Author: Miles Schmidt-Scheuber

Basketball journalist and play by play commentator

Jacob Burtschi (Fraport Skyliners): My Teammates Have Confidence In My Shot, But I Need To Find That Confidence Again

Jacob Burtschi is a 27 year old 198cm forward from Chickasha, Oklahoma who is playing his first season with the Fraport Skyliners. He completed his rookie season for Phoenix Hagen averaging 14.2ppg, 6.9rpg, 2.5apg, Steals-3(1.5spg), FGP: 56.0%, 3PT: 44.2%, FT: 82.2%. He played at the Air Force from 2003-2007. In his senior year, he played 35 games averaging 13.5ppg, 6.0rpg, 2.3apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 49.7%, 3Pts: 39.0%, FT: 77.3%. He had offers to play in the NBA, but served in the Air Force the last three years and could only play club ball. Some achievements that he got in the NCAA were All-MWC Honorable Mention -05, MWC Regular Season Runner-Up -06, All-MWC 2nd Team -06, 07, NABC All-NCAA District 13 2nd Team -07, and NIT Final Four -07. He spoke to German Hoops after the 81-57 loss in Ludwigsburg.

A tough 81-57 loss in Ludwigsburg. Why was this game so tough after a long break and good week of practice?

We watched video today and you could see that our defense wasn´t there. We had no effort or communication. They simply outplayed us.

Frankfurt has given up an average of 80 points in the last two games. Does one have to worry about the Frankfurt defense?

No I don´t think so. There will always be bad phases on defense and mental lapses. Important is that they get corrected and we improve.

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Ilian Evtimov (Pascal Roller Reminds Me Of The Character In The Movie Taken With A Bruce Wills Look)

Ilian Evtimov is a 28 year old 201 cm forward playing his second season in France for Chalon. He has the French-Bulgarian citzenships and played at North Carolina State from 2001-2006. In his senior year, he played 31 games averaging 10.4ppg, 3.7rpg, 2.5apg, 1.2spg, FG: 45.3%, 3PT: 40.8%, FT. After a short stint with Estudiantes Madrid in 2006, he played at VidiVici Bologna in the 2006-2007 season. He played FIBA EuroCup playing 15 games averaging 6.3ppg, 2.4rpg, 2FGP: 65.4%, 3FGP: 47.1%, FT: 72.2%; and playing15 games in the Italian league averaging 3.1ppg, 2.1rpg. In 2007-2008, he moved to The Deutsche Bank Skyliners playing 10 ULEB Cup games averaging 14.5ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.7apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 48.3%, 3PT: 40.7%, FT: 85%; and in the German League playing 44 games averaging 13.1ppg, 5.1rpg, 2.1apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 41.4%, 3PT: 33.9%, FT: 86.2%. In 2008-2009, he continued playing in Frankfurt playing 10 EuroChallenge: games averaging 8.3ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.7apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 45.2%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 70.0%; and in the German League playing 34 games averaging 8.5ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 43.6%, 3PT: 38.3%, FT: 74.6%. In 2009-2010, he played for BC Levski Sophia (Bulgaria-NBL): 1 game: 6pts, 5reb, 2ast, 3steals; Balkan League: 1 game: 3pts, 1reb, 1ast, 2steals; in Oct.’09 moved to Proteas EKA AEL Limassol (Cyprus-Division EuroChallenge: 13 games: 10.9ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 46.8%, 3PT: 45.6%, FT: 83.3%: FT-2(90.9%). Last season, he played for Chalon playing 33 games: 11.6ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.9apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 50.5%, 3PT: 39.8%, FT: 84.2%. He spoke to German Hoops about his ex teammate Pascal Roller who recently had his farewell game and with whom he was teammates with from 2007-2009.

How much of a pleasure was it playing with Pascal and having him as teammate?

Pascal was a great leader in all aspects, on and off the court, he led by example. He is the wise man, never getting upset. Always being calm helped everyone around him be calm. It was a great pleasure to play with someone like him. I learned a lot.

