If one were to scout the internet the last six months to find quotes from a Marko Pesic, his father or from FC Bayern Munich God, supporter, Friend and Fan Uli Hoeness concerning the fate of FC Bayern Munich basketball this season that were strewed across the world wide media like tasty chocolate sprinkles over a ice cream sundae one probably would have had a major malfunction of your PC if it had been staged to show smoke like in a Hollywood film. Everybody who has anything to do with basketball knows that this is the season where FC Bayern Munich HAS to win at least one title or in a sense if they don´t there could be some serious basketball depression seen in the front office in Munich something no one has ever seen before except possibly among the top clubs in Serie A soccer in Italy. A title in Munich is so much programed that if it doesn´t happen one could imagine some players having to give Uli Hoeness some tasty hog dogs one day soon, a Heiko Schaffarzik having to get some lessons from FC Bayern Munich soccer player Javi Martinez on his secret to nailing three pointers or a John Bryant being forced to wear the traditional Bayern Lederhosen while parading up and down posh Maximillian street in downtown Munich with an all out Borussia Dortmund attire covering his traditional Bavaria outfit. This is all massive punishment, so FC Bayern Munich knows anything less than a cup title in Ulm will be a major disappointment for the most famous German sports club in Germany. For ratiopharm Ulm, they are a major underdog, but with their progression in the cup action the last two seasons, guys like Per Guenther and Keaton Nankivil are more than ready to make the next step as they made  a third place two seasons ago and last season lost in the final to Alba Berlin. ratiopharm Ulm also have the home court advantage and Jon Leuer friend Nakivil might watch some extra film of his buzzer beater against FC Bayern Munich from the past and might even have a twinkle in his eyes as he is off in dream land the night before the game.

FC Bayern Munich come into the 2014 Beko BBL cup final as a heavy favorite despite giving up their lowest point total of the season in Frankfurt where their own usual aggressive defense was outdone by the hungry Fraport Skyliners defense. However FC Bayern Munich hasn´t been as potent in 2014 as they should have been losing three games in the Beko BBL and giving up over 80 points five times including back to back games against Braunschweig and MBC with 90 points or more. Is the Euroleague schedule and travel strain been effecting their game? However FC Bayern Munich still has the deepest roster in the league and on any day can destroy any team in the league.  The team also knows that it hasn´t won a title since 1968 and the club and long time basketball fans are as thirsty for a title as the typical Bayern Octoberfest visitor who goes there after  a long day of work. The 18 titles of master guru head coach Sveislav Pesic speak for its self. Not only history is resting on the side of FC Bayern Munich, but their play on the court. They are the best scoring team in the league with 88 points and they don´t lack with creativity either as they average 18 assists a game. If FC Bayern Munich decides to defend the way they know how then it will be very difficult for ratiopharm Ulm. ratiopharm Ulm arrive in the game as the underdog and so far the regular season hasn´t been as solid as the last few seasons as they are currently in fifth place. The club after playing a very spirited Eurocup season where they had a record of 11-7 and winning four of their last five games have also have played strong basketball as of late winning six of seven games. Their defense has been up and down this season and they will have to have a near perfect effort to defeat the always explosive prone FC Bayern Munich offense. Despite being under dogs, there are a few factors that stand in the corner for ratiopharm Ulm most importantly the home court advantage. They will have almost four times more fans than the other teams so atmosphere will be on their side, having guys like Adam Hess and Philipp Schwethelm on the court who have won a title is a small plus even if FC Bayern Munich has more hardware on the court, having Per Guenther on the court who has never won  a title, but always came in second is a plus because he has the heart of a lion and if anyone deserves a title it is him who has been the heart and soul of the club since 2008 when ex head coach Mike Taylor had the audacity to bring him from Hagen to Ulm.

They keys for FC Bayern Munich will be simple. They have to play their game and not worry about anything else. FC Bayern Munich knows exactly what they have to do to be successful. Get going quickly, hitting shots, getting out on transition and just controlling the game early on and not letting ratiopharm Ulm to get into a rhythm. Important also will be how they come to terms with the Ulm atmosphere. The Ulm arena is known for being an amazing atmosphere and FC Bayern Munich will have to somehow shut out the fans the way John Byrant does Hamburgers when he is working out during the summer to get back into shape. ratiopharm Ulm plays very good team orientated basketball and FC Bayern Munich always have to be aware of the extra pass. The key players to focus on are German national player Per Guenther and ex Rick Pitino student Edgar Sosa. Both are game changers and when they get hot form the parking lot good night. ratiopharm Ulm need to be aware of each FC Bayern Munich player, but the most dangerous are Malcolm Delaney who is looking to keep his title streak alive as a professional in his third season and x factor Bryce Taylor who also is looking for his first title in Germany and can score in bunches. They can´t allow FC Bayern Munich to get rolling in the half court. In their only meeting this season, FC Bayern Munich rolled past ratiopharm Ulm 87-70 as Malcolm Delaney had 18 points, FC Bayern Munich controlled the boards and Per Guenther had 0 assists.  An interesting fact is that the Beko BBL gave FC Bayern Munich a small break by scheduling a make up game Bamberg-Ulm three days before, so Ulm like FC Bayern Munich will have played a game shortly before the cup weekend even if the schedule strain of FC Bayern Munich will be much greater as they play a Euroleague game in Moscow 48 hours early. It will be interesting to see how well FC Bayern Munich can recuperate from the Russia tour and be awake in Ulm Saturday. Good friends John Bryant and Per Guenther may have some friendly wagers before the game as both are seeking their first professional title. Who knows if Guenther is able to lead ratiopharm Ulm into the final, a funny way for John Bryant to pay back the lost wager would be to jog around the Marien Platz in Munich dressed up in Ulm attire giving Per Guenther  a piggy back ride and not releasing him until he hits a three pointer from a special court made for the occasion and if FC Bayern Munich makes the final, Per Guenther then has to sit in a huge kettle of spicy hog dogs and hand feed Bryant and each teammate for a supper. FC Bayern Munich will reach the final winning by 10 points.

