Luck and success sometimes come and go like the scoring ability of a Thomas Mueller  that has been successful at the World Cup the last two years or the misfortune for a Wayne Rooney in 2010 and 2014 and that happens just the same in the game of basketball where teams go on winning and losing streaks. It isn´t known if every member of the Miami Heat Summer League team sat through the incredible World Cup win of Germany last Sunday, but if they did, the players were unable to transport some of the German winning vibe on to the court for themselves as the club hasn´t been able to get a victory in two tries since Germany won their fourth World Cup game. Miami lost to the Clippers on Monday and a nail bitter against the Washington Wizards on Tuesday. Barthel had the chance to get some revenge against his teammate from the Fraport Skyliners Aziz Ndiaje who plays for the Los Angeles Clippers. However the Senegal big man didn´t get inserted again this time after getting a DNP on Monday. He did play the night after in a 83-60 losing cause against the Houston Rockets. In that game N Diaye played 8,53 minutes scoring two points, hauling down three rebounds, blocking one shot and getting a turnover. His problem continues to be fouls where he had four and his inaccuracy at the free throw line(2/4). With the 2014 NBA Summer League slowly coming to an end , it was the perfect chance for the players on both squads to get in some more good plays and woo the coaches and men in high places. However NDiaye sat on the bench again and had to wonder if he would ever face Barthel again in  a game or a practice down the road.

Tournament time had arrived in the NBA Summer League at Las Vegas with a do or die game between the two teams. Earlier in the day it has been reported by media outlets that James Ennis had been signed to a contract by Miami. Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra was in the stands looking relaxed checking out the action and possibly looking to add some more talent to his NBA roster as was Sam Cassell. The Miami Heat were without 2014 number one draft pick Shabazz Napier who was allowed to have the day off as he was off at the ESPY awards, but the club did get a top team contributer back with Justin Hamilton who had been out a few days. Danilo Barthel didn´t start the game, but witnessed from the bench as Hamilton got off to  a quick start as did Tyler Johnson who was inserted into the starting lineup as the mini human highlight film is usually good for one or two memorable actions that are packed into a ESPN moment just as Rajon Rondo does with one or two major fancy passes per game. Barthel came into the game at the 4.00 minute mark of the first quarter and got going right away scoring on a shuffle move and soon after hitting a catch and pop shot as it seems like his rainbow shot is getting brighter and brighter as the tournament progresses. On defense, he didn´t always have an easy time against Keith Benson. Clipper Cameroun Clark hit a buzzer beater at the end of the first quarter as they had the 21-20 advantage. In the second quarter, Barthel was in from the start, but played only until the 8.34 minute mark. Barthel wasn´t a factor on offense, but played solid defense. Miami went on a 10-0 run early, but the Clippers came back with big shots from Suggs and Nunnally. At the break the game was dead locked at 41-41.

In the third quarter, Barthel was on the bench as he watched the pace of the game improve and get quicker. There had been 10 lead changes in the game and five ties, but overall in the third quarter, the Miami Heat were able to heighten their offense a bit more as it was even more fluid. Miami really did a great job getting everyone involved and Shabazz Napier fill in Larry Drew was doing a superb job running the point and was clicking nicely with Justin Hamilton who he played with before in the D-League. In the last minute of the third quarter, the Los Angeles Clippers got some key buckets from Benson and Clark and trailed Miami only 69-65. In the fourth quarter, Danilo Barthel kept his red Miami Heat practice top on and at that point it seemed like his day was over on the court and he could sit back and await the Tyler Johnson  “What highlight play do you want next” to finally commence. The Miami Heat continued to get unselfish play from Frank Gaines who chipped in with big baskets off the bench and the Miami Heat kept the lead and would never relinquish it. Towards the end of the game, it wasn´t one massive high light play that had fans with major topic material to converse about on the ride home, but three massive plays that keeps one wondering if it is early enough for the rookie to get a NBA training camp invite. The first highlight was when Drew found Johnson cutting to the hoop and finding him for the dunk as he floated to the hoop without problem. The second play, he wasn´t far from center court and he somehow riffled a bullet pass to Suggs for the easy hoop and the third play he found Hamilton back door for the easy connection. In the end, the Miami Heat advanced with a 96-87 win and next play Washington on Thursday. Miami was led by Justin Hamilton with 18 points. Tyler Honeycutt had a huge game with 11 points and 15 boards and Larry Drew had 10 points and 10 rebounds. The Clippers were led by Keith Benson with 18 points and Deandre Liggins with 14 points. The final stat line for Danilo Barthel was five points, one rebound, one block and one turnover on 2/3 shooting in 5.26 minutes.

