Author: Miles Schmidt-Scheuber

Basketball journalist and play by play commentator

Jon Leuer(Fraport Skyliners): A Good Shooter Needs That Quick Release To Be Successful

Jon Leuer is a 22 year old 208cm power forward from Long Lake Minnesota that is playing his first season for the Fraport Skyliners. He has great team mentality and defensive smartness. Knows how to score (and to gain fouls) in the low post, has a good outside shooting too. He played at Wisconsin from 2007-2011. In his senior year, he played 34 games averaging  18.3ppg, 7.2rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 47.0%, 3PT: 37.0%, FT: 84.3%. He was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks (NBA,2rd(40). He spoke to German Hoops recently about basketball.

Are head coach Muli Katzurin and the players on the same page?

Yes we are. We are still trying to figure each other out. It hasn´t shown on the court yet. We just listen to what the coach says and try to get better in practice each day.

Who impressed you most with Alba Berlin?

DaShaun Wood impressed me the most. He did a good job controlling the tempo of the game. He has been one of the best players that we have played against. He does so much for that team. He distributes the ball so well and is a good defender as well.

How was it playing against Tony Gaffney recently? Do you think he can get back to the NBA?

Gaffney is a great player that does many good things for his team. He has the ability to play in the NBA, but it is tough because there are so many good players that want to play there. He just has to find the right fit.

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Keith Simmons(Banvit, Turkey): Quantez Robertson Is One Of The Most Athletic Player That I Have Ever Played Against

Keith Simmons is a 26 year old 196cm guard from Kingston, New York that is playing his fifth professional basketball season and fourth in Turkey. He played at Holy Cross (NCAA) from 2003-2007. In his senior year, he played 34 games: 16.9ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.9apg, 2.3spg, FGP: 49.7%, 3Pts: 34.9%, FT: 76.7%. In 2007-2008, he played for Kepez Bld Antalya (Turkey-TBL, starting five): 30 games: 16.2ppg, 5.7rpg, 2.1apg, 1.2spg, 2FGP: 56.8%, 3PT: 35.7%, FT: 73.5%. In 2008-2009, he played for the Deutsche Bank Skyliners Frankfurt (Germany-1.Bundesliga, starting five), injured in Oct.’08 and was off for 1 month: EuroChallenge: 8 games: 8.6ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.5apg; German League: 33 games: 11.3ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.4apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 59.6%, 3PT: 35.5%, FT: 74.1%. He has played for Banvit Basketbol Kulubu (Turkey-TBL) since 2009. Last season, he played EuroCup: 5 games: 10.0ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.6spg, FGP: 58.6%, 3PT: 30.0%, FT: 87.5%; Turkish League: 38 games: 10.4ppg, 5.1rpg, 1.8apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 54.4%, 3PT: 37.7%, FT: 76.4%. He spoke to German Hoops after the 73-72 win against the Fraport Skyliners in Eurocup play.

Congrats on the 73-72 win against the Fraport Skyliners in Eurocup play. How did you like their new uniforms?

They were nice uniforms. It is nice them having the Airport the hub of travel as their sponsor. Deutsche Bank was a great sponsor, but the new one is a good one also.

After a five game losing streak in the Beko BBL, The Fraport Skyliners came out focused and were only trailing 39-34 at halftime. What was giving Banvit the biggest problems in the first 20 minutes?

Frankfurt hit many tough shots. I think they hit 7-8 shots in the game with the buzzer sounding or very near to it. Mckinney and Davidson hit tough shots and were hard to stop at times.

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Kevin Hamilton(BBC Bayreuth): Any Pass That I Can Get To Kevin Durant Should Be An Automatic Assist

