Without James Naismith, basketball aficionados would never have witnessed the six NBA titles by Michael Jordan, the dominance of Bill Russell and the Boston Celtics in the 60´s, the sometimes funny and other time distasteful antics of a Dennis Rodman off the court, the intense and most likely greatest basketball rivalry on the court between the guy that supposedly never could Jump Larry Bird and the greatest 6´9 point guard to ever run on the court Magic Johnson, the amazing unpredictable win by Germany over Russia at the 1993 European championships in Munich, Jack Grinnell dropping 137 points in an NCAA game or  being able to read the tell all book by Wilt Chamberlin. These are just some of the interesting and fascinating stories that the game of basketball have given us in the last 122 years as there are a lot more to tell, but by the time all would be told, Lebron James would already be retired with more NBA rings that could support his ten fingers. A few days ago on December 21^st, basketball celebrated its 122 years of existence after having been invented by James Naismith in Springfield, Massachusetts. It was only fitting that on this day somewhere in the basketball world that something spectacular would happen that would make this basketball holiday stand so much more in the lime light especially in the small German city of Ulm even if they couldn´t celebrate a win after 55 long, exciting and grueling minutes against the Fraport Skyliners.

When one studies the 14 year history of the Frankfurt Skyliners, one quickly remembers its two only titles with the 2000 cup win that was led by current s:oliver Baskets Wurzburg head coach Stefan Koch and the thrilling 2004 Beko BBL championship where they defeated the Brose Baskets Bamberg in five gut wrenching, finger nail biting games where no team could win at home in the first four games until Frankfurt was able to seal their second title with the win in their own living room. However there have been other very exciting games as of recently in the history of the organization like the win in the first game of the 2006-2007 season as Frankfurt annoyed the debut back in the Beko BBL of ratiopharm Ulm with a buzzer beater from American Eric Chadfield. Who could forget the exciting 2008 quarterfinal playoff series against the Bayer Giants Leverkusen that Frankfurt won with  a thrilling fifth game win on the road as Pascal Roller won the game with free throws and they stopped current Artland Dragons head coach Tyrone Mccoy on the last possession denying him the lay up. Who could forget the game five series loss to the Telekom Baskets Bonn in the 2008 playoffs series where Pascal Roller couldn´t connect on a last second drive to the hoop denying a final meeting with 8 time Beko BBL champion Alba Berlin. Skyliner fans have a special spot in their memory bank for the season series with Wurzburg in the 2011-2012 season as American Justin Gray won the game in Frankfurt on a buzzer beater and three months later, Frankfurt was able to sweep the season series with possibly one of the hardest fought games in their history as they won the famous basketball battle of Wurzburg 56-51 as the word defense and toughness was given a new meaning as players must of lost a few pounds after extra fitness that each player practiced on the floor in that game. Another unforgettable game was the 104-102 win at home against the Walter Tigers Tuebingen in double overtime in 2007. A new date and game has been added to the list of these memorable games with the 108-102 triple overtime victory in Ulm on December 21^st, 2013.

Every weekend there are always thousands of professional games around the globe and when one goes to a game one is never expecting or contemplating that one will see a game to remember as the first thought is usually about how a team will win. I was in the Ulm arena hoping that the Fraport Skyliners would seek revenge on their loss last season in their first game in the new Ulm arena and that they wouldn´t be too rusty after the 10 day break between games and their last high class win at home against the New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig. An hour before the game, I was occupied with my own thoughts when Fraport Skyliners head coach Gordon Herbert walked by me in the Ulm arena catacombs and said “nice jacket” and I wished him good luck. It only dawned on me a few seconds later that he liked my fleece jacket that has the word Canada on it. Herbert is Canadian and that my trusty fleece jacket had anything to do with the amazing win and the solid game by Canadian Andrew Rautins that hit a big shot in the third overtime and finished with 24 points, I wasn´t going to take even 1% of credit that my apparel had even the slightest to do with the historical win that the Fraport Skyliners were able to accomplish that evening, but maybe it had been a good omen that I had worn it.

