Matt Hunter is a 25 year old 196cm forward from Detroit, Michigan that will be playing his second professional season and first in Germany with Rostock. Last season he played briefly in Canada with the Moncton Miracles as a rookie. He started his basketball career in 2010 with Odessa JC (NJCAA) where he played until 2012. He then moved to Cent.Conn.St. (NCAA) where he played two more years. As a senior he played 10 games: 9.3ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.3apg, 1.8spg, 1.3bpg, FGP: 46.2%, 3PT: 21.4%, FT: 57.1%. As a junior he played 30 games: 15.7ppg, 7.7rpg, 2.6apg, 2.6spg, FGP: 42.5%, 3PT: 31.9%, FT: 73.7%. He spoke to German Hoops after the big 91-88 win against Dresden in game one.

 

Matt congrats on the huge 91-88 victory against the Dresden Titans winning game one of the Pro B playoffs. How did it feel playing your first professional playoff game?

Thanks. It was amazing. Was a good game

The Rostock Wolves had two weeks to prepare for game one. How was this preparation period different than for a normal Pro B north opponent this season?

The difference was we had more time to prepare for the team.

You have logged 31 minutes per game this season and 36 minutes in the last regular season game against Schwelm. How important were those two weeks off to refuel your body?

It important that I could get a little rest to get ready to play.

Lets talk about game one. After a solid first quarter, Rostock gave up an unbelievable 30 points in the second quarter. What was key for Dresden getting the big halftime lead?

They just started playing their game. Got a lot of easy run outs.

How key was the 6-0 run at the end of the third quarter which sparked Rostock to retake the lead in the fourth quarter again and the surge that Daniel Lopez gave the club which the team took to the buzzer to get the win?

That last run was important because it gave us momentum going in to the fourth. Daniel stepped up big for us

If one looks at the stat sheet, one notices that Rostock shot very poorly from outside and got outrebounded, but was it the free throw shooting that was big in Rostock getting the win?

Free-throws are always a big part of winning but we still shot a good percentage.

You had a monster game with 36 points. Does the playoffs ignite a total different person in you to feel the need to have to step it up?

It’s no different from what I have been doing all season.

For game two Rostock will travel to Dresden. What will be key for sweeping the series. How big a roll will the bench play and containing point guard Randall Holt who was dearly missed by Dresden in game one?

Just going out and playing our game. We know it starts on defense and everything else will come

You closed out the regular season against Schwelm with 35 points and had 36 against Dresden. Do you feel like you are peaking at the right time of the season?

Yes because this is the most important part of the season it’s win or go home.

In the last two games you have gotten to the free throw line a combined 26 times. Do you believe that your aggressiveness has risen in this time, or is it just within the flow of the game and what the defense has been giving you?

I really just take what the defense give me. But being aggressive also helps that.

How vital has your leadership been in your first full professional season with the Rostock Wolves?

I just go out and play my hardest to try to get us going.

Were you surprised by all the upsets in the first round of the NCAA tournament? Do you believe that there is more parity in the NCAA this season among schools?

No it’s been going like that for the past few years.

What sleeper from the early round winners do you think will go far?

I really don’t know.

What was the last movie that you saw?

Kung Fu Panda 3.

 

Thanks Matt for the chat.

Andrew Jones is a 32 year old 191cm shooting guard that has been a professional basketball player since 2007 and has returned back to the Dresden Titans this season. He played at Miles(NCAA2) and has played in Germany for most of his professional career with four seasons with the Dresden Titans and three seasons with the BG Aschersleben Tigers (Germany-Regionalliga). He also gained experience playing with teams like Marietta Storm (SEBL), BC Celtics (SEBL), C.B. Aridane (Spain-EBA) and Universidad Tecnologica Equinoc. Quito (Ecuador-National League). Last season he played for BG Aschersleben Tigers (Germany-Regionalliga) averaging 19,9ppg, 6,5rpg and 3,9apg. He spoke to German Hoops after the tough 91-88 loss against Rostock in game one.

 

 

Andrew a tough 91-88 loss against the Rostock Wolves in game one of the Pro B playoffs. How did it feel playing in this playoff game? When you look back on your career, how much experience have you had in these type of situations?

Yes it was a tough loss. We gave it up in the last quarter. However, the atmosphere in Rostock was amazing. The whole gym was packed! I’ve been in many playoff and big games in my career. It’s good to know that we have another opportunity to turn things around.

The Dresden Titans had two weeks to prepare for game one. How was this preparation period different than for a normal Pro B south opponent this season? Rostock was the first time you had ever played against them?

We prepared for them the same way we prepare for the other teams, but with an extra week. We actually played against them in preseason, so we knew they have a good team.

You have logged 23 minutes per game this season. How important were those two weeks off to refuel your body?

It was great! Recovery time is very important especially heading into the playoffs.

Lets talk about game one. After a solid first quarter, Rostock gave up an unbelievable 30 points in the second quarter. What was key for Dresden getting the big halftime lead?

We kept running after their offense. We want to continue to attack them as much as possible.

How key was the 6-0 run at the end of the third quarter which sparked Rostock to retake the lead in the fourth quarter again and the surge that Daniel Lopez gave the club which the team took to the buzzer to get the win?

That run going into the fourth quarter was big for them. The crowd got involved and Rostock had more confidence in the 4th quarter.

