The Deutsche Bank Skyliners surely remember how powerful and overwhelming Eisbaeren point guard Louis Campbell was last season, but 
with his departure last summer, his missing deadly penetration was evident in the play of the team and similar as if NFL Clubs didn´t have to witness last minute comeback Drives from New England Patriot Tom Brady, Kobe Bryant missing in the Lakers attack and taking a night off and sitting next to actor Jack Nicholson in the first row talking movies or German National player Miro Klose not scoring any more goals in international games as he is currently as hot putting the ball in the net as is Papiss Demba Cisse is for SC Freiburg in the German Bundesliga, but Frankfurt not only didn´t have to worry about Lou Campbell anymore, but neither about new starting point guard Donald Copeland who was 550 Kilometers away in Bremerhaven nursing an injury as they had little problem winning their second home game 81-66 against The Eisbaeren Bremerhaven. The absence of Copeland showed quickly as Bremerhaven had no rhythm or flow in their offense, but Frankfurt showed they could do it at both
ends of the court. “They had misfortune having to play without Copeland, but that is part of the game. They had to fight without Copeland and change their rhythm, but we were without Tez, Dabbert and Muurinen. We have been fighting hard the first four games and played good defense, but today we played both defense and offense well. If a team can plan both offense and defense well then you will have good chances to win. We hope to continue to keep playing like this”, stressed Skyliner point guard Dashaun Wood. Bremerhaven never got their offense going without their starting point guard Copeland. “We didn´t have Copeland and Canty hasnt´t really practiced much with us. It was hard to get a chemistry. It was tough as Schwethelm was playing out of position. These things happen and we couldn´t adjust”, commented Eisbaeren guard Jermaine Thomas. Maybe it wasn´t only the absence of Copeland that helped the Skyliners, but the batman shirt of Mckinney that he was sporting after the game. “The brother of my fiancee is a huge Batman fan. I don´t know if a bat scared the polar bears, but you never know, bats can be very vicious. they come out of nowhere and swoope down on you”, laughed Austin native Brad Buckman.
Author: Miles Schmidt-Scheuber
Can The Eisbaeren Bremerhaven Forget The Playoff Game 5 Loss and Lou Campbell Departure Against The Deutsche Bank Skyliners October 17th?
For some Eisbaeren Bremerhaven like Torell Martin or Andrew Drevo recalling the big three pointer by Quantez Robertson or the giant free throws by Derrick Allen in last seasons game five playoff game down the stretch might have stayed as vividly in their heads as child hood memories when they unearthed that first Alex Rodriguez or Ken Griffey Jr rookie Topps baseball card, seeing Michael Jordan win that third consecutive NBA title in 1993, football hero OJ Simpson being chauffered down Highway 10 in downtown Los Angeles by buddy Al Cowlings or remembering the day where they were when singer Kurt Cobain died. The long series last June where The Deutsche Bank Skyliners beat The Eisbaeren Bremerhaven in along and dramatic five games series could be on their minds as well as other players like Germans Phillip Schwethelm and Jan Lipke. Last season, the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven went from 18th place the season before to finishing in th place in the regular season and were close to tasting some possible early champagne for reaching the final the same way Lebron James can everyday the Atlantic Ocean in Miami as the team of passionate coach Doug Spradley lost 57-52 in a tense series. “the loss to Skyliners still hasn´t gone away. It was tough losing and I felt we played good enough to win, but we just didn´t play to our level. I don’t only have the three pointer and free throws swirling in my head, but many many plays from that fifth game”, stressed Eisbaeren American Torrell Martin. That game five loss is now nearly four months old and a new season has started so whatever happens in this game wont necessarily be remembered next May. “Game five might be in their heads for some players and they may want payback which is only human, but the season is long and can be a struggle, but this game on Sunday wont define their season”, stressed former Artland Dragons assistant coach Jamie Duncan. Torrell Martin surely will be giving an extra 110% on Sunday despite it only being the fourth game of the new season for Bremerhaven. “I can´t say if it is a type of revenge, but there could be some emphasis. Nobody has been talking about that game 5 loss, but it is in our heads”, added Torrell Martin.