 

 

It is always very interesting and intriguing to witness how the future new young professional athletes come on to the scene and commence to battle each other for glory and success like now in the NBA with top point guards ShabazzNapier and Marcus Smart or in professional tennis on the side of the ladies with Eugenie Bouchard (Canada) and  Sloane Stephens (USA), on the mens side with Gregor Dimitrov (Bulgaria) and Nick Kyrgios (Australia  and in men’s football Adnan Januzaj (Manchester United and Belgium), and Alen Halilovic (Barcelona and Croatia). However another really fascinating duel that should develop in the next years especially in the German national basketball team is Fraport Skyliner Danilo Barthel and new Bamberg player Daniel Theis. Both players have been more and more in the focus the last months and in many ways Theis had received more adulation concerning his talent and where he is at the moment in comparison to Barthel, but stats don´t lie as last season in the Beko BBL Barthel averaged  in 27 minutes 11.3ppg, 4.9rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 57.4%, 3PT: 31.1%, FT: 78.4% while Theis averaged in 20 minutes 7.3ppg, 4.7rpg, FGP: 52.6%, 3PT: 38.1%, FT: 69.0%. One has to add that Theis has received more experience the last two seasons playing playoffs and Eurocup, while Barthel did not. Both guys will play a role in the future of the German national team and one can be excited about seeing many more duels. A few months ago, none of them would have expected a rare meeting in Las Vegas on the court, but that is what happened in the NBA Summer League as Barthel and the Miami Heat met Theis and the Washington Wizards. So far Theis hasn´t played as of a major role with Washington as Barthel has been with Miami as he has solidly been getting minutes and in Orlando played  4 games averaging 4.8ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.0apg, 0.5spg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 31.6%, 3PT: 9.1%, FT: 75%. If someone asks them in 10 years about what meeting they will remember most head to head then it is likely both will name the 3OT win by the Fraport Skyliners rather than this NBA Summer League meeting in Las Vegas.

When looking at the Washington Wizards roster, Barthel as always has the chance to look forward playing against some players with NBA ties like Kim English who played with the Detroit Pistons and last season in France for Chorale, 255 pound beast Daniel Orton who played for the Orlando Magic and with ex ratiopharm Ulm guard Edgar Sosa at Kentucky(NCAA), Otto Porter and Glen Rice Jr of the Wizards or Maalik Wayns of the Los Angeles Clippers. He also had the batch of lesser known players coming out of the NCAA or playing outside the NBA like Khem Birch, Ian Chiles or Charles Gracia that last played for Al Muharraq (Bahrain-Premier League). Another interesting face to observe was new Mitteldeutscher BC guard Frantz Massenat who is a rookie coming out of Drexel(NCAA), but he sat on the bench and didn´t get inserted.

The Miami Heat entered the game with a 1-1 record in Las Vegas while the Washington Wizards waltzed into the game with a 2-0 record. A disastrous first quarter broke the back early for the Miami Heat and despite winning the last three quarters, they suffered a tight and bitter 85-83 loss. Fraport Skyliner Danilo Barthel started very slowly and didn´t get going until the fourth quarter were he was  a big help in the Miami come back while Daniel Theis started off roaring, but finished with a discreet yelp. The Washington Wizards got going quickly in the first quarter and before the Miami Heat had fully realized what had happened, they were behind 28-6. Timely shooting from Glen Rice Jr and Otto Porter helped lead the Washington charge. Barthel started the game again and played the first 10 minutes, but had no real flashes in the game except for  a big block early. He coughed up the ball twice and had had two fouls while missing a shot. Barthel was the only player on both teams that played the full 10 minutes. In the second quarter, Washington inserted Daniel Theis who was aggressive off the get go and got to the free throw line and grabbing some rebounds while also being hit with two fouls. Theis would make four more free throws to go into half time with 6/6 from the free throw line with one turnover and Washington led 51-38 as the Heat had massive problems rebounding. The only bright spot for Miami were the 11 turnovers for Washington.

In the third frame, the Miami Heat continued to claw their way back into the game as Washington couldn´t find that spice that had carried them so smoothly through the first quarter. Barthel was back in the game, but quickly got his third foul and made his first two points form the free throw line. Theis came in and played five minutes, but wasn´t effective as he got a foul and still hadn´t attempted a field goal. Washington still had the 68-60 advantage, but had an unacceptable 23 turnovers. In the fourth quarter, both Germans were in the game from the start and Barthel got going rapidly as he finally stopped his three point drought in Las Vegas hitting a three pointer and soon after made a field goal as Miami were threatening and gnawing at the Wizards lead. Theis attempted his first field goal after 12 minutes in the game, but missed. Barthel also dished out two assists including feeding Honeycutt for the dunk. However Miami couldn´t withstand a big bucket from Otto Porter and free throws that helped seal the Washington win. Usually when you make 28 turnovers, you lose, but Miami still couldn´t make up for 15 extra possessions the yhad due to 13 turnovers. Wizard Glen Rice Jr led all scorers with 24 points while Otto porter produced 19 points. James Nunnally led Miami with 19 points and Tyler Johnson had another effective game with 17 points. Shabazz Napier continues to struggle scoring eight points and handing out four assists, but shooting 2/16. The final stat line of the German boys was Danilo Barthel scoring 7 points on 2/5 shooting, getting three rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block in 28 minutes while Theis scored six points, had seven rebounds and three turnovers in 16 minutes.

