Sometimes misfortune plagues a team as long as Rajon Rondo takes apart defenses and it just doesn´t stop as the new Beko BBL team Crailsheim Merlins witnessed a little more than a week ago when they left for the 414 kilometer far away Hagen at 9:45 AM for a 19:30 game and still were unable to reach its destination and thus had to take an automatic loss. In the day and age where social media gives the world an up to date report about what is happening, basketball fans were informed what was happening by tweets and face book posts from players as for some the chic sunglasses of German center Jannik Freese was the big highlight during the team´s trek back to the last exit to hop into mini vans. That unforgettable experience has been just one of many this season for the last placed team who after many winning seasons in the Pro A have been losing as much this season as German soccer club Borusia Dortmund who have seemed to have forgotten how to win. Coupled with loses and players coming and going, it has been a season to forget and huge learning experience for the Schwaben team. After the calamity trying to reach Hagen last weekend, players might have had at the top of their 2015 New Years resolutions to try to reach their next destination or simply just leave even earlier or travel a day before game day. With their next away game against the Fraport Skyliners, they were a bit more than halfway as close at 217 Kilometers then they were traveling to Hagen. The whole Crailsheim to Hagen fiasco trip brings back memories to the Giessen 46ers who didn´t reach Ludwigsburg on time in 1996 as German national player Armin Andrers was on the team and then in 2008 were stuck in nonmoving traffic as the Hessen club once again didn´t reach their destination. However a new day and year and better weather conditions were on the side of the Crailsheim Merlins as they didn´t want to take the risk of leaving on game day and getting stuck in snow again as they left the day before and reached Frankfurt on time, but left their A game on the bus as the Fraport Skyliners came out smoking and with some ups and downs during the game easily won their ninth game in a row at home 88-71. After the loss, German Jannik Freese had no comment about the Hagen fiasco last weekend, but American teammate Garrett Sim did. “That was a very unique situation last weekend. I am just happy that we made it well to Frankfurt. We are going to take the break to get better. We let too many games slip away in the first half”, stressed ex Science City Jena guard Garret Sim. Fraport Skyliner center Mike Morrison who was idle on account of a one game suspension was doing his little dance in the catacombs which has become habit in the last few months with this winning streak intact and had his two cents for the Crailsheim Hagen affair. “I am happy that they made it safely to Frankfurt. It was misfortunate that you have to take a loss like that. You want to battle and then can´t even play. But that is a part of life. They can be blessed that there was no crash or something like that”, added Mike Morrison.

The Fraport Skyliners entered the game with a record of 7-9 and it was difficult to know if having the last place team as guest right before the two week break was the best medicine as ups and downs in the game showed that possibly the team was already on vacation time. The Fraport Skyliners never trailed in this game, but allowed Crailsheim to cut their seemingly not endangered lead to four points in the third quarter, but the 2004 BBL champion wiped that little scare away as quickly as a snowplower does unwanted snow from the road. Especially the Frankfurt Mainhatten twin towers of Danilo Barthel and Johannes Voigtmann combined for 37 points and 17 rebounds making it for a long afternoon in the paint area. “Crailsheim is a good team and we let them score. We had many turnovers, but we cleaned it up in the second half. We should of pulled away in the first half, but found our stride in the second half. Barthel and Voigtmann both played very well and were aggressive on both ends of the court. I know how good they are since I see them play each day in practice”, smiled St Petersburg Florida native Mike Morrison. “We did a good job leading the team today. I had some easy baskets early which helped me get into the game better. Joe had 12 rebounds and did a good job down low. We worked well together and when we are both present then we make space for the others”, stated Heidelberg native Danilo Barthel. “The German big men led their team today. They are athletic, physical and skillful and played great”, added ex Giessen 46er Jannik Freese. Crailsheim was reeling off a bitter loss against the Telekom Baskets Bonn a few days earlier and once again no one could complain about a lack of effort or fighting quality, but at the end the score and difference in points told the story of the game. “Frankfurt beat us in every aspect of the game if it was rebounding, 50/50 balls or execution. We were always a step behind”, added Portland, Oregon native Garret Sim.

The Fraport Skyliners entered the game without Mike Morrison, Konstantin Klein and Kevin Bright. 5000 fans were on hand to witness this Sunday matinee as was injured Skyliner Max Merz who was back in the arena for the first time since his concussion against TBB Trier. The Fraport Skyliners exploded out of the gate going on a 9-2 run as Barthel scored five points as the club was making life very difficult inside for Crailsheim. The Frankfurt passing game was put into the forefront as Cobbs found Voigtmann and Quantez Robertson played some give and go with Barthel who found the Auburn alumnist for two quick points. Crailsheim took a time out and from that time on, the Fraport Skyliners would never find that flow again like in those first two minutes. Crailsheim came out refreshed and went on a 8-4 run to trail only 13-10. In the run, the Crailsheim Merlins got buckets from Jonathan Moore, Andriy Agafanov and Chris Otule. Frankfurt had lost their rhythm, but also weren´t playing calm basketball as turnovers and wildness was on their ball menu. Crailsheim gives up an average of 84 points a game and it was only a matter of time before Frankfurt would get more buckets again. Down the stretch they got big buckets from American rookie Justin Cobbs who really is deadly with his quickness and penetration last matched in Frankfurt by 2011 Beko BBL MVP Dashaun Wood. After one quarter the Fraport Skyliners had then 23-17 advantage. “Frankfurt came ready to play and were doing all the little things to get the job done. After the Crailsheim timeout they went away from what they were doing letting the opponent sneak back into the game. Crailsheim got easy buckets and Frankfurt had too many turnovers which was a result of a lack of concentration”, stressed TV Lich guard Jermale Jones. The Fraport Skyliners were shooting 50% from the field and 0% from outside and the Crailsheim Merlins were shooting 29% from the field and 14% from outside. Frankfurt had the 12-8 rebound edge, but five turnovers while Crailsheim had four turnovers.

