Josh  Parker is a 23 year old 183cm point guard from Harvey, Illinois that recently was a rookie for the Bayer Giants Leverkusen and helped the team win the Pro B title. With Leverkusen he 33 games: Score-1(28.5ppg), 4.5rpg, Assists-2(7.1apg), 2.2spg, FGP: 43.3%, 3PT: 33.9%, FT: 80.3%He played at Drake from 2007-2009 and then played for Dayton(NCAA) from 2010-1012. He played a total of 130 NCAA games. Currently he is tearing up the German PRO B. He scored in double figures 33 times scoring over 20 points 26 times, 30 points or more 15 times and 40 points or more four times including a 48 point explosion against Dresden. He cleaned out the Eurobasket awards as well getting Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro B Player of the Year -13, Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro B Guard of the Year -13, Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro B Import Player of the Year -13, Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro B 1st Team -13, and Eurobasket.com German 2.Bundesliga Pro B All-Imports Team -13. Many teams were aware of his stellar play in the pro B including the Mitteldeutscher BC who signed him for the 2013-2014 Beko BBL season. He spoke to German Hoops before the game against the Fraport Skyliners December seventh.

 

 

Josh thanks for talking to German Hoops again. A tough 106-81 loss last weekend in Munich. What was your summary of this game for 40 minutes? Were the MBC wolves like little boys playing on a court with men?

 No problem thanks for the interview. It was good game I felt like we fought to the end. Munich is a great team and well coached! It was their night last weekend they played well.

This was the first time for you playing against top guards like Heiko Schaffartzik and Malcolm Delaney. What player on FC Bayern Munich impressed you most?

What impressed me most about Bayern Munich is the depth of that team. Going down the bench into their top 12 players was very strong! Their guards like Delaney and Schaffartzik are great players on a great team!

MBC is currently in 15th place with a record of 3-8. What kind of experience has it been for you playing for such an exciting scrappy team and very emotional fans?

 It’s been a great experience for me especially in my first season in the BBL. My team works hard and stays together no matter what the situation is and the fans are like our 6th man on the court! I’m glad to be a part of this club.

What has been the most positive thing so far in this season for MBC? Possibly the fact that the club was able to show nerves of steel in the big wins against Wurzburg, Braunschweig and Vechta?

 The positive thing this season for me has to be of course the wins but overall just the way the team fights and sticks together.

How well has American Marcus Hatten been integrated into the team? He has a lot of international experience and could be a key factor for MBC making a few places good in the standings.

 He has been a good addition to the team. He has a lot of international experience and a good feel for the game which has been good for the team and can really help us moving forward!

What has been your impression of American/Italian Angelo Caloiaro? He is the top rebounder on the team, scores consistently and has a good eye for his teammates with 2,2apg. He is possibly a type of unsung hero for the team in the early going?

Angelo is the type of player any player or coach would want on his team! For us he has been the glue that keeps this team strong and I as his teammate am impressed by his play and how he comes up big when his team needs it.

Caloiaro comes from San Jose, California, but has Italian roots. Do you ever kid him about how only good soccer players come from Italy?

Lol Lol not really it is funny that you say something about that because he can actually play and his brother playing soccer here for a club here in Weissenfels so it’s definitely in their genes!!

Congrats on your very good adjustment to the Beko BBL. After tearing up the Pro B last season, you are the top scorer for MBC. Have you been surprised how well the transition has been or does that self basketball confidence outweigh any doubt one may have going into a new situation?

 Thanks a lot! It’s really been an adjustment playing at a high level that the BBL brings and has really helped me to continue to work harder to compete at this level. My coaches and teammates have really helped make my transition a lot easier. Trusting me and showing me different things that they experienced to know that will help at this level which has been great.

Your assists are down. What is the most difficult thing in the Beko BBL to get adjusted to when trying to find the open man? Are there more flying hands in the passing lanes?

 When you talk about a league like the BBL it’s strong both offensively and defensively. Yes the guards are bigger and talented defensively for me on trying to get a good pass to my teammate but the shots we do get are shots that will be difficult to make because the BBL is strong in team defense. It’s been an adjustment for my entire team, but as season progresses it’s gotten better.

The next game is against the Fraport Skyliners that have a three game winning streak. MBC won the season series last season. This is a team with a very aggressive set offense as you will see on video and kept Phoenix Hagen under 80 points last weekend. What kind of game can we await?

It’s going to be an exciting game!! They have been playing well and have a lot of tendencies to prepare for. We see it as another opportunity to get better and compete so we are really looking forward to it!!

How excited are you to be playing against ex NBA player Andrew Rautins? Do you remember watching him play when he was at Syracuse?

 It’s going be good to play against him just a familiar face playing on the same league as you is always good! I watched him play at Syracuse and he can play. It’s going be good to compete against not just him but their whole team Saturday!

How much do you feel for your ex team Bayer Giants Leverkusen that started off the season at 0-9? Do you sometimes wish like you could moonlight one game and help them out?

It’s tough seeing the rough start that they have had. Of course I still communicate with some of the guys especially Jack Eggleston and we joke around a little bit about it lol but I have faith that they will turn it around! I’m still rooting for them from Weissenfels!

What is your take on the Derrick Rose situation? You are a guy that likes his game a lot. Do you see the criticism as fair and will he ever be able to play injury free or is he becoming a sad case of a player that is flat out injury prone?

 It’s a tough situation for D Rose and I feel for him! To go through what he went through last year and now to deal with this I can only imagine how he feels. All the criticism he has gotten over this I don’t feel is fair but people will always have their opinions. I know him and had the opportunity to play with and against him this summer and I know the type of person and character he has and I know he will come back even stronger next year!!

Where do you see the journey of the Chicago bears going this season? Can they make the playoffs and who will make the Superbowl Sea Hawks or Saints?

 I believe we can do it!! We have a some big wins and I feel like we are coming together. I think the Saints will make the Super Bowl.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 Fast and furious 6

 

Thanks Josh for the chat.