Anton Gavel Pulls Out His Magic Wand As The Brose Baskets Bamberg Slip By The Deutsche Bank Sklyiners 71-62
After suffering a humiliating 85-58 loss in the Champions Cup 18 days ago, The Deutsche Bank Skyliners wanted to escape the memory of this
Bamberg offense firing range the same way the Miami Dolphins did losing 62-7 to the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2000, the 1988 Baltimore Orioles losing their first 21 games in a row or the Miami Heat losing 148-80 to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1991 which could of started fans covering their faces with bags and Frankfurt were a lot stronger than their last visit to the Steckert arena, but had their usual woes not being able to get by the 2010 BEKO BBL champion in the fourth quarter as they gave up a 16-2 run which was fuelled by three straight drawn fouls by Anton Gavel to end the game losing 71-62. Frankfurt has only won once in Bamberg in almost six and a half years and might have had that same feeling as actor Mickey Rourke was having when he was finally going to have success again all those years prior to the Wrestler movie being a success. “We knew coming in that this would be a very difficult game. Frankfurt was banged up in the first game and came back a new team with two new players and more confidence. They fought very hard and we won, but it wasn´t easy. The way Frankfurt came back to play better in this game from that 27 point loss last time was like a boxer who lost that first round, but came back in the next fight with more motivation to prove that they are better than their last loss. The whole Bamberg/Frankfurt history and the fact that they played each other so many times in the last year reminds me of the great rivalry of Ali and Joe Frazier”, stressed Bamberg American Kyle Hines. It was obvious by the fierceness of Frankfurt that they wanted to make amends for the Champions Cup loss. “The players had talked about the Champions Cup and were all disappointed, but didn´t want to dwell on that loss to much, but just be focused and I think that we showed that we could compete tonight and almost won”, added Skyliner Canadian national player Jermaine Bucknor.
ChampiosCup Highlights
With 51 Rebounds And The Two Bucks(Buckman/Bucknor) The Deutsche Bank Skyliners Are Ready To Rock The Brose Baskets Bamberg And The Jako Arena October 13
The Deutsche Bank Skyliners basketball past in Bamberg in the last six seasons has been about as desolate as the 2007-2008 Oklahoma Thunder where they lost a franchise record 62 games, tennis pro Marat Safin losing 129 Grand Slam matches in a row before reaching a Grand Slam final or the sad demise of lovable actor Mel Gibson who was more in the headlines for his phone affairs then for his critical acting this year, but who is making an acting comeback with The Beaver, and How I spent my summer vacation soon. At times it has seemed that there has been some kind of curse on the Frankfurt club like there had been on the Boston Red Sox for 86 years and still is on the Chicago Cubs who have not won a World Series in 102 years as 2,186 days had gone by from 2004-2010 for The Deutsche Bank Skyliners not winning a game in Bamberg between game four win in 2004 and the First game of the final in 2010 as the long drought was finally broken as it was old coach/new coach Gordie Herbert that was able to win again in game one of the 2010 BEKO BBL finals 65-63. Since this thrilling win, The Deutsche Bank Skyliners have had little luck losing the next three games on the road in Bamberg including game five and the 2010 Champions Cup and being outscored 254-180 in the last three games in the Jako arena. 18 days ago, The Deutsche Bank Skyliners suffered a humiliating 85-58 loss in Bamberg in the Champions Cup, but were as handicapped without center Joe Dabbert and Quantez Robertson and only one true big man with Marius Nolte like as if one small tiny sweet cat was surrounded by five hungry lions, The Boston Celtics had to play without the GAP trio of Garrnet, Allen and Pierce or character Ethan Hunt of the Mission Impossible getting through life unhurt without his slick gadgets. This time, Frankfurt travel to the pretty Bavarian city with their Bucks(Buckman/Bucknor) in their baggage, plus 51 rebounds from the ugly Duesseldorf win and about as much self confidence as former president Bill Clinton has when he is out on the town. Frankfurt had to deal with the Duesseldorf sixth man Murat Didin on Sunday and now four days later have to deal with the Bamberg sixth man their fans. “It is tough playing in Bamberg. The fans are so much into the game. It reminds me of when we played at the University of Dayton. It was sold out and loud each time. It is tough to say if the Bamberg fans are their sixth man, but for sure when you play the Artland Dragons”, joked Phoenix Hagen American Quentin Pryor. Frankfurt can only pray that the game is as quiet as at the Champions Cup, because at times one could of heard the cash registers in the supermarket basement.