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Alex Harris Shows Some California Hyphy As EnBW Ludwigsburg Freezes The Fraport Skyliners 82-57

Two Weeks ago, the Ludwigsburg arena was transformed into a glitzy, boisterous, loud, spectacular and unforgettable basketball world as the 2012 Beko BBL Allstar game took place there. Fans saw as many well known basketball faces in the arena then as RTL camp members saw nasty scorpions in a short time. In a short span of a few hours basketball aficionados saw many cheerful colorful mascots dancing and performing mischevious acts, crowd favorite Darius Hall having his gregarious smile on redial mode, Heiko Schaffartzik and Tony Gaffney possibly planning a vacation to plot their next Dunk escapades, Donatas Zavackas learning to love his home court rims or German national player Per Guenther displaying a knack to be able to shoot over guys twice his size. With the Beko BBL Allstar game long over and just a sweet memory in the heads of many kids with the festivities dancing in their heads weeks later, EnBW Ludwigsburg and the Fraport Skyliners returned back to normal conditions as the glitz was gone, but not the uncomfortable noise or love for the game of basketball as EnBW Ludwigsburg snapped their four game losing streak and the Fraport Skyliners five game unbeaten streak on the road was broken as they lost 82-57. The Ludwigsburg arena may not have been as full as at the Allstar game, but the atmosphere was still breathtaking despite how the season has gone for the Schwaben team so far. “The players and fans never thought we would have a season like this after last season. It has been a tough season and with injuries to guys like John Bowler, Jerry Green and Alex Harris. However the fans have always stood behind our team and I can only compliment them for their support tonight”, stressed EnBW Ludwigsburg sport director Mario Probst. “It was a great atmosphere as the fans kept us going and you could really feel that the crowd was behind us. The team is very close”, commented ex Skyliner Anthony Fisher.

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Can The Fraport Skyliners Extend Their Winning Streak On the Road In Ludwigsburg To 6 Games?

At the moment in the NBA, some teams have as many games a week as Beko BBL teams have games in a month. Ex Skyliner Jon Leuer has played 20 games in about a five week span and will surely never trade anything for the chance to lace them up in the NBA, but he possibly may day dream every so often and look back to the more tranquil life in the Beko BBL where 1-2 games a week seemed like a blessing in disguise for the recuperation of his basketball body. For the Fraport Sklyiners, they will have been idle for 15 days days when they next meet EnBW Ludwigsburg on February 4^th as their last game was the dreadful and unnecessary loss to their Hessen derby neighbor January 20^th. “When you are away so long, it is always difficult getting the rhythm back which you had before the break. The players have to take good care of their bodies. Two weeks is a long time and that can always hurt the conditioning of a player. Tactical things won´t be much of a challenge, because they never really change. The European schedule is good for the body and working on your game between games as too many games take atoll on the body which one sees with all the injuries in the NBA. The problem with the schedule in Europe is that you have too much time to dwell on a loss while in the NBA, you need to have a short memory”, stressed Quentin Pryor who is playing in Wels, Austria. In between, the team had a fun, but meaningless game against the Pascal Roller allstars in his farewell game January 28^th. With the long competitive delay and a place in the middle of the Beko BBL rankings, the team was as focused to get back to their day job as Tom Brady was after the AFC championship win with that special sparkle in his eyes giving an indirect look that he wont lose a second Super Bowl to Eli Manning and the New York Giants, Super model Heidi Klum decision in making her chapter in love with Mr kiss from a rose Seal final with a divorce and Mr Aerosmith Steven Tyler recently reciting an interesting and so Tylerisch redemption of the national anthem. “I think the break and having the Pascal Roller farewell game in between was a good thing for the players. I think for the new Skyliner Americans, they can´t really realize what Pascal Roller meant to basketball in Germany and to the organization Skyliners. For the German players playing in this game meant a lot. Even if the Roller game was for fun, I think that it could have a positive effect on the chemistry of the Skyliners”, warned Walter tiger Tuebingen forward Ruben Spoden.