There are many many cute things to observe on this planet like seeing sweet four year German Vanessa Eich electrifying the jury of Germany´s Super Talent jury with her charming magic act, the Lion King Mufasa and Simba relationship, trying to figure out what happened to the cuteness of American singer Miley Cyrus or seeing Phoenix Hagen guard David Bell playing with his little son who was sporting a mini jersey with his dads name and wondering when he will start swishing the ball through the basket. Another very cute thing to observe and is a normal occurrence in nature is watching the baby chick-mommy closeness that happens in the early stage of birth as the little ones are still very near to the mommy. Just watching this relationship is so cute as the babies are still so small and yelping for love while the mommy is there trying to come to terms with all the stress, protect them from evil, give them nourishment and most importantly affection. The cuteness of this doesn´t necessarily show in the play of the Fraport Skyliners, but the cohesiveness that the players and head coach Gordon Herbert have at the moment is like a young basketball family that is slowly coming together on the court as a young bird family does in the early stage after the hatching of chicks. The Fraport Skyliners have a touch of the bruteness  of Scar from the Lion king in their play which has been perplexing Beko BBL teams in the last weeks as the 2004 league champion is riding a three game winning streak. At the start of the 2013-2014 Beko BBL season, I saw the Fraport Skyliners as a type of grab bag team where one couldn´t really be sure what to expect the same way as when you reach into the grab bag not knowing what to pull out. The club started the season very slow, but after two months into the season, the gang of head coach Gordon Herbert have battled their way to a playoff spot. There are many reasons for the turnaround in the team and if the team unity continues then this team could be one of the big surprises of the season.

The Fraport Skyliners started the season off in Yogi bear´s cave in a deep sleep losing in Bayreuth and then coming home and losing to Oldenburg again in the season home opener the way they did in 2011. Everything takes it´s time to get grooving with the team and players as ex NBA player Andrew Rautins who scored 24 points combined in the first two losses  on 4/14 shooting from downtown, but in the next two wins in Bremerhaven and at home against Wurzburg exploded for 58 points combined on 13/24 shooting from the parking lot. The club lost energy and defensive specialist Quantez Robertson in Bremerhaven which put a big dent into their rotation and floor leadership. After the two win streak came two ugly loses to FC Bayern Munich 97-65 as Frankfurt was out experienced 524-44 in international games that the players of both teams share and a young 19 year old Max Merz played 22 minutes gaining more experience, but it was obvious early on as Frankfurt trailed 10-0 that a win was as unrealistic as pigs falling from the sky on that day. Then followed a very embarrassing 90-78 loss to the Neckar Riesen Ludwigsburg as Frankfurt was up by more than 10 points and seemed like they would win, but let the game get away and allowed Americans Keaton Grant and CJ Harris to put them away in the overtime. A big problem this season has been the inability of Frankfurt closing out games which wasn´t more evident than here. Rebounding and costly turnovers in crunch time were other problems that the team was having in the early going. However this bitter loss against Ludwigsburg must have been a timely wake up call, because since then the team has a 4-1 record and have improved in many aspects and grown as a team. Frankfurt rebounded in Trier with a 85-75 win as Andrew Rautins led the charge with 30 points and had suitable contribution from Jacob Burtschi and Danilo Barthel with 15 points a piece. They also won the rebounding duel as Andreas Seiferth was limited to one rebound. They couldn´t quite keep Vitalis Chicoko off the offensive glass, but came up big at the end by stopping Trevon Hughes three times. The only crack in their successful November run was the 89-67 loss at home against Bonn where they just flat out had a bad team effort as they couldn´t control the three point shooting of Ryan Brooks and Benas Veikalis and got killed on the boards. Since the Bonn game, the club introduced the two new Americans Jarred Dubois and Ramon Galloway who have been big sparks off the  bench. The club beat Artland at home containing David Holston early, winning the rebound battle again and limiting them to 74 points while Rautins led the team with 24 points. The defense came up big in crunch time in Tuebingen getting big defensive plays from Johannes Voigtmann, Kevin Bright and Ramon Galloway and big shots from Rautins to seal the win. Frankfurt made the game against Phoenix Hagen exciting at the end letting them come back with a 15-3 run and were lucky that Mark Dorris and David Bell missed shots at the end, but it was the will of Frankfurt that preserved the win.