The Evil Eye Of Murat Didin Doesn´t Help As The Deutsche Bank Skyliners Plow By The Gloria Giants Duesseldorf
With a packed Ballsporthalle, an atmosphere that could have been confused with the Akatlar arena in Istanbul and ex coach Murat Didin back in his living room, the Frankfurt fans could not have asked for a more delectable first home game, similar as if the Miami Heat would open up in Cleveland with Lebron James, actor George Clooney returning to an ER type of reunion show or Randy Moss returning back to New England making a winning touchdown with the Minnesota Vikings. The Deutsche Bank Skyliners sent nobody home sad as Murat Didin and the Gloria Ginats didn´t find the missing spice for glory on this sunny afternoon in Frankfurt getting trampled 58-43. “I had no personal feeling towards Murat. This was a delectable game and became more tasty in the second half. We prepared the meal in the third quarter and ate it in the fourth quarter”, joked Skyliner center Marius Nolte. Spinning a basketball on your finger can be classified as pure beauty, but this basketball game at times looked more like an episode of beauty and beast with 10 Vincents running around the court with missed shots and tons of turnovers. “This was not a pretty game. It was a hard fought game with good defense on both sides. Both teams missed a lot of shots, but we stuck with it, grinded it out and pull out the win at the end”, stressed Skyliner guard Grayson Moyer. For the Gloria Giants Duesseldorf, it was their second loss this season, but considering how new the team was an effort that was a lot 
improved over the loss in Bremerhaven. “I am from Detroit and there is not a special way how to classify a game like this except that it was real ugly. Frankfurt demolished us on the boards. We started off well and had a chance to push away but Frankfurt was able to capitalize on our mistakes. I have to blame this loss on us”, stated ex Paderborn guard Deandre Haynes. “This was a real sluggish game. Our offense was rolling, but we just weren´t hitting shots. These things happen and it is a part of life. We are happy that we won it and will take a win like this any day”, added Brad Buckman.
Can Murat Didin And The Gloria Giants Duesseldorf Win Their First Game Of The Season In His Old Stomping Ground Against The Deutsche Bank Skyliners October 10Th
Big play unusual moments are welcomed in sports about as much as rich tasty syrup is for your Sunday brunch pancakes as who could forget The Play in 1982 as Stanford was leading California 20-19 with four seconds left and on the last kickoff the Golden Bears took the kick back unleashing several lateral plays and getting unexpected help from the Stanford marching band who thought the game was over winning 25-20, or the classic game between Cibona Zagreb and Serbian team KK Partizan where Cibona nailed a three pointer with 0.6 seconds remaining and celebrating the victory which was squashed as Dusan Kecman heaved a 75 footer finding nothing but net and getting the improbable win or most recently the most criticised New England Patriots defense with no name Patrick Chung blocking two kicks and intercepting a pass for a touchdown as the special team stole the limelight of Tom terrific Brady silencing the Miami Dolphins 41-14, one might dream of having such an ending to add to the drama with the return of ex Skyliner coach Murat Didin with the Gloria Giants Duesseldorf on Sunday. Didin had quite some dramatic games in his four year tenure like the final game 5 loss in Bamberg in 2005, or the nail bitting game 5 win in Leverkusen in 2008 or the buzzer beater in Duesselodrf in 2009 by Quantez Robertson and some might be dreaming of some kind of magic occurring or a Agatha Christie type of ending which would get the Ballsporthalle decibles reaching an alltime high as if a Rihanna, Jay Z and Prince had rocked the arena a day earlier. “My favorite sports ending would probably be my boy Vince Young leading the Texas Longhorns to the NCAA title against USC in the 2006 Rose Bowl. He led the team down the field and scored the winning touchdown and it was really exciting since he scored with about 20 seconds left. They had been the two best teams in college football that year. I am sure due to circumstances that with Didin returning it will be an exciting game”, stressed American Marcus Sloan. Phoenix Hagen American Mark Dorris also has a special favourite sports moment. “My greatest Sports Moment has to be Michael Jordan against the Utah Jazz 1998 the year Michael Jordan would say good bye to the game he loved. It was like a story book ending the heros last bit of energy last shot of his career would be to win the NBA Championship and ride off into the sunset that is the way every body would want to go out. I pray I can have a similar ending one day“, added Phoenix Hagen American Mark Dorris. If the Frankfurt-Duesseldorf ending will be anything spectacular like the sports world has witnessed in the last 30 years is not known, but with Murat Didin anything is possible and he will have his famous tricks up his sleeve once the jumpball happens. “The coach will be motivated to win against his former club and the players will be wanting to win against their old coach”, warned Marcus Sloan.
