Jermel Kennedy  is a 24 year old 201cm forward from Toronto Canada that is playing his first season in the German Pro B with TV Langen. He started his basketball career in 2008 with  Iowa Central Community College (NJCAA) playing 26 games: 4.3ppg, 3.8rpg, FGP:47.3%, FT: 57.1%. In 2009-2010, he played for Volunteer State Community College (NJCAA) playing  27 games: 11.7ppg, 8.2rpg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 26.0%, FT: 83.0%. He finished his college basketball career at Lander in 2012 playing two seasons there and as a senior played  27 games: 11.0ppg, 7.0rpg, 1.2spg, FGP: 66.1%, FT: 70.5%. Last summer he was drafted by Moncton Miracles (NBL Canada,1rd(6). He spoke to German Hoops after the big 84-77 home win against TV Lich

 

Congrats on the 84-77 home win against TV Lich. It was the fourth win in the last five games for TV Langen. Now the club is back in the playoff hunt. Is playoffs on your minds?

 

Thank you Miles. Playoffs have always been on our minds if we can keep up this consistent team play I’m sure we can make some real noise in the playoffs

TV Langen dominated the first quarter making 28 points. The club established early a healthy way of sharing the ball. How important is this concept of sharing the ball despite having two natural scorers like Martins Woody and yourself?

The concept of sharing the ball is much easier to understand when you trust your teammates and when woody and I lead by example by distributing the ball in the right spots for the right guys.

TV Langen had the comfortable 48-33 lead at halftime. Only you scored once in the second quarter and the rest of the points were made by the vast supporting cast of TV Langen players. One guy I haven´t dwelled on is German Cedric Quarshie. How important is having a guy like him who doesn´t get many minutes, but is just as important as the other guy on the team?

Well we value Cedric very much he’s extremely versatile and we can count on him to do anything that ensures our victory.

TV Langen was up by 16 points after three quarters, but TV Lich made a run in the fourth quarter and cut it down to as little as six points. Were you surprised that they made this run and did you guys run a little out of gas?

Well basketball is a game of runs we figured they were going to make a run eventually the question was how were we going to respond. We maintained the lead to the end and that’s all coach Thomas cared about.

Is finishing the game the only real negative point to the game? Is this something that the club will be focusing on on improving in the last games?

I don’t think our finish is negative at all we will take it as a positive on something that we never had an issue with before and build on from there

Giving up 77 points in a Pro B game is solid. TV Langen held TV Lich zu 25% from down town and easily won the rebounding duel. What other defensive factors were you pleased about in the victory?

I believe our help and recover rotations were a little better this game and we did a much better job of knowing when to help and when not to.

German Bill Borekambi had a very solid game with 16 points and eight rebounds. He has had Beko BBL experience. What was your impression of him and can do you see him banging with players in higher levels?

Borekambi was pretty good he knows where to attack the rim and he has good instinct to where the ball will land off a rebound. I can see him playing well against some BBL competition as well.

You finished with 16 points and eight rebounds on 7/16 shooting. Was this just a another normal day at the office. Tonight when your going to sleep, will you have some of those nine missed shots in your mind on how you could of made them or made better shooting decisions?

It most definitely wasn’t my best game and yes I always have those miss shots or bad possessions on my mind so I can remember what I won’t do or what I need to work on for the week.

The Pro B team of the hour are the Fraport Skyliners juniors. They have won seven games in a row and now seem to be alock for the playoffs. The last time you saw them play was a big rout at home winning 93-69. In that game high talented BBL players like Danilo Barthel, Johannes Voigtmann and Kevin Bright played. The club has been winning games without them and mostly German players. How surprised are you off this development?

I’m not surprised at all actually most of their young group of guys are talented I’m sure there getting the minutes and time they deserve and there taking advantage of it in a positive and winning matter.

Is this a good example that sometimes a team can be successful with very young players and a little less talent, but much heart and fighting spirit? They have won the last four games combined by not more than 8 points all being close wins.

I wouldn’t take away talent from them. They have all the attributes to being a well rounded team and if you have that you can beat anybody.

Lamar Odom has signed with a Spanish club. Do you think that he will be able to find a role and play basketball the way he knows to? The last year has been shear turmoil for him an dthis move seems like a way to restart his basketball career.

Hopefully Lamar is doing great and I’m sure he will play his game the best way he knows how to.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Jon Gotti.

Thanks Jermel for the chat.

 

Max Weber is a 28 year old 201cm forward playing for SC Rasta Vechta. He started his basketball career with SG Roterburg Cadet Team in 1999. In 2003, he moved to BBC Bayreuth. In 2004, he played for GHP Bamberg until 2006 having a license to play for TSV Troester Breitenguessbach. He was only able to play 6 games for Dirk Bauermann, but he won the 2005 BBL title. He played for The Deutsche Bank Skyliners from 2006-2009 and also had a license to play for TV Langen from 2006-2008. He played 19 games in the BBL for Frankfurt in his three years and seven Eurochallenge games. In 2009-2010, he played for Giessen playing  28 games: 2.6ppg, 1.4rpg. In 2010-2011, he played for the Saar-Pfalz Braves (ProA, starting five): 27 games: 11.5ppg, 3.3rpg, 2.2apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 46.6%, 3PT: 27.0%, FT: 60.0%. In 2011-2012 he played for  BG Goettingen (1.Bundesliga, starting five): EuroChallenge: 6 games: 4.5ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.2apg; German League: 33 games: 6.4ppg, 2.3rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 48.4%, 3PT: 27.1%, FT: 59.6%. Last season he played for the Neckar RIESEN Ludwigsburg (BBL): 32 games: 3.4ppg, 1.9rpg. He spoke to German Hoops after the 82-80 loss against the Telekom Baskets Bonn.