 

 

 

Living in Germany, one could have observed the 2014 World Cup final between Germany and Argentina in so many places like the famous fan mile in Berlin, the Commerz Bank arena in Frankfurt arena on the big screen where one is on the pitch where usually soccer players give their all, in any bar or of course in the privacy of your own home where one could have had a loudness contest with the neighbor above as too who was more boisterous in their cheering. However if someone has asked Fraport Skyliner Danilo Barthel two months ago where he would be watching the final, he probably wouldn´t have known completely where he would be with the German national team, but he most likely would never have expected it being Las Vegas, Nevada. On a rare day off during the NBA Summer Legaue in Las Vegas, Barthel got a feeling how Americans cheer for the worlds most famous sport soccer at the Hard Rock café. With the support of some German tourists, Barthel must of felt right at home watching Germany pull out a nail bitter 1-0 winning their fourth World Cup. It almost must have been a nice change for the Heidelberg native witnessing a very hard fought match where the home team won in crunch time, something he so often had misfortune doing last season with the Fraport Skyliners.

After posting a win with the Miami Heat in their debut in Las Vegas against the Houston Rockets on Saturday, Barthel was back at work again Tuesday battling against the Los Angeles Clippers. An exciting occurrence from game to game is competiting against so many talented players and at times also known faces. Barthel had the pleasure seeing  teammate Aziz NDiaye, the big man from Senegal who was a rookie out of Washington(NCAA) last season for the Fraport Skyliners. It was learning by doing for N Diaye last season as he had some big games like against Phoenix Hagen and often came from the bench and gave  a big presence in the zone on the defensive end. As big men, both guys had their moments during the season, but one could of described Barthel as the heavy dunker and Ndiaye as the soft dunker. It was just a shame as that Ndiaye didn´t play. The Los Angeles Clippers also boasted other very talented players on their rosters like NBA journey man Delonte West, or guys like Deandre Liggins and Keith Benson. There was also Jon Brockman who has played in the NBA and last season in France for Chalon and Wil Clyburn who Barthel will remember from the thrilling three OT win in Ulm and from the NBA Allstar game where he was in the dunk contest.

Danilo Barthel was in the starting lineup again and would play the most minutes so far in the NBA Summer League and he played in front of the watchful eyes of new Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and ex Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers. The first good play by Barthel was finding the open man Roberts who came hovering in from the wing for the massive slam dunk. Barthel didn´t have it easy playing defense against the very athletic Amath M Baye who put some spin moves on the German, but the Heidelberg Native stayed on his toes and played good hard nosed defense on him not allowing him to score on one play. Barthel also drew a foul in the first quarter where he made  a nice pump fake getting to the line. The game was low scoring in the first quarter as the Miami Heat led 19-18. Ex ratiopharm Ulm forward Wil Clyburn also got some minutes while Barthel played the complete 10 minutes. Barthel stayed in the game in the second quarter and scored his first field goal scoring with  a left handed shot after stretching the defense with a pump fake. He then grabbed a defensive rebound and left the game at the 8.06 minute mark of the second quarter. An NBA Summer League game wouldn´t be normal without some highlights and who not better than Tyler Johnson who is slowly becoming the mini human highlight film. He soared in the lane with his 1.93cm and dunked hard over the 2.03cm M Baye and drew the foul. Johnson doesn´t disappoint and should continue to be in the note books of many teams. Honeycutt also added a hard ally-op dunk to the highlight film reel and M Baye got some revenge on being dunked on nailing home a massive dunk where Barthel had enough time to look up and get out of the way. Barthel continued to play solid on defense, but did make a turnover where his anxiousness seemed him to lose control of the ball. Since coming to Las Vegas his three pointer has been way off the mark and Barthel knows it, but he seems just not too have the confidence at the moment. He also missed two free throws. At halftime the Los Angeles Clippers led 47-45.

Danilo Barthel started the third quarter and started off right away with a turnover as his happy feet danced one too many steps. However he quickly made up for that mistake showing once again how well he can run the floor as he got ahead of the pack of the Clippers transition defense and laid in a left handed shot. The third quarter also was filled with big  spectacular plays starting with two Johnson plays where on one he drove by Delonte West and got to the hole falling to his left and somehow banking the shot in. Johnson then blocked West, but West made  a good recovery getting the ball and shooting over Johnson on the second attempt. Then came the best play of the game as it was M Baye getting the perfect ally-op pass from West and dunking the ball home as Barthel had a first row seat under the basket. Miami played their best basketball of the game at the end of the third quarter making a comeback and 15-0 run to lead 68-64 after 30 minutes. James Nunnally hit some big buckets leading Miami back into the game. Barthel was in the game again to start the fourth quarter and was aggressive on the offensive end drawing a foul and hitting two free throws. The game continued to be tight and Barthel left at the 7.30 mark. Barthel came in again at the 4.20 mark, but he nor his teammates could hold Lorenzo Brown in check as he hit some big shots including a jumper over Barthel for the 88-85 lead which sealed the win. There was absolutely nothing he could do as good defense was beaten by better offense. The Los Angeles Clippers beat Miami 91-85 as the Miami Heat fell to 1-1 in Las Vegas. M Baye led all scorers with 27 points while Brown chipped in with 22 points for the Clippers. The Miami Heat were led by Scott Suggs with 14 points and Tyler Honeycutt produced 13 points. The final stat line of Barthel read eight points, three rebounds, one assist and two turnovers on 2/5 shooting in 33,34 minutes. Fraport Skyliner Aziz Ndiaye didn´t get into the game as he sat at the end of the bench and was able to observe how  his teammate Barthel has improved over the last two months. The Miami Heat next square off against the Washington Wizards on Tuesday.