Kevin Hamilton is a 27 year old 193cm guard from Queens Village, New York that is playing his first season for BBC Bayreuth. He played at Holy Cross from 2002-2006 and played together with ex Skyliner Keith Simmons. In his senior year, he played 31 games averaging 17.6ppg, 6.3rpg, 3.5apg, 3.3spg, FG: 38.1%, 3PT: 33.2%, FT: 77.7%. In his rookie season 2006-2007, he came to Europe and played in Poland for Polpak Swiecie playing 19 games and averaging 13.0ppg, 4.5rpg, 3.8apg, Steals-2(2.3spg), 2FGP: 44.8%, 3PT: 38.2%, FT: 64.2%. In 2007-2008, he played in France for Besancon Basket Comte Doubs (France-ProB) playing 2 games and averaging 6.0ppg, 2.5rpg, 2.5apg. He also had a short tenure in Mexico with Pioneros de Quintana Roo-Cancun. In 2008-2009, he returned back to Poland to play for SKK Kotwica Kolobrzeg playing 32 games averaging 11.0ppg, 5.1rpg, Assists-1(6.4apg), Steals-1(2.8spg), FGP: 43.6%, 3PT: 32.6%, FT: 66.5%. He was not lazy in the last three summers staying in game shape and playing in Puerto Rico playing 90 games. In tue summer of 2009, he played for Indios de Mayaguez playing  35 games and averaging 10.5ppg, 4.7rpg, Assists-3(6.3apg), Steals-2(1.7spg), FGP: 45.4%, 3PT: 28.1%, FT: 70.6%. His father was a draft pick of The Boston Celtics in 1980. In 2009-2010, he played his first season in Braunschweig playing 39 games: 10.1ppg, 3.8rpg, Assists-3(5.4apg), Steals-2(1.9spg), FGP: 63.7%, 3PT: 33.9%, FT: 77.6%. In 2010-2011 for Braunschweig, he averaged 9,oppg, 4,1rpg and 4,3apg. Last summer, he played in Puerto Rico for Indios de Mayaguez (Puerto Rico-BSN) averaging 10,6ppg, 4,4rpg and 8,0apg. He spoke to German Hoops about the Kevin Durant rumors.

How is your injury rehab coming along? When can we see you on the court again?

I am not sure. My rehab is coming along well. It could be anywhere from 4-6-8 weeks.

BBC Bayreuth has won three of the last four games. How happy have you been with the play of point guard Danny Gibson?

Danny has done a great job. The team has responded well to his play. He has done a good job leading the team.

What has changed since new coach Marco Van den Berg taking over the reigns?

He has implemented a whole new philosophy on offense and defense. He is a very good basketball coach. He is a basketball junkie. He motivates the team well and we believe in his system. It has been great with him.

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Keith Simmons(Banvit, Turkey): I Hope The Fraport Skyliners Turn Their Season Around, Just Not Against Us In Eurocup Play

Keith Simmons is a 26 year old 196cm guard from Kingston, New York that is playing his fifth professional basketball season and fourth in Turkey. He played at Holy Cross (NCAA) from 2003-2007. In his senior year, he played 34 games: 16.9ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.9apg, 2.3spg, FGP: 49.7%, 3Pts: 34.9%, FT: 76.7%. In 2007-2008, he played for Kepez Bld Antalya (Turkey-TBL, starting five): 30 games: 16.2ppg, 5.7rpg, 2.1apg, 1.2spg, 2FGP: 56.8%, 3PT: 35.7%, FT: 73.5%. In 2008-2009, he played for the Deutsche Bank Skyliners Frankfurt (Germany-1.Bundesliga, starting five), injured in Oct.’08 and was off for 1 month: EuroChallenge: 8 games: 8.6ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.5apg; German League: 33 games: 11.3ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.4apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 59.6%, 3PT: 35.5%, FT: 74.1%. He has played for Banvit Basketbol Kulubu (Turkey-TBL) since 2009. Last season, he played EuroCup: 5 games: 10.0ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.6spg, FGP: 58.6%, 3PT: 30.0%, FT: 87.5%; Turkish League: 38 games: 10.4ppg, 5.1rpg, 1.8apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 54.4%, 3PT: 37.7%, FT: 76.4%. He spoke to German Hoops before the Eurocup game against the Fraport Skyliners November 15th.

You are playing your 5th professional basketball season and fourth in Turkey. Did Murat Didin have something to do with your love for Turkey?

I got my first chance in Turkey and since my first year here, Turkey has been special for me. I have had successful seasons with Banvit and have always come back. I like it here and want to continue to be successful here.

You have the Turkish citizenship now. How did that come about?

I am playing my fourth year here and last year the team approached me about getting the Turkish citizenship so the team can have an extra import player on the roster.