The most exciting and intriguing semi final pits 14 league titles against one another as 8 time Beko BBL champion Alba Berlin meets 6 time Beko BBL winner Brose Baskets Bamberg in the final before the final. Both teams have been in the shadow of the mighty FC Bayern Munich and each club would wish for nothing more at the moment than to go into the playoffs with already one title in their pockets. Bamberg won three cups in a row with their last being two years ago, and last year Alba Berlin finally ended their title drought dating back to their last cup win in 2009 beating ratiopharm Ulm in the cup final. It has been a roller coaster season for Bamberg with roster changes as like last season the point guard position with new players Teddy Gipson and Zack Wright this season didn´t pan out. With the arrival of Jared Jordan, Bamberg manager Wolfgang Heyder surprised every one and may just have booked the ticket for both finals this season. Alba Berlin has been like a troubled child of the league the last years that is so gifted, but can´t use its talent to shine in basketball life as the 8 time Beko BBL champion hasn´t won  a league title since 2006 and really has been overhauled by Bamberg in the last years as the top team in the Beko BBL. They have been one of the hottest teams in the Beko BBL in the last months and reached the Eurocup last 8 and might have the perfect roster this year that combines deepness, character and skill that will be enough for at least one title. Head coach sasa Obradovic did a superb job finding the right mix and the question is can the team still heighten their play in the last months to make that next step getting new hardware back to the German capital?

Every season seems to be getting more and more difficult for the Brose Baskets Bamberg to dominate coupled with the vast competiveness that the Beko BBL seems to increase in each season and this season is no exception. Each team guns for Bamberg and the simplicity that Bamberg once had to win games in the past when guys like Kyle Hines, PJ Tucker and Marcus Slaugher were on board has become history as it seems to be getting more and more tough to win games as this season has shown. Currently Bamberg has a 21-4 record and is in second place which is very commendable, but the way they win has changed. They had stellar back to back wins against Wurzburg and Frankfurt allowing only 49 and 43 points, but then had an interesting span of four games in a row where they really were challenged winning by not more than a combined total of 11 points against Bayreuth, Bremerhaven, Tuebingen and Braunschweig. Mind you these are not playoff teams and with some misfortune which they definitely didn´t have in Bayreuth the club could of lost all games and now have eight loses and be in fourth of fifth place and having some real heat behind them with team sneaking up the rear. Bamberg as always has talent, but that killer instinct and total reliance of each player is simply missing that has been seen in the past. In the first three years where Bamberg was unbreakable the club also never had more than two new players coming in, that changed last season with more players coming and going and really hit its pinnacle this season as guys like Jamar Smith, Rakim Sanders, Novica Velickovic  and Damir Markota came and during the season more new faces came with Elias Harris, D or Fischer and Jared Jordan. Even that is a lot for manager Wolfgang Heyder to digest from his standing place at center court in the entrance to the visitor dressing room in Bamberg. However when push comes to shove, Bamberg is still the defending champion and team to beat and are still the best crunch time team. You can ask any Beko BBL coach who the favorite still is and each will say Bamberg except for maybe Sveislav Pesic. Some reasons why Bamberg have the tools to win it all in Ulm. With Jared Jordan, Bamberg has the best point guard in Germany and could be the difference. Just having that solid foundation of core players of the last title teams like ex NBA player Casey Jacobsen, Anton Gavel or Johns Goldsberry is worth gold. Having Anton Gavel who is one of the top three players in the Beko BBL is also vital since even if his shot technic will have any basketball coach cringe, its as effective as the banana shot of Brasil soccer legend Roberto Carlos.

