pic credit: TSV Oberaching Tropics(Leon Eilerson)

Omari Knox (185-SG-1986, college: Bloomfield) is a 37 year old 190cm guard from Brooklyn, New York who is playing his 13th professional season and last one before he hangs it up with the TSV Oberaching Tropics. He began his basketball career with Bloomfield College (NCAA2) and came overseas in 2009 and played 4 seasons with Regionalliga team TSV Dachau Spurs. He also played a season with the RheinStars Cologne as well as 2 seasons with OSB Hellenen Muenchen (Germany-Regionalliga) and a season in Hanau (Pro B). He is closing out his 5th season with the TSV Oberaching Tropics and has 2 games left in the regular season. He and his team are fighting for home court advantage in the playoffs and spoke to germanhoops.com after a nail bitter 67-66 loss in Frankfurt

The TSV Oberaching Tropics lost a tough 67-66 contest to the Fraport Skyliners Juniors. I can imagine this was your toughest loss to Frankfurt in your career?

Yes by far. We have lost some blow outs to them, but it is always better to lose a blow out than a game by 1 point.

It was the tale of 2 halves- Was this game the best example that a game has 40 minutes?

Yes it was. We have been doing that all season long. We just aren´t able to put it together for 40 minutes

TSV Oberaching Tropics had the sound 24-17 lead after 10 minutes. How happy were you with how your team followed the offensive game plan?

I was very happy. I feel like we were running the plays well and shots were falling.

You got going quickly and had 19 points at the break. Were you extra motivated for your last game in Frankfurt?

I was very focused. It was a big game for the playoff positions. That’s what was mostly on my mind. It is always fun to play against Frankfurt.

Oberaching only had 8 players. How tough is it in general to manage minutes correctly against a top team like Frankfurt?

Coach Mario does a good job managing the minutes for everyone. It is tough not having Jorg Dippold in the lineup who has been out for several weeks.

Matthew Temoka was huge with 9/5 stats after 20 minutes. Is he a guy that you have mentored this season?

I have been trying to help his game. He came from the Bayern school so he definitely has the fundamentals. I am trying for him to become more of an individual player than just a role player. I´m trying to help him come out of his shell.

What was your impression of young player Ivan the universal genius Crnjac? The 16 year old game strong minutes and helped at both ends.

I remember him from last seasons JBBL final in Frankfurt. I´m happy to see him having a role in the Pro B. He will be very good in the future.

Oberaching had the big advantage at the free throw line. Do you feel like Frankfurt wasn´t as aggressive as they could have been?

Yes I think so. We tried to protect the paint and just be solid and not gamble as much. We did a good job not getting in foul trouble, but also had some luck that Frankfurt settled a bit too much taking more shots from outside. They also missed some shots they regularly would make.

Oberaching forced Frankfurt to 9 turnovers. What was the team´s biggest strength on the defensive end?

We knew that they play physical and would try to pressure us so we tried to match them and we caught them off guard. We did a good job taking away their early entry play, but they killed us on the offensive glass.

In the third quarter the Fraport Skyliners Juniors came back and game was deadlocked at 54-54. What adjustments did Frankfurt make on the defensive end?

We made a lot of bad decisions, but they controlled paint area and switched screens and forced us to shoot from outside. We also were in the bonus and didn´t attack. We had too many turnovers as well.

In the fourth quarter the Fraport Skyliners Juniors continued to play incredible defense. Why couldn´t Oberaching make the proper adjustments?

We continued to make many bad decisions and had bad shot selection. We also missed some free throws. They are a tough team on defense when they play this line up. There are many long and athletic guys.

In the last minute Nolan Adekunle made the go ahead basket and Nils Leonhardt the insurance basket. Were you guys a bit tired at the end?

I think that we were a bit tired. But mentally we also were down a bit. When you don´t see the ball go in for a while then it takes a toll on you. We lost focus. Adekunle made a huge offensive rebound and Leonhardt made a big three. That was a huge confidence booster for them

You nailed a big three with 5 seconds to go. Did too many turnovers in the fourth quarter cost you the game?

I think so. Turnovers and bad shot selection cost us the game at end. Our offense was a major problem. We did a great job defensively holding them under 70 points. We usually score more.

Oberaching still had a last possession at the end to win, but Fynn Fischer missed the shot. How did you see the last play with little time?

They packed the zone and defended well. I mean we got a good look. Fischer was about 3 meters away, but didn´t have a real angle at the back board.

You finished with 28 points and 10 rebounds. The rims in Frankfurt always suited your game didn´t they?

In warm ups we were laughing about the rims. They are so soft and all rattle in somehow.

It will be a real battle in the next weeks for the home court advantage in the playoffs between Coburg, Frankfurt and you. Who will get the ticket?

I hope we do. The other 2 teams have the tie break advantage over us, but the rest of our games are at home.

Thanks Omari for the chat.