It seems like everybody in the BEKO BBL knows that The Brose Baskets Bamberg will win the championship and then kilometers later teams
like Berlin and Frankfurt might be teams that could challenge them in a five games series, but no really has the Artland Dragons on the radar as a title team that could win it all, but they could possibly be a team to sneak into the final the same way Rajon Rondo does into the zone and be that team that laughs hardest last getting an upset like a Jack Black or Seth Rogen would after finding out that they beat out the Chippendales for a date with Paris Hilton. The Deutsche Bank Skyliners could meet The Artland Dragons again in the 2011 BEKO BBL cup final in Bamberg and their February 27th meeting against them will be an interesting and educational preparation that they have to take serious just like their last win in Braunschweig because their next meeting will be in the Cup semi finals April three. The Artland Dragons dont have to hide from any team in the BEKO BBL as their roster is as strong in appearance like the current Chicago Bulls who could be a sleeper, as actor George Clooney is in a Starbucks getting any woman with his non resisting appearance and raised eyebrows and actor Frankie Muniz being as credible to the press proclaiming that he isnt suicidal and The Deutsche bank Skyliners will have to be ready for this potential title team that nobody really has any eyes for at the moment. “The Artland Dragons are my dark horse as well as they are a 
talented team and they are deep in a lot of positions. They have experience and they are tough to beat on there home court. I really like them in the playoffs and they can compete with anyone in my opinion. Rice is getting better and Peavy is healthy and they are just clicking right now, and they are a team that most teams dont want to play in the playoffs or just at the end of the week”, warned TBB Trier guard John Bynum. Frankfurt will have to find a way to douse the Dragons fire possibly with dirt? “Well its cold and winter, but Frankfurt just has to let it rain on the Dragons fire”, joked John Bynum. “They are one of the best teams and I am looking forward to the challenge. They are playing well and it will be a good challenge. We will have to bring our A game against The Artland Dragons”, warned current BEKO BBL leading scorer Dashaun Wood.
Author: Miles Schmidt-Scheuber
EJ Rowland(Vanoli): Darius Hall Has Been My Favorite Teammate In My Career
EJ Rowland is a 27 year old 188cm guard from Palma, California that was born in Frankfurt, Germany. This season he is playing his second season
in Italy for Vanoli Cremona. He is a good point guard who always find the open man. Very intelligent ball player and good athlete. A tireless defender that steals lots of balls to the opponents. Rebounds well because of his size. Can guard both guard positions in defense, at the offensive side is better penetrator than shooter but can knock down the open shot. He played at St Marys from 2003-2005. In his senior year, he played 34 games: 11.0ppg, 3.8rpg, AssistsWCC-3(3.9apg), 1.6spg, FGP: 38.2%, 3PT: 30.7%, FT: 69.2%: Finished two-year career at St. Mary’s ranked tenth all-time in total assists (263) and fourth in assist per game average (4.2). In 2005-2006, he started his professional basketball career for the Florida Flame (D-League, starting five): 44 games: 5.6ppg, 2.5rpg, 3.0apg, FGP: 47.4%, 3PT: 25%, FT: 61.8%. In 2006-2007, he played for Sydney Kings (Australia-NBL), in Nov.’06 moved to Townsville Crocodiles (Australia-NBL, starting five): Australian League: 21 games: 12.9ppg, 5.2rpg, 4.8apg, Steals-1(2.0spg), FGP: 48%, 3Pt: 35%, FT: 71%; in March ’07 signed at Barons/LMT Riga (Latvia-LBL, starting five): Baltic League: 6 games: 10.7ppg, 2.8rpg, 3.8apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 40.7%, 3PT: 16.7%, FT: 70.0%; LBL: 17 games 15.2ppg 4.9rpg 4.2apg 1.9spg. In 2007-2008, he came to Germany and played for the Artland Dragons Quakenbrueck (Germany-1.Bundesliga): ULEB Cup: 14 games: 7.6ppg, 3.1rpg, 2.3apg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 51.4%, 3FGP: 14.3%, FT: 58.1%; German League: 37 games: 7.5ppg, 3.1rpg, 2.2apg, 2FGP: 52.2%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 60.9%. In 2008-2009, he played for The Telekom Baskets Bonn (Germany-1.Bundesliga, starting five): German League: 45 games: 13.6ppg, 3.4rpg, 3.4apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 53.3%, 3PT: 36.0%, FT: 65.4%; Eurocup Qualifications: 2 games: 11.5ppg, 3.5rpg, 2.5apg, 1.5spg; EuroChallenge: 14 games: 10.6ppg, 3.0rpg, Assists-5(4.1apg), 1.6spg, FGP: 47.6%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 61.0%. Last season, he played his first season for Vanoli Cremona (Italy-SerieA, starting five): 30 games: 13.8ppg, 4.3rpg, 3.6apg, Steals-3(2.9spg), FGP: 56.9%, 3PT: 37.7%, FT: 73.8%. He won the 2008 BEKO BBL cup in 2008 with The Artland Dragons. He is a member of the Bulgarian national team and played at the European Championships in Poland 2009 playing 3 games: 17.7ppg, 3.0rpg, 3.0apg, 1.3spg. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.