A tough 82-80 loss at home to the Telekom Baskets Bonn. Are these close game losses slowly becoming a nightmare for SC Rasta Vechta? It was the fifth loss of the season with three or less points?

We controlled the game for 37 minutes tonight and at the end we were missing that little luck to get the win. We fought until the end, but Bonn hit the big shots despite a good defense by us. I can only congratulate them. Of course it is once again very bitter to lose a game like this again, but we can´t stick our heads in the sand, but need to build on our performance.

Sc Rasta Vechta had the comfortable 28-17 lead after one quarter and led 42-35 at halftime. Was head coach Pat Elzie happy with the play after 20 minutes and had the game plan been followed to his liking?

I felt that we played a very good first half. We did exactly what we wanted to do on the defensive side. I think that we were more concentrated than in the other games.

Bonn made their run in the fourth quarter. Tony Gaffney and Benas Veikalas connected for the last two buckets securing the win for Bonn. Now looking back at the last plays, what could SC Rasta Vechta have done differently defensively to have won the game?

Despite Benas Veikalas making the last two shots in the game, the real game deciding moment was the steal of Jared Jordan six seconds before the end of the game.

SC Rasta Vechta have had guys come and go, but how valuable is American William Conroy and what is your impression of him? The guard duo of Richie Williams and William Conroy seem to be harmonizing nicely.

Will Conroy is a real leader and takes some of the stress from his shoulders. I feel that with these two guys, we have a very good back court that can compete with any other back court in the Beko BBL.

Wurzburg won again and now has two wins more than SC Rasta Vechta while medi bayreuth keeps losing. It seems like it will be between Tuebingen, Bayreuth and Vechta for the last remaining ticket for the Beko BBL. How confident are you that SC Rasta Vechta will stay in the league and what is the most important area that clubs needs to improve?

We are playing this weekend in Bayreuth which is a game that is very important for both teams. This will be a game with a lot of intensity. It is important for us that we keep the intensity up for 40 minutes. I think that if we can do that, that we will have good chances in Bayreuth. We continue to have small mistakes that we need to turn off. We continue to work very hard in practice and I am very optimistic for the game in Bayreuth.

This was supposedly the farewell game to Jared Jordan as rumor has it he will sign with Bamberg. Are you surprised that Bonn is making this move so late in season? Replacing Jordan is no easy task?

Jared Jordan surely isn´t replaceable. Therefore I am not sure if it was a good move by Bonn. But at the end, it always has to do with money in professional basketball. I think it is a shame for the Bonn fans and team.  

Bamberg isn´t the invincible team that it once was and they haven´t had so much luck with point guards last season and this season. How much more dangerous are they with Jordan and is Bamberg back on the same level as FC Bayern Munich now in the title hunt?

Bamberg is still the team to beat if you want to be the Beko BBL champion. They were champion four years in a row and are still champion. I think that the concern is home made. They weren´t as successful on the international level, but can still win all German titles. Now they have an elite point guard that will be very good for their game.

The Beko BBL will miss the Jared Jordan to Tony Gaffney ally-opps, but maybe now he will team up with Ellias Harris or Rakim Sanders. Do you think that Jordan will have even higher assist rate with Bamberg?

It is hard to say what the assist rate of Jordan will be with Bamberg. Jordan won´t have to carry as much weight with Bamberg as he did with Bonn. Bamberg plays team orientated basketball. With Bonn, Jordan had the ball in his hands most of the time, but that probably won´t be the case anymore in Bamberg. But I think he could have even have better options on offense that he can use. Jared Jordan is an exceptionally gifted point guard that will come to terms with the Chris Fleming system quickly.

Do or die this weekend against Bayreuth. SC Rasta Vechta beat Bayreuth earlier this season 85-80. What do you remember from the win and what will be key to getting the win?

I remember the first game against Bayreuth as being a hard fought game. I think that this game this weekend will be the same. For us it will be important to control the key Bayreuth players. We have to be concentrated and focused for 40 minutes. We are the better team and need to step up with that self confidence.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

My last DVD was “This is the end” with Seth Rogan, James Franco and Jonah Hill. It was a very funny comedy where one can really relax to.

Thanks Max for the chat.

Will Barnes is a 25 year old 185cm point guard from Tuscaloosa, Alabama that is playing his rookie season in Germany for Pro A team Finke Baskets. He started his basketball career in 2006 for Tennessee Tech (NCAA) where he played a total of 98 NCAA games. Last season he played at  Lee (NAIA) playing 34 games: 20.0ppg, 4.1rpg, 2.6apg, FGP: 50.3%, 3PT: 41.0%, FT: 77.7%. He is having a very strong rookie season for Paderborn and spoke to German Hoops after the 107-96 loss to Cuxhaven where he had a career high 43 points.

Will, a tough 107-96 loss to Cuxhaven. How quickly do you forget an amazing individual performance like your 43 points and nine assists when you lose the game?

I immediately get over the individual performance and focus on the next game. What I take with me is the confidence. Knowing that in certain situations I can step up individually and make plays. I don’t celebrate personally if we don’t win.

Can it get any worse than starting down 19-0. Do you remember ever a game in college where you had your backs to the wall so early? What were the main reasons for the poor team start?

No, our start was horrific. As a team we didn’t play any defense in the first quarter. We just have to focus on starting the game strong more than ever before. We’ve had bad starts the last 3 games.

Paderborn got back into the game and was down by only six points in the second quarter, but was trailing 50-40 at halftime. What adjustments did the team have to make it get back into the game?