As a basketball reporter one often has enough to remember from 40 minutes of basketball play, but after 55 minutes and three overtimes, the big plays,smiles, sneers, swear words, shots, passes, rebounds and dunks accumulate like the gifts of a boy on Christmas morning after a half hour of having opened everything. On top of everything that happened, one had one interesting side story to the game as ex NBA player Andrew Rautins was meeting American Matt Howard for the first time since March 25^th, 2010. That is a day that Rautins never forgot as it was his last college game as Butler(NCAA) and Howard as the fifth ranked kicked out number one ranked Syracuse(NCAA) out of the NCAA tournament. Rautins did score more points with 15 to the nine points by Howard, but Butler went on to the NCAA final while Rautins was finished as a college player and had NBA draft next on his mind. There was also the fascinating duel of Top German point guard Per Guenther against the future top point guard Konstantin Klein. Klein and Frankfurt did  a great jon keeping Guenther out of the game in the first half not letting ratiopharm Ulm get a big lead. Guenther did hit big shots in the second half after American Cameron Long told him to step it up, but all in all Klein did a solid job against the best German point guard at the moment.

Players witness big plays in each game, but surely remember those plays more in meaningful games than in lesser meaning games. In the 108-102 overtime win, there were many great plays that need to be retold one more time. In the first half, the Fraport Skyliners were perfect at the free throw line and at times it was double the fun to see a Fraport Skyliner at the free throw line just to see if the perfect shooting streak could be held. Aziz Ndiaye had fans scratching their heads in disbelief a few times with his inability to put his size to best use as he actually was rejected, but made a good second effort laying the ball home.  German allstar Danilo Bathel also had a few lay ins where he perfected the pump fake which had Daniel Theis and Trent Plaisted flying up up and away. The only weird thing was that Barthel opted to hold back on his thunderous dunks and elected the more sure route with the put back. That there were 210 points scored in 55 minutes can be expected as well as the strength of both teams waning away on defense to keep up the intensity, but fans did see big defensive plays like back to back Skyliner blocks as Ramon Galloway rejected Per Guenther and Azizi Ndiaye swatted away a Daniel Thies shot in the third quarter. Jared Dubois got the Frankfurt bench jumping for joy with his quarter ending buzzer beater with a soft floater. In the fourth quarter there was a pretty Dubois lay in keeping the defense guessing as he faked a pass to Ndiaye on the baseline with a head fake and laying the ball in or Edgar Sosa giving Frankfurt nightmares with hot shooting. Barthel who isn´t known for making big time under pressure shots got his team into the overtime with a last second baby hook shot. Another  play that had many fans in question was when the 213cm Senegalnator Aziz Ndiaye went  up to stuff a routine ball which is the equivalent of a Zinedine Zidane making a run of the mill penalty kick, but the big man missed the dunk, had luck that he was alone scooped up the ball and laid it in. It looked like Frankfurt had the game wrapped up in the first overtime after a huge Klein three pointer, but Cameron Long showed nerves of steel scoring on a drive to the hoop and sending the game into a second overtime. In the second overtime the role were reversed as ratipharm Ulm suddenly had the better chance to go into Christmas break with a win as Hess dropped an open three pointer as ratiopharm Ulm led 93-89 with less than a minute to play, but Rautins made a giant three pointer showing that quick release of a cowboy that is fighting for his life in a shootout. Galloway made one free throw to tie the game at 93, but at the same time missed the only free throw of the game for Frankfurt who shot 32 of 33 on the night and made 25 in a row. Hess will probably be the only one to remember his last shot of the second overtime as he let go a bomb from the corner that got trapped between rim and back board which is something that happens only then when one doesn´t want it to. The most spectacular play of the game was the poster dunk of Ramon Galloway over 2008 NBA Draft pick Trent Plaisted which still had teammates oohing and awwwing after the game. The Fraport Skyliners made the big shots with a Voigtmann mid distance shot and Rautins making another in your face three pointer which sealed the game for Frankfurt and gave basketball fans another memory to last a very long time. Not only did Frankfurt make the big shots, little plays, mental strength and play a bit more clever, but they also had a bit more luck than ratiopharm Ulm, but that is a part of the game.