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Jukka Matinen (KTP Basket Kotka): The Way Pascal Roller Treates Everyone Well is Unique

Jukka Matinen is a 33 year old 203cm forward that was born in Kerava, Finland. He started his basketball career in 1995 for New Wave. He then played for NMKY Helsinki, ToPo Helsinki, Tapiolan Honka and Honka Espoo from 1997-2002. He then played for the Skyliners from 2002-2006 playing 104 Beko BBL games, 19 ULEB cup games and 9 Euroleague games. He won the German championship in 2004 and reached the final in 2005. He then played for Honka Espoo Playboys from 2006-2011 playing 195 games winning the Finish title in 2007 and 2008. He spoke to German Hoops about the Pascal Roller farewell game and basketball in general.

How happy were you to be part of the Pascal Roller farewell game?

It was great to come back and an honor to be asked. I always enjoy coming back to Frankfurt. They have great fans there.

What was your impression of Pascal Roller. Was there much difference to 2006 when you last played with him?

He is still quick. He is still in very good shape despite being retired. He isn´t in as good shape as in 2006, but I think that he could still play in the Beko BBL now.

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Isaiah Swann (ratiopharm Ulm): David Holston Always Surprises You

Isaiah Swann is a 26 year old 188cm guard from Germantown, Maryland that is playing his first season in Germany for ratiopharm Ulm. He is an athletic, left-handed point guard who is capable of putting up big numbers. He played at Florida State from 2004-2008 and in his senior year played 24 games: 11.8ppg, 3.1rpg, 2.9apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 43.3%, 3Pts: 38.8%, FT: 84.0%. In his rookie season in 2008, he played for three teams including Aget Imola (Italy-Lega2, starting five): 15 games: 13.6ppg, 2.8rpg, 3.1apg, 3.1spg, FGP: 47.7%, 3PT: 42.9%, FT: 71.9%; left in Jan.’09, in Feb.’09 moved to Harem Scafati (Italy-Lega2): 1 game: 4pts, 1reb, 2steals, 1block; in March ’09 signed at Altshuler Saham Galil Gilboa (Israel-Premier League): 13 games: 7.3ppg, 2.4rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 38.7%, 3PT-3(46.3%), FT: 87.5%. In 2009-2010, he played for Altshuler Saham Galil Gilboa (Israel-Premier League): 27 games: 8.5ppg, 2.3rpg, 1.9apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 41.5%, 3PT: 42.7%, FT: 81.5%. Last season, he played for Rio Grande Valley Vipers (D-League): 3 games: 7.3ppg, 2.0rpg, 1.7apg, in Dec.’10 moved to Maccabi Rishon Le-Zion (Israel-Premier League, starting five): 24 games: 12.7ppg, 3.4rpg, 4.0apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 45.3%, 3PT: 39.1%, FT: 84.1%. He was Israeli Premier League Champion in 2010. He spoke with German Hoops about basketball.

How much of a luxury is it to have three strong point guards with Per Guenther, Tommy Mason-Griffin and yourself?

It is a very unique situation. We can all play the position one and two. We can create for ourselves and for each other as well as for our teammate. Most teams that I have seen have one or two point guards so having our situation is a big help.

What was it like playing against ex NBA player Jamison Brewer?

It was nice playing against Jamie that is what I called him back in the day. I played at the same high school along with other players like James White and Demarcus Johnson. I watched him play back then and he was always a great point guard. He can find other players like no other. He doesn´t score much. But he is always finding his teammates. It was good seeing him and it was the first time that I played against him.