 

In the Beko BBL, basketball life and road trips for Heidelberg native Danilo Barthel have been rather easy going in his first three years of his professional basketball career in Frankfurt as he has usually played once a week and not had longer road trips in the Beko BBL then a 560 kilometer bus drive or sometimes short plane trip to the nations capital of Berlin. However since his magical journey in the NBA Summer League started a week ago, he has been playing almost every day and also had to make his first NBA Summer League road trip jaunting cross country from Orlando, Florida to Las Vegas which in European standard distance is 3,270 kilometers  which is almost equivalent to  traveling to Berlin five times one way. Barthel arrived in the glitz and high flying city of Las Vegas where you might be able to walk down the strip and bump into more NBA stars than you might Hollywood stars on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. The big 207 cm power forward of the Fraport Skyliners had only enough time to check into his hotel and check out the mystic view outside his hotel room window where seeing the breathtaking beauty of the Mojave desert is definitely a totally different experience then looking on to the taunus hills from the Main tower in down town Frankfurt.  Barthel had no real time to check out if there is a special Sun City surprise in his mini bar, but had to be on the court again for action against the Houston Rockets at the Cox Pavilion.

The first big difference to the two playing places in the NBA Summer League in Orlando and Las Vegas is the size and noise factor. In Orlando at times, the Amway center training facility of the Orlando Magic is so quiet that one could have heard a pin being dropped or if NBA legend Larry Bird were to whisper swish quietly after another jumper from highly talented Tyler Johnson out of Frenso State fell through the net. Only media, basketball executives as well as agents were allowed to watch the games in Orlando, but fans were prohibited from attending games. The Amway training facility also looks like a high school gym, so there was definitely nothing more to do than to focus on the task at hand basketball as one could easily have blocked out everything else happening around you. In Las Vegas. The difference from the Amway center training facility and the Cox Pavilion is like night and day and for Danilo Barthel like his training place in the BCM to a medium sized basketball arena in Germany like the Artland arena. The Cox Pavilion is a 78,300 square foot  muliti purpose indoor arena on the Nevada Las Vegas university campus connected to the Thomas And Mack center and is the home of the Nevada Las Vegas university lady Rebels basketball and volleyball programs. And every summer it is the home of the NBA Summer League as it holds between 2,500-3,100 patrons. The stage where the top young NBA hopeful players show their basketball cuisine also has served for small concerts, boxing events, theater style family shows, corporate parties as well as small trade shows. The Cox Pavilion also served as the Nevada Democratic debate in 2007.

The first opponent for Danilo Barthel and the Miami Heat were the Houston Rockets. Another difference to the Orlando Summer League in Las Vegas is that the rosters for the most part stay the same except for some additions of new players and others leaving and playing for other teams.. A Barthel could get very awe struck quickly with all the basketball personel, top current NBA players hanging around and seeing what new basketball talent is on the horizon or NBA legends walking around the Cox Pavilion. Barthel who has been growing a proper and trim beard for some time most likely saw James “fear the beard” Harden chilling in the front row and if he got any tips for  himself about how he might spice up his own face hair or asked him how the beard development carries on is unknown, but one thing is for sure, the German still has some way to go to reach the length that Harden possesses on his beard range.

The Miami Heat came into the game having had an unsatisfactory 1-4 record in the Orlando Summer League and wanted to come to Las Vegas and start of on the right foot and did getting past ex Jeremy Lin team with a 92-81 victory as the quick cross country trek showed little flaws in their conditioning or shooting as they shot for 55% from the field and 47% from the parking lot. The duel of the game was between the two guard Nick Johnson who came out of Arizona and two time NCAA champion with Uconn Shabazz Napier. Napier who had had had problems in Orlando recently with his right thumb shot a lot better scoring 11 points on four of five shooting and dishing out five rebounds and hauling down three rebounds. Johnson almost had the identical stats, but had one assist more. The five turnovers of Napier didn´t shine to bright as Johnson won the head to head duel, but left the floor on the losing end. After playing the most minutes against Oklahoma, the minutes of Danilo Barthel dropped back  a bit to 15,21, but he scored six points, got two rebounds and had one assist. He had little luck against the Thunder where he missed many open looks, but had better shot selection and accuracy against the Rockets. The Miami Heat were led by big man Justin Hamilton who had 21 points and continues to impress and is doing his best to get back on the Heat roster and James Ennis finished with 19 points as he was his usual aggressive self finishing in so many different ways. Tyler Honeycutt rounded out the scoring with 16 points. Barthel next battles against teammate Aziz Ndiaye and the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday afternoon. Barthel will have Sunday off. He has so many interesting places of interest to visit in Las Vegas like the Neon museum(historical Las Vegas signs), The Freemont street experience, the Stratosphere tower or just testing the casino atmospheres and hotel and pool areas around the town. However on Sunday at noon time he was no where outside in the blazing Vegas heat, but was watching Germany win their fourth World Cup title and second against Argentina at the Hard Rock hotel. If Barthel was invited to celebrate at casa Agassi and Graf who reside in Las Vegas is unknown, but the German surely would have gotten further tips on his beard care from Agassi who had his beard faze back in the 90s.