The Rapid 10 Miles Questions Basketball Exchange With Travis Walton(Ratiopharm Ulm)
Travis Walton is a 23 year old 187cm point guard from Lima, Ohio. He is playing his first season with Ratiopharm Ulm. He played at Michigan
State from 2005-2009 where he served as team captain for three consecutive years, being the 3rd in history of Michigan State school to do that. Led the Big 10 in assist to turnover ratio 2.4 to 1 and broke Magic Johnson’s career assist record at Michigan State. Walton possesses great toughness, strength and leadership skills and is an exceptional defender. Last season he played shortly for Lugano Tigers (Switzerland-LNA, starting five), left in Dec.’09: 13 games: 8.9ppg, 1.2rpg, Assists-5(4.9apg), 1.5spg, FGP: 52.6%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 85.7% before returning back to Michigan State to help the coaching staff. Some achievements that he has received were Big Ten Tournament Semifinals -06, 08, 09, Big Ten All-Defensive Team -07, 09, NCAA Sweet 16 -08, Big Ten Regular Season Champion -09, and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year -09. Walton took the rapid 10 Miles questions basketball exchange for German Hoops.
Coach Mike Taylor is well known for having magical strength of getting players to come to Ulm to play. How did coach Taylor persuade you to come to Ulm?
Well firstly, Mike Taylor is a great guy and I had met him out in Vegas while I was playing basketball last year, so we already knew each other a little bit. Then when we talked over the phone and he told me about the team and that Ratiopharm Ulm is a great organization, I just knew it would be a great fit for me.
Quentin Pryor(Phoenix Hagen): I Think We Will Surprise Some Teams This Season
Quentin Pryor is a 27 year old 193cm shooting guard/small forward from Eupora, Mississippi and is playing his second season with Phoenix
Hagen. He started his college basketball career at Jackson State, before finishing at Morehead State from 2005-2007. In his senior year, he played 30 games averaging11.4ppg, 4.6rpg, 2.1apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 46.3%, 3Pts: 36.8%, FT: 71.7%. In 2007, he started his professional basketball career in Germany with FC Schalke 04 playing 29 games and averaging 15.1ppg, 4.3rpg, 2.2apg, Steals-1(2.5spg), FGP: 55.8%, 3PT: 37.4%, FT: 75.2%. In 2008-2009 for Phoenix Hagen, he played 30 games averaging 14.7ppg, 3.8rpg, 3.0apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 60.5%, 3PT: 30.3%, FT: 75.2. He spoke to eurobasket after the loss in Goettingen. Last season, he played 33 games: 8.8ppg, 3.1rpg, 1.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 40.9%, 3PT: 39.3%, FT: 72.9%. He spoke to German Hoops about the current season
Your back in Hagen for your third season. What makes Hagen so special that makes you want to keep playing there?
I actually signed a two year deal with Hagen the year we made to the BBL. I like the location being around 4 of the major cities in Germany. And basketball is the main sport here.