Alba Berlin on the other hand is hoping to be a type of smiling third party when the hardware is given this season as FC Bayern Munich and the Brose Baskets Bamberg are more favorites to win a title than Alba Berlin. But that is something that should not bother world champion with Yugoslavia Sasa Obradovic who despite the continuing pressure to win each season in Berlin can continue to quietly go about his work preparing his team each weekend as there is more of a silent pressure in Berlin as the loud pressure is more in Munich and Bamberg. Alba Berlin may only be in third place with a record of 19-7, but they have belonged to the top teams this season and even had an amazing 16 game winning streak combined in BBL and Eurocup play. This season Alba Berlin has had a 10 game winning streak in the Beko BBL and reached the final 8 of the Eurocup. Even if they lost by 32 points in Valencia, anything is possible in basketball. Even if Alba Berlin could use a Dashaun Wood from the bench in the return game, their offense is already potent enough to score 32 plus points. Alba Berlin hit a small road block the last weeks as they lost three of four games against Hagen on the road where they simply have problems to win and against Ludwigsburg and Oldenburg. However they picked up the pieces two weeks ago getting a huge win at home against Bamberg with Jared Jordan which will have their confidence sky high for the next battle against Chris Fleming and co in Ulm. Alba Berlin may have their best roster in years supplied with the perfect chemistry that could win it all. History is also on the side of Alba Berlin as it has won seven cup titles in 10 attempts and  Sasa Obradovic has won the cup as player and coach with Alba Berlin and Cologne. Alba Berlin also has many young players that are searching for that first title like Akeem Vargas, Jonas Wolfarth Bottermann, Reggie Redding or moonlight singer Levon Kendall.

The season series stands at 1-1 as Bamberg won a nail bitter at home 73-69 and recently lost in Berlin 70-58. Important for Alba Berlin will be to play aggressive defense the way they did recently in the win against Bamberg in Berlin. They have given up 70 points or less eight times this season and will have to have to have their game face on on defense. Important also is too use their height advantage and dominate the boards. Two months ago It would have been easier said than done to focus most on a Casey Jacobsen or Anton Gavel, but now with a Jared Jordan running the show and many other explosive players like Elias Harris and Rakim Sanders, Alba Berlin will need to be as alert for 40 minutes as Bamberg will be for David Logan not getting free from the parking lot. Important for Bamberg will be not to get lost in the Alba Berlin rebound shuffle  and not let them get out and running and controlling the tempo. David Logan may be the key player, but if Bamberg can put a somewhat solid defender on him like a Karsten Tadda then a guy like Logan can be controlled. However two key players that need to be shut down are Mr Buzzer beater Reggie Redding that shot Alba Berlin to the 2014 cup top four past the Telekom Baskets Bonn and who really is their best player because he can do so many things well. His versatility is unmatched on the Alba Berlin roster. The other guy is Leon Radosevic who is having a very strong season after coming off an injury. The Croatian has demonstrated that he can be a sort of go to guy as he nailed Italian Eurocup team Sassari with 42 points in two games on 17/26 shooting. A disadvantage for both teams could be, but wont be on account of their deep rosters the fact that they both play games leading up to the cup weekend. Alba Berlin plays at home against Sassari four days before the cup weekend, while Bamberg plays ratiopharm Ulm three days before the cup weekend. This will be a spectacular and exciting semifinal game with both clubs having great chances to reach the final. However Bamberg won´t lose twice to Alba Berlin. Bamberg with their unstoppable and hardworking coaching staff will be ready for Alba Berlin and fans will see a rejuvenated Bamberg team reach the final winning by 5 points.

 

 

 

Jermel Kennedy  is a 24 year old 201cm forward from Toronto Canada that is playing his first season in the German Pro B with TV Langen. He started his basketball career in 2008 with  Iowa Central Community College (NJCAA) playing 26 games: 4.3ppg, 3.8rpg, FGP:47.3%, FT: 57.1%. In 2009-2010, he played for Volunteer State Community College (NJCAA) playing  27 games: 11.7ppg, 8.2rpg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 26.0%, FT: 83.0%. He finished his college basketball career at Lander in 2012 playing two seasons there and as a senior played  27 games: 11.0ppg, 7.0rpg, 1.2spg, FGP: 66.1%, FT: 70.5%. Last summer he was drafted by Moncton Miracles (NBL Canada,1rd(6)). He spoke to German Hoops after the season ending playoff loss to Oldenburg in Langen.

 

A tough 77-56 loss to Oldenburg in a do or die game. TV Langen fought very hard, but was the Oldenburg deepness inside just too much to handle on this day?

 

They just came more prepared for us more bodies there length definitely was an issue for us.

TV Langen had a nice 16-11 lead at the end of the first quarter, but then were totally surprised by a Oldenburg 6-0 run. Was this momentum what would set the tone for Oldenburg the rest of the way?

 

Oldenburg gathered some momentum and we couldn’t catch much of a rhythm after that. They set the tone to how they wanted to play the rest of the game.

Oldenburg had a huge 12-0 run in the second quarter in which TV Langen would never be able to recover from. The rest of the way TV Langen would never get closer than nine points. Was there anything TV Langen could of done differently to have gotten closer?

I think we went away from what we do well the whole game so that being said we never had a chance under those circumstances. Poor execution on our part

Oldenburg wanted to limit you and Martins Woody inside and let TV Langen shoot to win the game. Talk about the Oldenburg big men? They seemed to be overpowering TV Langen everywhere on the court. One could sense the frustration in the faces of you and Woody.