There have been numerous reasons for the turnaround of the Fraport Skyliners in the last five games where they have a 4-1 record. It was no secret that it takes time for certain teams to gel and for some longer than others, but with the Fraport Skyliners, it looks like the team is getting a certain warm team chemistry quickly despite getting two new players not long ago. The two rookies Jarred Dubois and Ramon Galloway are both getting integrated better into the team and with each new big play are getting added self confidence. Dubois had his break through with 11 points in the last quarter against Artland and had 15 points against Phoenix Hagen where he came off the bench and showed his scoring inside and out. Ramon Galloway is averaging 16 minutes off the bench and had his breakout game in Tuebingen registering 11 points. He has proved to be a very aggressive player that can get to the hole quickly, find his teammates and will take the shot from outside. Senegal big man Aziz Ndiaye has been the big question mark as he had a slow start to the season often looking like a big baby on the court having difficulty controlling the ball and not making easy put backs. As a rookie he will probably need the longest time to adjust from all, but against Phoenix Hagen he looked like reborn steering 16 points and grabbing 13 rebounds in the win. His five turnovers was the only sour stat and his turnover at the end that almost cost the game, but his teammates are doing an excellent job getting him the ball in the right position for him to have a better chance to excel. The good play of these three guys off the bench also has helped the team play and the 39 bench points against Phoenix Hagen demonstrates that the team is playing for each other. The team may be dependent on Rautins and Barthel for scoring, but these guys are taking more pressure off that duo to have to have real big games. The big German development statement that the team started last season really is starting to pay dividends as Danilo Barthel is playing a huge season as Barthel jerseys are popping up more and more in the arena with each new thunderous dunk. The guy is a work horse with unending athletic ability that has the look in his eyes of always wanting to fly to the basket and dunk. He makes timely three pointers and his defensive play is also lethal. He is the next German basketball star without a doubt.  Konstantin Klein also has made a huge step in his development as he has blossomed into a solid Beko BBL starter and has an unbelievable self confidence and has scored in double figures four times. It is no secret that ex Skyliner Dawan Robinson gave him helpful tips on the court He is like a mini John Little on defense as he doesn´t back off to anyone. Johannes Voigtmann is also on a good way, but has a year less than Barthel with pro experience, but his potential is unending. Kevin Bright is still finding his rhythm but ever since his 23 point effort against Ludwigsburg where he dropped six three pointers, he could challenge Rautins for a three point shooting contest in practice. That killer instinct is still being developed with Bright, but he will be an important factor as the season goes on. Jacob Burtschi has been up and down, but after not forcing shots early in the season is starting to take double as many shots as in the first five games despite having only one shot against his ex team Phoenix Hagen last weekend. He is the energizer on the team, does so much that isn´t seen in the stat sheet and when he is feeling his three pointer can shoot with the best of them. The club also has stepped up their defense averaging 76 points a game in the last three and when you keep Phoenix Hagen under 80 points, it is a big accomplishment against one of the top scoring teams of the Beko BBL. The team also has improved their rebounding as boxing out and just extra help on the boards especially from the guards has aided the team. The offense also seems to slowly be finding its rhythm as the club has averaged 82 points in the last three games. The ball movement has been an indulgence to watch as the extra pass has been as self evident as getting fries with a big mac. The team does a great job being super aggressive getting their sets started quickly and right away trying to penetrate inside and then look for Barthel or Voigtmann cutting inside or dishing the ball to the open Klein, Burtschi or Rautins to unleash the next bombs from outside. This aggressive offense has been annoying for opponents and recently teams have not found a formula to limit Frankfurt from staying consistent in their offensive flow. Self confidence that the team is displaying at the moment on offense is half the rent and huge for the club being successful in their sets. However the biggest strength of the team has been their Baby Chick-Mommy Closeness on the court. The club is playing as a team and it has shown as of recently. They feel very comfortable on the court as if they were a family. Frankfurt will be facing lower ranked teams until the end of the year and with the exception of ratiopharm Ulm and might end the year without another loss. Despite registering the big goose egg against his ex team Phoenix Hagen, Burtschi was in his own element after the loss joking around with ex teammates Mark Dorris and David Bell as charisma could easily be his secret middle name, as the Oklahoma native is showing that the basketball vibe is positive with him and that the team is in good order. Could one imagine what a promotional poster with Gordon Herbert as the mommy and his players as his chicks would look like cuddled together on the basketball court? It might not look as cute as the display of Baby Chick-Mommy Closeness on the river bank among ducks, but that kind of basketball loving tender care version that the Fraport Skyliners are demonstrating on the court  is surely something to get used to if the wins keep coming each weekend.

Mike Smith is a 26 year old 198cm guard from Vandalia, Missouri  that is playing his first season for  Liege Basket (Belgium-Ethias League). Last season after getting signed by Iowa of the D-league, he suffered an injury that sidelined him for the whole season. In 2011-2012 as a rookie he played the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven playing  34 games: 8.3ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 41.6%, 3PT: 37.0%, FT: 85.4%. He played at E. Tennessee from 2007-2011. In his senior year, he played 35 games: 17.9ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 46.9%, 3PT: 36.7%, FT: 78.9%. In the summer 2011, he took part at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (Pre-NBA Draft): 3 games: 10.0ppg, 8.3rpg, 1.7apg, 1.3spg, 1.0bpg. He was a A-Sun Tournament Winner -09, 10, and All-A-Sun Player of the Year -11. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

 

 

 

Mike thanks for talking to German Hoops again. You are playing in Belgium this season for Liege. After playing in Germany as a rookie for Bremerhaven, you were in the States last season and couldn´t play in the D-league due to an injury. Did you miss Europe in the year in the States?

 

I missed the game of basketball in general, getting injured in training camp last season was definitely a setback in my career. Everything happens for a reason though and I am in a good situation here at Liege to kickstart my career back up.

 

You didn´t find a team right away last summer as the basketball market continues to get harder and harder to crack each summer. Did you ever lose faith that you might not find a team this season?

I knew it would be tough to find a team for this season after being injured, but it only takes one team to like you and I’m thankful that Liege has given me this opportunity.

 

Did you ever consider playing in the D-league again or possibly some other leagues in the States or even Canada in the PBL league?

I got picked up early in June by Liege so I didn’t take any other leagues in the states into consideration.

 

I remember that we did an interview last summer to help your chances and Belgium team Liege bit and signed you to a contract. Besides good work by your agent, what do you believe sold Liege on your abilities as a player?

I feel they liked my abilities to score, rebound, and defend. Overall it was a good situation for the team and myself.

 

Usually in Belgium each team has at least one very good American or more and the rest players from Belgium. Liege has lesser known Americans this season, but have a solid record at 5-4. What has been the secret of the success so far? Does team chemistry sometimes outweigh individual talent?

Our secret to success has been a total team effort. We try to take a lot of pride in playing defense and getting stops. I think on any team that chemistry outweighs individual talent but with that being said I feel we still have great players on this team.

 

Currently you are the top scorer of Liege. When you stepped on the court at the first practice and saw the talent that you had, did you think that being a player that takes more responsibility than others might be a role you would take on?

I don’t think it was taking responsibility, I just knew if I played at the level that I am capable of playing I would be a good asset for this team. I just want to do what it takes for this team to win!

 

What is your early impression of the Belgium league? How would you compare it to the Beko BBL? How are the styles and competition different?