Changing to zone sparked our run to cut into the lead. We made the switch then immediately went on a run to cut into the lead.

You only had 10 points at halftime. How were you feeling? Now looking back, did you think that you could heat up the way you did as you stepped on the floor in the third quarter?

I felt the need to step up at halftime because we were down 10. I knew if we wanted to win the game, I had to step up. I didn’t expect to get as hot but it proved very beneficial as we cut into the lead.

You scored 24 points in the fourth quarter rally a point total that some players never achieve ever in a single game. Was that the best quarter of shooting you ever had or did you have some games like that at Lee(NAIA) last season?

The 24 point 4th quarter is definitely the most I’ve ever had. I remember getting hot in a few games last year but not like last night! I was in the zone and hungry for a win.

You were the go to guy, but despite 43 points also made nine assists. That was like a Monta Ellis type stat game. That was the most assists that you got this season. Is it a big adjustment when you are in the zone, but then still have the ability to make those quick smart decisions for finding the better positioned player for the basket?

Not so much because I am naturally a point guard. Our style of play and roster has me playing mostly the 2 position. I am good at making those decisions while also being aggressive.

Did you notice that young German Maximilian Kuhle had his best game of the season steering 34 points? What was your impression of his game. Paderborn shot very well, but allowed 107 points. The club has allowed an average of 95 points in the last four games. Has the club lost some of their defensive principles? What things does the team need to improve to let up fewer points in the future?

 

No, I did not realize he had such a good game. He’s a good player & Cuxhaven has a tough team. Great athletes. Our defensive principles are always the main focus. As a team we just have to step up and get the stops and finish with a rebound!

The Pro A season is almost over and your having a very good rookie year. You already found that scoring touch early in the season and held it until now. How happy have you been with your season and is there anything that you would like to have done better?

My rookie season has been a learning process on the fly. I had to learn how to adjust to the European game, style of play, and officiating as we went along. It definitely has helped me individually. I wish it led to more wins for our team this year though. We’ve got a lot of tight games that were decided by a small margin. I felt like I should’ve played more of a leadership role but it was difficult with me coming in as a rookie and learning.

You played together with guard Anthony Fischer and forward Kevin Murphy. What were you able to learn from Fischer on the court and what amazing play do you remember Murphy doing in a game at Tennessee Tech?

Yes! Playing with Anthony Fisher helped me tremendously. He showed me how to play point guard at a high level. Showed me that hard work was the only way to succeed. I learned a lot from him in my first 2 years at Tech. Murphy was great as well. He was a freshman when I played with him and I noticed his talent early on. The work ethic and commitment is what set him apart.

Did you watch the winter Olympics at Sochi? What was your Olympic highlight?

Unfortunately I haven’t been able to keep up with the winter games!

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

The last DVD I watched was “The Boondocks” seasons 1-3! It’s a hilarious show!

Thanks Will for the chat.

After the overwhelming 74-54 win over the Fraport Skyliners on Sunday night, Jared Jordan exited the locker room and as always still answered every last question from journalists even every last one who had waited for him in the arena near the benches instead of hanging out outside the locker room. It was another normal day at the office for the 29 year old 188cm point guard from Harford, Connecticut even if it wasn´t his best game as he registered only four points and dished out six assists. He did a solid job as always conducting the Bonn offense and was a force with the reestablished Bonn defense that had given up an average of 90 points in the last three games, but against Frankfurt allowed only 54 points as Jordan steered six steals. However was this possibly the last game that Jordan played in a Bonn jersey as rumor had been that he had already signed a contract with six time Beko BBL champion Brose Baskets Bamberg. After celebrating his fourth win in a row in Bonn against Frankfurt never having lost to them in his living room, the word Bamberg was taboo for the 2007 Los Angeles Clippers draft pick. The Jordan jibber-jabber rumors about Jordan going to Bamberg had surfaced last week and has been as prevalent on the minds of German basketball fans as NBA fans wondering if the return of Jason Collins to the NBA Brooklyn Nets will be a success on and off the court. Beko BBL teams have until February 28^th to set their rosters for the last two months of the season and playoffs. Bamberg has the right to do what they want if they have the dough even if it means stealing the Jordan heart and soul of the Telekom Baskets Bonn.

In today´s basketball market where every few thousand dollars more is the difference from playing in one location from the other, it is very rare for a player to play for the same team for more than one or two years. Jared Jordan is playing his fourth year in Bonn. After playing a very solid rookie season with the Telekom Baskets Bonn in 2009-2010, where he played 37 games averaging  9.0ppg, 4.2rpg, Assists-4(5.3apg), he went to the strong Greek league and played for a weak team  VAP Kolossos Rodou , but led the league in assists. Instead of going to a more high level team which he probably could of, he returned back to Bonn in 2011 and has never left since. Jordan came back and has played for nice money in Bonn, but nothing compared to what he could be making with Bamberg or Munich. Jordan is without a doubt not only the best pass first point guard, but the overall best point guard in the Beko BBL. He may not have the overpowering scoring qualities of a Malcolm Delaney, Darius Adams or Trevon Hughes, but nobody runs and leads a team better than he does. He led the Beko BBL in assists the last two years with 7,6apg and 8,8apg. However what would  a team rather have a point guard that can score frequently, or a player that can get his team going like Jordan who always thinks team first, but if needed can score as he has displayed this season scoring 10 times in double figures having the number of Wurzburg with 20 and 19 points, 18 points against Bayreuth and 17 points against Ludwigsburg.