 

 

 

Last summer it was exciting to tune into Dennis Schroeder playing Summer League games with the Atlanta Hawks and to see how he would fair against the other young talented NBA hopefuls, while this summer despite Germany having as many candidates playing like never before, Danilo Barthel remains the most desired player for me to watch simply because I have seen every game of Barthel in the last three seasons with Frankfurt except three against Artland, Giessen and Bremerhaven. So after his second game where he helped defeat the Brooklyn Nets with a very solid 8 point, four rebound performance, I quickly checked the schedule when game three would take part and I right away had an upcoming dilemma where I would have to let my eyes and ears go to work in the same fashion an animal does when always having to be alert when danger may come while for me it would mean watching two round balls move on the soccer pitch and on the basketball court. Going from watching the first half of the 2014 World Cup semi- final Germany-Brazil  where you  see world class players like Manuel Neuer, Thomas Mueller, clashing with guys like Dani Alves, David Luiz and a guy by the name of Hulk who isn´t green, but could be the incredible Hulk´s little baby to watching a normal NBA Summer League game between the Miami Heat and the Detroit Pistons couldn´t be more of an extreme, but sometimes sport is cruel and one just has to suffer and watch two screens at the same time. The fact that Barthel would clash against ex teammate Tim Ohlbrecht who he hadn´t shared the court with in 27 months as teammates with the Fraport Skyliners was just an added bonus to a full packed Sports evening.

I had my doubts that I could really enjoy watching the third NBA Summer League game of Danilo Barthel and the clash against ex teammate Tim Ohlbrecht, but with Germany leading 5-0 at half time against a totally shocked Brazilian squad, I actually was able to enjoy this game without having any guilt complexes about not really focusing on the World Cup game and the possibility of even more goals coming. However one can´t forget a few years back the German national team had a 4-0 lead against Sweden and after 90 minutes it was 4-4, but I had no worries that a repeat effect was going to happen as the shock factor in the stadium in Belo Horizonte was so huge as the only way Brazil would come back was if Neymer came out in the second half reborn hand in hand with Ronaldo who wanted to get back even with Miro Klose with 16 goals. However with the soccer game running in the back round, I was able to focus on Barthel vs Ohlbrecht, because Germany only scored two more goals in the second half. After heightening his game in the first two games, Fraport Skyliner Danilo Barthel was inserted into the starting lineup against the Detroit Pistons. The Miami Heat didn’t´t get off to a good start trailing 10-2 quickly. The Heidelberg native played seven minutes, but how much he was able to get involved on the offensive end reflected the first game against the Boston Celtics where he wasn´t getting the ball as much. He was also hit quickly with two offensive fouls. The highlights of Barthel in the first quarter was his one field goal where he penetrated using the strength of his big body getting position under the hoop and finishing with his left hand as he had waited until his defender was in the air. On another play, one could see the exceptional ability of Barthel to run the floor, but lost the ball after not getting a good pass. As always Barthel had an eye for the open man, but Shabazz Napier couldn´t connect on an open shot. Ex Barthel teammate Tim Ohlbrecht who has played three NBA games for the Houston Rockets and spent last season in the D-league with Ft Wayne was his usual big presence under the basket getting  two offensive rebounds, but being absolutely no option on offense in finishing. Since leaving Germany after the 2011-2012 season, it is apparent that Ohlbrecht has gained muscle on his body. If he were to return to the Beko BBL this season, he would definitely be a different kind of player, a definite force in the league.

In the second quarter, Tim Ohlbrecht played a few minutes, but wasn´t a factor, while Danilo Barthel reentered the game at the 4.02 minute mark. Miami was spreading the ball around the game nicely even though Shabazz Napier wasn´t  a factor. Every guy was getting looks even if Barthel seemed to be at the end of the shot list takers. Barthel had no real offensive highlights and got his third turnover as he was caught traveling. Barthel continued to clean up under the defensive basket. Miami had the comfortable 38-30 lead at the break. In the third quarter, Barthel was in for a few minutes, but was no real factor. Ohlbrecht was inserted with 2.39 minutes to play in the third quarter. He didn´t get any balls in the low post as both teams were unleashing shot after shot from outside or making buckets on the fast break. Ohlbrecht suffered a bitter offensive foul on a miscommunication on the pick and role. The two biggest highlights of the third quarter was a crushing Tony Mitchell dunk and an ankle breaker from Caldwell-Pope. Detroit had the slim 57-55 lead after 30 minutes. In the first few minutes of the fourth quarter, the executives, scouts and press were displayed very sloppy basketball until Barthel came back in at the 6.24 minute. The lead changes kept going back and forth and as rapidly as the goals were being made from Germany against Brazil. Barthel lost the ball near the end driving to the hoop and other than that was no real factor on offense, but he wasn´t getting shots. Cardwell-Pope got very hot in crunch time and Miami gave the game away at the end not executing while James Ennis missed two free throws with 12 seconds to play with Miami leading 78-77. On the last possession, Detroit won the game with a game winner from who else, but Caldwell-Pope who led all scorers with 26 points. Tim Ohlbrecht finished the game with four rebounds and three turnovers in 9.35 minutes and no field goal attempts. The stat line of Danilo Barthel read as two points, three rebounds, one assist and one block in 19.57 minutes on one for two shooting. The Germans combined almost played 30 minutes combined taking two shots. This shows that the German players have to be extra extra extra aggressive on offense and just want the ball almost having to slap the other Americans silly, but that isn´t the easiest thing to do when everyone is firing away trying to help their stats shine. One thing is for sure, Danilo Barthel may not remember it was this game, but in 20 years he will remember where he was during the historical 7-1 Germany crushing of Brazil at the 2014 World Cup. He was in Orlando and with Tim Ohlbrecht probably the only two Germans who didn´t watch the game on TV Live.

