Author: Miles Schmidt-Scheuber

Basketball journalist and play by play commentator

It Felt Like Bamberg, But The Deutsche Bank Skyliners were Really 60 Kilometers Away As Danny Gibson Pulled A Dashaun Wood Leading BBC Bayreuth To A 86-79 OT Win

Having to sport a mohawk as actor Jim Carey momentarily does, 196cm shooting guard Robert Varden being sent to the D-league Tulsa 66ers from the Oklahoma Thunder or Paris Hilton having to pick up her cell and call a hair salon herself for an appointment instead of her assistant are unappropiate and some what undesirable things, but nothing compared to the tears and bitterness that club BBC Bayreuth would have to feel if they were to be relegated to the PRO A. The Deutsche Bank Skyliners have not had easy opponents recently facing a depleted, but still defensive fire power in TBB Trier had to face a desperate BBC Bayreuth who with three games to play had a 8-23 record together with The Giessen 46ers and Mitteldeutscher BC. BBC Bayreuth were not going to lay down and play dead like a slightly distraught possum as they came out upsetting the second place Deutsche Bank Skyliners with a hard fought 86-79 win in OT. “I would rather dress up as a woman than have to go down to a lower league with a team. I think it would be embarrassing to have to go down. People judge you how you play and if you go down, you can´t show that you can compete in the first league”, stressed 2011 beko BBL MVP Dashaun Wood. “I would have to agree with Dashaun Wood on dressing up as a woman as something I don´t want to do, but would rather do than have to go down to the second league, but we want to stay in the beko BBL and just wanted it more tonight. We came together as a team and just fought it out”, added 2010 Dutch league top scorer Danny Gibson.

With the loss, The Deutsche Bank Skyliners  were unable to secure the second spot in the standings for the season, because Alba Berlin was able to win in Bremerhaven and only have one loss less with two games to go. BBC Bayreuth on the other hand made a huge jump moving from 17th place to 15th place jumping past The Giessen 46ers who lost at home against TBB Trier and the Mitteldeutscher BC that were defeated at home by The Walter Tigers Tuebingen. BBC Bayreuth have shown their strength at home this seeing compared to on the road winning their 7th game in the friendly Oberfranken Halle in Bayreuth and now can clinch a berth for next season in the beko BBL with a victory in Duesseldorf Sunday. “This was our biggest win of the season, but it only means something if we can win in Duesseldorf on Sunday. This was a huge confidence booster and we need to prove that we can win on the road”, added ex Nordlingen Giant Danny Gibson. It was no secret that BBC Bayreuth might be the most talented 17th placed team ever to play in the beko BBL. “You have to give them a lot of credit. They are fighting to stay in the league and can beat any team on a good night. They deserve to stay in the league. It was a playoff atmosphere and we stayed together. However we were leading by 10 points in the third quarter and we made some bad offensive plays and let them back into the game”, stressed Skyliner point guard Dashaun Wood.

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Can BBC Bayreuth Keep Their 2011-2012 Beko BBL Aspirations Alive With A Win Against The Deutsche Bank Skyliners April 15th?

When one is enjoying the beautiful spring weather and feeling a calm mild breeze on your cheeks, one can get into the mood to dream about Beko BBL basketball, but one can´t always think about breathtaking ally-ops from 2011 Mr beko BBL MVP Dashaun Wood to Quantez Robertson, Derrick Allen making another opponent look silly out dancing him with his ballerina moves or following the gracefulness of Casey Jacobsen on the court. Sometimes it is impossible not to think about the negative and when one contemplates the undesirable and unlucky season of BBC Bayreuth this year, it can be as unexplainable as to why Baseball crazed Puerto Rico which gave the world legends like Roberto Clemente, Orlando Cepeda or Roberto Alomar are worrying more if guys like Carlos Degado, Felipe Lopez or Jose Molina will have MLB jobs this summer than their own national unemployment problem, the Houston Texans starting games so slowly and then not being surprised that another attempt at the post season goes down the drain like a bottle of sour milk does or a penny going down the drain to hear the chime, why Buffalo sports teams Bills and Sabers are unable to bring a championship home or to why race car legend Mario Andretti was plagued with not winning a second Indianapolis 500 after the year 1969?. BBC Bayreuth had the talent on paper to be a potential playoff team, but instead got more used to losing on a consistent rate then Americans being asked if they knew who Richard Wagner was? The riddle as to why BBC Bayreuth is near the cellar of the beko BBL standings is about as ridiculous as why Bayern Munich isn´t at the top of the German soccer Bundesliga with the roster that they have. “I would have to say that is just bad luck, I am not sure I could compare it to something like what is happening with Buffalo teams, but they just havent been able to put it together, but they still have a chance to hold the league so its not that bad”, stressed TBB Trier guard John Bynum. Losing is something that no professional athlete strives for, but it is something that is always tough and something  a player needs to deal with. “No, I cant ever remember being on a losing team ever in my career but I can say it does suck to lose and it is a tough habit to break and something you should never get used to doing. I think the best way to deal with it is just to try and stick together and find a way to look at the positives which come out of the situation”, warned John Bynum.