I really like this league a lot. Its been great competition every night. The Ethias League compared to the BEKO BLL would definitely be the amount of teams in the league. I feel they are very familiar leagues, both style and competition wise.

 

You are rebounding very well, but your three point shooting is down. Is that area where you are focusing more on improving now?

I have always taken pride in being a great shooter and I’ve always shot the three point well, it’s still early in the season. Plenty of time to get my three point percentage up.

 

 

You scored 30 points against Kangoeroes in a 104-101 shoot out. Do your teammates see you now as the go to guy on the team?

To some degree yes, but at the same time we have five guys averaging double figures. Late in games I feel my teammates have confidence in me to get a bucket if we need one.

 

You guys lost to Spirou 97-70 recently that has very good players like ex Euroleague player Demond Mallett. What is the main focus for Liege in every game against more talented teams so that they can have a chance to win? How much does heart and effort play a big role for a team like Liege?

If you don’t bring heart and effort to any game you play you shouldn’t be playing. I feel we can beat any team in this league. Thats why you play the game.

 

Usually it is the Americans that carry a team on European teams and Liege has two other Americans Chris Ferguson and Kenneth Simms that both played at the NAIA level. The yhave delieved solid stats this season. Has your strong play taken some of the pressure of them being able to possibly play more relaxed?

Kenneth and Chris are both great players, both could of easily played Division 1. We all have confidence in each other and our coach is great at getting his players to play relaxed.

 

What has been your impression of big man Ioannis Iarochevitch. He is a Belgium national player. Is he the future of Belgium basketball?

Ioannis is a great player. He can shoot the three, post up, take you off the dribble and rebound. Does a lot of good things on the court to help our team. I definitely see him as the future of Belgium basketball.

 

In Bremerhaven you had German Doug Spradley as head coach and in Belgium you have Italian Fulvio Bastianini. What has it been playing for him and what have you been able to learn from him so far?

Coach Fulvio does a great job of getting the best out of his players. Gives his players complete confidence in their abilities. I have learned a lot from him. Excited to play for him here at Liege.

 

How do you like living in the Benelux region and Liege? You are very close to Germany and Holland.

I love the city of Liege, it is a very nice city.

 

Have you followed your ex team Eisbaeren Bremerhaven? They have had a very rough start to the season.

I have checked on them a couple times. Hope they can get it turned around.

 

There are only two players left on Bremerhaven from when you played there with Anthony Smith and young German Jonathan Malou. What is your memory of Malou on the court and how much potential does he have?

From what I remember from Jonathan was he was a very strong physical player. Had a great work ethic. If he continues to put the work in I think he has great opportunity to be a great player.

 

Have you discovered the famous Liege waffle yet or the atmosphere at Standard Liege soccer games?

I have got to experience both! Both are great!!

 

 

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Armagedden.

 

Thanks Mike for the chat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael King is a 35 year old 196cm guard from Baltimore, Maryland that is looking to jump start his professional basketball career again. He played at George Washington from 1997-2001. In his senior year he played 32 games averaging 11.7ppg, 4.7rpg, 2.0apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 48.1%, 3PT: 27.4%, FT: 68.4%: Finished collegiate career as George Washington’s 18th all-time leading scorer with 1,327 points. In his first four professional years, he stayed in the States playing in the NBDL and CBA leagues. His dream to reach the NBA didn´t happen, so he decided to go to Europe. In 2005-2006, he played in Greece for Iraklis Thessaloniki playing 12 games averaging 17.5ppg, 5.1rpg, 1.8apg, 1.8spg, 2FGP: 54.0%, 3PT: 31.0%, FT: 76.0%. In 2006-2007, he played for AEL Limassol (Cyprus) playing 15 FIBA EuroCup games averaging 11.8ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.5apg, 1.5spg, 2FGP: 42.9%, 3FGP: 31.2%, FT: 79.4%. In 2007-2008, he played for Olimpia GE Larissa (Greece) playing 10 games averaging 15.5ppg, 3.8rpg, 2.4apg, 1.5spg, 2FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 42.0%, FT: 71.0%. In 2008-2009, he continued to play for Larissa playing 16 games: averaging 15.1ppg, 3.9rpg, 2.0apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 47.9%, 3PT: 36.0%, FT: 76.7%:  and in the EuroChallenge Cup averaging 16.6ppg, 2.6apg, 3.8rpg 2FGP: 48.0%, 3PT: 48.0%, FT: 92.0%. In 2009-2010, he played in the Beko BBL for  EnBW Ludwigsburg playing  33 games: 10.8ppg, 2.6rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 52.4%, 3PT: 34.1%, FT: 70.8%. In 2010-2011 he played for  DASH Peristeri GS Athens (Greece-A1, starting five): 15 games: 13.6ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.9apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 60.0%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 79.2%, in Feb.’11 moved to STB Le Havre (France-ProA, starting five): 10 games: 10.2ppg, 3.3rpg, 2.4apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 50.8%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 72.7%. In 2011-2012 he played for : Ikaros Kallitheas (Greece-A1, starting five): 7 games: 9.3ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 55.0%, 3PT: 13.3%, FT: 83.3%; left in Dec.’11 due to financial problems with the Club, in Feb.’12 moved to InterCollege Etha Engomis (Cyprus-Division A, starting five): 11 games: 11.1ppg, 2.9rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 46.8%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 77.8%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

 

 

 

Michael thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how was your thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving was great and it was a time for me to enjoy my family and friends. I’m home in Maryland now.

 

You sat out last season and would like to continue your career. Were the offers for last season just not good enough that you decided to sit out the season?

I had offers in the beginning of the season of 12-13 but due to a death in the family I decided to stay home and be by my mothers side

 

How tough has it been not being able to strap on the jersey for a team somewhere? How have you been able to mentally cope with your inactivity?

It has been tough in the beginning because I know I have a lot to give to any team that I would play for. I have been staying in shape and working out every day. I know what it takes to be successful in Europe

 

You are 35 years old. What is the most difficult thing in your training regime now with age always playing more of a role how you stay fit basketball wise?