After the win, it was in some degree a surprise how much strength and energy the players still had to enjoy the moment instead of just disappearing into the locker room and demanding an oxygen mask, but then again these aren´t 300 pound football players trying to survive the 110 heat of the Phoenix desert, but very well- conditioned athletes that are savoring a historical moment in the Skyliner history. Three overtimes was a like a half marathon for Andrew Rautins in comparison to his six overtime game win in 2009 against UConn 129-119 where he faced future NBA players Kemba Walker and Jeff Adrien and teammate ex NBA player Johnny Flynn led all scorers with 34 points and Rautins added 20 points with six three pointers. Jacob Burtschi joked after the big win that he remembered watching the 6 overtime game win of Syracuse and was just tired watching it. Since it was the last game before Christmas, some players might have been already a bit in Santa Claus mode in their thoughts, feasting on delectable home cooking and opening presents to really understand what had just happened. This is the type of a game that can make a team take a huge step mentally and help them make strides in the standings in the next months with continued stellar all around play. Frankfurt isn´t the most talented, but Gordon Herbert has built a solid team chemistry that grew with this victory. One thing is for sure that guys like Andrew Rautins and Jacob Burtschi will have many stories to tell about this win during seconds of Turkey and mashed potatoes, while the kids at the Christmas dinner table will have those basketball tales from Ulm go through one ear and out the next as they observe two time NBA champion Lebron James tear apart the hapless Kobe Bryant less Los Angeles Lakers in the Christmas day NBA game.

Jack Eggleston is a 24 year old 203cm power forward from Noblesville, Indiana that is playing his third year as a professional for the Bayer Giants Leverkusen in the German Pro B. He played at  Pennsylvania (NCAA) from 2007-2011. He played a total of 125 NCAA games. In his senior year he played 28 games: 13.2ppg, 8.0rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 50.4%, 3PT: 45.1%, FT: 73.5%. As a rookie  for Leverkusen he played  23 games: 14.0ppg, 6.0rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 49.5%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 71.2%. Last season he played 33 games: 15.3ppg, Reb-2(11.1rpg), 3.4apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 51.2%, 3PT: 34.1%, FT: 74.7%He spoke to German Hoops after the 84-83 win at home against the MLP Academics Heidelberg.

 

 

Leverkusen, Duesseldorf, Indianapolis in only 24 hours. Did you feel like a basketball jet setter last weekend?

 

Haha jet setter might be a little strong, but I am definitely happy to the chance to come home and see my family for a bit. I was at the Pacers game. My brothers and I went nuts when lance got his triple double.

Congrats on the big 84-83 win against the MLP Academics Heidelberg. After a slow start, could this nerve wracking win be what will propel the team to have a better second half of the season?

I really hope so, Miles. Slowly but surely, we have been improving over the first half of the season. I think this win demonstrates that. But we need to continue to improve if we want to be successful in 2014.

The Bayer Giants Leverkusen won the game with a last second shot from Goetz Twiehoff. Run through that last play and what did Achim Kuczmann want to be done on that play?

We were actually out of time outs so we didn’t get a chance to sit down with coach and talk it out. We wanted to get one of our shooters free for a good look, but Goetz read the defense and made a great cut to the rim to get open.

The Bayer Giants Leverkusen had problems containing Shy Ely, but overall what do you feel was the biggest strength of the team over the full 40 minutes?

I think our biggest strength was our sustained effort throughout the whole game. We’ve had issues this year when we get down big early or fall off late. I really thought we fought hard for 40 minutes on Saturday.

How important has Goetz Twiehoff been this season? A club needs guys like him and Marc Sonnen to take some of the load off the shoulders of you and Tony Watson.

Just like last year, Götz has been huge for us. Playing center at his size in the Pro A is no easy task, but he has figured out how to be effective around the basket and give us a big lift inside.

How happy are you with your own game? After your injury, you are putting up great Pro A stats with 16,4ppg, 9,0rpg and 4,2apg. Besides winning what is your main goal in your game for the second half of the season?

I’ve played ok so far. My outside shooting is the thing that jumps out as the most obvious need for improvement in the second half of the year. I also would like to do a better job of taking care of the ball.