In the second quarter, the Fraport Skyliners continued to keep the lead despite the Crailsheim Merlins cutting the lead to four points and were down by nine points at intermission. Fraport Skyliners Finish guard Mikko Koivisto started the second quarter by nailing a wide open three pointer. Crailsheim center Jannik Freese kept his team in the game getting two buckets down low getting one in traffic and making a fade away jumper as Frankfurt led 29-24. Voigtmann then closed out the pick and roll perfectly with Justin Cobbs making a massive two handed dunk and Danilo Barthel was fed with a bullet pass from Armand which almost didn´t happen because he almost lost the ball making a fancy dribble behind his back, but luckily found the 2015 Beko BBL allstar. Crailsheim kept fighting back going on a 10-5 run to cut the Frankfurt lead to 38-34. Ex Marquette center Chris Otule did severe damage in this phase as he made a put back, made a pretty left handed lay in and hammered down a crushing dunk. German Stefan Ilzhoefer connected on a three pointer that he threw down in line drive manner and Voigtmann made a put back. Voigtmann who is seen as one of the top big men passers in the Beko BBL wasn´t having a good day as he suffered his third turnover in the second quarter all resulting from bad passes. If my description to a colleague in the stands that top NBA passing big man Marc Gasol could learn a little bit from the passing qualities of Voigtmann when he is on left a curse in the Fraport arena air was unknown, but the big German took his bad passing day in stride. “There are games when this happens. I played more risk basketball. I need to reflect on this game and maybe next week I will play with less risk involved when making passes”, said Johannes Voigtmann. The Fraport Skyliners escaped out of the Crailsheim Merlins run going on a 9-4 run to go into halftime with the 47-38 lead. In the run, it was Sean Armand that connected twice, Cobbs turned defense into offense with a lay in and Barthel scored inside. “Crailsheim was able to cut it down to four late in the third quarter, because their offense started to work better which led to easy baskets and open shots. Cobbs once again was the reason for Frankfurt breaking away a bit at the end as he let his floor general tendencies go to work finishing himself or finding his teammates”, expressed Jermale Jones. The Fraport Skyliners were shooting 56% from the field and 44% from the three point line while the Crailsheim Merlins were shooting 45% from the field and 9% from the three point line. Frankfurt had the 18-13 rebound edge, but eight turnovers while Crailsheim had seven turnovers.

In the third quarter, the Crailsheim Merlins jumped on the Fraport Skyliners again going on a 6-0 run to cut the Frankfurt lead to 47-44, but once again the home team had enough ways to build on their lead and get back to 10 plus points. Sim and ex Bremerhaven German Jonathan Moore burned Frankfurt on back to back bombs from outside. However Frankfurt reacted with a lightening 7-0 run to extend their lead again to 54-44 as the German twin towers went to work as Barthel scored inside and dropped a three pointer while Voigtmann made a put back. Crailsheim still had fire power as they continued to launch three pointers with some luck as Brooklyn, New York native Chad Timberlake and Moore connected to trail only 56-49. Soon after fans saw the most spectacular play of the game as Sean Armand made a steal and had Super Tez on the right wing and ally-op seemed tattoed on both guys fore heads and they executed the play to perfection as Frankfurt led 60-52. Down the stretch Frankfurt kept attacking and were able to hold the comfortable lead. Barthel continued to be active on the offensive glass getting a bucket as well as Cobbs finishing with a pretty lay up high off the glass. Crailsheim got some clutch buckets late Otule hit a runner and Sim made a three pointer. Cobbs ended the third quarter scoring somehow in traffic as Frankfurt led 71-59. “Coach told us at halftime that we should have been leading by more, but that our bad defense led to easy Crailsheim baskets. We executed better in the third and started to play better defense”, stressed Mike Morrison. “We should of played with more intensity, but we weren´t able”, added Texas native Chris Otule. “We came out strong hitting shots, but then fell apart. We took a step forward, but two steps back”, added Garret Sim. The Fraport Skyliners were shooting 57% from the field and 42% from the parking lot while the Crailsheim Merlins were shooting 43% from the field and 35% from the parking lot. Frankfurt had the 28-18 rebound lead, but 12 turnovers while Crailsheim had 11 turnovers.

In the fourth quarter, the Fraport Skyliners kept the lead and were never threatened again as the Crailsheim Merlins could not cut the Frankfurt lead to less than 14 points. Offense took a back seat in the fourth as the game was pretty much decided. Justin Cobbs helped his personal stat sheet with a three pointer and lay in as the Los Angeles native once again found the perfect mix for finishing and finding his teammates as Frankfurt extended their lead to 76-61. Frankfurt got some more production from Sean Armand who hit a three pointer, Robertson who had foul problems made a big offensive rebound and made the put back and Canadian Aaron Doornekamp nailed a three pointer who did a lot of the dirty work on the glass as he finished with five points and seven rebounds. Frankfurt led 85-66 with 1.52 minutes to play and Gordon Herbert inserted 2015 NBBL allstars 17 year old Niklas Kiel and 18 year Armin Musovic who breathed their first Beko BBL minutes. Frankfurt ended the game with four Pro B license players including Stefan Ilzhoefer and Johannes Richter while Quantez Robertson played point guard. “I was very excited to play and as the game moved on I had a feeling that I might come in. I knew that I had to be ready, play defense, give 100% and not let up. I wasn´t disappointed that I didn´t get a shot off, but more that I couldn´t play point guard, but overall I am very happy that I played”, expressed Armin Musovic. Ilzhoefer scored the last Frankfurt points with an open three pointer. The Fraport Skyliners were led by Danilo Barthel with 21 points and five rebounds. Justin Cobb contributed 17 points and dished out five assists. Johannes Voigtmann added 16 points and 12 rebounds. Sean Armand added 12 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. The Crailsheim Merlins were led by Chros Otule and Jonathan Moore with 12 points a piece. Joshiko Saibu chipped in with 11 points and Jannik Freese had 10 points. The Fraport Skyliners shot 52% from the field and 41% from outside while Crailsheim shot 39% from the field and 33% from outside. Frankfurt won the rebounding battle 40-27, but had 15 turnovers while Crailsheim had 13 turnovers.