What was it like playing against big Serb point guard Stefan Markovic?
He is a young good player. He sees the floor well and it is hard to crowd him, but as a smaller guard, I have an advantage since bigger guards have more problems with small defenders. I pressured him a lot.
You are playing your second season in Italy in the Serie A. How have you been able to be so successful on the court so quick?
I simply have had good people around me. I got a lot of experience on the fly which quickly gave me confidence. It also has helped since I have been aggressive and learning from mistakes quickly.
Dashaun Wood(Deutsche Bank Skyliners): I Will Watch Film And Just Say Wow, I Cant Believe I Made That Shot
Dashaun Wood is a 25 year old 185cm point guard from Detroit, Michigan that is playing his first season in Germany for The Deutsche Bank Skyliners. He is a young point guard with natural leadership abilities, who directs teammates on the floor and takes the ball in clutch moments. Loves to go inside to score, challenging the big guys, but has also shooting range from behind the 3pts arch. Despite lack of size, he can be effective even at the defensive side. He played at Wright state from 2003-2007. In his senior year, he played 33 games averaging 19.6ppg, 5.1rpg, 4.0apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 43.5%, 3Pts: 37.3%, FT: 88.3%. In 2007-2008, he played his rookie season for Tisettanta Cantu (Italy-SerieA, starting five): 38 games: Score-5(16.9ppg), 3.0rpg, Assists-4(3.3apg), 2.7spg, 2FGP:52.1%, 3PT-2(42.8%), FT:77.4%. In 2008-2009, he played for : Benetton Treviso (Italy-SerieA), injured in Oct.’08 and was off for 2 months: Eurocup: 12 games: 5.3ppg, 2.0rpg, 3.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 40.0%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 87.5%; Italian League: 17 games: 7.2ppg, 2.9rpg, 3.2apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 43.1%, 3PT: 35.6%, FT: 70.4%. This past summer he played NBA Summer League in Las Vegas (LA Clippers). Dashaun took time to talk to German Hoops before the game against The Artland Dragons February 20th.
Congrats on the 68-67 win against The New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig. I guess this wasnt a game for weak nerves?
No it wasnt. The game went back and fourth and came down to a shot at the end. It was a great win despite being shorthanded and getting it against such a good team like Braunschweig.
The Deutsche Bank Skyliners Dont Need An Oxygen Mask Playing With A Limited Rotation As Dashaun Wood Brushes Away The Annoying Phantom With A Game Winning Hoop In Braunschweig 68-67
After not allowing any brittle air or unwanted snow to enter the Eisbaeren arena last weekend to somehow get Bremerhaven on track, The
Deutsche Bank Skyliners not only had to put up with the Braunschweig basketball team, but also had to keep an eye on the mysterious phantom who is always lurking in the Volkswagon arena shadows and has that unpredictable aura in his movement, but the club was able to block all this out and withstand any hardships as they were as focused in their game as 20 year old Sacremento King American Demarcus Cousins was as he showed how unpleased he was not getting the ball at the end of a loss which got him ejected off the team plane because of tensions with a teammate or legendary American actor Mickey Rooney showing astern face and not letting his stepson rob him off his earnings and keeping him 100 yards away as Frankfurt won their third game in a row 68-67 against The New Yorker Phantoms. “The Braunschweig phantom mascot isnt dangerous looking at all, but moreover just looks funny. Kimmo Muurinen used his cape tonight to fly all over the place hitting jump shots and getting rebounds. He set the tempo and without him we would have been in trouble”, stressed 2011 BEKO BBL MVP candidate Dashaun Wood. “I have to thank our own fans, because I feel that they took the fear away from the Phantom with their cheering”, added Marius Nolte. “I think that our Phantom has the possibility to scare little kids, but if he is as scary as Toby the dragon, I dont know since we travel to Artland in two weeks”, joked Nick Schneiders. ” The Phantom looked funny and really should pull up his pants. Our Dunky Kong is a animal and the Phantom a half man”, laughed Quantez Robertson. It is never easy loosing on a last play especially when it happened twice in both games against Frankfurt. Tony Skinn looked as serious and sad after the loss as his X box had been banned from him for life. “This is a game that we should of won. We were up by 7 points in the fourth and lost which shouldnt happen. Frankfurt didnt beat us, but we beat ourselves”, commented Braunschweig guard Tony Skinn. “Frankfurt dug down harder and maybe found something at the end, that we didnt have”, added Braunschweig guard Kevin Hamilton.