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Jacob Burtschi (Phoenix Hagen) The Artland Dragons Are A Very Good Well Rounded Team That Can Hurt You In Many Ways

Jacob Burtschi is a 26 year old 198cm forward from Chickasha, Oklahoma who is a rookie this season for Phoenix Hagen. 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 before the game against The Artland Dragons on April 15th.

After the 101-92 win in Braunschweig, how quickly were you able to forget the loss in frankfurt 48 hours earlier?

Well we were fortunte to be able to play 2 days later and put that game behind us. Everyone has a bad night. we had a TERRIBLE night, but we bounced back sunday and got a huge road win

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Ahmad Smith(NBC) Pregame Thoughts To Erdgas Ehingen Game April 12th. It Will Come Down To Who Wants To Win More

Ahmad Smith is a 26 year old 194cm guard from Alexandria, Virginia that is currently playing for NBC(PRO B). He is very athletic, handles the ball well and is able to beat his man in one-on-one situations. Creative player offensively who has a strong drive to the basket. He is a left-handed player who plays terrific defense at/on each perimeter position. Has good body control and excellent lateral foot speed. Outstanding rebounder for his size and position at both ends of the floor. He played at St Bonaventure(NCAA) from 2002-2006. In his senior year, he averaged 15.6rpg, 3.0apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 44.2%, 3PT: 26.5%, FT: 65.6%. In 2006-2007 he played for Mardyke UCC Demons Cork (Ireland-SuperLeague): 9 games: 18.9ppg, 5.7rpg, 4.2apg, FGP: 51.6%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 60.8%. In 2007-2008, he came to Germany to play for SVD 49 Dortmund (Regionalliga): 6 games: 30.2ppg. In 2008-2009, he played for  BSV Wulfen (Germany-Regionalliga, starting five): 23.5ppg, 10.1rpg, 6.0apg, 3PT: 35.2%. Last season, he played for Hertener Loewen (Germany-ProB, starting five): 29 games: 18.2ppg, Reb-2(8.7rpg), Assists-1(7.1apg), 1.2spg, FGP: 50.2%, 3PT: 34.9%, FT: 69.5%. This season, he started for s Oliver Baskets Wuerzburg (Germany-ProA): left before the season started, then moved to SVD 49 Dortmund (Germany-Regionalliga), waived in Nov.’10, in Jan.’11 signed at Nuernberger Basketball Club (Germany-ProB, starting five). Currently he is averaging 8,6ppg, 6,6rpg and 7,3apg. He spoke to German Hoops before the deciding game against Erdgas Ehingen April 12th to see who goes to the PRO A.

NBC is looking to beat Ehingen to be able to move up to the PRO A. How is the mood in the team? Is there calmness or more nervousness?

The mood of our team is really calm and relaxed right now.

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Virgil Matthews(Erdgas Ehingen) Pregame Thoughts To NBC Game April 12th. Key Will Be Stopping Cornelius Adler From Having A Big Impact On The Game

Virgil Matthews is a 27 year old 188cm guard from Federal Way, Washington that is playing in Germany in the PRO B for Erdgas Ehingen. He played at Montana (NCAA) and in his senior year played 31 games: 10.1ppg, 4.6rpg, 4.0apg, 1.7spg, FG: 49.8%, 3PT: 48.4%, FT: 76.1%. In 2006-2007, he turned professional and came to Germany and played for KICKZ Muenchen Basket (Germany-2.Bundesliga): 29 games: 18.0ppg, 6.1rpg, 5.2apg, 2.6spg, 2FGP: 57.3%, 3FGP: 31.8%, FT: 66.5%. In 2007-2008, he played for Tacoma Jazz (IBL). In 2008-2009, he returned back to Germany and played for Schwelmer Baskets (Germany-Regionalliga). Last season, he played for Olympia Reign (IBL, starting five): 21 games: 23.1ppg, 7.2rpg and for Seattle Aviators (NABL). Awards and Achievements in his career have been , Big Sky Conf. Regular Season Runner-Up -05, 06, Big Sky Conf. Tournament Winner -05, 06, Big Sky Tournament MVP -06, Big Sky All-Tournament Team -06, All-Big Sky Honorable Mention -06, and USBasket.com All-IBL Honorable Mention -10. Currently for Erdgas Ehingen he is averaging 11,2ppg, 5,5rpg and 3,6apg. He spoke to eurobasket before the deciding game against NBC April 12th to see who goes to the PRO A.