If one looks at the stat sheet, one notices that Rostock shot very poorly from outside and got outrebounded, but it seemed to be the free throw shooting that was big in Rostock getting the win. Was fouling something that will have to be revaluated in game two preparation?

We had three guys foul out the game and a few more close to fouling out as well. Even with the fouls we controlled the game until the end. We will be more disciplined on defense for these next games.

Dresden played without Randall Holt. How proud were you off the performance by German Philipp Lieser who came in and did a good job running the offense? All in all the Dresden Titans did a supper job as a team compensating the loss of Randall Holt. Do you expect him back for game two?

Phillip did a good job! He found open guys all over the floor and attacked constantly. Yes we will have him back for game two.

You had 11 points, but did a good job filling up the stat sheet and was a vital part on defense with four steals and two blocks. Was your mind filled with thoughts on the long drive home that Dresden probably would have won had you made two more shots?

Yes that was on my mind the whole time. We controlled that game and for us lose it at the end was tough.

You took 16 shots in the game second to the 18 by Daniel Krause. This was the most shots that you had taken since the loss to BG Karlsruhe. Were you happy with your overall aggressiveness and shot selection?

Yes I was happy with the shots I took. I will make more of an effort to attack more. But, overall I felt confident with every shot I took.

With a do or die game in Dresden next weekend, what will be your personal mentality going into the game? Obviously to win the game, but how confident are you that you will step it up a notch even more in the scoring department while doing all the other important things on the court?

This could be the last game of the season if we lose. Everything has to be left out there on the floor. I’m excited to play and ready to get this win on Sunday.

For game two Rostock will travel to Dresden. What will be key for tying the series. How big a role will the bench play and limiting the team fouls?

Everyone on this team understands what is at stake. We can’t afford any mental breakdowns.

Were you surprised by all the upsets in the first round of the NCAA tournament? Do you believe that there is more parity in the NCAA this season among schools?

I think the biggest upset was Michigan St. That was probably everyone’s pick to win except Middle Tennessee fans.

What sleeper from the early round winners do you think will go far?

Texas A&M looks like a sleeper who could make a run. They are looking confident especially after the last game against Northern Iowa.

What was the last movie that you saw?

Kung Fu Panda.

 

Thanks Andrew for the chat.

 

Daniel Berger is a 25 year old 203cm forward from Medford, Oregon playing his rookie season with Team Ehingen Urspring (Germany-ProB). He started his basketball career with Chemeketa community college an dthen moved to Utah State(NCAA) where he played 59 NCAA games from 2011-2014. As a senior he played with BYU-Hawaii (NCAA2) playing  20 games: 14.2ppg, 4.3rpg, 2.5apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 52.9%, 3PT: 48.4%, FT: 79.2%. He spoke to German Hoops after the big 80-69 win against Itzehoe

 

 

Daniel congrats on the big 80-69 in game one against Itzehoe. How excited were you to be playing in your first playoff professional game? How was the preparation different the last two weeks for a Pro B north team then it was for the usual Pro B south teams that you had seen all season long?

Thank you Miles. I was very excited and thankful for the first playoff game. Our preparation was a little different because we had 2 weeks before the game. We were able to work on some areas that we needed to improve as a team as well as watch film and prepare for Itzehoe. We felt ready to go for anything that came our way.

Despite losing the last game of the season against first placed team BG Karlsruhe 77-74, did this loss give the team added self confidence going into the playoffs?

We know we can play with any team in our league if we are prepared mentally and play hard. The Karlsruhe game was good preparation playing against a high level team with solid individual players.

Ehingen played good basketball for 30 minutes winning the first three quarters and led 71-59, but then gave up a 11-0 run to start the fourth quarter. Was that the typical situation when a team is up big, they lose focus? Ehingen was able to keep their composure and close out the game after the 11-0 Itzehoe run. What do you feel was key in the last seven minutes for closing the door permanently on the opponent?

 Sometimes its hard to play with a lead. We didn’t stay aggressive which we needed to do. In the last seven minutes we needed to make a couple of plays. We ended up doing that but the fourth quarter is something we will look at and try to learn from. Watching Texas A&M send the game to overtime when they were down to UNI by 12 with under a minute makes you realize that no lead is safe when its March.

Devon Moore had 14 of the team 32 assists. How much credit does the American point guard get for keeping the Ehingen offense consistent all night long?

 I love playing with Devon. He’s very unselfish and just wants to make the right play. Whether its to pass or shoot, whatever is best for the team he will do. He deserves a lot of credit and us other guys need to be ready to catch the ball at all times when he’s on the court.

On the defensive end, you held Itzehoe under their season game average. Ehingen matches up pretty well against them under the basket as well. What do you believe was the biggest strength of the team on the defensive end?

 We were just trying to not make it easy for them. We tried making them take contested shots and for the most part did that. There is always going to be defensive mistakes but if you’re playing hard some of those mistakes can get covered up.

Ehingen can wrap the series in Itzehoe next weekend. On what things will the team need to tweak on this week to definitely come home next weekend with the sweep?

They are going to come out strong and aggressive so we need to be ready to match that. It comes down to our energy and focus. Not letting them get hot is key. We learned a few things they threw at us that we weren’t really expecting.

You really have picked up your game since the 96-90 win in Frankfurt. Have you felt the need to have to be more of a scorer or have you just let the game come to you more?

That game in Frankfurt was a confidence booster for me. I have just tried to be focused and aggressive since Christmas. Also I feel more comfortable overall and feel adjusted to the game here and just try to go out and play basketball like I know how.