There extremely well coached and very prepared they knew exactly where Woody and I operate best and they made sure to utilize their size to make sure we didn’t get what we wanted. They physically attacked our guards making sure they could not orchestrate our offense making it ultimately difficult to score.

 

You had two very tough back to back games where I am sure you won´t forget too quickly. Is there any conclusion you have why you couldn´t catch fire in this series?

 

They limited my touches both games so any of the shots I would have taken would be bad shots and away from our offense. Maybe if I was more aggressive I would have noticed more openings but then again that’s just speculation who knows.

Oldenburg played very inspired team basketball while TV Langen more than often engaged in one on one play. TV Langen has shown team basketball in the past, but why wasn´t it possible in game two?

Simply because we couldn’t execute our sets and we went to our more freelance offense which is designed for more reads and one on one execution. If we were tougher as a team we wouldn’t have had so much of an issue getting to our designated spots and doing what we know. We simply got out worked out toughed and out played

 

Where do you think the journey of Oldenburg will end? Do you feel that they could reach the final?

I believe they can they have a great group of guys and a very smart coaching staff I’m sure they won’t have an issue moving forward

 

Which TV Langen players were your unsung hero and most improved players?

I would have to go with Sebastian and Max . Sebastian is such a high IQ player he sets up everybody usually counting himself out just to get someone else going and Maxim’s confidence has risen quite dramatically over the past few months and he’s been a much better player because of it.

 

You had a very strong Pro B season. Where will the journey of Jermel Kennedy end? Would you like to remain in Germany or would a new country be engaging for you?

I actually want to remain in Germany Miles I like it here I enjoy the atmosphere who knows what the future has in store for me the only thing I know is that it will be positive.

Who was your toughest player that you played against this season in the German Pro B?

Great question I’m not to sure the only one that really stood out to me was probably Bill Borekambi his relentless pursuit to the rim and that V10 engine he has installed was a handful both games I had to guard him.

What are your early 2014 NCAA Final Four?

I can’t even guess anymore miles with all the upsets going on I really don’t no

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Saw III

Thanks Jermel fort he chat.

 

Michael Taylor is a 27 year old 193cm guard from Washington that is playing his third season for  Baskets Akad.Weser-Ems/Oldenburger TB. He started his basketball career in 2006 for  E.Washington (NCAA). He then played for Montana from 2007-2010. He then played his last season in college for  Whitworth (NCAA3) playing  30 games: 20.3ppg, 4.8rpg, 3.5apg, FGP: 53.2%, 3Pts: 52.8%, FT: 88.4%. Last season for  Baskets Akad.Weser-Ems/Oldenburger TB (Germany-ProB) he played  25 games: Score-3(22.3ppg), 3.3rpg, 3.6apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 47.9%, 3PT: 35.9%, FT-3(89.7%). He spoke to German Hoops after the big 77-56 win in Langen to reach the next round.

 

Michael congrats on getting past TV Langen in the German Pro B playoffs. You have played Regionaliga and now Pro B. Is Pro A the next step?

 

Probably not, because I got twins 10 days ago. If I do keep playing then I have to get a very good offer from a team in Europe. I have four people to feed now, but I would like to keep playing. I am prepared to go home. We have  a family business and I could work there. It has to be a very good deal for me to keep playing.

 

You are known as a shooter. What is a hidden strength in your game that doesn´t get noticed right away?

 

A hidden strength is rebounding. In my last two years of high school, I was the tallest player on the team. I passed the ball and then got the ball in the post as well. Playing so many positions really has helped be able to rebound.

 

You scored 44 points against Schwelm this season on only 4/13 shooting from outside. Would you have broken 50 points if you would of hit a few more three pointers? Was this one of your best games ever?

 

In high school, I filled out the stats sheet better evenly. I would have made 50 points with better shooting. This was one of my bests coring games, but not bests hooting games.

 

What did you respect most from NBA player Rodney Stuckey when you were teammates at E Washington?

 

He had this incredible sixth gear that he could turn on at any time during a game. I would have liked to have seen it more in practice, but it was great to see in games.

 

Your ex teammate Brian Qvale always looks so relaxed on the court. Can you remember him ever being terrified of something at Montana(NCAA)?

 

I remember seeing him once very competitive and and fired up playing Zombie on the X box. That is a game where one just sits and plays, but he was so fired up.

 

Why did you go to Whitworth(NCAA3) in your last year of college?

 

I made one of my goals of reaching the NCAA tournament at Montana. I had gotten engaged to my wife and she went to school and played at Whitworth so it was only logical for me to finish there and plus my two cousins also played there.

 

How did Jim Hayford at Whitworth prepare you for a professional basketball career?

 

He always demanded the best from me each day. His expectation level was so high if it was my shooting, weight training or games. I just had to do it and it has translated into my professional basketball career. Now I am an older guy in a young team and have to be consistent and  a good role model.

 

Which player from the EWE Baskets Oldenburg do you respect next to Mr Oldenburg Rickey Paulding?