Tate Decker: Basketball Means Everything To Me
Tate Decker is a 32 year old 210cm center from Webster Groves, Missouri. He plays at center, but possesses also the skills of the 4 and 3 forward positions. Shoots very well both from inside and from outside, even 3 pointers, and passes the ball well. His soft hands allow him to shoot extremely well the free throws, and this is rare for a big man. From 1996-2001, he played at the NCAA schools Missouri, Wake Forest and Oklahoma City Univ. (NAIA). In his first few years as a professional player he played in the States in the NBDL, NABL, and USBL. In 2002-2003, he came to Europe and played for Leon Caja Espana (Spain-LEB1): 8 games: 7.6ppg, 6.5rpg, 1ast, in Feb.’03 signed at Barons Riga (Latvia-LBL): LBL: 12games 15.9ppg 6.9rpg 1.5apg 1.3spg, in May replaced injured John Tomisch at Ovarense Aerosoles Ovar (Portugal-TMN). In 2003-2004, he played in Japan. In 2004-2005, he played in Poland, Argentina and China. In 2005-2006, he played in Australia and Poland. In 2006-2007, he played In Germany for the Deutsche Bank Skyliners Frankfurt (Germany-1.Bundesliga), German League: 14 games: 5.6ppg, 3.8rpg, 2FGP: 53.5%, 3FGP: 37.5%, FT: 50.0%; in Jan.’07 moved to TBB Trier 
(Germany-1.Bundesliga): 7 games: 8.7ppg, 3.3rpg, 2FGP: 50.0%, 3FGP: 40.0%, FT: 81.8%. In 2008-2009, he played for Hoverla Ivano-Frankivsk (Ukraine-UBL): 43 games: 13.8ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 52.5%, 3PT: 35.3%, FT: 73.6%. In 2009-2010, he played a second season for Hoverla Ivano-Frankivsk (Ukraine-Superleague): 15 games: 7.7ppg, 3.9rpg, FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 27.8%, FT-2(92.6%), in Dec.’09 moved to B.M.C. AEK Larnacas (Cyprus-Division A, starting five), in Feb.’10 joined back Hoverla Ivano-Frankivsk (Ukraine-Superleague). He started the season in Hungry for PVSK Pannonpower Pecs, but left. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.
Your stay in Hungry was a short one. Why didn´t it workout in Hungry?
Yes, my stay in Hungary was short. To be honest I quit trying to figure out what happens and why. I just go along with the flow. I dont think it helped that the team was extremely young and inexperienced along with a few preseason losses.
Kyle Hines(Brose Baskets Bamberg): My Role Is Bring Energy Play, Strong Defense And Provide Rebounding
Kyle Hines is a 24 year old 198cm power forward from Sicklerville, New Jersey that is playing his first season with the Brose Baskets Bamberg. He is a powerful player who loves to attack the basket. Has a good 1-vs-1 game and likes to go inside. He is undersized to play the power forward, but his great wingspan (7-1) allows him to guard taller players and to intimidate. He’s also a great leaper and reads the opponent’s game well He played at NC-Greensboro (NCAA) from 2004-2008. In his senior year, he played 31 games: 19.2ppg, 9.1rpg, 1.4apg, 1.8spg, 3.1bpg, FGP: 55.6%, 3Pts: 12.5%, FT: 62.8%. He was invited to play at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (Pre-NBA Draft): 3 games: 17.3ppg, 7.3rpg, 1.3apg, 2.3spg, 3.3bpg, FGP: 78.6%, FT: 72.7%. He then had predraft workouts with Sacramento Kings and the Charlotte Bobcats (NBA). He then went to Europe to Italy and played with Prima Veroli (Italy-Lega2, starting five): 34 games: 16.9ppg, Reb-4(8.6rpg), 3.0spg, Blocks-2(1.8bpg), FGP-2(66.0%), FT: 58.5%. In 2009, he took part in the Orlando Pro Summer League (Oklahoma City Thunder). In 2009-2010, he stayed in Italy with Prima Veroli (Italy-Lega2, starting five): 40 games: 18.5ppg, 8.1rpg, Steals-2(3.5spg), Blocks-4(1.6bpg), FGP-3(64.0%), 3PT: 18.8%, FT: 57.8%. He played NBA Summer League in Las Vegas (New Orleans Hornets) in the summer of 2010. He took some time to talk to German Hoops about the current season.
You are playing your first season in Germany for the Brose Baskets Bamberg. Was the main reason for coming because the team is playing Euroleague?
It was one of the main reason I wanted to play in Bamberg. To have the opportunity to play against the top competition in Europe is something that I’m definitely looking forward too.