The Bayer Giants are 3-12 at the moment. On what things does the club need to improve on to get higher up in the standings?

Offensively we have a tendency to get stagnant for long stretches. When we get ball and body movement I think we are a tough team to guard. Defensively we need to do a better job communicating and eliminating silly mistakes.

How important was the signing of American Jake Koch? How will he help the team best and what has been your impression of him?

Hopefully Jake will give us a big lift. I think he is a very smart, skilled player who can come in and do all the little things necessary to help the team improve.

You saw the 106-79 drubbing of the Indiana Pacers against the Boston Celtics. When you watch a game like this was there anything that you could take with you that you will remember and could help you in your game?

One thing that Josh Parker and I actually incorporated last year was a little late clock action that the Indiana Pacers run. I’m always on the lookout for sets or quick actions that I like.

What was your impression of the Rajon Rondoless Boston Celtics? Where do you see them finishing this season?

The Celtics are just ok right now. Obviously without Rondo it has been a bit of a struggle. In the Eastern Conference you never know though. They could win 35 games and probably still make the playoffs.

On December 21st is always the anniversary of when basketball was invented by James Naismith. What has been the most important thing in basketball over the last 122 years that you will always remember?

Man that’s not a very easy question to answer. I think you could make the argument that widespread racial integration in the 1950s and 60s was the most socially important thing that has happened in basketball. From a gameplay standpoint though, the addition of the three point line and the shot clock were the two biggest factors in changing basketball into the game that is played today.

What present do you really want for Christmas?

I’m an easy guy to please so I’ll be very happy just to hang out with the family and relax for the next few days.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

I just watched Bachelorette. I love that movie.

 

Thanks Jack for the chat.

 

Richie Williams is a 26 year old 178cm guard that is playing his second season with SC Rasta Vechta. He is a very fast guard that can play either one or two. Great at pushing the break. Can score by shooting the three or using his explosiveness to beat his man. Gets to the basket and scores in traffic. A specialist in steals that uses his quickness to intimidate on defense. Great ball control. Gets the whole team involved when playing the point but can takeover a game at any time. He started his basketball career at  San Diego St. (NCAA) in 2005 where he played until 2009. In his senior year he played  36 games: 7.2ppg, 4.3rpg, 3.5apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 40.9%, 3Pts: 37.5%, FT: 64.2%. In 2009-2010, he started his professional basketball career for The San Diego Surf (ABA), in Jan.’10 moved to FSU Selfoss (Iceland-Express League, starting five): 8 games: 27.5ppg, 8.1rpg, 3.4apg, 2.8spg, FGP: 51.6%, 3PT: 46.2%, FT: 72.7%. In 2011-2012, he played for  UBC Hannover Tigers (Germany-ProB, starting five): 33 games: 18.3ppg, 5.1rpg, Assists-4(5.7apg), Steals-2(3.2spg), FGP: 48.1%, 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 75.8%. Last season for SC Rasta Vechta he played  SC Rasta Vechta (Germany-ProA): 38 games: 15.6ppg, 5.2rpg, Assists-1(6.7apg), Steals-1(2.5spg), FGP: 45.6%, 3PT: 35.2%, FT: 79.9%. He spoke to German Hoops before the game against Alba Berlin

 

Thanks Richie for talking to German Hoops again. A tough 93-79 loss last weekend in Munich. Were you just a bit in awe stepping onto the floor in the Audi Dome? What kind of experience was it playing there against the mighty FC Bayern Munich?

 

I wasn’t in awe but I had a good experience playing in the Audi hall. It’s big and gets really loud. Reminded me of my college days playing in sold out arenas.

SC Rasta Vechta kept the game very close for three quarters, but FC Bayern Munich broke free in the fourth quarter. Do you think that FC Bayern Munich underestimated you a bit in the early going and the teams style of play?

I believe they underestimated us. We had a game plan that we executed well for 32-33 minutes but then we got away from it.

FC Bayern Munich broke away in the fourth quarter. Was it the lack of experience or did SC Rasta Vechta get a bit tired?

We played 32-33 minutes of smart basketball. You can’t do that against teams like Munich. They capitalize on every opportunity they get.

