Philipp Bode (179-PG-2001) is a 24 year old guard playing his 7th season for the TSV Oberaching Tropics (Pro B). He got early basketball experience playing with TS Jahn Munich (NBBL). He spoke to germanhoops.com after the loss to the Skyliners Juniors.

Thanks Philipp for talking to germanhoops.com. Did you watch the Superbowl or are you not a fan of football?

I did watch it. I was born in USA and got to know it there. We began watching the game in the car. We got home to Munich at 1.30. I then continued to watch at home.

Did some of your teammates watch or watch in groups?

Some guys watched more than others.

You turned 24 on Sunday. What does a guy like you still wish for for their birthday?

That is a tough question. I just generally wish to have a great life with the situation I´m in. That is most worthwhile for me.

How tough is it having a birthday on an away game? Did your teammates do anything for you?

Of course they sang happy birthday to me. I actually don´t mind having a game on my birthday. It would have been nicer having a home game instead of driving 10 hours and losing on the road. But no matter what it is simply the best sharing my birthday with my friends (teammates).

You suffered a tough 75-63 loss in Frankfurt. Do you sometimes wonder how many more wins you would have if all were fit?

Not really, but we had small injuries in the last weeks that effected our rotation. It hurts our overall rhythm and we have to keep making adjustments.

The first quarter was won 19-17 by the guests. How vital was the defensive presence of you and Mateo Jukic there?

My main duty is playing defense. That is what people expect from me. It is important for me and the team that we bring energy, because there are some older guys that are slower.

Do you sometimes try to get going in a game first with your defense to get your offense going?

It is different from game to game. Every team in the Pro B have 1-2 great players. It is my job to slow them down. Being able to do that helps us find a rhythm.

In the second quarter the Skyliners Juniors did a better job on the pick and roll after not getting the side pick and roll going in the first quarter. How tough was it keeping Malik Kordel under wraps?

Kordel is a huge presence on the court and changes the game so much. He makes the pick and roll 10 times harder to defend. He is also a great rim protector.

In the third quarter the Skyliners Juniors were able to lead by 12 points after 30 minutes. What adjustments did the they make? Their help defense was strong.

Their set defense was prepared for us and they were very present on the court. Their defense got better mid way through the second quarter already.

In the fourth quarter the Tropics punched back with a 9-2 run to trail 56-52. What was key for the guests coming back?

Our defense was good. We got consecutive stops which helped us get easy baskets. Unfortunately easy baskets didn´t happen often in the game.

The Skyliners Juniors came back with a run to get their lead back to double figurers. Were the Tropics feeling it in the legs?

Yes, but we are used to it. We know how to play with fatigue. We had bad execution in that phase and missed open shots.

Malik Kordel made a massive poster dunk on Maxwell Dongmo Temoka. Maxwell seemed to take it with humor?

Now Maxwell is seen everywhere being on that poster. But he is a player that tries to contest every shot. If he is on a poster on every fifth shot, then he is contesting the other 4 very well. He gets there. His quota is very good. He just keeps jumping.

When you look back at the 40 minutes of the game, what cost you the game most?

Bad execution and not playing enough execution. We wanted to play more transition.

You had a 4/3/3 game in 33 minutes. You were a little unlucky with your 2 point shooting.

My job isn´t to take many shots. I should of made 2 of my 5 misses. It just wasn´t my day. It was one of my worst games of the season.

You next play the tough Leitershofen who you lost by 27 points in the first game, but this time your at home. What will be key to getting the win?

They are a tough team. We have a difficult program in the next weeks. But in this league everyone can beat everyone. We showed that we could beat the RheinStars. We go into each game giving 100%

Thanks Philipp for the chat.