 

After making his 2014 NBA Summer League debut in a 85-77 loss against the Boston Celtics with the Miami Heat steering three points and six rebounds and a monster block against Celtics number #1 draft pick Marcus Smart, the Heidelberg native had little time to reflect or rest his muscles as he returned back to the Orlando Magic training facility 30 hours later to square off against the Brooklyn Nets. After not really being a real option in the Miami Heat offense against Boston where two time NCAA champion with UCONN Shabbaz Napier had an off day on 3/15 shooting, Fraport Skyliner Danilo Barthel witnessed a very much improved Napier who deleted his jitters from game one returning with a 17 point and seven assist evening and 2013 Atlanta Hawks draft pick James Ennis stole the show from every one pouring in 29 points. Despite all this fire power from other teammates, Barthel quietly did his job on the floor on both ends and still was able to improve his stats form his debut against the Boston Celtics helping secure the 110-91 rout against the Brooklyn Nets.

The Miami Heat got rolling right form the get go and never looked back having their biggest lead at 21 points and Barthel helped add on to the lead in the first quarter when he scored six points. Barthel can do a lot on the court, but one thing that has kept improving in the last year is his smartness and alertness on the court especially reading plays. After not being totally aggressive in his debut, the German stepped on the court and was very aggressive, wanting and getting the ball and finishing strong. His first bucket was off a pick and roll, his second bucket was a beautiful running hook shot something Frankfurt Skyliners fans saw with regularity in the 2007-2009 seasons when Ilian Mr swish Evtimov had incorporated it into his offensive arsenal something Barthel might remember watching when he was a kid at games. He also made a smart play on defense where he got a charge call on ex Sacremento Kings forward Donte Greene.

In the second quarter, Barthel played the first minute and then departed not returning. Miami got needed production from Shabbaz Napier and Justin Hamilton while James Ennis caught on fire at the end of the second quarter. The Brooklyn Nets continued to play catch up basketball and would have been down by 30 points had Mason Plumlee not been at the top of his game. Barthel returned in the third quarter at the 5.24 minute mark. His best play was grabbing an offensive rebound and making the put back. Barthel continued to be involved in the offense more than in the first game and despite so many other Heat players having consistent scoring. Barthel was blocked on one play, but made the heads up play retrieving the ball to find teammate Tyler Johnson who was unable to get the shot off as the shot clock expired. In the fourth quarter, Barthel got into the game again playing some more minutes and his best play was making his first assist in the NBA Summer league. In his best Jacob Burtschi manner, the ex teammate of Barthel in Frankfurt who at times would pass up an open shot for the better positioned player even if he had a shot into the ocean , the German found guard Tyler Johnson who connected on a three pointer and went 6/6 from the field finishing with 14 points something he never did as a senior at Fresno State as his best shooting there when hitting six shots was out of seven tries. In the end the state line of Danilo Barthel read eight points, four rebounds, one assist on three for four shooting in 12.48 minutes of play. Barthel improved vastly form his debut against the Boston Celtics and it will be interesting to see if he will be rewarded with even more playing time. On a court with many very talented Americans, Barthel doesn´t have to hide as he continues to play with the NBA boys. Barthel next faces off against the Detroit Pistons and ex teammate Tim Olbrecht on Tuesday.