Despite being without John Bryant, FC Bayern Munich hauled in 41 rebounds. Was this one of the areas that killed SC Rasta Vechta the most? The team rebounding of FC Bayern Munich was on.

They killed us on the offensive boards and second chance points.

How proud were you off your teammate American Dylan Talley who was top scorer with 21 points? He is one of those spark plugs that can really help a basketball club and it showed again that SC Rasta Vechta can always bring many different guys that will produce.

Dylan is our best shooter and he needs to believe that too. I’m glad he had that kind of game and I hope he can carry that confidence into this weekend.

FC Bayern Munich head coach Svetislav Pesic really rotates his players well with no one getting 30 plus minutes. Malcolm Delaney played only 12 minutes, but you saw many different players. What FC Bayern Munich player impressed you the most?

Like you said he constantly rotates guys so it keeps you on your toes because you’re always guarding someone new. I was impressed by Bryce Taylor, very good player.

How were you happy with your own game with 10 points and four assists in 32 minutes. How comfortable were you playing at this Euroleague level?

I wasn’t happy at all. I’m better than that but that’s credit to Munich. They did a good job of denying me the ball and when I did get it they clogged up the lane.

From one top team to the next this weekend where 8 time Beko BBL champion Alba Berlin visit Vechta. What kind of game can we await?

An intense game. ALBA is defensively one of the best in the league so we’ll have to be tough and aggressive on offensive.

You will be batting against Clifford Hammonds. Clemson isn´t really the NCAA basketball powerhouse, but what do you remember from his game back during your college years? How excited are you to be playing against him?

I don’t know anything about him from college but as I player I heard he’s strong and athletic. It will be another tough test for me

What is something that you really really want for Christmas this year?

To go home and see my family

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Limitless.

 

Thanks Richie for the chat

 

Logan Stutz is a 25 year old 205cm forward from Kanas City that recently finished his second season as a professional and first with the  ETB Wohnbau Baskets Essen (Germany-ProA): 28 games: Score-1(20.1ppg), Reb-5(8.1rpg), 1.2apg, FGP: 64.0%, 3PT: 32.4%, FT: 74.0%.    He moves his basketball talent this season to LF Basket (Sweden-Basketligan). He started his basketball career at Washburn (NCAA2). In 2011-2012, he was a rookie and played for  BG Topstar Leitershofen/Stadtbergen (Germany-ProA, starting five): 11 games: 16.1ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.2spg, FGP: 68.1%, 3PT: 12.5%, FT: 76.8%, left in Dec.’11, in Jan.’12 moved to WBC Raiffeisen Wels (Austria-A Bundesliga): 16 games: 4.2ppg, 2.3rpg. He spoke to German Hoops about his first season in Sweden.

Logan thanks for talking to German Hoops again. It is the middle of November and you are near the artic circle in Lulea. Do you feel like an eskimo at the moment?

Thanks for the talk Miles its always good to hear from friends back in Germany. Up here in Lulea its cold and we have had a few snows, and I walk around in my team parka, so yea I guess this is the closest I will be to feeling like an eskimo.

Is it a big culture shock as well as weather shock going from Essen, Germany, to Lulea, Sweden this season as your playing for LF Basket?

I really enjoy both the culture and the weather up here. I think the culture up here is easier for and Americans to get used to then most places. English TV, football on Sundays, stores are open late ect. The weather is cold but its a beautiful country. The darkness is the biggest culture shock. The sun sets around 2pm and its only going to get darker for a few more months.

You are playing your third professional season in Sweden. How do you like the club and league so far?

The club up here is great. Its a very professional atmosphere. We just got a new arena that is the best arena in Sweden to play in. The league is crazy right now, very fast and many good teams.

You were the leading scorer in the German Pro A and have solid stats so far through the first two months. Is the Swedish first division about even to the German Pro A?

Both leagues have their positives and negatives, but Sweden is a step up for sure. There is a lot of experience and great players in this league that the Pro A just didn’t have. There are players from 4 different countries National teams in the league. The Pro A is a very good young league but cant compete with the experience of Swedens top league.

What are the biggest differences in style and competition between Sweden and German pro A?