 

My good friend Adam Chubb. He is such a dedicated hard working team player, but when he is asked to get 20 points and 20 rebounds when the team needs it, then he just does it.

 

Where will the basketball journey of 18 year old Jan Niklas Wimberg that was very effective against TV Langen?

He has control of what he wants to do on the court. I feel that in the future that he will feel a jump in his level of play.

 

You have 10 cm on Kevin Smit, but who wins a one on one game?

 

He wins a full court game and I a half court game. I will take anyone, because I am very competitive.

 

What is your nicest memory with ex teammate Chris Heinrich?

 

I just recently had dinner with him. We talked basketball. I remember when we were teammates, I thought he fouled me too hard and then we went to dinner. I have  a lot of respect for him.

 

How much is NBA basketball missed in Washington?

 

It is just terrible. I idolized Luke Ridnour as a kid and then the Supersonics left and so did he. We do have  a lot of college basketball teams and I enjoy watching SPU.

 

What are your early 2014 NCAA Final Four picks?

 

Gonzaga, Wichita State, Florida and Michigan State.

 

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 

12 years of slave.

 

Thanks Michael for the chat.

 

There are a few highlight situations in the game of basketball that really gets the regular fan´s heart pumping, releasing that certain sparkle in the eyes, getting that body to make  a certain jump that could give the back forever problems for the older generation or just exert that unbelievable force from the mouth hurling a scream that could even wake up the most pooped and stuffed bear after having just devoured its last winter meal and that is that amazing buzzer beater shot that is always lurking somewhere near the end of a basketball game. However what is nicer for the fan and player knowing for 40 minutes that it is a do or die game and the whole future of the season lies in the hands of each and single player. A do or die game in more technical terms is requiring supreme effort to avoid the dire consequences of failure or involving an extreme emergency. This exactly what was facing German Pro B club TV Langen after losing game one in Oldenburg 78-73 in the best of three series and needed a win at home. The week leading up to the do or die game Canadian Jermel Air Canada Kennedy definitely knew about the vast importance of the game and stayed rather cool stating what the team and he himself had to do to force a second do or die game in 72 hours in Oldenburg. “We know what this two are capable of I’m sure that we will take them a little more serious come Saturday. I will make a couple practice adjustments nothing to out of the norm”, warned Jermel Kennedy. However Kennedy was unable to hold his promise as TV Langen had an awful shooting day and just were worn down by Oldenburg 77-56 advancing to the next round of the German Pro B playoffs next meeting the winner of the Bochum-Hanau series. TV Langen had produced special shirts of all or nothing win or go home, but were unable to have that consistent do or die aggressive attitude for 40 minutes. “I don´t really know what my teammates were thinking, but for me I go into every game with that do or die feeling. Especially in these pressure type games, you need to have that do or die attitude. You can´t only go in and do it alone, but you need to do it as a team and we didn´t do that. We had a very bad shooting day and had problems against their zone. We were unable to execute on offense and just had problems with their taller players”, stressed South Carolina native Martins Woody. Oldenburg came into the game with a full roster and really did  a great job utilizing their length and physical strength which TV Langen had no answer for. “We stuck to our game plan and didn´t let Woody or Kennedy score inside, but wanted them to shoot and try to beat us. We just palyed great team basketball on offense and defense”, stressed Kentucky native Jordan Reeves.

Oldenburg came out of the starting block with more force going on a quick 6-0 run as Paul Albrecht scored twice and Washington native Michael Taylor hit a difficult runner. Ex Science City Jena teammates Albrecht and Johannes Voigtmann met again even if the Fraport Skyliner was only watching his buddy and was very happy with his current development. “He has been progressing well in Jena and I haven´t seen a player of his age that has a better hook shot”, commented Eisenach native Johannes Voigtmann. That basketball is a game of runs is no secret and TV Langen finally got into the game going on an 8-0 run to lead 8-6. TV Langen did a good job getting to the free throw line and got some timely shots from Sebastian Barth and ex Skyliner Filmore Beck who nailed a runner and gave TV Langen their first lead. After Beck and Dominik Lockhart exchanged three pointers, TV Langen went on a mini 5-0 run to lead 16-11 as Sebastian Barth hit another three pointer and Woody dropped free throws. However the game may have turned drastically in the favor of Oldenburg in the last minute as they ended the first quarter with a lightening 6-0 run capitalizing on embarrassing TV Langen errors. German Kai Haenig scored inside, then Michael Taylor found some room for a easy bucket and Kevin Smit than made a steal and went coast to coast which seemed to be a sign of what was to follow for Oldenburg heightening their game while TV Langen couldn´t come to terms with their pressure game. TV Langen lost some concentration at the end which led to errors that should never happen at that rate in a do or die game. “TV Langen had some problems taking care of the ball and they really gave up unneeded points at the end of the first quarter”, stressed Johannes Voigtmann. “We had problems with their pressure which led to turnovers and easy baskets”, expressed Martins Woody. Oldenburg was shooting 44% from the two point range and 50% from outside while TV Langen was shooting 40% from the two point range and 43% from outside. Oldenburg had the 12-7 rebound edge, but four turnovers while TV Langen had three turnovers.