Will Dashaun Wood Unearth His Own Cape And Scare Away The Phantom As The Deutsche Bank Skyliners Meet Braunschweig February 20th
There is always that one team that an opponent like The Deutsche Bank Skyliners dont want to meet like The Brose Baskets Bamberg who they
would rather meet in the dark to avoid a Suput or Jacobsen or meet them on ice where they are stranded on thin ice with slick oil that is specially attracted to their sneakers. However then again there are teams like The New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig who Frankfurt would love to meet on a Sunday rather than your mother in law for lunchand a DVD afternoon watching A big fat Greek wedding. The Deutsche Bank Skyliners have had the number of The New Yorker Phantoms for 59 months straight now not losing since April 2006 and winning the last 10 games in a row including the last 5 games in a row in the dark, mysterious and Phantom prone Volkswagon Halle in Braunschweig. Frankfurt has shown that they adore to have the Phantoms on their extensive basketball menu, the same way that actor Alex Baldwin has Paparazzi on his menu, Lebron James having the Orlando Magic for lunch netting 51 points and Green Bay Packer Aaron Rodgers having the Eagles, Falcons and Bears all on his menu as he beat them all on the road which led to his first Super Bowl recently. The Deutsche bank Skyliners travel to Braunschweig on February 20th and want to keep their long unbeaten streak alive in the Volkswagon Halle seeking their sixth win in a row. “I just think it is about match ups and sometimes teams get on a run that like against certain teams. It is unfortunate for Braunschwieg but at the same time, streaks dont last forever so that could be another way to look at it. Yes in the back of your mind the streak is in your mind about beating a team consecutive times. It is also tough to beat a team when that teams knows that as well, because they are bringing there best game to end the streak as well”, added TBB Trier guard John Bynum. Bynum isnt sure if Wood will scare the Phantom, but he will get the better of him some way. “Half of The BEKO BBL doesn´t even know what the Braunschweig Phantom really is. I think though that Wood has a good chance of out smarting the Phantom or whatever it is”, joked John Bynum.
Alex King(Telekom Baskets Bonn): I Think My Help Side Defense Is A Strength That Isn’t Always Seen Right Away
Alex King is a 25 year old 200cm shooting guard/small forward that is playing his third season for the Telekom Baskets Bonn. He started his career for Eintracht Frankfurt (2Bundesliga, starting five): 27 games: 8.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg – Frankfurt Opel Skyliners (1Bundesliga): 4 games, 0 ppg, 0,3 rpg; ULEB Cup: 2 games: 1.0ppg, 2reb. He played for the Opel Skyliners/Deutsche Bank Skyliners from 2003-2008 winning the 2004 BEKO BBL title and reaching the final in 2005. In his time in Frankfurt, he played 129 BEKO BBL games, 21 ULEB Cup games and 9 Euroleague games. He has been playing for The Telekom Baskets Bonn since 2008. Last season, he played EuroCup: 6 games: 4.5ppg, 2.3rpg, 1.0apg; German League: 36 games: 4.4ppg, 1.9rpg. He took some time to talk to German Hoops about basketball recently.
The Telekom Baskets started up and down this season. What have been the reasons for this?
Every team will always have a bad day and that is only normal. Coach Koch has to build a structure for the new team. This takes time and confidence is always getting more and more with the team.
How is the team chemistry growing with the Telekom Baskets Bonn so far this season?
We started the season a step backward with our injuries and mistakes on defense. But as the Eurochallenge season started, we have been learning more and getting more experience and thus building more self confidence. Coach Koch has stressed that we take open shots, attack the zone and play fast break basketball. The team chemistry is growing more and more and that grows as we push each other.
Kamil Novak(Deutsche Bank Skyliners) Dashaun Wood Has The Right Players Around Him Which Makes Him Better
Kamil Novak has been sport director of The Deutsche Bank Skyliners since 2005. He also was coach for one game in 2006 after Ivan Sunara was fired. In the 90s, he played in the BBL for Rhondorf. He also played in his native Czech Republic for NH Ostrava with his best statistical season being 1997-1998 where he averaged 18,7ppg and 8,2rpg. He also played in Austria and Luxemberg before ending his basketball career with MTV Kronberg from 2002-2005. He took some time to talk with German Hoops after the 71-56 win against The Eisbaeren Bremerhaven.
You were very content after the 71-56 win in Bremerhaven. Are The Deutsche bank Skyliners now finally playing the right way that they should?
It was very obvious in this game that we controlled the game and I was very impressed by the guys. I was impressed how well the team played again without Powell and Moye. The team was very concentrated and it was just a very good game by us.
John Fowler(BC Energie Zwickau) I’m A Defense First Guy, But I Can Score.