Vincent Bailey is a 23 year old 201cm forward that is playing his rookie season in Germany with Pro A club SC Rasta Vechta. He played at  Lincoln Memorial (NCAA2) from 2001-2014 and as a senior averaged 21,6ppg and 9,8rpg. He won the SAC Tournament in 2011 and 2014. He talked to German Hoops about basketball after the win against the Finke Baskets Paderborn..

 

Vinnie how was your first vacation back to the States over Christmas? What was your highlight besides seeing family and friends?

My first trip back to the states for Christmas was everything I thought it would be. Got a chance to re-juice myself for the second half of the season and also see my loved ones. Seeing my family was the only highlight of my trip home, that’s what the trip was for.

 

Congrats on the big 80-65 win against Paderborn. How good was it getting this win after losing that nail bitter against Hamburg shortly before Christmas?

It was a very good win for us. That Hamburg game left a bad taste in our mouths and we got it out tonight. Definitely not content with our first victory in 2015, we are hungry for more.

 

SC Rasta Vechta was on a 4 game winning streak before the loss to Hamburg. How difficult was it digesting this loss over the Christmas break?

It was difficult but we know we had a whole entire half of the season left so we had to come back focused and ready to work after the break.

 

How proud were you of this team win against Paderborn? The club controlled the game and started off the second half of the game in fine fashion. What were you most proud of that the team was able to do for 40 minutes?

We were able to play good defense for 40 mins. Coach talked about defense all week and I think we came out and had our best defensive game of the season tonight, it was a great feeling.

 

 

Chase Griffin was in the zone with 31 points. Is this the start of something very big in his game as he is the central figure on the team in the quest to move back up to the Beko BBL?

Chase has a great game and he can get going at anytime. He is a big part of the team for us to move up to the next level, everyone has their roles and knows what they have to bring every night.

 

You had a stellar game with 18 points. How great has it been having a guy like Dennis TInnon on the team when he takes some of the pressure off your game?

Its great having Dennis on the team. He brings a lot of energy to the court and he does take a lot of pressure off of me, makes it more easier to operate in the post.

 

 

Talk about how team really dominated the success tonight? The German trio of Franke, Friedel and Smit combined for 13 of the 20 assists as point guard Derek Wright was out?

Those guys had a great night and they are a big part of our team. It was great to see everyone step up with our starting point guard out tonight.

 

The German Pro A is as competitive as ever as 13 of 16 teams are currently in the playoff hunt. Vechta is 9-7 and I believe still haven´t played their best basketball yet. What goals does the team have in the second half of the season on the court to do better?

The goal for us to do better is definitely defensive, and I think tonight we showed we can be a good defensive team. We just have to keep working to reach our peak.

 

In the first half of the season you averaged 17,7ppg, 7,2rpg and 2,1apg. You scored in double figures in each game showing that consistency could be your middle name. How happy have you been with your game and what definitely has to get better in the second half?

I’ve been ok with my game. I know it’s many things I can do better so I’ll keep working everyday in practice to get there. My defense in the post can be a lot better I think, so coach pushes me to play better defensively.

 

How has the player coach relationship between you and Stephen Arigbabu grown in the last five months? Both of you are more or less rookies this season?

Our relationship has grown a lot. Him being a post in his pro career he has a lot he can teach me, so I try to take in as much as possible while on the court with him in practice.

 

How excited and how much revenge do you have for Cuxhaven and Nurnberg in the second half of the season? Which loss was more bitter?

 

I wouldn’t say one was more bitter than the other. Both losses left a bad taste in our mouths so we just want to go out and play hard to get a win.

 

If you had to choose three players on the team that stand for MVP, most improved and unsung in the first half which guys would get the Vinnie Bailey awards?

 

That’s a tough question! Everyone’s been working hard and developing day by day in the gym.

 

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

The last DVD I saw was “I am legend”.

 

Thanks Vinnie for the chat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Antonio Pena is a 28 year old 204cm power forward from Coney Island, New York who is playing his fourth professional season and first in Germany for rent4office Nuernberg. He started his basketball career at Villanova where he played from 2006-2011 playing a total of 138 NCAA games and as a senior played 33 games: 9.8ppg, 7.1rpg, 1.5apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 50.2%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 68.4%. IN 2011-2012 he came to Europe as a rookie playing for U.B. La Palma (Spain-LEB Gold, starting five): 34 games: 10.1ppg, 3.9rpg, FGP: 56.9%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 66.2%. In the 2012-2013 season he played for Caceres Basket (Spain-LEB Gold, starting five): 35 games: 9.8ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.5apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 47.6%, 3PT: 33.8%, FT: 68.4%. Last season he played for C.B. Tizona Burgos (Spain-LEB Gold): 35 games: 9.3ppg, 4.1rpg, FGP: 56.7%, 3PT: 38.3%, FT: 73.1%. He spoke to German Hoops before the game against the Cuxhaven Bascats.

 

 

Antonio thanks for talking to German Hoops. You completed the first leg of a road trip to Cuxhaven for a game Saturday. How would you compare road trips in Germany to Spain in the Leb Gold league where you played the last three seasons?

 

There is a big difference. Today we had a 8 hour road trip to Cuxhaven, but those were usual road trips in Spain. In Germany we are able to leave often on game day whereas in Spain I remember only doing it once. In terms of comfort it is about the same.

 

 

 

You signed very late into the current season with Nurnberg. Were you surprised how long it took for you to find a club? How was your focus this off season in preparation for finding that right team?

 

I was disappointed that it took me so long to find a team, but very happy to have the chance to play for Nurnberg. After playing in Spain for three years I wanted a change. I always had wanted to play in Germany. I really like Germany and would like to continue to play here.