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Torrell Martin Doesn´t Need To Display Traffic Dunks But Shows His Taste Of Ray Allen Leading Bremerhaven Past The Fraport Skyliners 63-55

3 years ago around this time, The New England Patriots were still recovering from their surprising and disheartening Super Bowl loss to the New York Giants, Keith Simmons was starting his first season with The Deutsche Bank Skyliners and thoughts of playing the next three years in Turkey were still far away and Marcus Slaughter was learning the hard way not to eat a curry hot dog before a basketball game. Three years ago the Eisaberen Bremerhaven were in the midst of a 16 game losing streak despite strong play from Marcus Slaughter who was the top Eisbaeren scorer in their first seven games. Now in 2011, the basketball world of the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven is solid as they rest in position six whereas the Fraport Skyliners basketball world in the last four years has been as radiant as the smile of actor George Clooney, the surfing success of American Kelly Slater or the hit making of French artist David Guetta, but this season the team is going through unexpected and unwanted growing pains as their losing streak grew to five games as they let the game slip out of their hands into the bushy white claws of the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven in the fourth quarter losing 63-55. Frankfurt played a lot better than in the last games, but sometimes during losing streaks, basketball luck and lady luck don´t always mesh. “Long losing streaks are always tough and they wear down a team mentally. Losing at the end was tough, because coach prepared us well and we showed  a lot of improvement on defense. I remember going through a 13 game losing streak at Northwestern. We stuck together as a team and continued to work hard. We stayed tough and broke the streak”, stressed Skyliner guard Michael Thompson. Bremerhaven point guard Jamison Brewer who has 54 NBA games under his belt knows something about losing streaks. “I remember as a freshman at Auburn, we lost 12 games in a row and all in the last minute and three in overtime. If Frankfurt really has a team belief then they will dig down look in the mirror and come together as a unit. They have a good team and coach and if they continue to work hard, they will see positive results”, stressed Jamison Brewer. “I think that Frankfurt have a nice squad. Many teams go through a process of meshing and finding the right team chemistry. I think that Frankfurt will be fine”, warned Mike Smith.

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Can Quantez Robertson Help The Fraport Skyliners Decharge Energy Bundle Torrell Martin From Sparking The Eisbaeren Bremerhaven With Traffic Dunks?

In cities like Hagen, Tubingen and Trier reaching the Beko BBL playoffs the last years has been as difficult as understanding why Kobe Bryant wants to be the Wil Smith of the NBA and possibly making his former on court nemsis Ron Artest his Jada Pinket , Hollywood actress Lindsay Lohan finding any type of positive publicity in the last year, Rocker Marilyn Manson without makeup for once actually being recognized for who he is and not hearing the annoying words “I know you, but can´t quite pinpoint the name”, or shock radio host Howard Stern refraining for a day from featuring sexy women in his show and rather focusing a show on the Chippendales. However since the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven moved up to the Beko BBL in 2005, they have reached the playoffs five out of six seasons and haven´t had to frequent the cafes, check out if its warm enough to swim in the North sea in May or take a trip to the zoo to see exactly how the cute Polar bears live when a basketball isn´t bouncing. The team has been very consistent finishing fourth twice, sixth once and two eight places getting into the back door of the playoffs. The only time that Bremerhaven didn’t reach the playoffs was in the 2008-2009 season where they finished in 18th place despite having basketball talent like Jared Reiner, Marcus Slaughter, Zygimantas Jonusas or Giordan Watson. Maybe its something in the air, the delicious fish dishes or just the coaching style of head coach Doug Spradley who has led the team into the Beko BBL playoffs the last two seasons and seems on a straight line back to the promised land as his club rests at position six at the moment. Torrell Martin leads his team to success and when he takes lift off into the zone, he approaches the rim like a combination of Russell Westbrock and Demar Derozan and seems like a malnourished human being wanting to get his seven course meal from chef Wolfgang Puck as a reward after dunking home the ball. If there is one player that can match his flights and or defend Martin then it is Quantez Super Tez Robertson who should be up to the challenge to keeping the American on the ground.

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Steven Wright: I Will Never Forget The Practice Of Murat Didin, Because They Were Tough