Around this time last year, Fraport Skyliner Danilo Barthel could have been taking part at his first German national team training camp at Kienbaum at the city limits of Berlin, but instead was quietly and as always 100% focused working diligently in humid uncomfortable gyms on getting totally healthy again as he had experienced extreme back problems towards the end of the 2012-2013 BBL season. If someone had whispered to him last summer that he would be playing in front of the eyes of Michigan legend Juwan Howard and Boston Celtic general manager and member of the historic 80s Celtic teams Danny Ainge , the decent and conservative German  probably would have told you to jump into the Neckar river flowing by his native city Heidelberg to cool off and get some common sense. However a year later on July 5th, 2014, Danilo Barthel made his NBA debut against the Boston Celtics even if it was only an NBA Summer League game. The basketball life of the 22 year old 207cm forward from the Fraport Skyliners has had a massive turn up the basketball scale in the last year. The only thing missing from a high striker commonly seen at a carnival and to have the bell at the top be rung would have been if the Fraport Skyliners had at least reached the playoffs, but injuries and not winning crunch time games disallowed the 2004 Beko BBL champion to reaching the promised land again since their last visit in 2011. However other than that, it was an amazing year for Danilo Barthel who went from 2012-2013 stats of  4.3ppg, 2.9rpg to stats of 11.3ppg, 4.9rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 57.4%, 3PT: 31.1%, FT: 78.4% in 34 games in 2013-2014. Barthel had to take responsibility last season and did scoring in double figures in 21 games including a 25 point outburst in a biter 82-81 loss in Braunschweig. Barthel was a common fixture in the starting five of head coach Gordon Herbert and his season wasn´t a fluke as he was rewarded with Eurobasket.com All-German Bundesliga Most Improved Player,  Eurobasket.com All-German Bundesliga Honorable Mention and Eurobasket.com German Bundesliga All-Domestic Players Team. If his extra ordinary good season warranted an automatic invitation to the NBA Summer League is hard to comment since there were a few other young Germans who also had good seasons like Daniel Theis and Elias Harris who also were invited. A main reason for Barthel being able to nip at NBA air is through the excellent work of scorers 1^st Sportmangement for letting their contact prowess go to work. Not every player can go this luxury route as ex Tuebingen Tiger Michael Jenkins explains who played in Italy last season. “I’m not sure how it worked for everyone else, but for me I had to work my way onto this squad. I got invited to a 3 day free agent mini-camp the beginning of June. I played well enough there to get an invite to play in Orlando for the Brooklyn Nets

Instead of being in Berlin this July 4^th weekend with his teammate Konstantin Klein and the German national team getting ready for 2014 European qualification games, he was in Orlando, Florida getting ready to take part in the 2014 Summer League with the Miami Heat that will also take him to Las Vegas after. If Barthel was able to catch some of the July 4th fire works at Lake Eola in downtown Orlando is unknown since he had to be ready for his NBA summer league debut on Saturday at 11am probably the earliest he had played a game since possibly youth basketball. Barthel had arrived in Miami a few days earlier and had the chance to practice with his temporary new teammates. Perhaps Barthel could of asked his friend Niels Giffey some advice on how to slow down a Shabazz Napier driving into the lane once he had beaten his man. Napier is the headlining name for the Miami Heat as he enters the NBA with two NCAA rings with UCONN and for the Boston Celtics it is Marcus Smart. The 2014 Miami Heat Summer League team is younger than most teams as there are guys like 2013 Atlanta Hawks draft pick James Ennis that looks like a young Patrick Flomo, Andre Dawkins from Duke or Tyler Honeycutt from UCLA. In his first NBA Summer League game, Barthel had very nameable young opponents like the two Boston Celtic 2014 first round draft picks Marcus Smart and James Young as well as guys like Chris Babb and Phil Pressey with NBA experience with the Boston Celtics. The most known player on the court was 2013 Boston Celtic first round draft pick Kelly Olynyk who was a freshman together with Bamberg forward Elias Harris at Gonzaga in 2009 is impossible not to notice on the court with his long blond hair and black head band and with his hair dyed black could have passed for ex Barthel teammate Dane Watts when observing him from behind on the fast break. Barthel wasn´t the only international player on the floor as the global flair was present with Dairis Bertans from Latvia and Nobel Boungou-Colo from the republic of the Congo.

Barthel made his 2014 NBA Summer League debut at the Orlando Magic training facility within the Amway center. It was the first game and with each team only having been together a few days, one couldn´t really expect much. Barthel entered the game for the first time near the end of the first quarter wearing #54 and sporting a full, but trim beard. One could sense quickly that the German wasn´t the main or second or even third scoring option in the Miami Heat offense, but what do you expect when you have the future of the Miami Heat Shabazz Napier running the offense. Barthel showed his proper team play qualities something he has shown in Frankfurt the last three years. On offense he did a good job moving without the ball, setting picks, grabbing key rebounds and finding the better positioned man. His first big play wasn´t a dunk or shot, but a mega block on Marcus Smart. This was possibly the first moment where assistant for player development for the Miami Heat Juwan Howard must of noticed that there are white men that can jump. In the NBA Summer League players obviously also want to display their individual skills and Barthel couldn´t hold back as he drove to the hoop as well, but put up an air ball in the second quarter. After hardly playing in the second quarter, the German returned in the third quarter and played more than half of the quarter and hit his first field goal in the NBA Summer League hitting a high rainbow from behind the top of the key something he does with regularity in the Beko BBL. An inspiring thing to see was that he didn´t hesitate from firing as he did every so often last season with the Fraport Skyliners, but shot upon arrival something he may have taken from the game of ex NBA player sniper Andrew Rautins who could hit from any corner of the building and who played four months with the German last season before getting injured. Barthel also missed a few more shots that quarter He came in in the last minute of the fourth quarter where the game was as good as decided. One noticed that Barthel got no post up assignments, but was mostly hovering around the three point line. There were also at times where he just didn´t get the ball at all in the offensive sets. The Summer League is a short period, so the German won´t have much time to get more noticed with stellar play, but it would be nice if he could get more involved in the offense. Barthel finished the game with three points, six rebounds, one steal and one block and 1/6 shooting in 13 minutes. It was a solid debut for the Heidelberg native and one thing is for sure, he can definitely compete with these aspiring NBA hopefuls. Barthel gets his next chance on Sunday when he will play against the Brooklyn Nets and guys like Mason Plumlee, Dajuan Summers, Marquis Teague and Donte Greene.