Yeah I am 35 now and I still do the same things I always did as far as workouts. I’m an active player when on the court, so I run a lot. Age is not a factor, it’s the mental part that gets players

 

 

When you look back over the last year, what have you missed the most from playing on the court?

What I have missed over the last year of playing ball is being with team mates and competing for a championship

 

You have played in 9 countries over your basketball career and between the 2010-2102 seasons bounced around four teams. Did the travel and moving around have a toll on you the last years?

Bouncing around In the years of 10-12 didn’t have an effect on me in my eyes. I just wish that the teams that I left for the other had better financial situations then. I would have never left

 

You have a very good basketball IQ. I can imagine this is a strength that never changes even with age. Is this something one can still practice by watching videos? I am sure you watched videos and just many games in the last year just to be up to date with the basketball world.

I stay in tune with European basketball because I played there. I have a channel that has euro league and euro cup games on every week. I’m the type of player that will watch video on the guard that I play that week to a point that I know if he likes going to his off hand and how many dribbles he likes to take before shooting

 

 

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

I’m a good point guard and sets up my teammates

 

 

If you could sell yourself to any team in the world how would you do it in  a few sentences?

I would sell myself to a team in a short sentence is to say that I’m a good leader, a good shooter, a good person and an all around player

 

What is your memory of the 2009-2010 season where you played with Ludwigsburg? The club missed the playoffs despite having talent. Was the team put together wrong or what were the main problems for not having success?

That 2009-2010 season was kind of difficult because of the misfortune with our team. I think that Ludwigsburg front office did a great job at putting the pieces together. In basketball your team just have to get hot at the right time. We started of fast and slowed down at the end.

 

 

Where would you rate ex teammate Michael Haynes in terms of athletic ability with all teammates that you have had in your career?

I would rate Mike Haynes at #1. His athletic ability is crazy

 

Would you like to play in Germany again? The league is getting more and more competitive each season.

I would love to play in Germany again! I had a great experience playing there.

 

In an interview we did four years ago you stated that playing in Greece was your best experience so far. What will you never forget from playing against the top Euroleague teams in Greece?

My experience of playing in Greece against the top two teams in Europe was very enlightening. I had two opportunities to beat them but came up short

 

Do you ever look back on your George Washington days and think what might have been with NBA had you not got hurt your junior year?

Sometimes I think about when I got hurt in college. But even after I got hurt I had opportunities at playing in the NBA. I just got caught up in what they call “The Numbers Game.” That’s when you like a player but there is no room to put him on your team

 

Sarunas Jaskikevicius was the smartest player that you have ever played against. Which player was the toughest guard in your professional basketball career?

Sarunas is the smartest point guard that I’ve seen in Europe

 

 

 

What dreams do you still have as  a professional? To go to a team to win a title is probably 100% in your mind, but what about going to a young team and just help the young kids develop?

The things that I still want to do as a professional is to win a championship but if there was a opportunity to go to a younger team that would be ok to. But the fact remains that I will be still trying to win a championship

 

 

What are your aspirations after your playing career? Could you imagine getting into coaching or in what basketball capacity would you like to get into or might you go a totally different route?

After my basketball career I would go into coaching. I have been around enough good coaches to learn how to win as a coach. I have came across great coaches from the US TO EUROPE!

 

Where will the basketball journey of the Washington Wizzards end this season?

I don’t know what the Washington future would be for the rest of the season

 

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

THE PURGE

 

Thanks Michael for the chat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the last 30 years there have been many very very entertaining  and well made NBA commercials that have made one boring evening watching a Charlotte Bobcats-Washington Wizards game even more worth while to watch as well as delaying the yawning and rubbing of the baby blues and turning the channel to Seinfeld reruns. Some of the classic NBA videos that have made the air waves that have remained unforgettable and plastered in the minds of basketball aficionados have been the Larry Bird-Magic Johnson Converse commercials where choosing a weapon was vital, or the amazing Nike commercials supported by Vince Carter or Jason Williams as for some learning the tricks like their basketball hero´s was as important as it is for inspiring break dancers in the 80s to know the Michael Jackson moon walk step by step or the Michael Jordan and Mars Blackmon segments with the famous saying  could it be shoes, its got to be shoes or the NBA with their always amusing where amazing happens. The Kobe and Lebron puppet commercials bring another dimension to the commercials where one doesn´t always have to be human to get the point across. Other players surely dream of taking the roles of a Kobe or Lebron and dreaming is allowed and imagine if there was to be made a special Beko BBL commercial with sharp shooters Andrew Rautins of Frankfurt and David Bell of Phoenix Hagen making a video in the Fraport arena. The two names might not have the mega high profile of the NBA stars of today and yesterday, but with these two guys one could surely make a very entertaining video. Bell dressed up as baby hulk as his resemblance and body structure reminds one of the green monster, while Rautins is posing as Ferris Bueller who is ready to skip a day of basketball practice and just fire away and yell bombs away from all over the arena battling with the baby hulk Bell to see who can hit more shots even from the balcony or from the entrance to the catacomb. Anyway before any of these two guys dream of making a video like this, the guys first had to hit shots from the floor as two of the leagues best three point shooters met for the first time and Aziz N´Diaye with 16 points and Mark Dorris with 25 points stole the show from the two sharp shooters. Rautins finished with 13 points in the win after being limited to four points in the first half and David Bell had 17 points. It didn´t really matter which player you asked, each guy had their own Rautins-Bell commercial version. “I think if they did a commercial it could be never ending, because they both hit three pointers all day long. They would be shooting that commercial the whole day, because both are great shooters”, stressed injured Fraport Skyliner Quantez Robertson. Rautins was thinking old school when confronted with a possible commercial. “I think we would make a commercial like the old Mcdonalds commercials with Larry Bird and Michael Jordan playing horse. I really respect his game. Bell is a great shooter”, explained Andrew Rautins. Mark Dorris might of taken in to much of the Fraport Skyliners video to begin the game with Quantez Robertson doing his thing on the Frankfurt airport runway. “I think they would make a commercial at the airport shooting into moving planes”, smiled Cincinnati native Mark Dorris. It might only have been December 1^st, but Oklahoma native Jacob Burtschi was already in the Christmas spirit. “Those two guys should make a commercial like the current NBA one with Derrick Rose and Kevin Durant”, added Jacob Burtschi.