You were more of a creator against Itzehoe with six assists. You have shown this season in other games that you can get 5-6 assists in a game. How important is the passing game for you personally as a 203cm forward?

Its important for me to get my teammates involved. If all 5 guys are working together than success will follow. As a taller wing player its easier to see over guys and get the ball where it needs to be.

You were the most effective Ehingen player in game one. How do you feel have you grown as a rookie in just being the best all around player that you can be?

 I have really tried to refine some parts of my game. I really don’t have any distractions being away from home which is tough at times, but allows me to really try and focus on basketball 100 percent. I try to learn something every game and then try and improve it.

Were you surprised by so many upsets in the NCAA March Madness? Is there more parity with NCAA schools than possibly in the past?

 Its the best tournament in any sport there is. I love March Madness. I think there is less of a gap between high major schools and mid major schools than people might assume. A lot of media hype goes into that, but there are some very good players at a lot of schools. Not just the big time schools.

What sleepers that are alive now do you see possibly making a run in the 2016 NCAA March Madness?

Id like to see Gonzaga go to the final four.

What was the last movie that you saw?

 Last movie I saw was Deadpool!

 

Thanks Daniel for the chat.

 

Janek Schmidkunz is a 26 year old 183cm point guard that is playing his first season for the Giants Nordlingen. Last season as a rookie he played for the MLP Acaaademics Heidelberg. He started his basketball career with Central Hoops Berlin (Regionalliga) in 2008. He then also got further experience at ALBA Berlin II (Regionalliga). He then went to the states and played at Amer.Internat. (NCAA2) from 2010-2014 playing a total of 86 NCAA games and as a senior played 26 games: 10.9ppg, 2.1rpg, FGP: 38.5%, 3PT: 38.9%, FT: 61.5%. He spoke to German Hoops after the big 84-59 win against Oldenburg in game one.

 

 

 

 

 

Janek congrats on the huge 84-59 win against Oldenburg for the 1-0 series win. How was the two week preparation different for this Pro B north team then it was for the Pro B south teams this season?

Thank you. I think the obvious difference was the time we had to not only prepare our game plan, but also get our rest from the long season. With a smaller rotation like ours that was definitely something that helped us.

 

How exciting was this game for you? It was your first playoff game as a professional. Was the two week wait very long for you?

Extremely exciting. We have a very special bond as a team and all the things we accomplished throughout the season so far were great memories, but eventually you will remember the way you end your season and we want it to be memorable in a positive way. The two weeks did feel long at times.

 

Did you have some nerves at the start of the game or was it a normal game for you despite it being your first post season game?

There was definitely a mix of emotions going into the game. We played an opponent we haven’t seen all year, so despite all the preparing, the first minutes of the game showed us what they are about and once we found our rhythm, the nerves definitely faded away.

 

At halftime Nordlingen had the overwhelming 49-23 lead. How much % of the game plan had the Giants successfully completed after the first 20 minutes?

Obviously when you look at the halftime score it is hard to deny that our game plan didn’t work. However, I think that we still need to analyze the first half and look closer to what worked and what didn’t, because they will adjust their game as well and we need to bring an even better effort next week to get a win in Oldenburg.

 

Nordlingen was defending great in the first half and had a good offensive rhythm going early. Was this Nordlingen basketball that the team was playing where everything was working?

The defense started everything for us. We rebounded very well despite the size disadvantage and once we stopped them we ran the floor. This is when we are at our best yes.

 

You led by as much as 34 points in the third quarter. Was it tough to focus at times in a big lead or was the big lead a benefit more by how they were playing?

Tough question, but I think we knew that if we push the lead to plus 30, the game would probably be over. So that was our goal and my feeling was that we remained focused till late into the 4^th even.

 

Winning the rebound duel 35-34 may not seem like much, but Oldenburg has a huge size advantage over Nordlingen. How proud are you of the team that they were able to match up well down low?

Very proud, when we rebound the ball well we can play our game and that is when we can compete with anyone in this league. So it is one of our keys to winning. We have been undersized all year so the size disadvantage is nothing new to us.

 

How confident are you that when the big three score in double figures plus two more players with Leo Vrkas and Kwame Duku that you will go very far in the playoffs?

I mean, if you have 5 players scoring double figures, I believe you have a good chance of winning. I am confident that we can produce more performances like this, where winning is a total team effort and we don’t rely too heavily on individual performance.

 

You almost played 30 minutes How did you feel after 40 minutes? Did the two week break benefit your conditioning a bit?

 

I think this was one of the fewest minutes I played this season, which was also due to the high lead we held early. The two weeks benefited me in terms of resting my body. However, it can be hard to keep your rhythm over a 2 week stretch like this. I do think that we managed it very well.

 

You scored 22points, grabbing, two rebounds and dishing out five assists. You also shot very well picking your spots. Was this a normal shooting day at the office for you?

I tried to be patient and not force much. Also we wanted to share the ball and looking at 28 team assists, I can say that we did a great job at getting each other involved.

 

Nordlingen can wrap the series next weekend in Oldenburg. Nordlingen had 17 steals in game one. Will another defensive effort like in game one get you the win even if the offense isn´t as sharp getting 28 assists and more points in game 2?