Oldenburg used that momentum from the end of the first quarter and really took off going on a 12-0 run to lead 29-16 in the second quarter as TV Langen would be unable to get close again as the visitors continued to play very spirited and consistent basketball until the end. In the run, Oldenburg got production form four different players as German big man Alexander Witte showed his outside shooting strength and inside play hitting a three pointer and scoring inside, Kevin Smit finished inside with a pretty finger tip role, Michael Taylor made free throws and young 18 year old German talent Jan Niklas Wimberg hit a three pointer.”TV Langen had some organization problems without Maxime Schneider in the game during this run. Oldenburg did a good job making the game quicker and getting good shots”, added Johannes Voigtmann. TV Langen had a small 5-0 run to cut the Oldenburg lead to 29-21 as Sebastian Barth connected from the corner again, and Filmore Beck snuck inside for a lay up, but whenever TV Langen was able to cut the lead a bit, they were unable to get big stops on defense as Oldenburg slashed back going on a 8-0 run to extend their lead to 37-21. In the run Oldenburg got three pointers from Taylor and Smit and a lay in from Jordan Reeves. TV Langen closed out the second quarter with a big Schneider three pointer and a beautiful Jermel Kennedy left handed lay in, but Oldenburg led at the break 37-26. “TV Langen didn´t score for eight minutes. This seemed to break their back, but they kept fighting back and weren´t out of it, but they weren´t defending aggressive enough”, stated Johannes Voigtmann. Oldenburg was shooting 48% from the two point range and 63% from the three point line and TV Langen was shooting 38% from the field and 33% from the three point line. Oldenburg had the big 20-11 rebound edge, but 11 turnovers while TV Langen had nine turnovers.

In the third quarter, Oldenburg continued to keep a healthy lead as TV Langen continued to fight back, but never got closer than nine points. TV Langen started the scoring with a Sebastian Barth lay in as Oldenburg led only 37-28. Paul Albrecht them slammed home a dunk while German Benedikt Nikolay got a back door pass from Woody who led his team with five assists and Smit then made an amazing lay in past the 201cm Woody and Albrecht made a left handed hook shot as Oldenburg led 43-30. Oldenburg continued to let TV Langen hang around as Kennedy scored inside and Schneider banged home a three pointer, but Reeves scored inside as Oldenburg led 49-35. Both teams made some free throws in the last minutes, but TV Langen continued to be unable to go on a big run to get closer as Oldenburg led 53-40. “TV Langen continued to show that they won´t give up. They had problems finding a balance on offense. Oldenburg was very tough on the boards and forced TV Langen to tough shots”, added Johannes Voigtmann.

Oldenburg closed out the game nicely with 24 points in the fourth quarter as TV Langen started to hang their heads a bit and just ran out of gas. Woody started the fourth quarter with a mid distance jumper over Reeves as TV Langen was clawing back trailing 53-42, but Oldenburg started to get going holding their lead until they would break open the game in the second half of the fourth quarter. Wimberg and Reeves scored inside and Woody cut the Oldenburg lead to 54-45 with a tip in on the fourth attempt. However Oldenburg than decided the game ultimately with a 15-2 run to lead 69-47 and booking the ticket for the next round. In the big run, Oldenburg got sufficient support from many players like German Lucien Schmikale, Haenig and Smit. Smit also found Taylor for an ally-op lay in. After Nikolay free throws, Oldenburg was able to extend their lead to 75-50 as Smit nailed a three pointer and Witte scored inside. “I think that TV Langen  let down a bit. We knew that they can shoot so we kept pressuring them”, stressed American Jordan Reeves. The TV Langen bright spot to the season end was their 6-2 run to close out the game. Woody, Bolke and Barth scored inside, but it was too little too late. “Oldenburg played very well and if they keep playing the way they did against us in the next rounds then they could go far”, stressed Martins Woody. “Our biggest strength today was that each player did their job. Our bigs also did a great job as we showed that we can do it all inside or out”, added Jordan Reeves. “Oldenburg had more class today. Oldenburg had a very strong physical inside game and just played better team basketball while TV Langen did too much one on one play. I really enjoyed watching Jan Niklas Wimberg. He played with a lot of courage for his age”, warned Johannes Voigtmann. Oldenburg was led by Michael Taylor with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Kevin Smit added 13 points and Jan Niklas Wimberg and Kai Haenig contributed 12 points a piece. TV Langen was led by Sebastian Barth with 15 points and Martins Woody had 11 points. Oldenberg shot very well at 54% from the field and 43% from outside while TV Langen shot only 31% from the field and 20% from outside. TV Langen also was outrebounded 43-31.