The game had so many interesting stories again as it was the break out game of Senegal big man Aziz Ndiaye, the 39 points contributed by the Fraport Skyliners bench, the amazing Phoenix Hagen come back in the fourth quarter and the unbelievable contested shots that Quantez Robertson buddy Mark Dorris was hitting all night long. Without starting point guard Henry Dugat available due to injury, Mark Dorris has had to take over a lot more responsibility and he almost was able to win the game at the end. Dorris came to Germany in 2009 via a solid NCAA career at Marshall and dominated the Pro A with Cuxhaven averaging 18,3ppg and arrived in the Beko BBL in Hagen in 2010 and is playing his third season for head coach Ingo Freyer after playing his second season in the Beko BBL in Ludwigsburg. Dorris is one of those guys that can light up the scoreboard with the likes of a Davin White or a David Bell, but the only difference is that he makes the most difficult shots that could almost warrant a special patent for the Ohio native. Dorris was relatively upbeat after the game and for him it was just another day at the office and with one more basket could have decided the game for Phoenix Hagen. “I just try to give what is needed for my team to get into a good rhythm and get the win. We had some good looks at the end and you just have to make those shots and we didn´t”, explained Mark Dorris. Besides penetrating to the basket, Dorris loves to wheel and deal in the zone and then take off balance shots over players which is helped extremely by his athletic ability. “He is a tough cover that knows how to get to the hole, can shoot and has so much athletic ability. He jumps so high when he shoots that he is tough to stop”, warned Jacob Burtschi. Bell who´s shooting clinic was left in the shadow by Dorris knows what the American is capable of doing. “Dorris played great. He has done it so many times for so many years in this league. We see him make these shots everyday in practice. It was great for us that he executed so well”, stressed David Bell. His friend Quantez Robertson also knows from the Cincinnati playgrounds of what Dorris is capable of displaying with the basketball. “Dorris has an endless motor. He always goes hard on offense and defense. When he finds his spots, then he hits tough shots”, stressed Quantez Robertson. Fraport Skyliner Andrew Rautins who usually likes to shoot out the lights from outside also found some room to penetrate and score and might have taken something from the game of Dorris. “Dorris was feeling it today. We didn´t do a good job containing his penetration. He played a solid game”, warned Andrew Rautins.

The Fraport Sklyiners came into the game with a two game winning streak and perched in tenth place with the chance of moving into the playoff places with a win. They had defended better the last two games against Artland and Tuebingen giving up 70 points and knew that they would have their hands full with high scoring run and gun team Phoenix Hagen. After letting Phoenix Hagen stay with them shot for shot, the Fraport Skyliners stepped it up in the second quarter and Phoenix Hagen then was forced to play catch up basketball all night long what they adjusted well to and almost turned around the game in the last minute had shots fallen. But once again the Fraport Skyliners got support from the whole team which was key for keeping the winning streak alive at three games. “We had a total team effort. Our bench contributed 39 points and that really helped us win.  You need a strong bench to be able to win games better. If we can keep this up then we will be in good shape the rest of the way”, warned ex Syracuse guard Andrew Rautins. Phoenix Hagen came into the game riding on a two game winning streak and wanted to gain more leverage in the playoff places, but came up short despite a very very hard fought effort that almost paid dividends at the end with a victory. “It wasn´t easy playing without Henry Dugat, but this is something that we have to adjust to. We didn´t start out as aggressive on offense as we should have. We did a good job sticking to our game plan the whole game, but not with the sense of urgency in the first half that we should have”, stressed  Oakland, California native David Bell. Phoenix Hagen assistant coach Steven Wriedt gave his two cents to the reasons for the loss stating that the second quarter was key for the Fraport Skyliners going in the right direction to securing the early roots for the win. “Frankfurt did a good job to pull away in the second quarter. We did a good job on Jacob Burtschi and Andrew Rautins, but that opened it up for Aziz Ndiaye who had too many easy buckets”, explained Steven Wriedt. “I think our bench did a great job as each guy contributed in different ways. After Burtschi got foul problems other guys stepped up. Our will was great. We didn´t play great basketball, but our will was very important. We struggled with turnovers having 8-10 too many”, expressed Frapport Skyliner head coach Gordon Herbert.

4,610 fans came into the Fraport arena to witness the return of ex Skyliner Bernd Kruel who is playing his last season and the question was if Phoenix Hagen would be able to play there preferred run and gun basketball and make meat out of so many other opponents. Phoenix Hagen got going quickly as Larry Gordon hit a midrange jumper from the baseline and David Bell said hello to Konstantin Klein nailing a three pointer in his face as Frankfurt trailed 5-2. However Frankfurt recognized early that they would be able to get a smooth flow in their offense inside and out as Barthel scored inside after getting a quick feed from Klein and Klein then nailed his first three pointer of the first quarter as Frankfurt led 7-5. Barthel and Bell then exchanged baskets as Phoenix Hagen trailed 9-7. However the first quarter belonged to Klein who dropped two more bombs and Frankfurt led 17-9. Phoenix Hagen did a supper job containing Rautins often double teaming him, so Klein opted to step up hitting his open shots. Phoenix Hagen then went on their first run of the game of 10-2 to dead lock the game at 19-19. Phoenix Hagen may have dominant shooters, but their inside duo of Dino Gregory and Keith Ramsey aren´t too shabby either as they scored consecutive buckets inside, Bell hit a jumper and Dorris an off balance shot. Nikita Khartchenkov who started his basketball career in 2003 with TV Langen hit a jumper as well. Los Angeles native Jarred Dubois had the last shot of the first quarter found open daylight and finished with his left hand as the Fraport Skyliners led 23-21 after one quarter. “Konstantin Klein really stepped up and hit big shots.  The first quarter was pretty even as teams traded shot for shot”, explained Jacob Burtschi. The Fraport Skyliners were shooting 43% from the field and 60% from outside while Phoenix Hagen was shooting 50% from the field and 33% from outside. Frankfurt had the 9-7 rebound edge and three turnovers while Phoenix Hagen had two turnovers.