If we defend like we are capable of, I am confident that we can win next week. Also we put Oldenburg in a do or die situation which puts the pressure off us and on them. Therefore, we need to have a good week of practice and bring the energy on the defensive end again, the offense will usually come on its own then.

 

Were you surprised by so many upsets in the NCAA March Madness? Is there more parity with NCAA schools than possibly in the past?

No, I am never surprised about the upsets in March, they call it Madness for a reason. I can’t say if mid-major schools are getting on a level with the big time programs, but I had a feeling over the whole college season that there won’t be that one team that is everyone’s favorite. It is one of the more open field that I have experienced.

 

What sleepers that are alive now do you see possibly making a run in the 2016 NCAA March Madness?

I like Gonazaga to advance to the elite 8 and even though they are higher seeds, I like Miami and Indiana’s chances.

 

 

What was the last movie that you saw?

 

Creed.

 

Thanks Janek for the chat.

Richard Williams is a 28 year old 178cm guard that is playing his first season with the Kirchheim Knights averaging 12,2ppg, 7,8apg and 4,2rpg at the moment. He recently played for the Fraport Skyliners Frankfurt (Germany-BBL): EuroChallenge: 2 games: 9.0ppg, 3.5rpg, 6.5apg, 2.0spg; German BBL: 9 games: 8.2ppg, 2.0rpg, 3.0apg, 1.4spg, 2FGP: 40.6%, 3FGP: 48.0%, FT: 70.6%, in Jan.’15 moved to SC Rasta Vechta (Germany-ProA): 12 games: 4.6ppg, 2.7rpg, 3.3apg, 1.0spg. He is a very fast guard that can play either one or two. Great at pushing the break. Can score by shooting the three or using his explosiveness to beat his man. Gets to the basket and scores in traffic. A specialist in steals that uses his quickness to intimidate on defense. Great ball control. Gets the whole team involved when playing the point but can takeover a game at any time. He started his basketball career at San Diego St. (NCAA) in 2005 where he played until 2009. In his senior year he played  36 games: 7.2ppg, 4.3rpg, 3.5apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 40.9%, 3Pts: 37.5%, FT: 64.2%. In 2009-2010, he started his professional basketball career for The San Diego Surf (ABA), in Jan.’10 moved to FSU Selfoss (Iceland-Express League, starting five): 8 games: 27.5ppg, 8.1rpg, 3.4apg, 2.8spg, FGP: 51.6%, 3PT: 46.2%, FT: 72.7%. In 2011-2012, he played for  UBC Hannover Tigers (Germany-ProB) 33 games: 18.3ppg, 5.1rpg, Assists-4(5.7apg), Steals-2(3.2spg), FGP: 48.1%, 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 75.8%. In the 2012-2013 season he played  for SC Rasta Vechta playing  38 games: 15.6ppg, 5.2rpg, Assists-1(6.7apg), Steals-1(2.5spg), FGP: 45.6%, 3PT: 35.2%, FT: 79.9%. In the 2013-2014 season for Vechta he played 34 games: 14.6ppg, 4.7rpg, 4.4apg, Steals-3(1.9spg), FGP: 46.0%, 3PT: 29.3%, FT: 82.7%. Last weekend, he helped steer Kirchheim to a 88-75 win with 11 points and 11 assists, but spoke to German Hoops after the big 77-66 win against Rent4Office.

 

Richie congrats on the big 77-66 win against Rent4office. You swept this team this season holding them to 61 games average. How good does it feel when you can beat a team twice with an all around good defensive effort?

Defense is what will carry us through the playoffs. Getting stops and winning at this point in the season is very important. It is good for our confidence as we want to head into playoffs feeling good about ourselves with a good rhythm.

Kirchheim was down 33-29 at halftime and came out focused in the third scoring 28 points. You had five points and five assists in the third quarter. How much responsibility did you feel that you had to take in the third quarter to get the team going again?

We all had a responsibility to perform better in the second half, starting with myself. When we are focused and play with energy we are a pretty tough team.

How vital was the 8-0 run and energy from Forward Dennis Tinnon at the start of the fourth quarter to get Kirchheim on the winning road quicker?

Dennis has always been an energy guy for us. He does a great job of getting his hands on the ball, running down rebounds, and starting fast breaks for us. The plays he made during that run really set the tone for us.

How much do you enjoy these type of games where the team defends hard and plays team basketball getting 25 assists and no one player scoring 20 plus points, but spreading the scoring around?

It’s great for team chemistry. Everyone feels apart of the game and the win. It really makes us hard to guard when we share the ball like that.

Kirchheim didn´t shoot well at 17% from downtown, but did the 20-9 turnover advantage help the team out?

. Definitely. We got some much needed extra possession.

The last regular season game is against Rhondorf while Gotha plays Science City Jena as both you and Gotha have 42 points. How bad does the team want the third position?

Developing a good rhythm going into the playoffs is the most important thing, regardless of our position. That is our main focus right now.

Kirchheim won the first game against Rhondorf 85-59. Kirchheim had 16 steals in that game and Rhondorf now is without ex top scorer Sterling Carter. With what kind of a frame of mind do you go into this game? Stay focused and not underestimate them?

Respecting your opponent is how we approach every game. Rhondorf has a much different look now than they did when we played them first game of the season.

The Kirchheim Knights have been playing solid basketball as of late having won three of it´s last four games. What do you feel has been the clubs strong point in this phase besides their defense?

Right now it’s our energy and the focus we been playing with. It has been much better these last games and it is important for us to sustain it.