 

 

Brian Harper is a 27 year old 206cm forward that is commencing his first season in Germany in the Beko BBL for TBB Trier. He started off playing guard at 6’5″ at Paine and grew to 6’10” and never changing positions. Brian’s a smooth shooting wing with explosive athleticism. He has tremendous lateral movement with a wing span of 7’4″. Brian is a talented ball handler. He adds an extra advantage as he utilizes his size to rebound over smaller defenders. He played at Paine(NCAA2) from 2003-2007. He turned professional in 2007 and played for Gimle BBK Bergen (Norway-1Div., starting five): 15 games: Score-3(25.1ppg), 8.3rpg, 1.7apg, 1.2spg, 2.0bpg, 2FGP: 52.9%, 3PT: 21.5%, FT: 66.3%. In 2008-2009, he played for KCC Egis (Korea-KBL, starting five): Korean League: 9 games: 15.1ppg, 5.6rpg, FGP: 55.0%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 76.7%; released in Nov.’08, in Feb.’09 moved to Sioux Falls Skyforce (D-League): 8 games: 3.5ppg, 1.6rpg; in March ’09 signed at Reno Bighorns (D-League): 5 games: 1.2ppg. In the last three years, he played in Japan for  Toyama Grouses (Japan-BJ League) playing a total of 102 games. Last season, he played 49 games: 16.3ppg, 6.9rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 54.4%, 3PT: 28.7%, FT: 61.3%. He spoke to German Hoops before the game against Alba Berlin.

 

Congrats on the huge 78-74 win against the Artland Dragons. Bremerhaven was down by seven points after three quarters, but kept their nerves and won on the road which is never easy to do. What adjustments did the Eisbaeren make to get the win?

 

We just came out focused on playing 40 minutes. We knew that if we wanted to go on the road and beat a team as good as Artland we would have to be prepared to stay locked in the entire game.

How proud were you team rebounding? Was this one of the keys that you won the game at the end? Being able to consistently rebound for 40 minutes is important in the second half of the season?

Yeah you love looking at the stats at the end of the night and seeing that your team dominated the boards. We always put an emphasis on out rebounding the other team no matter who it is. We know that if can go out and control the boards then we will give ourselves a great chance at winning.

Devin Searcy had a very strong game with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Bremerhaven has many weapons, but at times he seems to be forgotten with all the talent you have. How valuable has he been this season for the club?

Devin Searcy has been huge for us all season! His ability to score, defend and rebound at a high rate has been one of the big reasons we have been able to win games. It’s hard to ignore or forget about a guy that has played as well as Devin has all season.

Bremerhaven is playing very very spirited basketball at the moment having won four of the last five games. Does the team understand that the playoffs are still within reach?

Yeah we’re aware that the playoffs are still in reach, but we try not to look to far ahead. We are just taking it a game at a time. Every night we go out locked in on the game that has to be played that night, and we let the rest take care of its self.

What has been the main reasons for the team sharing the ball so well? The club showed again that there are many players willing to take the load on their shoulders.

I think that we have got to the point as a team where we really understand each other’s strengths, and that’s helped us build good team chemistry. When we play well together like we have been we are a tough team to beat.

What do you remember most from the thrilling and amazing 85-79 road win in Berlin earlier in the season? Alba Berlin is a much better team now. What will be key in getting the win?

I remember it being a very physical game, and us having to fight for every stop and basket. Like you said Berlin is playing better basketball now and is even stronger then they were earlier in the season. We know that if we want to win we have to come out and match Berlin’s physicality. It’s one of those games were you just have to strap up your shoes and get it done.

Were there any surprises for you in the 2014 NCAA draw? Who are your favorites and sleepers?

I have Louisville and Arizona as my favorites. My sleepers are Baylor and New Mexico !

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 

American Hustle.

 

Thanks Brian for the chat.

 

In the Hollywood film, Edge of Darkness, Thomas Craven played by Lethal Weapon´s Martin Riggs aka Mel Gibson is a Boston detective, investigating the death of his activist daughter and quickly realizes that her murder is an intriguing puzzle that is filled with conspiracy and corruption and in the end he has the duty of cleaning up the mess of a corporate cover up and find out who actually killed his beautiful daughter. This was a DVD movie that Fraport Skyliner big man Johannes Voigtmann saw his rookie season in the Beko BBL and in a way seeing the Eisenach native in control of a big overfilled shopping cart full of healthy German tasty food at Toom market, the only thing missing was that Mel Gibson rain jacket to cover his Fraport Skyliners training uniform. But when having closer inspection of the 21 year old 210cm center, he has that perfect baby face that just doesn´t seem right for the unexpected elbows that are always flying around in the zone from centers fighting for position and battling for that rebound that could tarnish it. Voigtmann also doesn´t have the resemblance of a very young Mel Gibson from Mad Max at age 23, but moreover looks more like a young Arnold Schwarzenegger from pre Terminator days to his early success in 1969 as a 22 year old in Hercules in New York and winning Mr Olympia competition in 1970 with a competition weight of 235 pounds. Voigtmann is a basketball player and not an actor, but the young basketball hulk definitely knows who the Austrian legend is even if that genre of movies isn´t really his cup of tea. “I don´t like action movies so much, but of course I know his famous line “I´ll be back”. I have watched some of his classic movies though”, expressed Johannes Voigtmann. Voigtmann who weighs 104 kilos may never have a chance of winning a body building competition, but why should he. He is in Frankfurt to develop his basketball game further which he has been doing since arriving in 2012. He may be wearing that baby face for many years to come, but has that basketball body of a man already and his basketball skills are becoming more and more memorable in Frankfurt with each passing game. Voigtmann doesn´t need Schwarzenegger type action films when he is making his own basketball action on the court.