The second quarter was the professional basketball birth of 25 year old 213cm center Aziz Ndiaje of Senegal who dominated the second quarter with 12 points and his play seemed like day and night to previous games where at times he looked like a lost little kid in a play pen filled with big men. He scored on his first touch and on his second touch as rookie Dubois fed him nicely as Frankfurt led 27-23. Kevin Bright then hit a pretty catch and pop jumper from the corner and Dorris then was at his normal self connecting on another seemingly impossible off balance shot as Frankfurt led 29-25. Rautins then scored on a rare penetration as his outside shooting was more than limited. Phoenix Hagen continued to hang in the game not allowing Frankfurt to break away by connecting on their shots as David Bell hit from downtown again and Larry Gordon used the massive mismatch against Ndiaye making him dizzy with his dribbling and then hitting  a jumper over the big man as Phoenix Hagen completed a 7-2 run to trail only 31-30. However the Fraport Skyliners didn´t let this comeback dampen their game as they raced out on a 8-0 run sparked by six points by Ndiaye who got increased confidence with every new touch making a reverse layup and put back over Gregory and Barthel made a monster dunk as Frankfurt led 39-30. Frankfurt closed out the second quarter with some big buckets from Ndiaye who made a tip in and Ramon Galloway floater. Dorris closed out the second quarter with another floater in traffic, but Frankfurt led 45-34. The story of the second quarter was Aziz Ndiaye who had 12 points and was more than instrumental for Phoenix Hagen being down by 11 points. He had his ups and downs as he also had five turnovers, but all in all it was refreshing to see the positive turnaround in his game. The big man was the last to leave the dressing room and had much to tell the reporters after his rebirth game. “I wanted to come out with energy and just be aggressive. I was able to use mismatches and coach knows that I like to play with my back to the basket and we had been working much this week in practice to get me in good position. I like to roll and catch and finish and my teammates did a great job finding me in the paint”, commented Aziz Ndiaye. “Ndiaye had a good game. He was a force in the paint. He took advantage of us taking away shooters Rautins and Burtschi and played a good game”, said Mark Dorris.  “It was the break out game of Ndiaye. He has been working very hard in practice. He did good job getting to the right place so we could get him the ball in good position”, stressed Jacob Burtschi. The Fraport Skyliners were shooting 56% from the field and 43% from the three point line while Phoenix Hagen was shooting 42% from the field and 29% from the three point line. Frankfurt had the 18-14 rebound edge and Frankfurt had eight turnovers while Phoenix Hagen had seven turnovers.

The Fraport Skyliners continued to keep the lead in the third quarter despite Phoenix Hagen being a thorn in the side of Frankfurt never giving up and even cutting the lead to two points, but they couldn´t regain the lead as Frankfurt was able to get a comfortable lead again. Mark Dorris got Phoenix Hagen on the board first with  a left handed lay in in traffic to cut the Frankfurt lead to 45-37. After a Johannes Voigtmann  dunk, Phoenix Hagen closed out their 8-2 run to trail only 47-42. Dorris hit another jumper and then Larry Gordon made a steal and played run and gun as he closed out the fast break with an open three pointer as he had so much time sitting on the three point line and then shooting. However each time Phoenix Hagen was threatening on the comeback, they got slapped in the face by the Fraport Skyliners executing on offense as Andrew Rautins hit a three pointer in the corner and Konstantin Klein extended the Frankfurt lead to 52-42 with a lay in. One thing Phoenix Hagen didn´t do was lay down and give up as they continued to demonstrate heart and execution going on a 10-2 run and making basketball life so hard for Frankfurt as they trailed only 54-52. In the run Dorris scored twice as did Bell with a lay in and three pointer. However as has been the case in the last games against Artland and Tuebingen and Hagen there were always different hero´s that stepped up. In the last minutes it was rookie Jarred Dubois who led Frankfurt on a 14-4 run steering 11 points to the run. He hit inside on the penetration and dropped a three pointer. Ndiaye also had a giant dunk which was set up by German Danilo Barthel who showed his team play opting not to challenge the defense with a three pointer, but finding the open big man under the hoop. After three quarter, the Fraport Skyliner had a comfortable lead again 68-56. “Jarred Dubois hit big shots that helped us keep the lead”, added Jacob Burtschi. The Fraport Skyliners were shooting 56% from the field and 45% from the parking lot while Phoenix Hagen was shooting 45% from the field and 40% from the parking lot. Frankfurt had the 27-21 rebound advantage, but 12 turnovers while Phoenix Hagen had nine turnovers.