Steve Wright is a 28 year old 191cm guard from Dayton, Ohio. He recently played in Finland for Namika Lahti.  He is an extremely athletic combo guard with great quickness, an explosive leaper and has great ball handling and passing skills. He hurts you with his penetration or a pull up for the mid ranged jumper, pick and roll, coming off picks for the shot, and when left open he’ll hit the three pointer also. At the same time he is an unselfish player who creates scoring opportunities for others and has a very good ability to finish around the basket. He is a great defensive player because of his quickness and athletic abilities and is a great and mature person with a good work ethic. He played at Bowling Green from 2002-2006. He finished his NCAA career at Northern Kentucky in 2006-2007 averaging 16,8 ppg., 5,3 rpg., 3,2 apg., 1,6 spg., FG: 46.1%, 3PT: 34,6%, FT 77,5%. In 2007, he came to Germany an dplayed for The New York Phantoms Braunschweig averaging 7.4ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.3apg, 1.6spg, 2FGP: 44.9%, 3PT: 32.6%, FT: 75.5% in 34 games. In 2008-2009, he helped lead The Paderborn Baskets into the BEKO BBL playoffs averaging 7.8ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 40.8%, 3PT: 38.2%, FT: 77.2% in 36 games. In 2009-2010,  he played for The Walter Tigers Tuebingen playing 26 games: 5.5ppg, 1.8rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 42.0%, 3PT: 29.9%, FT: 81.6%. Last season, he played for the Gloria Giants Duesseldorf 32 games: 8.7ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 45.9%, 3PT: 29.7%, FT: 71.9%. He spoke to German Hoops recently about basketball life in Finland.

Your recently in Finland How much of a culture shock is it compared to the Beko BBL?

The style and skill level is a lot different than compared to the Beko BBL. I am using my time here as an opportunity to get better individually and help the team win.

Some years ago you were thinking about hanging up your sneakers. What motivated you to keep going?

I think that having that desire to quit had to do with not being successful on the court. I talked over my situation with some people and they told me to stick with it and that it would pay off in the end. I am trying to make the best of it.

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Frank Robinson: The Artland Dragons Will Have A Lot Of Success This Year Because The Locker Room Is So Close

Frank Robinson is 27 year old 193cm guard that was born in Compton, California and grew up in Los Angeles and just ended a short stint in germany with the Artland Dragons. He played at Cal Fullerton (NCAA) from 2005-2008. In his senior year, he played games: 15.8ppg, 6.9rpg, 2.5apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 45.1%, 3Pts: 34.2%, FT: 73.8%. In 2008-2009, he started with NBA club Atlanta Hawks (NBA), left in Oct.’08, then moved to Union Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia-Liga UPC, starting five): Adriatic League: 17 games: 4.5ppg, 1.5rpg, 1.1spg; Euroleague: 8 games: 6.8ppg, 3.3rpg, in Feb.’09 signed at EnBW Ludwigsburg (Germany-1.Bundesliga, starting five): 11 games: 11.0ppg, 4.9rpg, 1.4apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 53.2%, 3PT: 27.0%, FT: 73.5%. In 2009-2010, he started with the Atlanta Hawks (NBA) again, only pre-season, in Dec.’09 moved to Los Angeles D-Fenders (D-League, starting five): 38 games: 12.4ppg, 4.1rpg, 3.7apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 49.8%, 3PT: 24.3%, FT: 69.2%. In the summer of 2010, he played NBA Summer League in Las Vegas (LA Lakers).Last season, he played for Maccabi Haifa (Israel-Premier League): EuroChallenge: 14 games: 9.3ppg, 4.1rpg, 1.3apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 48.6%, 3PT: 30.0%, FT: 59.5%; Israeli League: 28 games: 12.9ppg, 4.3rpg, 2.7apg, Steals-2(2.4spg), FGP: 54.4%, 3PT: 30.4%, FT: 61.1%. He started this season with Sokhumi Tbilisi (Georgia-Superleague) Eurochallenge Qualifying Round: 2 games: 16.5ppg, 4.0rpg, 2.0apg, 1.0bpg. He spoke to German Hoops about the disappointment of not being able to play with the Artland Dragons.

You had a short stay with the Artland Dragons. How dissappointed are you that you had to leave the club because of basketball politics?

Artland is a really good team , I was very disappointed this was one of the best group of guys I have ever been around. From coaching staff to players, I honestly feel like I have met some life time friends here. The situation is tough and it hurts more because it has nothing to do with actual skill or talent. The Artland Dragons will have a lot of success this year because the locker room is so close.