Head coach Michael Mai has done a great job getting Germans Andreas Kronhardt and Tim Koch more minutes this season and they have produced. How vital will their play be for Kirchheim making a run for the Pro A title?

Tim and Andi have earned the position they’re in. They have been a huge part of our success and we need them to keep it up if we want to finish the season as strong as we envision.

You don´t keep slowing down with age as you are averaging the most assists in your career with 7,8 and averaging two steals per game. Does your high assist average have to do more with your skill and taking care of your body as you get older or the overall skill level that Kirchheim has?

It can attributed to all of those things. I’m continuing to grow as a player, my health has been improving and my teammate’s make me look good.

In a span of five games in December and January you were averaging 12 assists a game and then in a span of seven games were averaging only five assists and now in the last four games are averaging nine assists a game. As a point guard how do you explain these type of fluctuations?

Some games require me to be a distributor while others require me to be more offensive minded. Every team doesn’t defend the same way so I have to take what they give me.

You helped SC Rasta Vechta into the Beko BBL in 2013. How confident are you that you can do it again?

Very confident. We have the pieces to do it now it’s a matter of making it happen.

Were you surprised by so many upsets in the first round of the 2016 NCAA tournament? Is there more parity among schools this year?

The tournament surprises me every year. I threw my bracket in the trash right after the first round. Haha

What sleeper school that made an upset thus far could you see making a big run in this tournament?

I like Syracuse

What was the last movie that you saw?

The Place Beyond the Pines

 

Thanks Richie for the chat.

 

Brandon Lockhart is a 25 year old 185cm guard from St Louis, Missouri that is playing hiss econd professional season and first with German team Giants Nordlingen. AS a rookie he played for BK Levicki Patrioti (Slovakia-Extraliga) playing 34 games: Score-5(16.7ppg), 3.8rpg, Assists-5(4.3apg), Steals-1(3.0spg), FGP: 50.2%, 3PT: 28.5%, FT: 78.9%. He played at Drury (NCAA2) from 2009-2013 and as a senior played 35 games averaging 12.5ppg, 3.9rpg, 6.1apg, 2.9spg, FGP: 50.9%, 3PT: 48.3%, FT: 77.1%. He spoke to German Hoops after the big 84-59 win in game one against Oldenburg.

 

 

Brandon congrats on the huge 84-59 win against Oldenburg for the 1-0 series win. How was the two week preparation different for this Pro B north team then it was for the Pro B south teams this season?

Danke Miles! I wouldn’t say that we prepared any differently for this team than we have for any other team all year. We did not close the season the way we wanted to, so that really helped our focus during the 2 weeks of practice before post season play began.

How exciting was this game for you? It was your first playoff game in Germany. What memories did you have from your series against Inter Bratislavia two years ago?

This game was really exciting for myself and my teammates! Our team played really well to open the playoffs which made it even more exciting. Since we got swept by Bratislava, no real positive memories haha. But I gained experience from it and did not want to have that happen again.

Did you have some nerves at the start of the game or was it a normal game for you despite it being your first post season game in Germany?

I wouldn’t say that I was nervous for this game. The preparation and focus we had in practice the past 2 weeks did not allow for nerves to get to me.

At halftime Nordlingen had the overwhelming 49-23 lead. How much % of the game plan had the Giants successfully completed after the first 20 minutes?

  I think we did a really good job of sticking to our game plan in the first half, especially in the second quarter. Since it was only the first half, guess I would say only 50% since we still had 20 more minutes to complete the job. We struggled at times this year to put games away when we had the chance, so I think not allowing them to get back in the game in the 3rd was a better accomplishment for us.

Nordlingen was defending great in the first half and had a good offensive rhythm going early. Was this Nordlingen basketball that the team was playing where everything was working?

We definitely played Nordlingen basketball last night! We have a good group of guys that really enjoy playing together. We had 28 assists last night which means everyone is involved and that makes it more fun to be out there.

You led by as much as 34 points in the third quarter. Was it tough to focus at times in a big lead or was the big lead a benefit more by how they were playing?

It was not really tough to focus because its the playoffs and we wanted to keep our momentum going. We did not want them to get on a roll and make the 4th quarter interesting.

Winning the rebound duel 35-34 may not seem like much, but Oldenburg has a huge size advantage over Nordlingen. How proud are you of the team that they were able to match up well down low?

 Extremely proud of our guys! It’s something that we talk about every day in practice since we are a smaller team. If we get killed on the boards by an opponent, it will be difficult for us to win games.

How confident are you that when the big three score in double figures plus two more players with Leo Vrkas and Kwame Duku that you will go very far in the playoffs?

At this time of the year, you need positive contributions from everyone. So that was really big for us last night. If we can continue to get positive contributions from everyone that plays, I like our chances against any opponent. But its always one game at a time.

You almost played 31 minutes How did you feel after 40 minutes? Did the two week break benefit your conditioning a bit?

The two week break was extremely beneficial in getting healthier. Small nagging injuries happen throughout the season unfortunately. So having time to rest up and get healthier was the biggest benefit of the break.

You scored 14 points, grabbing six rebounds and dishing out seven assists while getting seven steals. Did your energetic defense spark your offense?

We play our best when we play good defense because it allows us to get out in transition. So playing good team defense definitely ignited my offense, as well as the teams.