 

 

You played with current teammate Braydon Hobbs two seasons ago at Caceres Basket in Spain. Did he help you make the decision to come to Nurnberg easier?

 

Braydon helped me to make my decision easier as well as Josh Young who knows Reggie Redding. These two guys and coach helped me to make my decision easier.

 

 

You have played six games with Rent4Office Nurnberg averaging 12,0ppg, 7,0rpg and 2,0apg. It seems like you have had no real adjustment period as you have been coming to terms well with the style?

 

The German Pro A style is fitting to my game, but there is always room for growth. I continue to work hard and get better.

 

 

How would you describe the skill and player talent in the German Pro A in comparison to the Spanish Leb Gold league?

 

That is a tough question, but I would say that it is about the same. In the Leb Gold teams tend to bottom out more near the end while here all the teams tend to be good.

 

 

You are the second oldest on the team after American Dan Oppland. What exactly is your role on the team?

 

My role is to be as vocal as possible and bring it to the floor each game and play hard. Coach told me to leave it out on the floor each game.

 

 

Nurnberg is currently in fifth place with a record of 9-6 and battling to stay in the playoff range. ON what things does the team need to improve on in the second half of the season to get even higher in the standings?

 

I think that we know that we have to continue to bring it each day and just compete. We know that we are good and have to show that to the other teams in the league. I have only been here a short time and am still learning. I am embracing them and want to continue to play hard and take on my role.

 

You are a power forward that can fill up the stats sheet, but what is a hidden strength that isn´t always noticed right away on the court?

 

I like to run and play in the open court. If I don´t get the rebound then I am always trying to get out on transition.

 

 

What has been your early impression of head coach Ralph Junge? He belongs to the top German coaches in Germany for developing very young players.

 

He brings out the best in each player. I am learning new things form him each day and also he teaches us to leave it all on the floor and come back to the bench exhausted.

 

 

What has been your impression of German A-2 national player Stephan Haukohl who has been a big contributer this season like you filling up the stat sheet?

 

He has much potential. He can play and guard multiple positions. He is a good young talent and sky is the limit for him.

 

 

As a rookie you played for U.B. La Palma. What was your wake up call to being a professional your first season in Spain?

 

Taking care of my body. After morning practicing relaxing instead of doing too many other things. I also learned that basketball is having fun, but it is a job.

 

 

How did you and Lukas Sikma push each other as rookies and what NBA story will you never forget from him?

 

He told me a few stories about his dad from the NBA, but that was some time ago. He is relentless on defense and was a part of each possession. He didn´t have to score, but at the end of the game you would always be amazed what he actually did accomplish in the game. He always got it done on the court.

 

 

Last season you played with American Taylor Coppenrath at Burgos in Spain. He is playing his ninth season in Spain. I guess he has some Spain stories to tell. How did you guys compliment each other best on the court?

 

 

I played mostly the three last season, but it was nice playing with him. He was relentless on the glass. He got all his points off the offensive rebound. He was always bumping and getting the dirty work done on the court.

 

 

You had a stellar career at Villanova. Reggie Redding once told me that Dwayne Anderson was like a big brother to him. How do you have Redding and Anderson in your memory. Where do they rack in all time best teammates for you?

 

Redding is my best friend. We just talked after Alba Berlin beat FC Barcelona. I actually got the most out of Dante Cunningham. He was my mentor.

 

How proud are you of your ex teammate Reggie Redding who was always off the radar to have gone from Cyprus to Euroleague team Alba Berlin. Can he still make the next step in his career?

 

I am very proud of him. He always finds a way to get better each season in terms of his shooting, ball handling or reading the game. He is still young and has much time to do what he wants. He can still find jobs in other countries and the NBA is always a possibility. He can do so much especially guarding multiple positions.

 

 

How did Villanova head coach Jay Wright prepare you best for a professional basketball career?

 

He taught me to own up to my mistake and then move on to the next possession. He also taught me to play hard on each possession.

 

 

Where will the journey of the Brooklyn Nets end this season?

 

The east is a scary division. I think they will do ok and scratch for the playoffs.

 

 

 

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 

Lone Survivor.

 

Thanks Antonio for the chat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chris Otule may not have been on earth in 1982 when Milwaukee, Wisconsin proclaimed Cold Sunday as the city got as freezing as -40F where even Frosty the Snowman may have waddled over to the local Walgreens to snatch himself a heater, so cold weather and frustrating snow is something that the American has been used to since he has lived six years there. Last weekend he experienced just how brutal winter can be in Germany, as the rookie left in the morning for a game in Hagen 414 kilometers away from Crailsheim, but didn´t make it in time to the game as they arrived a hour late and thus the game was awarded to Phoenix Hagen giving them their first home win despite never playing a second. “We left at 9:45am. And things just happen sometimes for reasons that can’t be explained. We just have to deal with the unfortunate situation and move forward”, stressed Chris Otule. Nothing has come easy to Chris Otule who is a 24 year old 211cm center that was born in Houston, Texas and is playing his rookie season for the Crailsheim Merlins this season. Injuries like breaking his foot twice or tearing his ACL slowed his development as a college player and playing with a prosthetic left eye wasn´t easy either as well as breaking both feet and tearing his ACL, but the American was able to withstand all hurdles. Only one part of his body has been 100% it seems. “My heart has been 100% since I have always been breathing”, stressed Chris Otule. Despite having a prosthetic left eye it hasn´t driven him back and God has kept him marching forward like a warrior. “My prosthetic left eye never gives me issues because I was born with one so it’s all I know. If I was born with two and lost one that’d be different. I’ve kept faith in God and I’m a big believer. It’s helped me stay sane and get through. God gets all the credit”, added Chris Otule. As a senior at Marquette (NCAA) he played 30 games averaging 5.8ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 60.2%, FT: 54.8%. Head coach Buzz Williams at Marquette was a driving force in helping Otule get by all obstacles to reach the Beko BBL. “He always told me to take advantage of every day, never let a day pass you by where you felt like you didn’t do something to get closer to your goals  Other influences are Brad Autry and Jerry Wainwright”, expressed Chris Otule. This season with Crailsheim, the American has been losing a lot while getting a touch for the Beko BBL while averaging 6,8ppg and 4,4rpg in 16,5 minutes per game. He has scored in double figures three times including a 13 point effort against the Artland Dragons. His defense is also a big part of his game and he has registered two blocks against Goettingen, TBB Trier and Artland. As a rookie he is just trying to learn the ropes especially under the basket where German veteran Jannik Freese has won the starting job after being a journey and back up player his whole career. No matter how many more games Crailsheim win this season or how many buckets and rebounds Otule grabs, he will always be an inspiration for what he has achieved with all his hardships. For kids who suffer eye ailments, Otule always has time for and too listen to what they have gone through. “All the stories have a huge impact in my life  that’s one of the reasons I play  to prove to people that no matter your “limitations” and I put quotes cause that word shouldn’t exist, you can do whatever you want in life”, added Chris Otule.