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Pascal Roller Dunks One Last Time as The Fraport Skyliners Overcome The Pascal Roller Allstars 85-80

In the BCM training facility, it is never rare to see a bunch of Fraport Skyliner players practicing each day working on how they will beat their next opponent and seeing people of all ages going after a basketball. However once in a while, there are special occasions where the ultimate best enter the gym like in the last years with the German national team, NBA superstar Dirk Nowitzki or ex NBA players like Alex Acker, Marcus Brown, Marcus Fizer, Charles Smith, Mario Kasun or current NBA players like Carlos Arroyo, Jon Leuer, Lavoy Allen or Justin Harper. With the Pascal Roller farewell game that was held on January 28^th, the Skyliner legend invited back some of his ex teammates like Stefano Garris, Jukka Matinen, Dennis Wucherer, Robert Maris or Gerrit Terdenge to battle on the court. The BCM court may not be as big as the Fraport arena, but there is a special aura in the building that gives the impression that extra ordinary players have stepped on the court for years. “The BCM brings back special memories. I have left a lot of sweat and tears on this court. I always enjoyed practicing here and have only positive memories”, expressed current KTP Basket Kotka forward Jukka Matinen. Nino Garris who will always cherish the ad he did on top of the Deutsche Bank tower in 2005 with Pascal Roller also will never forget the BCM. “This is one of the best gym´s in Europe. Every team wants a facility like this. I was lucky to be able to work in this building for three years”, added Nino Garris. For rookie Michael Thompson, the BCM is like a candy shop, becuas eits always open. “This place is always open, and there are so many rims that one can always shoot. I like to be here in my free time working on my shooting and ball handling. I have the luxury to be able to walk here”, stressed Michael Thompson.

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Dane Watts (ratiopharm Ulm): I Don´t Think That BBC Bayreuth Was Able To Keep Up The Intensity Or Pace For 40 Minutes With Such A Short Rotation

Dane Watts is a 25 year old 203cm forward from Warrensburg, Missouri. He is playing his first season for ratiopharm Ulm. He played at Creighton (NCAA) from 2004-2008 with NBA player Anthony Tolliver. In his senior year, he played 33 games: 11.3ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 53.4%, 3Pts: 42.5%, FT: 71.8%. In 2008, he came to Germany and started his professional basketball career with EnBW Ludwigsburg (Germany-1.Bundesliga, starting five): 32 games: 8.9ppg, 3.8rpg, FGP-1(68.4%), 3PT: 30.8%, FT: 68.7%. In 2009-2010, he came to The Walter Tigers Tuebingen playing 34 games: 10.2ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 57.1%, 3PT: 37.6%, FT: 71.0%. Last season for Tuebingen, he played 33 games: 13.7ppg, Reb-4(7.6rpg), 1.1apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 57.9%, 3PT: 36.7%, FT: 54.5%; in May’11 moved to Hyeres-Toulon Var Basket (France-ProA): 3 games: 7.0ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.7apg, 1.0spg. At Creighton, he won awards such as MVC Tournament Winner -05, 07, MVC All-Freshman Team -05, MVC Regular Season Runner-Up -07, and MVC Tournament Semifinals -08. He spoke to German Hoops after the 74-52 win against BBC Bayreuth

congrats on the 74-52 win against BBC Bayreuth. ratiopharm Ulm is 5-0 in new arena. Do you feel the team gets a bit stronger with each home game?

We have had great fan support each game this season, they continue to sell out the arena to come see us and that makes for a great atmosphere. We are trying to build each game till the end of the season and we took a step last night against Bayreuth.

You kept BBC Bayreuth to 15 points in the second and third quarters. What was the biggest strength defensively in these 20 minutes?

To be honest they were undermanned this game with some injuries and I dont think that they could keep the intensity or pace for 40 minutes with such a short rotation.