            Even if Jordan does go to Bamberg now, Bonn will be able to find another point guard, but it wont be a second Jared Jordan or a guard of that caliber. The only beneficiary will be the Brose Baskets Bamberg in this matter. Bonn can look as long and as hard as they want, but will they find a suitable point guard now at the end of February? Most likely not, because the market now is simply sucked dry. There had been rumors that the Telekom Baskets Bonn were eying American Darius Washington who is tearing apart the Turkish league. Nothing against his 18 NBA games with the San Antonio Spurs, 24,1ppg with Olin or recent 42 points against Usak, but those are more stats of a shooting guard than a point guard and Bonn doesn´t need that. Bonn has been in the German basketball news for days now which is nice publicity, but should let the Jordan chatter rest now. Why should Bonn make Bamberg even stronger now? Bamberg is looking for a point guard as their luck in the last two seasons has been tattered with not being able to find one that was to their liking as Teddy Gipson and Zack Wright demonstrated. Let Bamberg keep looking for a point guard, because they won´t find one in the class of a Jordan. It is unknown with how much money Bamberg could make Bonn weak by luring Jordan away and sometimes one can´t resist, but Bonn should simply end the season with Jordan. Even if Jordan goes, Bonn won´t be any better without him. The Bonn fans love Jordan as a special fan sign reading “Jordan: “We need you” has shown. Why add more agitation and concern for the last two months with the departure of Jordan. Bonn has not only very good chances now to be in the 2014 Beko BBL playoffs, but are more of a playoff team with Jordan than without. A negative aspect for the Bonn fans was how both Bonn and Bamberg management didn´t want to comment the situation as well as Jordan himself. Usually that is a good sign that there could be some truth to the speculation. However Bonn has the force at the moment and will make the move only if they can find a somewhat suitable replacement for Jordan. Jordan went to the prestigious Hartford prep school Kingswood Oxford where he learned the school core values like take personal responsibility, work hard, take risks and become involved. Jared Jordan doesn´t only put heart and soul into his work on the basketball court with the Telekom Baskets Bonn, but is the heart and soul of the team. If Jordan leaves now then it is like getting rid of Bonn trademark the Beethoven house. Over many years there have always been beautiful love songs from groups like Huey Lewis and the News, or T Pau with the catchy title Heart and Soul. Jordan and Bonn basketball is a love affair which doesn´t have to end. Maybe Bonn  management should listen to these songs before they get sucked in by the money.

For many years, Bamberg was a place where the Frankfurt Skyliners went, played 40 minutes and lost muttering the words “we lost again” and went home again and probably enjoyed the beautiful drive most to the pretty Bavarian city than their woes on the court. Frankfurt finally won in the 2010 playoffs with ex Skyliner Derrick Allen lifting that dreaded Bamberg curse, but talking about jinxes is something nobody likes to talk about, but that terrifying B word keeps creeping up as Bonn has been a place be it the old Hardtberg  gym or the new Telekom dome where they Frankfurt hasn´t won in more than 9 years. The last time, Frankfurt was able to exit the court with a victory, Bamberg was still searching for their first Beko BBL title, Fraport Skyliner center Johannes Voigtmann was 12 years old, Telekom  Baskets Bonn center Chris Ensminger was already in his 30s and winning Beko BBL rebound titles as if they were growing on a Quaking Aspen in his home state Ohio, ex Alba Berlin point guard Dashaun Wood was making a name for himself at Wright State and young Fraport Skyliner juniors Max Merz was 10 years old and brother Jacob was seven years old and were having their first playful brother competitions on the basketball court. There were some games to be remembered like the OT loss in 2009 where Titus Ivory brought the game into OT where the team then got squashed, three years ago despite a Derrick Rose like performance from Dashaun Wood scoring 20 points, grabbing eight rebounds and dishing out seven assists, the team lost a squeaker 92-89 and perhaps the most bitter loss of all being two seasons ago  where four months of hard work where the team came from 17^th place back to ninth place and having that golden opportunity to reach the playoffs on the last game day only to lose badly 81-62 as a 19-9 second quarter run by Bonn got them going and carried them to victory. Frankfurt had no remedy how to stop 38 year old Chris Ensminger who made the zone look his own feeding ground and where he played like a real tough man among Kids. It was the last game of Jermareo Davidson as he scored 18 points as well as that of sniper Jimmy Mckinney who contributed 13 points. The Fraport Skyliners returned back to Bonn looking to snap their five game losing streak in 2014 and 10 games in a row losing streak in Bonn once again came up short losing 74-54 and have been winless in Bonn for the last 109 months dating back to January ist, 2005. One man that has seen many games between both teams is Telekom Baskets Bonn sport director Andreas Bottcher who can´t explain the dominance either. “We also had a stretch where we lost many games in Frankfurt. I remember Oluoma Nnamaka winning a game on the last play and then us winning game five in Frankfurt in 2008. There were times where Frankfurt wasn´t playing well in the league, but came here and played very hard. I will never forget our win in 2009 in OT after Titus Ivory brought Frankfurt in to OT”, smiled Andreas Bottcher. Top Beko BBL point guard Jared Jordan was all smiles after the game as he won his fourth game in a row against Frankfurt in the Telekom dome living room. “I always say that streaks are there to be broken. I am just happy that it wasn´t tonight. We will take it”, smiled 2007 Los Angeles Clippers NBA draft pick Jared Jordan. Quantez Robertson is used to exiting the dressing room in Bonn mopping since he has lost five times in  a row since  entering the Beko BBL in 2009 including the 2010 Slam dunk contest. One would think after a while that he would hate to play in Bonn. “ I don´t hate playing in Bonn. I always have liked the atmosphere and the crowd is loud. I am not happy that I haven´t had success here, but I hope that I can help change that in the years to come”, stressed Quantez Robertson. As a Boston native, Tony Gaffney knows about curses and the Boston Red Sox not winning a MLB title in 86 years, but chuckled about the so called Frankfurt curse in Bonn. “It is never easy to play in Bonn. Sometimes teams simply have another teams number. They caught us on a good night”, expressed ex Jouventut Badalona forward Tony Gaffney.”11 straight loses here is hard to explain with different players and coaches over the years. Maybe it has something to do with the atmosphere or seat colors”, smiled Dane Watts.