Nordlingen can wrap the series next weekend in Oldenburg. Nordlingen had 17 steals in game one. Will another defensive effort like in game one get you the win even if the offense isn´t as sharp getting 28 assists and more points in game 2?

Defense will be key for us again because that gets our offense going. We will go up there and play our game and see what happens.

Were you surprised by so many upsets in the NCAA March Madness? Is there more parity with NCAA schools than possibly in the past?

I know I should not be surprised by the upsets that happen every year, but I always am! The gap between the major and mid major schools is getting smaller every year. There are a bunch of good players and teams out there and the tournament shows that.

What sleepers that are alive now do you see possibly making a run in the 2016 NCAA March Madness?

Not many people are talking about Xavier, but I can see them making a deep run. I also could see Gonzaga making a run at it since Michigan St. got knocked out early in their region. But I am a Duke fan! So I’m hoping they repeat this year as champions haha

What was the last movie that you saw?

Deadpool!!

Thanks Brandon for the chat.

 

Jordan Talbert is a 25 year old 198cm forward from Little Rock, Arkansas that is playing his second professional season with the Giants Nordlingen. He came to Germany as a rookie last season and played with the Giants TSV 1861 Noerdlingen (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 26 games: 21.6ppg, 9.6rpg, 3.2apg, 2.0spg, Blocks-4(1.5bpg), FGP: 51.7%, 3PT: 28.9%, FT: 78.4%. He played his college career at Missouri SO(NCAA2) from 2010-2014 and as a senior played 31 games averaging 11.7ppg, 7.4rpg, 2.9apg, 1.1spg, 1.7bpg, FGP: 44.8%, 3PT: 37.0%, FT: 70.1%. He spoke to German Hoops after the big 84-59 win in game one against Oldenburg.

 

 

Jordan congrats on the huge 84-59 win against Oldenburg for the 1-0 series win. How was the two week preparation different for this Pro B north team then it was for the Pro B south teams this season?

The preparation wasn’t much different. We just had more time to do it. We prepared the same as always which is focusing on playing at our best instead of worrying about what the opponent does.

How exciting was this game for you? It was your first playoff game as a professional. Did you have some nerves at the start or was it a normal game for you?

 I was very excited for the game especially since we had a 2 week break leading up to it. I’m nervous before every game but once the game began the nerves always goes away.

At halftime Nordlingen had the overwhelming 49-23 lead. How much % of the game plan had the Giants successfully completed after the first 20 minutes?

 We definitely executed our game plan to great satisfaction. We came out and played team basketball at an extremely high level.

Nordlingen was defending great in the first half and had a good offensive rhythm going early. Was this Nordlingen basketball that the team was playing where everything was working?

Yes this was one of those rare games when the team comes out and the chemistry is at its full potential. We’ve had a couple games like this early in the year so it was perfect that we could start the playoffs this way.

You led by as much as 34 points in the third quarter. Was it tough to focus at times in a big lead or was the big lead a benefit more by how they were playing?

We’ve given up big leads before. You want to ease up sometimes but we know that the minute we do we give them confidence which can carry over to the next game and ultimately change the series. We really just wanted to keep our intensity and focus at the same level it was the entire game.

Winning the rebound duel 35-34 may not seem like much, but Oldenburg has a huge size advantage over Nordlingen. How proud are you of the team that they were able to match up well down low?

Rebounding has been a struggle for us sometimes this year. For us to win the rebounding against a bigger more physical opponent is something to be really proud of.

How confident are you that when the big three score in double figures plus two more players with Leo Vrkas and Kwame Duku that you will go very far in the playoffs?

I definitely like when we’re all scoring because it means we’re playing as a team and makes us extremely tough to guard. I think our effort on the defensive end was the most impressive thing. When we guard like we did then rebound and get out in transition it makes our offense that much potent.

How much did the defensive energy of American Brandon Lockhart spark Nordlingen in game one?

Brandon did a great job of disrupting their offense and making their guards uncomfortable. He’s really good at reading plays and picks good spots to get in the passing lanes.

You almost played 40 minutes How did you feel after 40 minutes? Did the two week break benefit your conditioning a bit?

Yea the two week break definitely helped. I felt good physically going into the game. After the game I was pretty tired but I’m sure I’ll be ready to go again for game 2.

You scored 13 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and getting six assists while getting two steals and two blocks. It wasn´t your best shooting game, but were you happy that you contributed in so many other areas?

Yes I think that’s the best part of my game. Even if I’m not able to score I think I can still find ways to help the team win. My teammates picked up the scoring slack for me and I got to contribute in other areas of the game.

Nordlingen can wrap the series next weekend in Oldenburg. Nordlingen had 17 steals in game one. Will another defensive effort like in game one get you the win even if the offense isn´t as sharp getting 28 assists and more points in game 2?

It’s going to take great effort on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. We know they’re going to come out with high energy and motivation to stay in the league. We’re going to have to weather the storm and just play our game that’s gotten us to this point.

Were you surprised by so many upsets in the NCAA March Madness? Is there more parity with NCAA schools than possibly in the past?

There’s always a good amount of upsets every so no I wasn’t surprised at all. Anything can happen when it’s single game elimination. You know there are going to be upsets you just have to choose which team.

What sleepers that are alive now do you see possibly making a run in the 2016 NCAA March Madness?

 I haven’t really kept up with the NCAA this year because of the time difference. But from what I’ve seen I like Iowa St. I think Niang is a great versatile player with enough skill and experience to lead his team to a championship.