Tonight a do or die game against NBC. How confident and ready is the team to take care of business on your home court?

We are pretty confident and ready, we feel this is what we played the whole season for to get this game on our home floor, and we haven’t lost there so we feel good about taking care of business.

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TBB Trier Lead After 10 Rounds, But The Deutsche Bank Skyliners Win The Heavyweight Bout With 69-61 Knock Out

After the more than satisfying 92-53 romp against Phoenix Hagen 48 hours earlier, The Deutsche Bank Skyliners had to be more than awake against TBB Trier as their continued goal of reaching the playoffs was not sweetened by the 80-61 loss in Bamberg 48 hours earlier. Frankfurt had to be more than ready for TBB Trier, because since Phoenix ´Hagen sit back mostly on defense, sipping Margaritas, watching spectacular offense unfold and prepare their next offense in their mind, TBB Trier on the other hand play defense for a passion and just wear down the opponents offense with continued stress play. Frankfurt couldn´t afford their minds slip for an instant second on offense possibly contemplating if golf and betting could ever mesh with golf legend Tiger Woods, if the valet parker in Miami beach can be serious for being to traumatized to continue back to work after being slapped by the mom of Lebron James or wonder when the one man horror show tour of actor Charlie Sheen will ever end. The Deutsche Bank Skyliners had problems converting against TBB Trier on a consistent rate, but had the better nerves, defense and a 10-0 run in crunch time to win 69-61. “We knew that the weekend games were two different kinds of games with Phoenix Hagen having a high power offense and TBB Trier having a high power defense. We had to be able to switch our mentality within one day. We were able to lock down our defense in the second half and grind out the win”, stated current beko BBL top scorer Dashaun Wood. TBB Trier also showed Frankfurt that they weren´t a second Phoenix Hagen. “Every team has to adjust to situations like this. Our players are pro´s. Phoenix Hagen were playing for nothing an dgave up on defense while TBB Trier gave everything to win the game, because they are still fighting to reach playoffs”, stressed Skyliner sports director Kamil Novak. “I think that Frankfurt needed some time to adjust to our defense, but they showed in the second half that they are in second place for a reason. I thought that we did a good job in the half court defense not letting Frankfurt get easy baskets”, stated TBB Trier guard John Bynum. It was a big adjustment for us. TBB Trier was very physical and we were a little surprised how different the defenses of Phoenix Hagen and TBB Trier were”, added Skyliner forward Kimmo Muurinen.

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The Deutsche Bank Skyliners Give The Fans A Scrumptious Portion Of NBA Jam Whipping Phoenix Hagen 92-53

Last week at the beko BBL Top 4 in Bamberg, people were as confident for a Frankfurt-Bamberg final as many feel Chicago Bull guard Derrick Rose will be 2011 NBA MVP, as actor Charlie Sheen is going totally beserk since his gig in Detriot and Perez Hilton is giving the juiciest gossip in Hollywood, but instead The Deutsche Bank Skyliners left the Bavarian city in fourth place and a lot of people wondering how that was ever possible. It was extremely obvious, that Skyliner skipper Gordon Herbert would not endure another performance like that again against Phoenix Hagen as The Deutsche Bank Skyliners returned with clenched fists and a mouth watering hunger for the opponent like German Formula one driver Sebastian Vettel has for defending his title, actor Jeremy Renior giving his all in the new Bourne movie as a whole new type of hero and kid hero Justin Bieber wanting to serenade his mother with a birthday cake, but mistakingly setting her hair on fire as the Frankfurt team blew away Phoenix Hagen 93-53. “We had the right attitude tonight. We had been thinking all week about the Braunschweig cup loss. We showed that we wanted to win very badly with our performance. Our defense kept their offense in check from the second quarter until the end. We did very much right today and I am very happy about that”, stressed Skyliner center Marius Nolte. Phoenix Hagen knew that Frankfurt would come out motivated, but had no answers on offense or defense. “Frankfurt had a chip on their shoulder. They came out and just handled us and wanted to boost their confidence. We had energy before the game, but as the game started we showed nothing as nobody did anything. Frankfurt exposed all part of our game”, stressed an unhappy Jacob Burtschi. “We were very focused this week. We showed tonight that we learned from our mistakes in Bamberg. We knew that with Hagen being a very good offensive team, that it would be a good test for us. We knew this game would be a good chance to show our Skyliner basketball and we did”, warned Skyliner guard Dashaun Wood. “We could have lost by 50 points. Nothing happened in this game for us. It was a catastrophe on offense and defense. Frankfurt came back form their poor showing in Bamberg and continue to keep second place”, added Bernd Kruel.