The Telekom Baskets Bonn came into the game in sixth place with a record of 12-9 and not being the strongest home team having  a 4-7 record. They also entered the game with a three game losing streak and had given up an average of 90 points in that span. The Telekom Baskets Bonn came out strong in the first quarter had a comfortable lead at halftime and really exploded in the third quarter as they shut the door early on the 2004 Beko BBL champion Frankfurt Skyliners. Bonn knew that they had to get back to their old ways of defending hard if they wanted to have great chances in beating the Fraport Skyliners. “We had had a tough stretch at home and in the last games got away from our defensive principles. We improved our defense tonight and had a very good defensive effort. It had been our goal to take Frankfurt out of their offense. They like that high low game and we took it away from them. Danilo Barthel played a great game though”, stressed ex Boston Celtic Tony Gaffney. The Fraport Skyliners entered the game with a five game losing streak and still sporting that goose egg of 0 wins in 2014. The only real bright spot for the team with all the injured players was the fact that they had played very well the last two games losing on the last play and games they could of won. However the club was as far away from those last performances against Oldenburg and Vechta in Bonn as medi bayreuth seem to be at the moment at getting that much desired victory. The Fraport Skyliners didn´t always seem to be mentally there on the court and the team didn´t harmonize as a team at all. “We worked hard all week in practice and practiced hard, but we played under our possibilities. We made easy turnovers from the start and that made it difficult to get into an offensive rhythm and that made it more hard to do what we wanted to do”, stressed Fraport Skyliners German guard Max Merz. The Turnovers was a big problem for the Fraport Skyliners as they were flooded with 27 that started to pop up quickly and never died away throughout the game. “We got many turnovers from the start which kind of killed our spirit. When you have a young team, you need to know how to get through periods like that, but we couldn´t”, warned ex raiopharm Ulm forward Dane Watts. Our offense wasn´t that great tonight, but it was our defense that won the game for us”, stated Telekom Baskets Bonn guard Jared Jordan.

During warmups there could almost been a Michael hakim Jordan sighting in the Telekom Baskets dome, as a bald shaven player wearing the Bonn jersey was conversing with Fraport Skyliner Quantez Robertson, however it wasn´t Jordan who is assistant coach at Colgate(NCAA), but ex Fraport Skyliner Ryan Brooks who had decided to get his head shaven a few days ago for that new look. Fraport Skyliner Max Merz was also back on the court less than 24 hours after hitting his second game winning shot in Speyer and at home against Rhondorf a week ago. Merz was already to go in Bonn and thrilled to talk about the last play. “I was happy my shot went in and the play was for me off the pick and role where I took a half hook shot over their big man. The success with the Pro B gives me a lot of confidence for the BBL”, stressed Fraport Skyliner Max Merz. 5,020 fans were in the arena to witness the Fraport Skyliners started off lethargic letting the Telekom Baskets Bonn take a 6-0 lead. Boston native Tony Gaffney nailed consecutive buckets on a reverse lay up and made a  15 footer and Jared Jordan connected for a mid distance shot. The Fraport Skyliners finally got on the board with a Quantez Robertson turn around shot and Danilo Barthel free throws. Frankfurt stayed on the heels of Bonn as Barthel hit a tough lay in over Gaffney as Bonn led only 8-6. However Bonn who is always dangerous at home sped out on a fast 7-0 run to lead 15-6. Gaffney scored inside as ex Skyliner Brooks tested his 36,2% three point shooting percentage hitting and then scoring on the penetration using his quickness to his advantage. Frankfurt then went on a mini 4-0 run as Johannes Voigtmann scored inside getting the bullet pass from Barthel and Konstantin Klein hit free throws as Bonn led 15-10. Bonn who had found their offensive rhythm quick kept up the pressure finishing off the first quarter with a 6-3 run to lead 21-13. Ex Ludwigsburg center Kurt Looby who is the classic rebounder/shot blocker and less known for scoring hit a hook shot. While Klein showed his usual hot first quarter three point shooting nailing one, but Bonn closed out the scoring using their quickness and athletic ability once again as Brooks hit  a runner as did ex BG Karlsruhe guard David Mccray. “Both teams hadn´t won much the last weeks. Both teams were missing open shots and playing more like not to lose than wanting to win. Frankfurt played unsure and the four turnovers by Klein was untypical, but these things can always happen with a young team”, stressed Giessen 46ers head coach Dennis Wucherer. The Telekom Baskets Bonn were shooting 60% from the field and 17% from outside while the Fraport Skyliners were shooting 44% from the field and 25% from outside. Frankfurt had the seven to four rebound advantage, but a poor nine turnovers while Bonn had four turnovers.