The Fraport Skyliners went into the fourth quarter with a fine12 point lead, but saw it shaved down to two points and were lucky to escape their own living room with a victory. Two bench players gave their respective teams energy in the first minute as Nikita Khartchenkov hit free throws and a jumper while rookie American Ramon Galloway from Florida scored inside, made a big steal and fed Barthel for a big dunk as Frankfurt led 72-61. Despite the comfortable Frankfurt lead, one was never 100% confident that Phoenix Hagen wouldn´t make one last run especially when a Mark Dorris was hitting from all over on the court except from the top of Skyliner mascot dunking kong´s head. After Rautins made a slick steal and went coast to coast for the dunk, it was Dorris who continued to score in bunches making an off balance shot and then making a steal and dunk as Frankfurt led 76-68. Galloway then used his quick first step in the set offense went inside and made a reverse lay up as Frankfurt led 78-68 with three minutes to play in the game. However Phoenix Hagen had one last grasp of energy and used it best by going on a 9-1 run to cut the Frankfurt lead to 79-77. Phoenix Hagen played practical team basketball as Larry Gordon made an offensive rebound and put back, Keith Ramsey blocked Voigtmann, Gordon hit a huge three pointer and Dorris withdrew from shooting and found 37 year old ex Skyliner Bernd Kruel back door as all of a sudden a seemingly won game for Frankfurt looked like Phoenix Hagen would take the momentum and win.  A Ndiaye turnover and Dubois unsportsmanlike foul made the game a tick to exciting at the end. Dubois and Gordon traded free throws as Frankfurt led 81-79. It looked like Frankfurt would throw away the game as Ndiaye missed two free throws and Andrew Rautins one free throw, but Frankfurt was lucky as those missed shots and a turnover wasn´t punished by Dorris and Bell who took the last two shots, but missed. “Finishing games continues to be our Achilles heel. We have to improve this and do a better job finishing better”, warned Andrew Rautins. “We never want to lose. We fought until the end and many guys stepped up, but it just wasn´t enough”, stressed David Bell. The Fraport Skyliners were led by Aziz Ndiaye with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Jarred Dubois had 15 points. Andrew Rautins chipped in with 13 points, Konstantin Klein with 1 2points and Danilo Barthel added 12 points, four rebounds and four assists. Phoenix Hagen was led by Mark Dorris with 25 points. David Bell chipped in with 16 points and Larry Gordon added 16 points also. Frankfurt shot very well from the field at 52% and had 40 points in the paint. Having 39 point contribution from the bench was more than vital and was the true X factor for the Fraport Skyliners in the win. “Our biggest strength as a team was our bench. Ndiaye had a big game giving us points and rebounds, Dubois had a big second half and Klein great first quarter. Each guy on the team performed well”, stated Quantez Robertson.

Jay Threat is a 24 year old 180cm point guard from Richmond, Virginia that is playing his second professional season and first in germany with the MLP Academics Heidelberg. He started his basketball career with George Mason and then transefered to Delaware State where he played from 2009-2012 an din his senior year played 26 games: 8.9ppg, 3.7rpg, 6.0apg, Steals-1(3.0spg), FGP: 45.3%, 3PT: 26.4%, FT: 82.1%. He played a total of 89 NCAA games. Last season as a rookie he played for Ungmennafelagio Snaefell (Iceland-Dominos League): 28 games: 18.5ppg, 5.3rpg, Assists-1(8.9apg), 1.9spg, FGP: 50.6%, 3PT: 41.6%, FT: 77.8%. He spoke to German Hoops before the game until Crailsheim.

Jay thanks for talking to German Hoops again. It is getting colder in Germany, but really after playing in Iceland last season, is this weather still very much more comfortable then what you encountered last season?

Wassup Miles. YES it is getting cold! but its still way warmer than iceland.

Congrats on the 66-60 win last weekend against Giessen. They are a team that want to get back up to the Beko BBL quickly. What was key for getting the win and how key was it containing Myles Hesson on the night?

Thanks. It was a big win for us to get on the road. I think every teams goal should be to move up to the BBL. We just didnt want to give Hesson any easy looks, we didnt do anything special.

The first two months has been crazy up near the top of the Pro A standings as Heidelberg is holding their own in third place with a record of 8-3, but from position four to nine, all teams have a record of 6-4. How have you experienced the first two months in the Pro A?

It has been a crazy start to the season with the race at the top. I think teams were trying to figure themselves out and how they wanted to play.

Heidelberg has a 8-3 record and have started the season well. What has been key mostly for getting off to such a good start?

I feel like we have started out ok considering all the injuries we’ve faced. But we know we should be 10-0 and are not satisfied at all. Were starting to pick it back up by refocusing on coach’s philosophy.

Recently the club was giving up many points, but in the last two games the team has given up an average of 63 points. What adjustments has the team seemed to have done on the defensive end?

We are a solid defensive team we just got a little lazy the past couple games and we have since refocused. Our big offensive game just overshadows our defense sometimes.

On offense the team is shooting very well from outside. It seems like the team relies most on the perimeter. Will the Heidelberg inside game get more active as the season moves along?

Braxton Durpee and Devin White have faced some injuries as well and started off a little slow but as they come long and we get stronger inside to go along with Micheal Jost.

You have had no problems adjusting to the German pro A. You are averaging 18,4ppg and 7,4apg and 3,8rpg. Is there anything in your game that has been more difficult to adjust to in your game that isn´t seen in the stats?

I’ve had no problems at all besides a couple injuries myself. I wish I could get a few more calls from the refs though lol

How important has German Nico Adamczak been this season. He is known as a shooter, but what other qualities have sparked the team?

Nico has been great! He balances out the scoring load which makes it hard for teams to load up on me a Shy Ely. Nico is a good rebounder and is a team captain.

You probably knew after the first day of practice that Shy Ely would be a very important player for Heidelberg, but besides hiss coring and 63% from outside, what has impressed you the most in his game that has developed since the first day of practice where you were present?

Shy’s consistency is what most impresses me on a daily basis. He’s one of the hardest working players ive played with. An all-around player, gets it done on D not just offensively.

The next game is against potential playoff team Crailsheim. This is one of the many 6-4 teams at the moment. What kind of game can we await?

Just started scouting them today so i dont know much but it should be a good one.

Where will the journey of the Washington Wizzards end this season?

My friend Eric Maynor plays on that team and Washington is the closest team to my hometown so for those reasons alone I hope the make the playoffs.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

The last DVDs I watched were Troy and Gladiator. Two of my favorite movies:

Thanks Jay for the chat.