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The Brose Baskets Bamberg Form The 31/11 Basketball Equation Breaking The Fraport Skyliners 97-63

After the crushing 83-57 loss to Alba Berlin last weekend where the only thing missing after the game was an unexpected bombardament of rotten eggs by Dashaun Wood to fuel the wound of the loss of the Fraport Skyliners, the club of Muli Katzurin had little time to recover and lick their wounds as they had to visit power house Brose Baskets Bamberg in which some less desirable things now might have been more desirable to encounter then having to experience Freak city now in this vulnerable time like Paris Hilton having to eat raw spinage instead of caviar, Kim Kardashian and NBA player Kris Humphries having to have a year subscription to annoying publicity about their doomed marriage or actor Charlie Sheen going to entertain people in his new Charlie Sheen mask and nobody believing it is really him. Nobody really expected the Fraport Skyliners to win in Freak city even though they had been the last team to do so June 6th 2010 in the Beko BBL finals as they got hammered 97-63. Despite it being so difficult to win there, no Skyliner wanted to be anywhere else. “I love to play in an atmosphere like this here in Bamberg. I get pumped up better for the game. Bamberg did a good job getting good start and getting fast break points and hitting their shots”, expressed Quantez Robertson. For Skyliner rookie Michael Thompson, he was given the nod to start at point guard and he didn´t seem at all overwhelmed by the conditions and felt at home in the Bamberg zoo. “I didn´t want to be anywhere else tonight. It was hard to play here, but all we can do is learn from our mistakes and take the positives and negatives. I was happy for the start, but I felt that I didn´t get the team ready on offense the way I could of”, expressed Michael Thompson. For Justin Gray, the atmosphere was more like a playful puppy then a vicious German shepherd. “The atmosphere was nothing like what I have seen in Greece. The toughest fans are in Greece”, warned Justin Gray.

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Marcus Slaughter (Brose Baskets Bamberg): I Would Rate My Left Handed Dunk Over Nedzad Sinanovic As One Of My 5 All Time Best

Marcus Slaughter is a 26 year old 203cm forward from Riverside California. He played at San Diego State from 2003-2006. In his senior year, he played 30 games averaging 16.5ppg, 11.0rpg, 1.9apg, 1.2spg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 49%, FT: 76.2%. He started his professional basketball career in Turkey for Pinar Karsiyaka SK Izmir playing 29 games averaging 13.3ppg, Reb-3(10.2rpg), 1.3apg, 2.3spg, 2FGP: 51.6%, 3PT: 12.5%, FT: 67.2%. In 2007-2008, he was with the Miami Heat in preseason and then played in Israel and France for Hapoel Migdal Jerusalem, Israeli League: 8.0ppg, 6.4rpg, ULEB Cup: 5 games: 5.6ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.8apg, waived in Dec.’07, in Jan.’08 signed at BCM Gravelines Dunkerque Grand Littoral 15 games: 9.5ppg, 7.2rpg, 1.4apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP-3(63.2%), FT: 58.9%. in 2008-2009, he started with the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven(8 games: 18.8ppg, 10.0rpg, 1.3apg, 2.6spg, 1.3bpg, FGP: 59.8%, 3PT: 60.0%) before moving to France to Le Havre playing 21 games: 16.0ppg, Reb-1(9.5rpg), 1.6apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 58.8%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 65.4%; Eurocup: 6 games: 12.2ppg, 8.7rpg, 1.0apg, 1.5spg, 1.8bpg. In 2009-2010, he played for Sluc Nancy Basket Pro (France-ProA): EuroCup: 6 games: 8.5ppg, 9.0rpg, 2.8spg, 2.0bpg, FGP: 50.0%, FT: 76.7%; French League: 29 games: 12.5ppg, 7.0rpg, 1.4apg, 1.5spg, Blocks-5(1.4bpg), FGP: 64.5%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 69.1%. Last season, he played for Blancos de Rueda Valladolid (Spain-ACB, starting five): 34 games: 9.9ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.4spg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 65.0%, FT: 67.5%. He is back in the Beko BBL with the Brose Baskets Bamberg.  He spoke to German Hoops after the 79-78 loss against Malaga in Euroleague play.

A tough 79-78 loss to Malaga in Euroleague play. The Brose Baskets Bamberg poured on 27 points in the first quarter. Were you surprised about the run and gun faster pace instead of more a defense typ of style?

I wasn´t surprised about the style in the first quarter. That is how we like to play and we wanted to impose our style and get off to a good start quickly.

In the second quarter, Malaga came back and stifled Bamberg a bit with their zone. Why couldn´t Bamberg react?

We weren´t hitting our shots and they started to hit more which allowed them to come back. We weren´t paying attention to details with their zone and we also had defensive lapses.

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