At the start of the second quarter, the Fraport Skyliners were unable to take advantage of many missed Bonn shots as they couldn´t hit shots either. Jordan got Bonn on the board first with an easy lay up as he caught a loose ball in perfect position at center court and scampered to the hoop for the bucket as Bonn had the 23-13 lead. Barthel kept Frankfurt over water with his offense as he scored on a lay in. Barthel once again stayed away from the three and did most damage in the paint. American Jamel Mcclean missed some easy free throws and David Mccray and Tony Gaffney were robbed of easy dunks as Bonn had chance after chance to pull away, but led only 27-16. Voigtmann and Brooks then exchanged dunks as Frankfurt trailed 29-18. In the last minute David Mccray who once hit Hagen for 23 points in 24 minutes had his hot shooting continue with a bomb from downtown and Kevin Bright connected on a three pointer as Bonn went into halftime with the very comfortable 35-23 lead. “Frankfurt continued to fight for a rhythm on offense. Frankfurt tried to break Bonn with their triangle and two defense, but it didn´t work. When you have guys like Jordan and Gaffney who have so much experience it isn´t easy to defend”, warned ex Bayer Giants Leverkusen German Dennis Wucherer. The Telekom Baskets Bonn were shooting 44% from the field and 14% from the three point line while the Fraport Skyliners were shooting 33% from the field and 25% from the three point line. Frankfurt had the 19-12 rebound edge, but 14 turnovers while Bonn had only six turnovers.

It looked like the Fraport Skyliners might get back into the game after Danilo Barthel connected on a beautiful step back three pointer to start off the third quarter with one second on the shot clock as Frankfurt trailed only 35-25, but instead Bonn started hitting shots on  a more consistent level which wasn´t the case in the first half. After Mcclean nailed two free throws, the Fraport Skyliners had their most spectacular play of the game as there was some Beko BBL showtime between Quantez Robertson and Ramon Galloway. Tez lofted up the perfect ally-op pass which Galloway jammed home. In the past it was usually Robertson who was the recipient of dunks, but these days is showing his passing expertise more. Benas Veikalas from Lithuania who had been quiet in this game hit his first three pointer of the game and Robertson answered with a hard penetration move to the cup and lefthanded lay in as Frankfurt trailed only 40-29. Galloway got Frankfurt back under ten points with a lay in getting the perfect pass from Barthel. However the Fraport Skyliners who otherwise had little movement on offense and more one on one play couldn´t keep pace with Bonn as they broke open the game ending the third quarter on a 18-7 run to lead 58-37. Mccray started the run drooping  a three pointer, Gaffney cut inside and scored off the Veikalas pass and Mccray scored again breaking the defense and using his quickness for the easy lay in for the 50-33 lead. The Bonn offense was clicking while Frankfurt had problems just getting stops as they couldn´t withstand the furious Bonn ball movement. Ex Bayreuth forward Steven Wachalski who is one of those rare players to have gone from Regionaliga to Beko BBL nailed a three pointer which was followed by a Brooks three pointer. Mccray ended the third quarter with a lay in. “Coach called a time out early in the third quarter and then we just started hitting shots. Brooks hit shots and Wachalski came in and did what he always does making shots. Everybody contributed in the third quarter”, stated Jared Jordan. “We weren´t collectively on the same page. You have to pressure or get in the passing lane as a team. We didn´t do that and Bonn exploited our weak defense”, stressed Fraport Skyliner Dane Watts. The Telekom Baskets Bonn were shooting 51% from the field and 29% from the parking lot while the Fraport Skyliners were shooting 35% from the field and 20% from the parking lot. Frankfurt had the rebound advantage 25-16, but had 24 turnovers while Bonn had only 14.

In the fourth quarter, the Telekom Baskets Bonn continued to play solid offensive basketball while buckling down on defense and riding into the Bonn sunset with a much deserved win as the Fraport Skyliners couldn´t get stops and still had no healthy rhythm on offense. Dane Watts who had been surprisingly quiet in his third game scored on a mid distance jumper to start the fourth quarter. However Bonn head coach Mathias Fischer continued not to be shy to use his bench and got solid production as Wachalski nailed another three pointer which was followed by the Brooks bread and butter mid distance jumper as Bonn led 63-39. Aziz Ndiaye who also was quiet put in a tip in, but it was Wachalski again scoring over the taller Ndiaye and making a free throw. Despite another Kevin Bright three pointer, Bonn continued to connect as Brooks made another mid distance shot and Wachalski hit another three pointer as Bonn led 71-45. “Wachalski was everywhere on the court. He was hitting shots, blocking shots or making good passes. I see what he does in practice each day and he is a great guy”, explained Tony Gaffney. The Fraport Skyliners closed out the game in fine fashion with a 9-3 run. Bright connected on three jumpers, but all in all it wasn´t enough as Bonn came away with the win. Bonn finally had their defense back in shape and Jordan was a bit surprised to see six steals in the stat sheet for him. “It was good to have a good defensive effort again. In the last weeks, we had played very offensive orientated teams like Munich, Berlin and Ulm. We let those teams be comfortable on offense, but didn´t let Frankfurt be comfortable. Some of my teammates joked and said that they gave me some of their steals. I had many balls coming my way, we pressured well and just played good team defense”, summarized Connecticut native Jared Jordan. One of the big basketball stories in Germany the last days was the rumor of Jordan going to Bamberg. After the win, he declined any comment about the matter. From experience, usually when comment is declined, there is usually more going on with the matter. Sportando had reported late Sunday night that Jordan had already signed a contract with Bamberg and it would become official in the next days. It will be interesting to see how this story develops. Despite scoring only 54 points as a team, Quantez Robertson saw the reason more to do with them than the Bonn defense for their lack of scoring punch. “We turned the ball over too much which didn´t allow us to get into a good offensive rhythm. However I tip my hat to them. Bonn played good defense and did a good job getting fast break points”, added Quantez Robertson. The Telekom Baskets Bonn were led by Ryan Brooks with 21 points. Steve Wachalski added 12 points and Tony Gaffney and David Mccray chipped in with 11 points a piece. The Fraport Skyliners were led by Danilo Barthel with 18 points and Kevin Bright had 12 points. The Telekom Baskets Bonn shot 68% from the two point range and 30% from outside while the Fraport Skyliners shot 45% from the field and 19% from outside. Frankfurt won the rebounding duel 37 to 24, but had an unacceptable 27 turnovers while the Telekom Baskets Bonn had 17 turnovers.

