Joe Asberry (196-F-1965, college: SF State) is an American ex professional basketball player that really has seen it all from crime to drugs, but also played against legends like David Robinson (215-C-65, college: Navy), Gary Payton, Jason Kidd and Brian Shaw and was teammates with German legendary player Christian Welp. He had a 11 year professional career that saw him toil around in the minor leagues of Germany, but he belonged to the best in his day at that level. Since retiring from the game, he has been a spokesperson for young kids and drug prevention, guest speaker, worked in the Alba Berlin organization, been a master of ceremonies for UBC Hannover and been a mentor for young Americans coming overseas trying to live the dream of being a professional basketball player. He worked last season with the Artland Dragons organization. He spoke to germanhoops.com about the 2025 NBA finals.

Thanks Joe for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you?

What’s up Miles? Always good to catch up with you. I’m in Berlin, Germany and loving this heatwave, while other’s MELT! LOL!

Let’s talk NBA. OKC are NBA champions. They dominated the whole season. What made them the best team for you?

OKC has a bunch of Dawgs ,who love to play together and thats the key to their success.

How did you rate OKC going into the 2024-2025 NBA season. Were they a team you saw making a run in playoffs?

Coming into the 24/25 Season, I knew OKC would be good, but I didn’t think they would win the title. I thought the Nuggets or Twimberwolves would win the chip

What is your summary of the finals? Did OKC win it fair and square?

OKC was the better team.Fair play to them

Tyrese Haliburton had 9 points in the first 8 minutes, but then left with injury. The Pacers kept pace for a long time. Would the Pacers have won the final with him?

Halifburton is a Elite Stud,but, it was SGA’s time. He was going to go out there and get a 50 ball,or do EVERYTHING to help his team win

Where do you rank Tyrese Haliburton now as a point guard in NBA? Is he top 5 now?

I don’t like to Rank NBA players, because I view all of them as the best basketball players in the World, but with that said, you have to put Haliburton in the conversation of top 5 PG! His clutch 3’s were unreal. To point at Reggie Miller and do the “choke sign” on that stage with the WORLD Watching means that dude is different
What was key in game 7 for OKC winning. If you look at the stats, the To’s seemed to be the big key.

Turnovers will happen in every basketball game. It boils down to who wants to win more, so again OKC has some Dogs with chips on their shoulders and that was the difference.

What was the difference between OKC’s defense and other teams? How key was having a coach like Mark Daigneault for keeping the defensive principles intact all season long?

Mark Daigneualt is a great coach. He hung his hat on them getting stops. We all know defense wins championships, but none of the principles mean anything if you don’t have the players that can play defense. Jalen Williams is a Monster. Luguentz Dort is a Monster. When you have elite studs like those two and Big Hartenstein playing in that pain ,like a Grown ass Man, you can’t go wrong on Defense.

If you had to choose an unsung hero for OKC in the final series and season who would it be?

The unsung hero for me is Big Chet Holmgren. He can average a 20 ball on any team in the NBA! He is damn good and on his way to be great. He didn’t let his injuries or ego get in the way

Which Indiana Pacer player made the biggest jump this season? So many of their players have showed consistency the last years.

Anybody that knows me,knows one thing about me, I don’t like Dunkers,i l Ive them. So Obi Toppin made the biggest Jump and I see him getting better and better! LOL

SGA made the next step. Is he the top point guard in the NBA and top 3 best players in world?

SGA is a NBA World Champion,and the best player in the world TODAY! Now if i let my feelings get involved, I’ll slap myself for not saying Kevin Durant, Lebron James, Steph Curry,Anthony Edwards, The Joker,and Luca Doncic, are the best basketball players in the world. I hope the homey Bryan Battle doesn’t read this he will punch me for not putting his boy Kyrie Irving,in the Mix! LOL!
What is the next step for SGA? Can he elevate his game now to another level or has he reached his prime?

Sky is the limit for SGA! He has that Canadian Chip on his shoulder, showing us Americans,”we’re here buddy”

How cool is it for Germany having that second NBA winner ever after Dirk Nowitzki with Isaiah Hartenstein (213-C/F-1998). Especially since you coach with the Artland Dragons organization where he began his career?

Congratulations to Big Isiah. I love the G-League,so when he was killing in that, I knew it was only a matter of time, big strong, and Dunking on people, I LOVE HIS GAME! Now my job is much harder, I can’t find the next Big Hartenstein in Quackenbruck, real talk though,that area is loaded with talent. There is a big Shot Blocking Diva on my Radar and a 1 on 1 Wizard Diva too, but I won’t put pressure on my 2 “WNBA Allstars” They have enough pressure right now. When they read this, they will know who I’m talking about! Especially if I scream”Stop BSING;AND COOK” LOL!

Have you had any dealings with big Flo Hartenstein, the dad of Isaiah? Can you even imagine what is going through his head the day after?

Congratulations to Big Flo. He gave my guy Pierre Bland a chance ,when nobody else would. I heard his name of course, but we met in Quackenbruck through the Agent I work with (My guy Mike Baron) I’m happy for big Flo. He’s a good dude. I’m sure he’s also laughing at Haters who thought he was crazy when his son went to go hoop in another country. Yes,I’M PETTY !LOL!

Hartenstein became a NBA player with OKC after having to pay his dues for many years. Still I feel like he isn’t respected as a no offensive scorer yet. OK so OKC has many great offensive players, but can Hartenstein ever get more of a scoring role? He just doesn’t get enough shots.

Big Hartenstein is in a perfect position. He proved he can score in the G-League. You feed him, and he will score more. His jump hook is cash. He doesn’t have to score. OKC is loaded with Scorers.

How did you see development of Jalen Williams. Is he on track of becoming an NBA superstar?

Jalen Williams is elite. He will get better and better

How key was the big man duo of Holgrem/Hartenstein. Would OKC have won only with 1 player?

The modern twin towers Holmgren and Hartenstein is incredible. Hartenstein is as strong as an Ox, and truth be told, Holmgren probably has a 8 foot wingspan, its SCARY!

What is possible now with OKC. I picked a dynasty with Boston last season and was wrong. Can it happen with OKC?

OKC’s Dynasty ends now. The Golden State Warriors will sign Giannis, Dame, James Harden, and I’m going to Kidnap Ace Bailey to join the squad, “I believe in 26″Warriors will beat your Celtics in 7! Thanks for having me Miles,I appreciate you!

Thanks Joe For The chat