What was the last movie that you saw?

 Deadpool.

 

Thanks Jordan for the chat.

 

Ricky Easterling is a 32 year old 190cm guard from Baltimore playing his 10 professional season in Germany and over the years has been crowned Mr Regionaliga as he averaged over 30 points three times with TV Saarlouis and is now playing his second season in the German Pro B and belongs to the top 3 players there. Before moving to Saarlouis in 2007 he played at Bridgewater (NCAA3) and then as a rookie played with TSG Reutlingen (Germany-Oberliga and  Bergheim Bandits (Germany-Regionalliga). Last season with TV Saarlouis he played 28 games: Score-1(22.9ppg), 4.5rpg, Assists-4(5.3apg), 1.4spg, FGP: 55.2%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 86.1%. Currently he is averaging 22,7ppg, 3,9rpg and 4,1apg. He spoke to German Hoops before the start of the German Pro B playdown series.

 

 

Ricky thanks for talking to German Hoops. A tough 92-80 loss against Weissenhorn over the weekend. At the end of your second regular season in the German Pro B, how sick and tired are you of playing catch up basketball?

I’m sick and tired of playing catch up for a while now. It has been a tough 2 seasons. But regardless I am blessed to be here and remain thankful and humble for this opportunity.

Weissenhorn did everything better on the stat sheet except having one turnover more. What positive thing could you take out of this game?

For me it is hard to find setting positive to take out of this game. We didn’t play well and the stats and the results show that. But my young boy Edgar Schwarz got good minutes and played very well.

What does it say for the quality of Weissenhorn when there were only three guys in double figures and all were Germans and big talent Joschka Ferner who had 37 points last weekend wasn´t one of them?

They have a good group of young talent on their team. Many of those guys will be playing big minutes in the BBL in the near future!

You see the best young German talent every weekend in the German Pro B. Joschka Ferner only had 9 points against Saarlouis, but played Eurocup at age 16 with ratiopharm Ulm. How much potential does this kid have?

He is a big talent here in Germany and his stats show it. Has good size and a very good jump shot. I look forward to watching him in the future and I telling people I had the chance to play against him.

You had your best scoring game of the season with 33 points. With experience is there anyway you can still somewhat enjoy your good personal performances despite getting a loss?

Scoring 30+ is nothing new to me so I do not look at that as such a big deal. Wins are more important to me. So if we won this game and I had 0 points I would enjoy that more than scoring 30+ and losing

Saarlouis is back in the playdowns like last season. What is your regular season summary? What were the positives and negatives of the season?

Looking positively on the season I think we have made some improvements simply because we had the chance to win many more games this season than last. Even though our record does not show that you can look back at the box scores and find the evidence. To reflect negatively on the season we just did not have what it takes to win these close games and for me that is disappointing. We had many games where maybe one possession made the difference and we keep coming up on the losing side. Hopefully we can improve on that in the play downs.

How frustrating was it for the team to lose 3-4 games where you defended very good, but couldn´t put up points on the board?

That is very frustrating because we have the quality to win games and be good offensively but we just couldn’t put it together in these games.

Saarlouis averaged giving up 80 points in the regular season. Why couldn´t the team find any real consistency on the defensive end and what will have to improve to let up less points in the playdowns?

I don’t want to go into detail because that is something we as a team keep to ourselves. But the fact of the matter is we just have to be able to defend better night in and night out. There is a lot of talent in this league and it will not be easy. But I believe in my team and I think in the play downs we will be a team that will show what we are truly made of offensively and defensively.

Your stats are pretty much the same from last season, but you averaged more assists last season. What is your summary of the regular season of your own game?

I was playing more point guard last year so I had the responsibility to get my teammates more involved as well as being a scorer . Even though that aspect is something I have in my game regardless if I play the point or on the wing, this season being on the wing and playing more off the ball I feel I didn’t have the opportunity to create for others like the season before. I feel there is always room for improvement in my game regardless of how well I might play. So I am never satisfied and think some of my numbers could have been better then what they are.

After another season of experience in the German Pro B how do you feel your game matured this season?

I feel I understand the game better at this level. It is definitely stronger than the Regionalliga and I think I have matured as a leader being that leadership was something that was needed from me more than ever this season.

Saarlouis now plays against Speyer. How important is it that the team won the season series?

I think it gives us more confidence knowing that we can beat this team. But that does not mean that we will just go out there and win. We still need to come to the game ready to play and do what we need to do in order to walk away with the win.

In both games you combined for 48 points while Speyer American DJ Woodmore had 44 points, but 34 points in one game. How key will it be containing him?

He is their top scorer and they look to him to produce for them every game. I think it is important to keep him under control and force others to score if we want to win this game

What else will be key in this series to come out on top? I think the bench will play a big role.

Bench production will play a factor but I think our defense will tell the story in this one. If we can play good defense and make stops, it will lead to easy offense and give us the momentum we need to control the pace of the game.

As you get older, what do you appreciate most about being able to play the game so long and still belong to the top class at that level?

I appreciate just having the opportunity to play basketball overseas. It was always a dream of mine to continue basketball after college and I am living. Could ask for nothing better. To be here so long and to be considered as one of the tip players at this level is a honor. I work hard every day and appreciate the recognition of my contribution to my team

 

Some of the older NBA players that played at different times are having a hard time giving Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors credit for their success saying they might not have had that success 20-30 years ago. Are these former players just jealous or why can´t they just give credit where it´s due?