Myles Hesson is a 23 year old 195 cm forward from Birmingham, England that is one of the 12 best players in Great Britain and was selected for the 2013 national team playing in Slovenia at the Eurochampionships. He currently is playing in the German Pro A this season for the Giessen 46ers. Last season he played for  Weissenhorn Youngstars (Germany-ProB, starting five): 20 games: 19.7ppg, 10.3rpg, 1.5apg, 1.7spg, 1.5bpg, 2FGP: 54.4%, 3FGP: 27.4%, FT: 65.6%, in Mar.’13 moved to Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany-BBL): 9 games: 4.2ppg, 2.8rpg. He started his professional career in 2009-2010 for  Birmingham Aces (EBL2) averaging 13.1ppg, 4.9rpg, 2FGP: 47.9%, 3PT: 33.3%. In 2010-2011, he played for the Essex Pirates Basketball Club (BBL): 11 games: 9.5ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 47.1%, 3PT: 30.0%, FT: 68.4%. Last season he played for Liverpool Mersey Tigers (BBL, starting five): 27 games: 15.1ppg, 7.7rpg, 1.3apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 48.8%, 3PT: 32.0%, FT: 61.5%. This past summer, he was a member of the British national team taking part in preparations for the 2012 Summer Olympics. He also took part at the British 3×3 Mixed and menTeam for World Championships in Greece  in 2012. He spoke to German Hoops before the next game against the Bayer Giants Leverkusen

 

 

Thanks Myles for talking to German Hoops again. A tough 100-90 loss against Crailsheim in double OT. Was this one of the more entertaining, exciting and tough games that you have played since coming to Germany last season.

 

It was a pretty intense game which I feel we let slip away from us. The fans and the competitiveness of both teams made for a great game.

How much did this loss hurt? I mean playing 50 minutes of basketball and then losing is never easy. What was the difference at the end for Crailsheim getting the win?

Loosing is never easy but as long as you can learn from it I always try to remain positive so I wont let it get me down.

Despite the loss was there any positive things that the Giessen 46ers could take from the game that will help in the next game against the Bayer Giants Leverkusen?

Definitely, after we review the game as a team im sure we will all find something positive to take from it, personally and as a collective.

How proud have you been of the development of German Thierno Agne who has really stepped up his game since December becoming more of a factor in the Giessen game?

Thierno is a smart basketball player and our best shooter. He is a great team-mate so its good to see him developing as a player as we all are.

How do you guys help each other to get better in practice most?

We make practices really competitive which helps us get better because no one wants to loose. We are all young guys with promising futures ahead of us and we realize the importance of pushing each other every day so we can all improve.

You had another solid game with 24 points and nine rebounds, but had three turnovers. After a tough loss like that, do your turnovers remain in your mind for days or are you able to block it out quick?

I try not to dwell on my mistakes too much because I will be scared to make plays in games to come which wont be good. You cant learn if you dont make mistakes, I just try not to make the same one more than once.

The next game is against the Bayer Giants Leverkusen who you beat 79-57 to start the season. What memories do you have form that win?

It was our first game of the season at home and was a good team win.

The Bayer Giants Leverkusen have lost four of their last five games, but are always good for a surprise. What kind of game can we await and what will be key for getting the victory?

They play a lot of zone so as long as we disrupt their defense and play inside out I am confident we can find ways to score and leave with a win.

What was your take on the 2014 NBA allstar slam dunk contest? Many were disappointed about it? Are the dunking ideas running our or no new Vince Carters coming up on the horizon?

I think the professional dunkers, like team flight brothers on youtube have spoiled us with whats possible if that is all you concentrate on doing. The format was a bit weird this year too but nonetheless there were a few good dunks. Damian Lillard surprised me with a few of his but I had my money on Wall winning.

Lamar Odom has signed with a Spanish team. He is most likely done in the NBA. Do you think that he can adapt quickly to the European style?

I am sure he will be able to, he’s been a professional in the NBA for so many years so he knows basketball. it will be good seeing how he does.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 

Star Trek.

 

Thanks Myles for the chat.

 

Radenko Pilcevic is a 27 year old 18 cm point guard from Serbia playing his first season for  Radnicki Kragujevac (KLS).  He started his professional basketball career in 2004-2005 with KK Zeleznicar Cacak (1B). In 2005-2006, he played for Ribnica. In 2006-2007, he played for KK Crnokosa Kosjeric. In 2007-2008, he played for Proleter Naftagas Zrenjanin (B League, starting five), in April ’08 moved to KK Borac Cacak (A League): Superleague: 13 games: 8.3ppg, 1rpg, 1.9apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 52%, 3PT: 35%, FT: 93%, He moved from Masinac to Borac in April, no stats for A league. In 2008-2009, he played for KK Borac Cacak (A League): 31 games: 10.7ppg, 2.0rpg, 2.9apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 54.2%, 3PT: 31.9%, FT: 85.1%. He played for the Mitteldeutscher BC from 2009-2011. In the 2011-2012 season, he played for the Giessen 46ers. Last season he played for  Feni Indistrija Kavadarci (FYR Macedonia-Prva Liga): 8 games: 6.5ppg, 1.6rpg, 2.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 19.0%, FT: 94.7%. He spoke to German Hoops after the Eurocup loss in Berlin.