If one looks back at the last 20 years of the Crailsheim Merlins basketball history, it has been a journey of changing the level of leagues similar to how Afghani-German Achmadschah Zazai has been changing teams the last 10 years. In the late 90s, the club made a rapid surge moving up from lower leagues like the Landes Liga to the Oberliga and to the Regionaliga in 1998. They reached the second Bundesliga in 2001 where they played until 2008 where they went down to the newly established Pro B, but stayed there only two years as they moved back up to the new established Pro A in 2009. After some years in the middle of the standings, they then finished at position six in 2013 and last season moved up to the Beko BBL thanks to a second place finish. In the German Pro A final, the ylost to BG Goettingen, but automatically moved up to the Beko BBL and were able to pass all ramifications to start in the highest German league. However their start into their first beko BBL season has been tough as before Christmas had arrived had already dismissed American head coach Willie Young and Americans Jared Newson and Justin Tubbs. They went into the season with the lowest budget in the league and were able to hold 4 players from the team from last season and mostly added players to the team from lower leagues. The club held Americans Steve Johnson and Joston Crow who were important parts to the club last season as well as German role players Jonathan Moore and Andreas Kronhardt. The club added interesting pieces to this seasons puzzle with scoring point guard Garrett Sim, swing man and explosive scorer Sean Mosley, center project Chris Otule and Germans Jannik Freese and Joshiko Saibu who have been big surprises showing that when given minutes can be solid players at the Beko BBL level. The team recently signed scoring guard Chad Timberlake who has BBL experience. Crailsheim is a team that likes to play fast and aggressive basketball, but so far teams haven´t been impressed by their hungriness as most teams have been able to devour them like helps chicks lost from their mothers. After surprising the Mitteldeutscher BC in their debut 73-71 winning in crunch time, nothing has worked for them since as they have lost 12 of 13 games. They were able to somehow shove the TBB Trier defense away winning 100-84, but also lost 11 games. Defense seems to be their weak point as they have problems not giving up many points as they have given up 80 plus points in 13 of 15 games and 100 plus points twice. If they give up many points, then a loss is usually more programed as they don´t tend to sc0re much either as they have scored 80 plus points only five times this season. On top of that consistency and BBL experience is something that the team lacks and have been holding them back form success.

When looking closer at the Crailsheim roster, it is led by Sean Mosley who is a 25 year old 192cm guard from Baltimore that is playing his third professional season. He is a very good scorer, with great 1-vs-1 skills and shooting range from outside the arch. Can become a star player at European league level. Last season in his second season he made a name for La Fortezza Recanati (Italy-Lega Due Silver) playing 28 games: Score-3(19.9ppg), 6.3rpg, 2.4apg, Steals-3(1.8spg), FGP: 49.7%, 3PT: 34.0%, FT: 80.6%. As a rookie he played for Kotwica Kolobrzeg (Poland-TBL) playing 32 games: Score-5(15.5ppg), 6.3rpg, 2.5apg, Steals-5(1.6spg), FGP: 41.9%, 3PT: 34.1%, FT: 71.7%. He started his basketball career at Maryland (NCAA) where he played a total of 132 NCAA games and as a senior played 32 games: 10.2ppg, 5.0rpg, 2.1apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 40.0%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 83.5%. Garrett Sim is a 24 year old 185cm point guard from Portland, Oregon playing his third professional season. Played the point in his last collegiate season, but he can play the SG position too without any problem. Has great scoring skills and a very good outside shooting range, with quick release and a clean shooting mechanic. A smart player, has a great basketball IQ and personality. He had a solid rookie season with Science City Jena, but really had his break out season last season playing 33 games: Score-1(20.8ppg), 2.4rpg, Assists-5(5.7apg), Steals-5(1.7spg), FGP: 52.2%, 3PT: 40.1%, FT: 89.5%. He started his basketball career in 2008 with Oregon and played a total of 133 NCAA games and as a senior played 31 games: 12.2ppg, 2.5rpg, 2.5apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 52.5%, 3PT: 46.2%, FT: 85.9%.