In Sweden it is a faster paced game, and it seems that everyone on the court is a shooter. In the Pro A it was more structure and half court play.

LF Basket are off to a slow start at 7-10, but you are still very confident that the team will be very good this season. What do you know that no one else knows?

We have got off to a slow start, but as a team we have accepted our situation and it has only made us more hungry to win. We will continue the season strongly and finish near the top, that is what I know.

You are averaging 24 minutes per game and five other players are playing more than you are. What exactly is your role this season and how is it different than in Essen?

My role on this team is slightly different then in Germany. Of course I need to score and rebound, but more importantly I need to keep a high energy level of play that my team can feed off of. That might mean big rebounds, dives on the floor, and just trying to get involved in everything in a positive way.

I guess after one game, you seem bought on new Player Keith Mcleod who joined the team with 174 NBA game experience. Will he be the key to further success on the team?

Keith is a great guy and a great basketball player. His experience and talent will be a big part of this team. Its not every day you get to play with NBA experience and I know he will use it to help out.

How much fun and challenging is it banging with Danilo Sibalic each day in practice? He is your height and age. How do you help each other on the court?

Danilo is a funny guy. Our game differs a lot, he is a great shooter and plays more outside, I play more mid range and under the basket. But we learn from each other and our differences and it will make us both better players.

The club has 7 Swedish players on the roster. When you compare the style and play of German players and Swedish players, what differences have you noticed in the way they play?

This is a great question, and a tough question. Both are great players and both countries are on the rise in the basketball world. The Swedish guys get out and run and gun more than the Germans, But the Germans are strong when it came to attacking the rim. Both have their great qualities.

What has been your impression of Christopher Ryan who is a young Swedish national player who leads the club in scoring. How important will he be down the road for the success of the team?

Crille is great player. He can get to the rim faster than anyone I know. His first and second step have got to be the fastest in Sweden and many other places too. His speed will keep defenses busy and help us all late in the season.

Your shooting 54,5% from the three point line. Are the Swedish rims softer than the German ones? You seem to be picking your spots when and when not to shoot.

HAHAHA, the rims arent softer I have just been working on my outside game. I have been taking threes when my man backs off and I will continue to do so. I will continue to shoot more as my confidence increases.

What has been the most amazing thing you have seen Tim Whitworth do? He is known as a deadly shooter who came out of Drexel and shot out the lights in leagues like Austria and Holland

Tim is another example of a great experienced player in this league. I am glad he is on our team. Tim fractured his leg and was told to sit out 5-6 weeks. But he chose to come back and play a game 2 weeks later. He led the team in minutes that game and was diving on the floor, and really helped us win. It was by far the most amazing thing I have seen him do.

Is your teammate Brandon Barton as work out hungry and in the gym as much as his dad ex Frankfurt Skyliner coach Charles Barton?

Brandon and I just worked out together the other day. He is definitly motivated in the weight room and on the court. But I dont know if there is another human out there that works out like his dad at his age.

When you look back at your season in Essen what is your fondest memory from your season in Germany?

Many good things happened in Essen in my time there, but the one thing that sticks out to me is when Aaron Cook hit the game winner in our last home game. There is no better way to end then that.

Who is going to be the first to visit whom? You or your brother who is playing in Poland this season?

I am planning on making a trip to Poland over Christmas. It will be nice to visit the little brother. (who is much bigger then me lol)

Have you been getting to know the life in the sauna? How long can you hold out in that hot box?

I love the sauna, I cant do it to long but its nice,

Is the season over for the St Louis Rams or will they be able to pull out a miraculous second half of the season?

I dont care to much about St. Louis , but if you didnt hear my home town Chiefs are 9-0!!!!!

What was the last DVD that you saw?

I stick with the animations like always, Monsters University

Thanks Miles!

Thanks Logan for the chat.