 

 

 

You were back in Berlin for a Eurocup game against Alba Berlin. What memories did you have from games with MBC and Giessen in the O2 arena?

 

I have great memories from playing in the O2 arena even if I never won  a game there. It was always a lot of fun to play in that big arena. I have better memories from beating Berlin in Weissenfels where I made the game winning free throws.

 

 

A tough 92-83 loss to 8 time Beko BBL champion in Eurocup play. Alba Berlin had control of game, but Radnicki cut lead to 67-65, but Alba Berlin then went on a 19-6 run to seal the win. What were the reasons for Alba Berlin getting the win?

 

I think that Alba Berlin had the deeper rotation which helped them as well as their physical play. They had early points in the fast break which opened up the game for them. When that happens you then have a small chance to win in Berlin.

 

 

What was the difference in the game giving Alba Berlin the win? Was the rebounding one of the key differences?

 

I don´t think that rebounding was the difference, but that we started off very slowly. They had a nice lead at halftime and we never really were able to recover even if he got back to two points in the fourth quarter.

 

You started the season for KK Crnokosa Kosjeric (KLS): 13 games: 18.1ppg, 1.9rpg, 4.9apg, 1.8spg, 2FGP: 56.3%, 3FGP: 43.0%, FT: 75.3%, in Dec.’13 moved to Radnicki Kragujevac (KLS). What were the main reasons for this?

 

Going to Radnicki was a very good opportunity for me. With Radnicki I have the chance to play in the Adriatic league as well which is a step above the Serbian league and Eurocup.

 

 

Do you see yourself as lucky or just good work of your agent for landing with Euroleague team Radnicki? How did this transaction come about?

 

I believe I got this job with Radnicki because of my good play with Crnokosa Kosjeric . I was one of the top players in the Serbian league, had good stats and had good result in the cup play

 

 

How difficult has been the adjustment of going from 30 minutes to 11 minutes with Radnicki?

 

Of course it is a very tough adjustment not playing as much anymore and I am still trying to get used to it,  but I believe if I continue to work hard that I will get more minutes for Radnicki in the future.

 

How beneficial has it been watching the master Marko Marinovic who is averaging 6,3apg. What has been the most important thing that you have learned from him?

 

Marko has taught me to play calm. He is calm in every situation and I try to take that into my game.

 

 

You were playing for the Mitteldeutscher BC when he was playing for Alba Berlin. What do you remember rom the two games were you faced off against him? I believe you beat Alba Berlin at home.

 

I never played against him with MBC because I was injured

 

 

 

 

How strange is it playing on a team with no Americans? How often do you hear English on a normal training day at Radnicki? Do you miss it?

I very rarely hear English. We had an American DJ Seeley, but he left to play in Germany. We all have Serbian guys so we talk Serbian. That is good and easier for us all. The only English we hear is normal basketball talk like point guard or baseline.

 

 

 

You were for a short time the teammate of DJ Seeley who now plays in Germany with medi bayreuth. What was your impression of him and will he help the German team stay in the league?

 

I feel that he will be able to help Bayreuth. He is a good player that is smart and can play. He reminds me a lot of Reggie Redding from Alba Berlin. Redding isn´t a point guard, but both can play the positions 1-3. Seeley is smaller, but has the style of play of Redding.

 

 

Head coach Miroslav Nikolic is  a known coaching face in the Balkins. How have you and him gelled and what have you learned from him in the short time?

He is very experienced and has won so much in his career. He was an assistant under Zeljko Obradovic winning the European championships with Yugoslavia in 1997 and even won medals as a youth coach. He always gives freedom to his players. He always tells me show me what you can do which gives me more self confidence. I don´t feel any pressure playing for him.

 

 

Recently Radnicki beat Khimik 86-68 and you played against two ex BBL players Jamal Shuler and Romeo Travis. Did they remember you from the BBL days or did you guys not say hello before the game?

 

Yes I talked to Jamal Shuler and he remembered me. It is always nice to see guys that I played against in Germany having success in other countries. It is always a nice memory to see guys I played against in Germany.

 

 

You recently played twice against Strassburg and Lou Campbell. What do you remember most from his game from the BBL. Did his game get better with age?

 

I think that his game has matured and gotten better with age. He had a very good game against us in Strassburg scoring 11 points in the third quarter.

 

 

Have you stayed in touch with ex teammate Giorgi Gamqrelidze? He has been tearing up the Georgia league the last two seasons averaging 8,0apg currently.

 

I haven´t talked much with him, but we had a very good relationship playing for MBC. I have more contact with Wayne Bernard and Anatoly Kashirov. My best basketball time in my career was with MBC. Each player was great

 

 

What was your nicest memory with Michael hakim Jordan.

Jordan was a funny dude all the time. I learned to be a leader from him. Many guys think bad of him or think that he has something against them, but he doesn´t. He has nothing personal against anyone, but just wants to be a leader and acts like a leader.

 

 

 

Ron Ross is moonlighting as a singer that had much success in Croatia. Did you already witness his musical talent in Weissenfels?

 

Yes I already saw that with MBC. He was always making music on his labtop on the bus

 

 

 

Could you ever imagine playing in Germany again?

 

I would love to come back to Germany and play. I like that style of basketball. I loved it with MBC. The fans were great and they love their basketball.

 

 

 

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 

Wolf of Wallstreet.

 

Thanks Radenko for the chat.