John Fowler is a 24 year old 193cm forward that was born in Osceloa, Arkansas. He played at The University of Arkansas at Little Rock. In his
senior year, he played 31games averaging 10.5ppg, 5.6rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 42.5%, 3Pts: 35.6%, FT: 71.3%. Some awards and achievements in his young career so far have been , Sun Belt Tournament Semifinals -08, 09, Sun Belt West Division Regular Season Champion -08, 09, and Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year -09. He is a rookie playing in Germany in the Regionaliga for BC Energie Zwickau. He took some time to talk to German Hoops about basketball.
1. John thanks for taking some time to talk to German Hoops. You are playing your first season in Germany for Regionaliga team BC Energie Zwickau. How do you like living in Germany?
I like living in Germany it is a good country the people are nice and friendly.
2. Was it a difficult transition coming to Germany and then especially to the former East Germany?
It really wasn’t a difficult transition for me. I was just excited about the opportunity to come play professional basketball in Germany, I didn’t care what part of Germany it was!
Dashaun Wood Straps On The Turbo And Sweeps Away The Snow And Eisbaeren Bremerhaven As The Deutsche Bank Skyliners Win 71-56
With Valentines Day only 48 hours away and some of the thoughts of the players surely contemplating roses, a box of tasty chocolate or a
special off weekend trip to Paris with their significant other, however The Deutsche Bank Skyliners still had to focus on the matter at hand getting a win in the always tough Eisbaeren den and showed another top performance on defense bringing back memories to the outstanding win against The Telekom baskets Bonn three days earlier in the cup game. “We went into this game in Bremerhaven wanting to take the defense intensity from the last game. We want to keep it up in the next game splaying defense like this, because we know when we defend like that, that we will always have good chnaces to win”, stressed Skyliner shooting guard Jimmy Mckinney. “Frankfurt was able to get their offense going off their defense while we were unable to let our defense control our offense. Frankfurt slowed down the game and we played into their hands. We simply did not play the way that we should have”, stated Eisbaeren American Torrell Martin.
The Deutsche Bank Skyliners probably still had fond memories of their June 3rd, 2010 game 5 semi final win in the back of their heads while the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven didn´t have sweet memories, but most players weren´t admiting it except Jimmy Mckinney a bit. “Game five was a great win last season, but its anew season with a new system and new play how we play. I didn´t think too much on that game last season”, explained Jimmy Mckinney. “I didnt think about that game five loss one bit”, stressed German national player Philipp Schwethelm. “I didnt think of game five one bit”, added Torrell Martin. “Nobody had game 5 on their mind”, stated Skyliner sport director Kamil Novak. The current BEKO BBL top scorer Dashaun Wood didnt let any past successful experiences by his team get him out of his rhythm. “I heard about the game five game from last season. These two teams seem to have a great rivalry and there seems to be tension. It was important that we got a jump early and was able to set the tone. We got the momentum early and it carried us”, warned Dashaun Wood.
Can The Deutsche Bank Skyliners Feel The June 3 2010 Court Vibe Again As They Face Off Against The Eisbaeren Bremerhaven February 12th
June 3, 2010 might seem like any date in late spring, but for The Deutsche Bank Skyliners, this date might not be plastered in their memory banks like June 17th which was their game 5 final loss in Bamberg, but that date should remain a sweet retrospective as Frankfurt had won an emotional tear jerking game five 56-52 in the semi finals of the 2010 BEKO BBL playoffs. The Deutsche Bank Skyliners return to the Stadthalle this weekend for a regular season showdown as some Skyliners like Quantez Robertson, Pascal Roller, Domonic Bahiense De Mello or Jimmy Mckinney could have the memories of 7 lead changes in the fourth quarter, a gigantic mouth watering three point bomb from the Bremerhaven harbor from Super Tez or the two nail bitting clutch free throws from Alabama native Derrick Allen with five seconds to play to seal a final playoff ticket with the Brose Baskets Bamberg. Despite this monumental win last season in game five, June 3 will be far away as February 12th will be like any other regular season game with two teams just fighting for a win to help secure that playoff spot way down the long and winding BEKO BBL road as it will be a normal day at the office for both teams the same it is for actors Boston born and bred Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson going to work on the movie “We bought a zoo, American author John Grisham putting pen to paper or fingers to key board on a new book or singer Jay Z taking his net worth over 450 million into the studio for work on a new track. Despite the memories of the game five win, the team should be focused 100% and it wasnt like Paris Hilton or Rihanna had interrupted the game with a squabble and cat fight on the floor which would probably never escape anyone had they witnessed that. “I dont think that game 5 is in their mind at all, I think that they are just going out and trying to get a win. That was last season and they are just going to go out and try to solidify a good seed for the playoffs and play hard. Yes for sure you cant help but think about times that were successful for you as a player. I think about Bremerhaven still to this day but I’m here now and when you step on the court to represent your new team all of that is out the window”, stressed TBB Trier guard John Bynum.