Martinis Woody is a 31 year old 201cm forward from South Carolina that is playing his fifth professional season and second with TV Langen. He played at Benedict(NCAA2) and turned professional in 2009 and played for  NOMA Iserlohn Kangaroos (Germany-Regionalliga) playing  12 games: 20.8ppg, 11.8rpg, 2.2bpg, 1.6spg, 1.5apg, FGP: 60.9%, FT: 64.9%. In 2010-2011 he played for CRE Eagles Itzehoe (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 21 games: 18.5ppg. In 2011-2012 he played for SSV Lokomotive Bernau (Germany-ProB) playing 27 games: 16.3ppg, Reb-3(10.6rpg), 1.4apg, 1.3spg, 1.4bpg, FGP: 58.4%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 72.6%. Lasts eason he played for TV 1862 Langen (Germany-ProB): 27 games: 14.2ppg, 9.4rpg, 1.3apg, 1.4bpg, FGP: 55.6%, FT: 69.7%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Congrats on the good looking 93-69 win against the Fraport Skyliners. TV Langen played with only a seven man rotation. What was key for the win?

It doesn´t matter who you bring or how many players you have, but all that matters is how willing the team is play team basketball. If you are able to share the ball and play team basketball and can add 15-20 assists than you can beat anyone.

What was key for the hot run in the first quarter for TV Langen?

We knew that we had to start off well against Frankfurt and be able to carry that momentum into the second quarter and let it go until the end of the game

The Fraport Skyliners got better into the game in the second quarter and got some big three pointers by Kevin bright. Did TV Langen lose some intensity in the second frame?

 

We were rushing our offense more. We gave up easy lay ups and let them get easy shots.

The third quarter was the lowest  scoring in the game and TV Langen did a great job not letting Frankfurt get the lead. What was key for that?

Our defense really stepped up in the third quarter. When you get stops then you win games easier.

Were the seven points by Sebastian Barth in the fourth quarter key for getting that win against the Fraport Skyliners juniors?

Yes it was. Getting that technical foul so often can help or hurt you. In our case it helped us get the bigger lead and get us in better position of getting the win.

 

One could say the biggest strength was the 62% shooting from the field, but I think there was another strength that outweighed the shooting.

 

We played team basketball for 40 minutes.

 

What was your impression of Kevin Bright? He had a big game in Frankfurt, but tonight you held him in single figures.

Bright is a great three point shooter. He killed us in the first game. We knew that if we could take him out of his comfort zone it would better our chances to win and we did a good job containing him.

What do you like most about playing with Canadian Jermel Kennedy? You two guys could be called the double double twins.

He is so athletic and I love playing with him. He always brings energy on every play. His big dunks and energy feeds off on his teammates to play better.

 

In Canada Jermel Kennedy is called Air Canada. What are you called?

I am just a big man down low. People call me Woody and if I get a ball down low and if you don´t double team me it will be an easy bucket for me.

What is a hidden strength in your game that doesn´t get noticed right away?

 

My rebounding is a hidden strength as is my shooting. It is not about size. I like going against bigger guys and I just run them down. I never give a bigger guy a second chance. People don´t really know that I can shoot the three pointer.

As a rookie you played in the Regionaliga and this is your fourth year in the Pro B. You have always had strong stats. Are you disappointed that you haven´t moved up a level?

I think a lot of it has to do with my age. I am 31 years old and I started very late as a professional player. I think that if I am given the chance to play at a higher level that I will be able to be successful with scoring, rebounding and passing. I think I showed what I could do against the Skyliner BBL players. 

What did you learn for your rookie season at Iserlohn where you ahd to leave early on account of disciplinary reasons?

No matter if you are right or wrong, you have to take it in, deal with it and be quiet. At the end of the day no matter what the coach has the last word.

What was your nicest memory with your ex Bernau teammate Jermel Jones?

I played against him in college. He brings a lot of energy and it was very fun to play with him. He reminds me a lot of Jermel Kennedy.

Last season your teammate was Malick Cooke. Who would win a one on one game?

Of course I would.

What was the most important thing that you learned from Bendict head coach Fred Watson?

He taught me to be humble. I should never bring outside problems on to the court. I should focus on basketball and take my anger out on the court.

Who were the best players that you played against in the NCAA2?

 

Brian Harper, Kenny Jones who plays in Mexico now and Monya Pratt.

What do you like most about Christmas in Germany?

I like the Christmas markets.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Once a documentary about Vlade Divac.

Thanks Martinis for the chat.