that they did.

Kevin Garnett retired from the NBA. Where does his legacy rank in the NBA now that his career has ended?

 Well KG is my all time favorite player so I’m a little biased on the subject. To me he’s the greatest power forward of all time. I know a lot of people would disagree because he spent his best years in Minnesota with very limited talent around him. But he changed the game on both ends of the floor and paved the way for the versatile forwards you see today like Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis.

What was the last movie that you saw?

X Men: Apocalypse.

Thanks Jordan for the chat.