I find that the old school are the originators of the game and set the path for the players and teams of today. So without them there would be no us today. But I do believe GSW are making history with their great season deserve to be recognized for it.

Recently ESPN made a top 100 greatest NBA players of alltime poll putting Lebron at #3 before legends Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and BIll Russell. Do you see that as being justified?

 I can’t really call it. I guess if the experts say so then he must deserve to be there. One can argue for it or against it, but I’m going to plead the 5th.

What was the last movie that you saw?

The hateful 8 by Quentin Tarantino.

Thanks Ricky for the chat.

 

Hayden Lescault is a 23 year old 196cm guard from Folsam, California playing his rookie season with BG Karlsruhe. He played at Point Loma (NCAA2) from 2011-2015 and as a senior played 21 games averaging 11.5ppg, 4.1rpg, 3.7apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 52.9%, 3PT: 29.7%, FT: 78.7%. In his junior season he won the NCAA 2 title and played : 30 games: 16.6ppg, 3.5rpg, 3.8apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 52.4%, 3PT: 38.8%, FT: 72.5%. He spoke to German Hoops before the playoff series against Rechklingshausen

 

 

Hayden, thanks for talking to German Hoops. A big crunch time win against Ehingen to end the regular season. How good did it feel to get them back after they won the first meeting 76-67?

It felt great to get a little revenge on those guys and it’s always nice to win the last game of the season heading into playoffs. Especially a win against a strong team like Ehingen.

What was ultimately key in crunch time for BG Karlsruhe coming away with another victory?

Well we’ve played in a lot of close games this year and we have been able to pull out wins in most. I think the experience that we’ve picked up as team from those games helps keep us poise and confident in the fourth quarter of close games.

Since we last spoke, BG Karlsruhe finished the season with a 19-3- record. How has the team grown since the 77-70 loss in Frankfurt?

Everyone has stepped up their game and we are really playing well as a team. Also, the way we are committing to defense has been important down the stretch.

What really stands out in this stretch was the ability to continue to win tight games which you did 5 times since the loss in Frankfurt. Is it only the vast experience that the team has that gives you this ability?

Yeah the experience plays a big part in that and we also have a lot of guys who are reliable down the stretch. We all have trust in each other and I think that really helps in crunch time.

BG Karlsruhe has also been able to keep this healthy balance of consistent offense and defense. Do you believe just having this veteran presence all season long has given the younger guys added self confidence which in turn has sparked their play?

Absolutely, the young guys have been improving all year long and have been a big factor in helping the team get to where we are.

How valuable was the pick up of Paul Brotherson as added insurance and energy from the bench?

Paul had been a great pick up for us. He’s a very efficient player and helps us at both ends of the floor. Being a former BG player, he came in already knowing the culture around here and most of the players so it was a smooth transition getting him used to playing with this team.

How hungry is the veteran trio of Marcus Smallwood, Jeremy Black and Rouven Roessler to show basketball Germany that they still have what it takes to take a team up another level?

They are extremely determined to move up. They have all proven that they are still some of the top players in the league and their leadership has been critical. They constantly remind the team that the playoffs are a whole other monster so we can never get complacent with our #1 seed.

As a rookie your averaging 14,1ppg, 3,2rpg and 2,6apg while shooting 35% from outside. How happy have you been with your rookie season?

This has been a good start for me. Coming overseas you never really know what to expect, but Karlsruhe has been a great place to start my career and to help lead a team to the top record in the league is just icing on the cake.

Did the end of the regular season in a long season somewhat play with your body as your didn´t finish as strong in the scoring department?

No not really, my body feels great but there were a couple games there toward the end where some other guys had it going so I didn’t need to try to do a whole lot of scoring.

Since the loss in Frankfurt where you went 5/5 from outside, you have been struggling from downtown. Except for a 3/5 shooting night against Leipzig, your shooting 7/28 since the Frankfurt loss. With 2 weeks between games, will there be a new Hayden Lescault from downtown in game one against Recklingshausen?

Absolutely. I have a lot of confidence in my shot and in these two weeks I’ll have plenty of time to get a lot of reps up.

What kind of role do you want to play in the playoffs? Do you see yourself stepping up your game even more?

I don’t think the way we play as a team will change much at all because it has been working all year long. So for me, I’m just planning to come out with a lot of energy and I’ll step up my game if that’s what the team needs.

How excited are you to be playing an unknown team like Reckilingshausen that you haven´t seen yet this season?

I can’t wait.

BG Karlsruhe better not take Recklingshausen lighty even if they finished in eighth with a record of 9-13. They finished the season with a 4 game winning streak and have some real good players with Robert Franklin, Joe Kennerly and Cavel Witter. What will be key in getting to the next round?

Not taking them lightly, playing to our strengths, and execution.

Some of the older NBA players that played at different times are having a hard time giving Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors credit for their success saying they might not have had that success 20-30 years ago. Are these former players just jealous or why can´t they just give credit where it´s due?

They’re not jealous… they are crazy. Steph Curry is unreal!

Recently ESPN made a top 100 greatest NBA players of alltime poll putting Lebron at #3 before legends Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and BIll Russell. Do you see that as being justified?

I do, LeBron is one of a kind.

What was the last movie that you saw?

Deadpool.

Thanks Hayden for the chat.