 

 

Carlos Medlock is a 27 year old 183cm point guard from Detroit, Michigan that recently completed the season with the Crailsheim Merlins. He started his basketball career at Eastern Michigan. In 2010-2011 as a rookie he played for Utah Flash (D-League): 3 games: 4.3ppg, 1.3rpg, left in Nov.’10, in Feb.’11 moved to Guildford Heat (United Kingdom-BBL, starting five): 17 games: 14.9ppg, 3.8rpg, Assists-4(4.6apg), 1.7spg, FGP: 48.0%, 3PT: 36.9%, FT: 64.1%. In 2012-2013, he got experience playing for U.M.F. Skallagrimur Borganes (Iceland-Dominos League), then moved to Club Deportes Las Animas (Chile-Liga Nacional), then signed at U.M.F. Skallagrimur Borganes (Iceland-Dominos League, starting five): 24 games: Score-2(27.2ppg), 4.4rpg, 4.8apg, Steals-5(2.3spg), FGP: 58.1%, 3PT: 36.9%, FT: 78.9%. Last season with Crailsheim, he played 37 games: 17.3ppg, 2.9rpg, 4.6apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 49.6%, 3PT: 41.3%, FT: 82.2%. He reached the 2014 Pro A final and achieved Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro A 2nd Team -14. This upcoming season, he will play for the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg in the Pro A. He took some time to talk to German Hoops.com.

 
Carlos, thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how are you enjoying your summer?

 I’m in Detroit, Enjoying every moment of my summer.

You led Crailsheim into the Pro A final, but BG Goettingen was able to win the Pro A title. Crailsheim win a tight first game, but lost by 14 points in the second game. How disappointed were you about the outcome of the series?

 Very disappointed, Anytime you make it that far you want to win it all.

If you look back at that short series, what was missing for Crailsheim to get over the hump and get by BG Goettingen?

I think if we could have capitalized on our chance to make a run like we did at home maybe it would’ve been different. But hats off to Goettingen they got the title.

How important was getting American Frankie Sullivan in the middle of the season? Would Crailsheim have reached the final without him?

 

Frankie was very important he brought lots of energy off the bench. Made a lot of big shots and plays for us he was definitely one of the reasons why he reached the finals.

Was there any chance that you might have stayed in Crailsheim? What were the main reasons for going to Wurzburg?

 Of course it was a chance, I wanted to stay in Crailsheim. I just felt Wurzburg was a better choice for me and my family.

You were one of the top guards in the German PRO A. I am sure you must have had some offers from Beko BBL teams. Why did you remain in the German Pro A and not possibly take the next step to the Beko BBL?

 Just knowing Wurzburg was a good situation for me. I Feel the BBL will always be there and I know I can play in that league. When the best opportunity comes I will be playing in that league.

What was your Crailsheim season personal highlight? Possibly your 39 points against Science City Jena? Did you see yourself in the zone early in that game?

 My personal best 20pt 9ast 0 turnovers against Magdeburg. I hate having turnovers especially bad ones. The game against Jena I did go into a zone but I was just trying to do what ever I could to help my team win.

How much fun and a challenge was it playing against Ahmad Smith in the playoffs? Does he deserve a trip to the Beko BBL? What do you like most about his game?

Yeah I liked playing against Smith he’s a big pg. I don’t think his team would’ve made it to the playoffs without him. I think he deserves a chance to play in BBL. I think all the top players in Pro A deserve chances to play in BBL)

You had a very good career at Eastern Michigan. How disappointed were you that you were somewhat off the radar? You had to fight yourself through your career playing in lesser leagues like Iceland and England? It seems like you have always had to prove yourself in your career. What has been your motivation to keep pushing and be where you are today?

 Yeah it’s been that way for me my whole life. Wish it could’ve been easy like the so called big name players. But it just helps me appreciate the grind of basketball more. My motivation that keesp me pushing is my kids and keep proving people wrong.

You played at eastern Michigan with ex Beko BBL player John Bowler. What were you able to learn from him as a young player?

I loved playing with Bowler hard working player and showed me how to lead by example.

How does a normal summer work out day look like for Carlos Medlock ón and off the court?

 Workout in the morning around 11am at Eastern Michigan for a couple of hours than go hoop that evening around 7. Off the court spending time with my wife and kids and trying to eat right.

What players will you be working out with this summer in Detroit? Have you ever bumped into guys like Rickey Paulding or Dashaun Wood over the summer?

 I workout with a lot of guys doing the summer its a long list of names from NBA, overseas, to college players. Mainly the best players in Detroit. I have bumped into Dashaun before but never Rickey Paulding I know of them both but not as friends. Played against Dashaun in high school.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 More Than A Game

Thanks Carlos for the chat.