Chad Timberlake is a 31 year old 194cm point guard from Brooklyn, New York playing his ninth professional season. He is a very talented point guard with good physical size (6’4″,208 lbs.) and toughness, he can play the shooting guard position, if that is what is needed for the team. Chad is the floor general with excellent court vision and he is a natural team leader. Last season he played for Falco-Szova KC-Szombathely (Hungary-A Division) playing 30 games: 14.9ppg, 4.8rpg, 2.9apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 62.6%, 3PT: 27.1%, FT: 63.0%. He has gathered experience playing three years in Hungary as well as in the Czech Republic and Israel. He played at Fairleigh Dickinson (NCAA) from 2002-2006 and as a senior played 29 games: 15.2ppg, 5.6rpg, 4.1apg, 1.4spg, FG: 49.3%, 3PT: 40%, FT: 65%. Jannik Freese is a 28 year old 211center that is playing his seventh consecutive season in the Beko BBL. Jannik is a big man, that plays with his back to the basket, but who can also step out and shoot the mid-range jump shot. He is an inside force, who makes it extremely hard for any big man to score inside. He is not the typical shot blocker, that blocks the shot into the third row, but due to his length and timing alters many opponents shots. Although he is 211 cm tall, he runs the floor very well. He started his basketball career in 2005 for SG FT/MTV Braunschweig (2.Bundesliga) and also played 6 Beko BBL games for Braunschweig. He then played for Giessen from 2008-2011 and with the EWE Baskets Oldenburg from 2011-2014. Two seasons ago he played 58 games for Oldenburg. Last season for Oldenburg he played Eurocup: 8 games: 4.0ppg, 1.4rpg; German League: 34 games: 1.7ppg, 1.7rpg. Joshiko Saibu is a 24 year old 188cm point guard playing his third season in the Beko BBL. He started his basketball career in 2008 for ALBA Berlin II (Regionalliga). In the 2010-2011 season he played for Alba Berlin and their Pro B team playing 2 Beko BBL games and 2 Eurocup games. He played for TBB Trier from 2011-2013 and last season for the LTi Giessen 46ers (ProA) playing 38 games: 13.0ppg, 5.2rpg, 3.1apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 48.4%, 3PT: 32.1%, FT: 67.2%. He loves to penetrate and is a hard nosed defender at all times. Josten Crow is a 27 year old 193cm swing man from Spring, Texas playing his third professional season and third for Crailsheim. Last season for Crailsheim he played 39 games: 8.9ppg, 2.4rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 54.2%, 3PT: 40.9%, FT: 76.8%. He played at Sam Houston St. (NCAA) playing a total of 115 NCAA games and as a senior played 31 games: 12.7ppg, 5.3rpg, 3.5apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 42.3%, 3PT: 32.1%, FT: 70.0%. Crow is a guy that does a little of everything very well, but nothing perfect.

Steve Johnson is a 36 year old 198cm forward American playing his 14^th professional season and third with Crailsheim. He is a multi-talented athlete who can play a multitude of positions. Has an NBA body that can defend almost any player on the court. Can overpower opponents 1 on 1 scoring outside or inside. Gives 100% all the time and can carry a team with scoring and defensive abilities. Great at utilizing his strength on offensive and defensive boards. He played at Iowa State from 1996-2000. Since being a professional he has played in Spain for seven years and three years in Iceland and one season in Argentina. Last season for Crailsheim he played 35 games: 13.1ppg, 7.2rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 65.4%, FT: 61.9%. He won three titles in Spain. Jonathan Moore is a 32 year old 203cm forward playing his 10^th professional season and third with Crailsheim. He has Beko BBL experience with TBB Trier and Bremerhaven. He started his basketball career at East Carolina(NCAA) and then played two seasons at NC Central(NCAA2).Since turning professional he has had experience playing in the D-League, in Iceland and Sweden and for German teams Bayreuth and BG Karlsruhe. Last season for Crailsheim he played 38 games: 13.3ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.9apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 52.3%, 3PT: 30.8%, FT: 77.3%.He is a very athletic player that can hit the jump shot or take his man off the dribble. Andreas Kronhardt is a 25 year old 205cm center playing his second season for Crailsheim and last season played 36 games: 5.8ppg, 5.5rpg, FGP: 48.5%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 54.9%. He started his basketball career with the Walter Tigers Tuebingen in 2008 and played 6 Beko BBL games and stayed until 2010. Then he played for teams like Vechta, Leitershofen and Schwelm. He is a mobile big man that can dance in the paint. Max Rockmann is a 26 year old 198cm forward that started his basketball career in 2003 with Marzahn Basket Baeren (2. Regionalliga). He then played three seasons for TUS Lichterfelde Berlin. He got experience in the States with UMKC (NCAA) playing 34 NCAA games. He then came back to Germany and played for Phoenix Hagne playing 20 Beko BBL games and played for Cuxhaven and Kirchheim where last season he played 28 games: 11.6ppg, 3.9rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 53.0%, 3PT: 38.8%, FT: 82.2%. Young Germans Philipp Heilrath, Julian Gais and Alassante Dioubate round out the roster. The Fraport Skyliners host the Crailsheim Merlins on January 4^th.

 

 

 

 

Marching the long way down the hall way from the Fraport Skyliners dressing room to the VIP room on some nights can be endless after a loss where the tragic hero can be dreaming about sneaking out of the city on hand of the Frankfurt Skyline pictured on the wall in the catacombs and the lights of the airport when turned on glitter as if your really somewhere on the runway or can be the shortest trek after a win when the rich buffet is already dancing in the mind of the player. There is typically three ways how one can observe a Skyliner during his walk down the hall of fame or shame after a game. You have the American who is loud and joking with his other American teammates, the big German three of Danilo Bathel, Johannes Voigtmann and Konstantin Klein who are silent and focused and in thought but give a gentle hello, or American Justin Cobbs who has that innocent swagger that suggests that he is in his own healthy basketball world possibly going over every play of the game knowing exactly what happened in the short 30 second walk to the entrance of the VIP room. In a way the demeanor and the way Cobbs struts down to the eating parlor reminds me a bit of how ex Fraport Skyliner and 2011 Beko BBL MVP Dashaun Wood went always somewhere in thought about what he had just achieved on the court. The Detroit native Wood who plays this season in Turkey for Tofas Bursa may have had his best game as a professional last weekend with 33 points in a win against Galatasaray, but even if he had similar performances like that in the Beko BBL four seasons ago, he didn´t accomplish it against the quality of ex NBA player Carlos Arroyo who only produced 12 points and made Wood feel on top of Turkish basketball for a weekend. Wood may be in his seventh season while Cobbs is a rookie, but in the few weeks that new Skyliner has been on board, he has had that commanding presence on the team led by head coach Gordon Herbert and has been a big reason for the team success which Wood once had in Frankfurt displaying back in the 2010-2011 season. Herbert once again has proven that he has that eye and correct feeling for grabbing that special player with Wood and Cobbs.

