Pic credit Dennis Green

Adrian Breitlauch (193-SG-1993) is a 31 year old 193cm guard playing his 7th season with the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven. He played 3 years in the easyCredit BBL with Bremerhaven. He also balled 2 seasons with the Artland Dragons and 4 years with the Itzehoe Eagles. He also had experience with TK Hannover and BSG Bermerhaven. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the big win against Nurnberg.

Thanks Adrian for talking to germanhoops.com. Congrats on the big 92-78 win over Nurnberg. How good did it feel sweeping the season series?

Thank you. It felt really good. It was a big team win and we stuck together. It was a big win because our rest program is very difficult. This was a big step in the direction of the playoffs.

Bremerhaven had the slim 49-44 lead at the break. Jack Pagenkopf made it difficult for Bremerhaven to get away. What made it so difficult to contain him?

He is very versatile and very dangerous from outside. His team did a good job getting him good looks. He is also a very talented individual player. But we knew that if we would find to our team game again in the second half that we would win.

Bremerhaven led 71-59 after 3 quarters. What adjustments did the team make? You finally found to your team basketball.

Yes we did find back to our team basketball, but key was our defense. We heightened our intensity. We too often allow big runs again to the opponent to make the game exciting. We didn´t do that this time.

They made a run at the start of the fourth quarter, but the Eisbaeren closed out the game with a 20-8 run. Did the 6 straight free throws by you and Daniel Norl break their neck? How proud were you of the team character?

We showed super team character. We are young, but know to stick together in tough times. Different guys always step up. It can be anyone on our team.

You led all scorers with 21 points. You almost had a perfect game shooting 7/8. How happy with your efficiency?

I wanted to go 8/8. But I´m not at all disappointed by that. It was a fun game to play. My teammates did a really good job finding me. And as usual when the first few go in, you get that good feeling that more will go in.

The team missed the playoffs last season and this season are a top 5 team. What have you enjoyed most about this season?

I have enjoyed how coach Steve Esterkamp has put in new wind here. It is a relatively new team and we found harmony quickly. For us players, it isn´t only a job, but a commitment. We all push each other and everybody understands each other well.

What I think is so special this season is how well the team plays together. Could one give the team the middle name “Unselfish”?

Yes it could be. Esterkamp has really helped us with that team focus. After games we will watch film and he will ask us how we rate a shot and then asks us if we can find a better shot. He holds us responsible and always wants us to look for the best shot.

The last 3 games are tough with Jena, Giessen and Hagen. You lost to Giessen and Jena. How is Bremerhaven a different team than 4 months ago?

We grew as a team in the last months. We are a young team and have gone through lows, but we have become stronger. We are calmer now. We lost to Giessen and Jena at the end. The playoffs start for us now. We want to show what we are made of.

I saw a game in Koblenz and enjoyed the ball movement and unselfishness? How do you explain the development of that?

It was a big focus for us from the start. It is a big challenge for the guards Miller, Hemschmeier, Norl and Biss to make the right decisions. But they have grown in their challenge to bring team basketball on the court.

This team has no super star. Is team the superstar?

Yes that is exactly right.

How vital has head coach Steven Esterkamp been for the success? He had misfortune with Paderborn last season but this season has proven that he can rebound from adversary. What has been his biggest strength?

His biggest strength is that he has a clear vision and is a good communicator and tells us exactly what he wants. He is very strict is how we should execute

How much fun is it playing with Carlos Carter? Is he the ultimate Swiss army knife?

He can play everywhere and guard anyone. He has been a huge enrichment on the court and off the court he has been a lot of fun.

How talented is Peter Hemschemeier? Does he have easyCredit BBL potential?

In his mindset he has no fear of anything on the court. He has a very creative game and very far for his age. It is hard to believe that he is already in his 5th pro season at age 21. He has BBL potential.

Who wins a 1-1 in practice you or Daniel Norl?

I win, but the rest will say that he will win because he is more creative,

Thanks Adrian for the chat,