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The Deutsche Bank Skyliners Attempt To Regroup After Top 4 Washout Meeting Phoenix Hagen And Their Two Possible beko BBL Newcomers Of The Season Mark Mr Fantastic Dorris And Jacob Mr Outside Bomb Burtschi

For The Deutsche Bank Skyliners, their goal now after the TOP 4 bust in Bamberg losing too Braunschweig and Artland with very little resistance like a George Clooney has for beautiful women is too just finish the current beko BBL season on a strong measure while for Phoenix Hagen, the season is winding down quickly and some players are already counting the days before they are back home in the crib and getting ready for where ever they will play next season. Phoenix Hagen is tiptoeing in muddy no mans land at the moment not wanting to get their sneakers filthy, but at the same wanting to get as many wins as possible. Despite their dream of reaching the playoffs in their second season back in the beko BBL not happening, something positive can still happen to American teammates Jacob Burtschi and Mark Dorris. Both guys are beko BBL rookies and if nothing goes drastically wrong like a team like Bamberg playing a lower team leading by 20 on their home court and then losing in crunch time, one of them or possibly both could be named best beko BBL newcomer 2011 on account of their consistent and potent play this season. ‘I didnt even know that there was such an award. It would be a great honor. I think it would be pretty interesting if we both shared th award’, commented Phoenix Hagen forward Jacob Burtschi. ‘Both of them have a great chance because both of them had great seasons and led there team in a lot of ways. I like both of their styles of play and they bring a lot to the table day in and day out’, warned TBB Trier guard John Bynum.It has been so much more surprising how well they have developed considering Quantez Robertson friend Mark Dorris came from the PRO A where one isnt always guarenteed of making a splash in the beko BBL, but guys like Danny Gibson and Omari Westley have recently and Jacob Burtschi who had to wait 3 years after finishing in the NCAA, because he had to fulfill his duty in the Air Force. ‘I am very surprised how well it has gone for me. I knew that I could be an effort player if all else failed, but surprisingly I have shot the ball well and done a few other things well. I am glad that my hard work for three years has paid off. I think that Mark has always been a great player. He was just never given the opportunity until this year. He finally had the opportunity to showcase his talent’, stressed Phoenix Hagen American Jacob Burtschi. ‘I was surprised because I know being out for one year it was hard for me to get into a rhythm but Jacob Burtschi did a great job and is having a great season. He can shoot the ball from anywhere and causes a lot of match up problems. I got to see Mark Dorris last season in Cuxhaven and he deserves to be at this level. It did not surprise me one bit, there are a lot of players in Pro A if given the right chance and the right system can have a lot of success, Hagens system gave Mark a great chance to show his ability and he took full advantage of the opportunity’, warned TBB Trier guard John Bynum. It is only normal that both guys will want to finish the season helping their team get wins and also shine in their own play and will be as focused as the NCAA team Butler team has been this March Madness, actor George Clooney having to explain why he is a witness in the Silvio Berlusconi prostitution trial despite only meeting him once and how the Deutsche Bank Skyliners will have to be against Phoenix Hagen when they meet April 8th in the Ballsporthalle.

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Eye To Eye With Michael Hakim Jordan(Giessen 46ers)