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Nino Garris: Pascal Roller Could Read A Play And Knew Things On The Court Before They Happened

Nino Garris is a 32 year old 200cm forward that is playing in the German Regionaliga for TV Salzkotten. He is a very athletic player with a lot of European experience(Euroleague, Uleb Cup,), great competitor, can defend very hard and he´ll gets rebounds in a crowd because he´s tough.
A complete team player, who plays smart and hard. He started his basketball career with Paderborn in 1996. He then played one season for TuS Lichterfelde before moving up to Alba Berlin in 1999 where he played until 2005. With Alba Berlin, he played a total of 132 Beko BBL games and 38 Euroleague games. He was German champion four times and cup winner twice with Alba Berlin. He then played for the Deutsche Bank Skyliners from 2005-2008 where he had to fight with injury woes. He played a total of only 52 Beko BBL games and seven ULEB cup games. He finished his Beko BBL career with his hometown team Paderborn Baskets in 2008-2009. He spoke to German Hoops about the Pascal Roller farewell game January 28^th.

It has been a while since you last played in the Beko BBL. Do you miss it?

I wouldn´t really say that I miss it. It was a nice time in my life, but life goes on and I have a new chapter in it now.

How is it playing in the German Regionaliga with TV Salzkotten. Do young opponents sometimes ask you for basketball advice?

After I retired from the Beko BBL in 2009, I took about 1.5 years to see what I would do. I also didn´t play to much active sport, so I gained about 20 kilos and was having back pain. But after a while it was clear that I could never stay fully away from basketball, because I love it too much. I then joined TV Salzkotten which keeps me fit. Here and there people will ask me what is was like as a player, but I really dont get asked so much.

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Bobby Brown (EWE Baskets Oldenburg): I Think There Are Phases Where We Lose Concentration

Bobby Brown is a 27 year old 188cm point guard from Los Angeles, California that is playing for the EWE Baskets Oldenburg. He is a very athletic combo guard with great scoring and leaping ability. He played at Cal.St. Fullerton (NCAA) from 2003-2007. In 2007-2008, he played for ALBA Berlin (Germany-1.Bundesliga, starting five): ULEB Cup: 10 games: 16.0ppg, 2.6rpg, 4.2apg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 47.1%, 3FGP: 39%, FT: 83.3%; German League: 45 games: 13.8ppg, 2.6rpg, 3.7apg, 2FGP: 54.1%, 3FGP: 36.1%, FT: 74.6%. In 2008-2009, he played for Sacramento Kings (NBA): 47 games: 5.2ppg, 1.9apg, FGP: 38.1%, 3PT: 33.0%, FT: 76.5%; in Feb.’09 traded to Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA): 19 games: 4.7ppg, 1.4apg. In 2009-2010, he played for : New Orleans Hornets (NBA): 22 games: 6.6ppg, 2.1apg, FGP: 42.7%, 3PT: 25.8%; in Jan.’10 moved to Los Angeles Clippers (NBA): 20 games: 3.5ppg, 1.0rpg, 2.1apg. Last season, he played for Asseco Prokom Gdynia (Poland-PLK): 4 games: 23.8ppg, 3.0rpg, 4.3apg, 1.8spg; Polish League: Euroleague: 6 games: 10.7ppg, 1.0rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 38.1%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 87.5%; Polish League: VTB League: 5 games: 12.6ppg, 2.0rpg, 2.2apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 38.5%, 3PT: 26.7%, FT: 56.3%; left in Dec.’10, same month moved to Aris Thessaloniki (Greece-A1, starting five): Greek League: 29 games: 11.3ppg, 2.5rpg, 3.0apg, FGP: 42.6%, 3PT: 32.5%, FT: 67.9%; EuroCup: 9 games: 14.2ppg, 2.6rpg, 3.3apg, FGP: 53.4%, 3PT: 36.7%, FT: 75.0%. He spoke to German Hoops a few hours before the 2012 Beko BBL Allstar game.

You are playing your second Beko BBL Allstar game. What has been your impression of the festivities in Ludwigsburg?

I have been impressed. It is well organized and the arena is pretty new and the fan base is very good here.

What are your memories of the 2007 Beko BBL Allstar game in Cologne?

That was held in a big arena and I remember that we had a good group of guys with Ricky Paulding, Julius Jenkins and Patrick Femmerling. I remember that we beat the south pretty badly. It was a great experience.

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