Granted the Fraport Skyliners had started their seven game winning streak at home with a win against the Walter Tigers Tuebingen without Cobbs as the club played without a real point guard as Quantez Robertson took that duty and shone against a weak Tuebingen team that couldn´t get anything going on that day. However as Cobbs came on board, he led the club to six wins in a row and brought a new breath of fresh air into a team that had been haunted with an overflow of injuries that had Gordon Herbert having possibly extra sleepless nights thinking about how to go into games without so many key players. Except for his first game where he had seemingly just jumped off the plane but still produced eight points in a big win in Leipzig against the Mitteldeutscher BC, he has been very solid scoring in double figures in each Beko BBL game against Braunschweig, Oldenburg and Alba Berlin improving his scoring in each game. He was also the pivotal guiding force in the Skyliners advancement to the last 16 in Eurochallenge play as he led the team to a huge 80-58 must win victory against Okapi Aalstar with 20 points in his home debut. The club needed that win very badly and he shone as brightly as the sun on Venice beach does in July. He was also key in big road wins at Baaken and Boras which sealed the advancement to the next round. Cobbs is a guy like Wood that can score in bunches and become explosive whenever he decides to turn on that Cobbs switch. He looks so controlled out on the floor most of the time and is a master of changing speeds. He gives Frankfurt so much stability something they didn´t have previously this season. Even though his stats may suggest that he is a scoring point guard, he actually is a pass first guard even if its hard to believe. When that night comes when his shot is cold, then one will see his passing qualities come to light. He recently had his first loss in a Skyliner uniform in Berlin, but Alba Berlin is 14-0 for a reason so far. Cobbs had 19 points, but had his problems in crunch time and also had to play against the best defender in the league with Clifford Hammonds. A loss like this can prove even more valuable when he is put in a situation like this again when it really counts in April when teams are fighting for the last playoff spots. Cobbs can see the Alba loss and Hammonds in your face play as a learning experience and surely something he thought about on the four hour train ride back to Frankfurt on Sunday night. Despite Cobbs being a rookie, he has gobbled up valuable experience in the first few months in Spain with Laboral Kutxa Vitoria, being the last cut of the Charlotte Hornets and getting a taste of early winter in Lativa with VEF Riga. The biggest Christmas gift for Gordon Herbert will be if he gets the green light from manager Gunnar Wobke to keep him until the end of the season as his short term contract is until the startof January 2015 and a decision will most likely fall after the game on January 4^th against the Crailsheim Merlins. The Fraport Skyliners are taking the right course down the basketball cobbslestone path to further success and keeping Cobbs until the end of the season is vital.

 

The biggest problem of the Fraport Skyliners in the first few months before Justin Cobbs came on board was the typical basketball problem that teams get early in a season with roles and chemistry still somewhere between the BCM training facility and Fraport arena floating in the NIdda river. Frankfurt started 1-5 and were still figuring out their defense as they were letting up too many points, but then again defended great on the road in Bremerhaven and Bayreuth averaging giving up only 69 points, but could muster on average only 60 points on offense. They had some big home wins against Bonn and Trier, but as time went on slowly started to lose key players like Mikko Koivisto, Konstantin Klein and Mike Morrison to injuries as they lost in Bamberg. San Diego native Richard Williams would follow in the game against Tuebingen, but at least the team had Koivisto back. Now with the walking wounded list getting shorter and shorter, the club has been getting guys back and winning games. The complete Skyliner guard rotation is still out with Richard Williams, Konstantin Klein and Max Merz. Klein who has been rehabbing in his home town Berlin is due back in January, while the future of Williams has been kept quiet by the team and Merz wont return this season as he will depart on a college semester abroad.

A big success of the team has been their defense as they have averaged giving up 67 points per game in the last four games before the 85-79 loss in Berlin. Defense has been a staple of the Frankfurt game in the last years dating back to Muli Katzurin. The Frankfurt offense also seems to be finding its groove and niche as it has averaged 85 points in the last three games while only averaging 68 points in the 6 Beko BBL games before that. When looking at the individual performances by the players one can say that Sean Armand has been kind of the unsung hero as he has been in the shadow a bit with the arrival of Cobbs. Armand is the top scorer averaging 14,2ppg, 2,7rpg and 2,8apg. He has scored in double figures eight times with his best scoring game of 27 points against Phoenix Hagen. He has shown early on as a rookie that he is a disciplined player that likes to score, but can very easily make the extra pass. He is pretty solid from outside at 36%, but that and his 2,7to rate will be two things on his new year resolution list. He and Cobbs could challenge for the top guard duo in the league should they heighten their game even more in the second half of the season. Quantez Robertson is easily the teams MVP at the moment. Even though Tez has joked since years that he loves to play point guard, his strength is more on defense getting in the passing lane and making spectacular plays on the fast break which will have kids marveling about the next day in class and trying to emulate on the play ground. Tez recently got that wish to play point guard before Cobbs came on board and did a great job as non point guard. Currently he is averaging 11,8ppg, 4,2rpg, 2,8apg and 1,8spg. Tez remains the heart and soul of the team and keeps the team together.