33 year old Michael Jordan is a 183cm guard from Philadelphia. He played at the University of Pennsylvania graduating in 2000. His first two years found him jumping around leagues in France and Spain before he found a new home in Germany with TSV Quackenbruck. In the 2002-2003 season, he helped lead Quackenbruck into the BBL with exceptional stats in 30 games, 21.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 6.9 apg. He helped turn The Artland Dragons into a playoff team in the 2004-2005 season as they lost the BBL Quarterfinal playoff series to The Opel Skyliners in five games. That season he averaged in 34 games: 11.1ppg, 3.4rpg, Ast-1(6.4apg), 1.3spg, 2.6bpg, 2FGP: 52.5%, 3FGP: 31.3%. The next season, he was released by The Artland Drgaons, but went to Rhein Energie Cologne and won the BBL championship in 2006 averaging in 33 games: 9.8ppg, 2.3rpg, Assists-4(4.1apg), 1.0spg, 2FGP: 45.3%, 3PT: 40.3%, FT: 52.2%. The next season, he went to Italy and played at Cantu where he led the league in assists and averaged in 37 games: 13.8ppg, 2.7rpg, Assists-1(5.2apg), 2.0spg, 2FGP: 54.6%, 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 74.0%. The next season, he played in Belgium for Charleroi averaging in15 games: 9.5ppg, 1.6rpg, 3.6apg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 56.0%, 3PT: 36.0%, FT: 90.0%;. He had injury problems and finished the season in Greece with PAOK. In 2008-2009 after a very short stay in Israel, he played a few months in Bamberg before going to the Cologne 99ers averaging 10,5ppg, 2,4rpg and leading the BBL in assists with 6,2apg. Last season, he played for Phoenix Hagen helping the team remain in the BEKO BBL. He played 16 games: 8.9ppg, 2.3rpg, Assists-5(5.3apg), FGP: 44.2%, 3PT: 32.5%, FT: 73.3%. This season he played for MBC averaging 9,3ppg, 1,9rpg and 4,3apg before moving on to the Giessen 46ers. He spoke to German Hoops about his new home Giessen recently.

MJ you are like a fireman. Any place where there is a fire, you go there and put it out. Last season you came to Phoenix Hagen stopped a long losing streak by winning three games in a row.

I just try to do whatever I can to help a team win. The record of Giessen just doesnt reflect how good they are. I just try to put the ball in the hole and lead it toward the hole

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The Artland Dragons Hold A Nasty Flame On The Treasure Beating The Deutsche Bank Skyliners 90-56 Reaching Third Place In The 2011 Top 4

At 13:30 on Top 4 final day, The Deutsche Bank Skyliners would rather have been in their hotel rooms chilling watching the Repeat of the UCONN win over Kentucky and seeing Kemba Walker flashing his Disney Land smile, dreaming about their 2011 home town summer fantasy or just playing a cute harmless prank on their room mate, but instead the gang of Gordon Herbert found themselves on the basketball court playing a meaningless constellation game for third place, which is as undesirable for a competitive player like the first day of school for a kid after the summer holidays, having to have played against the 2011 NCAA Butler team that has mowed away all of the competition so far except UCONN like a hurricane can the coast of Florida or having to go into a New York city bar as a Red Sox fan when their team is losing badly. The Deutsche Bank Skyliners still seemed to be a bit in sleep mode as they were creamed by The Artland Dragons 90-56 not reaching their goal as 2011 beko BBL cup champion, but coming home to the river Main with very sad faces in fourth place and with a whole lot of questions. “This was not a meaningless game to me, but meant a lot. You have to play each game as if it means a lot. If your going to lose at least lose with pride”, expressed Skyliner center Chris Moss. The Artland Dragons have often had very difficult games against Frankfurt and couldn´t believe what they were seeing on the court an dhow easy everything seemed. “I was very surprised how flat Frankfurt was. They had no energy at all”, witnessed Artland Dragon guard Bryan Bailey. “I don´t think it was tough playing at this time for us. We had the chance to learn from our mistakes in the Braunschweig loss, but we didn´t against Artland which was even worse”, stated Skyliner guard Dashaun Wood. “Even if you have to play at an early hour, you have to come to play”, warned Skyliner guard Jimmy Mckinney.
The Deutsche Bank Skyliners were thwarted by The New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig in getting their 2011 cup treasure, but at least they could of gotten a type of constellation prize from the treasure chest against The Artland Dragons, but were denied again but this time even more rudely as they lost by 36 points. “The Artland Dragons blew that flame all over the treasure chest not letting us to open it”, said current top scorer of the beko BBL Dashaun Wood. “Our anger didn´t allow them to get close to that treasure”, smiled Artland Dragon forward Adam Hess. The dragon in general isn´t only talented at sprouting a flame, but also other things. “We were able to hide the treasure well and they didn´t find it”, joked Bryan Bailey. It didn´t help the cause either that Dashaun Wood didn´t play as Frankfurt was without their top scorer and assist man. “It was awful being on the bench. I wanted to play very badly, but coach Herbert felt is was better to sit out not risking anything with two games coming up next weekend. My back was a little tight. If we had been in the final, I would of played”, expressed Dashaun Wood.

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