Johannes Voigtmann has been very solid averaging 10,1ppg, 5,1rpg, 2,3apg and is shooting 61% from the field. These three statistical categories are up from last season and he is a force in the Eurochallnge averaging 13,5ppg, 7,5rpf and 2,2apg. He held his own against the very experienced centers like Christoph Maraker and John Tofi. The German was rewarded with a trip to the 2015 Beko BBL Allstar game in Ulm. Danilo Barthel came into this season playing NBA Summer League in Orlando and Las Vegas and a 2013-2014 most improved Beko BBL award in his pocket and with high expectations and so far is searching for his top form. He is averaging 9,8ppg, 4,7rpg and 1,6apg in the Beko BBL, but one sees it time in and time out again that he is trying to hard and putting too much pressure on himself. His best game was a 22 point effort against Braunschweig. His biggest strength is from outside in the early going as he is shooting 46,2% and is doing an excellent job here with his shot selection as he is shooting 12/26. He is playing a major role in Eurochallenge play as he is playing consistent averaging 11,5ppg, 5,3rpg and 1,2apg and is shooting 41% from downtown. Barthel has super star qualities and will go his way this season and will heighten his game as the team chemistry meshes more. The Heidelberg native was also rewarded with a ticket to the 2015 Beko BBL Allstar game. Konstantin Klein played seven games before his injury averaging 9,1ppg, 2,9rpg , 3,0apg and 1,1spg and is shooting 39,1% from outside. Klein was playing his solid game that everyone is used to. It will be interesting to see how he comes back from his two months off. The big question mark remains Richard Williams. He is one of those rare players that has moved up levels from the German Pro B to the Beko BBL and sparkled everywhere he has played. Last season after not being able to save SC Rasta Vechta, but still having a very strong individual season, he was picked up by the Fraport Skyliners. Williams is a guy that is more a scoring point guard, but depending on the system can also show his playmaking skills. His defense is his big weapon and with Quantez Robertson form a very potent duo that could make the fast break their middle name. So far Williams hasn´t brought the type of stats that he is used to averaging 8,2ppg, 2,0rpg, 3,0apg and 1,4spg and those stats got diminished even more on account of the team going 2-7 when he had the reigns. His stats aren´t great, but not horrible either. His strong 48% from outside seems to have gone unnoticed as well. One can´t forget that Williams also wasn´t fit either so the club hasn´t seen a 100% fit player either. The problem is that the Williams health status is under wraps by the team. If the team will keep three guards is unknown, but Gordon Herbert has already communicated that he is leaning towards Cobbs and Klein at the position one.

Mikko Koivisto has belonged to the walking wounded and played seven games averaging 9,3ppg and 1,3rpg and is shooting a skyrocketing 48,6% from outside. He has scored in double figures four times and gave the team a huge push of the bench in the win at home against The Walter Tigers Tuebingen connecting on three consecutive three pointers. The Finish native plays with a lot of heart and energy and is a team player. So far Herbert has always had luck with his Finish players Juka Matinen and Kimmo Muurinen who he brought to Frankfurt and Koivisto will heighten his game as the season moves on. Mike Morrison also has been injured and played nine Beko BBL games averaging 7.9ppg and 3,3rpg. He is back again and his biggest strength so far without a doubt is his cleaning up and paint dominance averaging 77% in the two point area. He was brought to Frankfurt for that quality as well as his defense, but so far the St Petersburg, Florida native has shown only glimpses of his shot blocking art as that is something that he still needs to jack up. The biggest disappointment on the team has been Aaron Doornekamp. The 29 year old 201cm forward from Canada that played as a 19 year old against Dirk Nowitzki in an international game against Germany and has rich experience having balled three years in Italy is still looking to find his true form. In the Beko BBL he is averaging 5,5ppg, 4,1rpg and 1,6apg and is shooting 27% from outside,. His best game was against the Mitteldeutscher BC scoring 14 points and he also scored 12 against Tuebingen and 10 against Oldenburg, but other than that he hasn´t been scoring the way he could. He has put up the goose egg three times this season. He is one of those guys that definitely has a lot of potential to fill up the stat sheet and he has shown unbelievable passing skills, but his consistency just hasn´t been there. Sometimes he makes mistakes on the court where one can only scratch your head, but then again other times makes amazing plays. In Eurochallenge play he is averaging 7,7ppg, 4,7rpg and 1,8apg. His 52% shooting from outside has been key for the team. He is a guy the team needs badly to contribute more in the second half. The biggest surprise has been German Johannes Richter. He had his break out game in the Eurochallenge against the Baaken Bears scoring 15 points and grabbing six rebounds. He is a big man that can do a lot of damage near the rim, but also can unravel the mid distance and three pointer. In Eurochallenge play he is averaging 14 minutes and 6,5ppg and 2,3rpg. In the Beko BBL he is averaging 9,6 minutes 2,9ppg and 2,1apg. He had his break out game against his ex team Brose Baskets Bamberg with 10 points and seven rebounds. Herbert surely didn´t expect this huge development by Richter so quickly, but now sees himself having to find minutes for him because he deserves it and also having a very important insurance player when a Barthel or Voigtman get in foul trouble.

The Fraport Skyliners will continue to play Eurochallenge in the last round of 16 in January 2015 and have a group with Russian team Avtodor, Dutch team Den Bosch and Latvian team Tartu Rock. Just like in their opening round with Baaken, Boras and Okapi Aalstar, the Fraport Skyliners have had luck in that this is a group where they can definitely have good chances to advance. However before 2015 rolls around, the Fraport Skyliners have two very big games coming up with BG Goettingen and the MLP Riesen Ludwigsburg. The Fraport Skyliners will see two teams that have overachieved and underachieved. BG Goettingen has been the big surprise team as many saw them as a team fighting to stay in the league, but instead are flirting with the playoff area while Ludwigsburg have a playoff type roster, but are near the end of the standings. In a span of 96 hours, Fraport Skyliner Justin Cobbs will see some NBA atmosphere again something that he last saw in Charlotte as he will battle 1999 NCAA champion with UCONN and ex Chicago Bull Kahlid El Amin and three days later the likes of Coby Karl, Michael Stockton and DJ Kennedy. Just how well Frankfurt survive these two games may depend how well they digested the Christmas days meal´s and in a week time, one will see if the Fraport Skyliners continue to roll down a comfortable Cobbslestone path or could BG Goettingen and Ludwigsburg present a road block?