Sometimes one doesn´t have to already be trying to make shots in diapers or playing with the big kids when you can hardly reach their knees and still be successful at a sport if you have talent. Famous athletes like Dider Drogba didn’t sign a professional contract until he was 21, or German legend Miro Klose was playing in the German fifth league with FC Homburg as a 20 year old and two years later was the leading scorer at the 2002 World Cup in Japan. Other professional athletes started to play their future sport that would earn them their living rather late like boxer like George Foreman who was 17 when he tried on some big boxing gloves for the first time and basketball great like Hakeem Olajuwon didn´t start until he was 15 years old. Now if that isn´t a good omen for Skyliner Johannes Voigtmann who as a kid played handball until switching over to basketball at age 15. The German started to play handball as a kid since his dad played, but has to thank his grandmother for getting him into basketball. She received an invitation to a basketball camp in Jena since she headed a school in Eisenach and Voigtmann and his brother went and were asked if they would like to play basketball. After that everything went very quick as both brothers headed to Jena to a basketball boarding school. The Michael Schumacher fan started his basketball career in 2009 for TuS Jena II (2.Regionalliga) where he played 17 games averaging 4,5ppg. At the same time he also played for their NBBL team playing 13 games and averaged 9,2ppg. The early basketball career of Voigtmann really went rapidly as he was developing and could hardly get a breath as a year later he was playing for Science City Jena in the German PRO A. He only played four games in his first season, but over the summer had valuable international experience playing at the European Championships U20 in Bilbao (Spain) playing nine games and averaging 1,9ppg and 1,9rpg. In his second season in Jena , he got more minutes in 2011-2012 as he played 28 games averaging 4,1ppg and 3,1rpg as a 19 year old with only four years of basketball experience. A big reason why the German was able to develop his game so quick in Jena was head coach Georg Eichler who already had the Beko BBL in the future for the youngster. “Coach Eichler did very much individual training with me and was interested in leading me to reaching the Beko BBL. He gave me a lot of confidence and gave me minutes that really helped me”, stressed Johannes Voigtmann. A few basketball birds in the scene started chirping away and Frankfurt management got an ear full of what Voigtmann was capable of doing on the court and soon he was on his way to Frankfurt. Before coming to Frankfurt he gained more important experience playing at the European Championships U20 in Slovenia where he played 6 games averaging 10.3ppg, 5.8rpg, FGP: 64.1%, FT: 63.2%

In the summer of 2012, the Fraport Skyliners signed Johannes Voigtmann to a long term contract as the club made clear that German youth was a big part of the future as they were going to base their nucleus around Danilo Barthel, Johannes Voigtmann and Konstantin Klein. Voigtmann was handed a double license so he could craft his game in the Beko BBL as well as in the Pro B. With Muli Katzurin, the German had a very tough head coach, but was still able to work himself into the rotation as he played 26 games averaging 3,0ppg and 2,1rpg in nine minutes per game. Sometimes having a tough coach helps a young player to know how hard one must work to get better. You can´t sit around the zone picking daisies, but always have to be thinking and showing your opponent that you are two steps ahead of him and that is something that Voigtmann learned from Katzurin. “Katzurin always taught me to be aggressive. We played a very aggressive defense something I wasn´t used to before, but I got used to it”, added Johannes Voigtmann. In the first half of last season there weren´t many highlights for the big man as he had limited minutes except for an eight point five rebound game against ratiopharm Ulm where he played 19 minutes and a six point and six rebound game against Wurzburg where he played 25 minutes. Playing back to back times against two time Beko BBL MVP John Bryant and 2010 Eurochallenge winner with BG Goettingen Jason Boone was a thrill and he had his notebook with him to take notes on their games. “I would like to be able to have everything in control like Byrant. He always knows exactly what he has to do. I think that is one of the reasons why he was MVP. Boone lives from his athletic play and strength. I would like to be able and move as well as him”, warned Johannes Voigtmann. Ex Fraport Skyliner Johnathon Jones who now plays for HKK Siroki Primorka (Bosnia-Division I) also remembers the Ulm win in Frankfurt as his fondest memory with Voigtmann on the court. “ I remember how Joe did a great job against John Bryant in the win at home against #1 Ulm“, stressed Johnathon Jones. His rookie season in the Beko BBl wasn´t easy as he never knew exactly how many minutes he would get. In the stretch run for example he played seven minutes against Bamberg or two minutes against Oldenburg. Then again there were other games near the end where he played more minutes and could fill up the stat sheet better like his 12 points and four rebounds in 22 minutes against Braunschweig or his 16 points and six rebounds against Bonn in 26 minutes or his 12 points in 18 minutes against Giessen. At times it is never easy for a German player to gain the respect of an American teammate, but despite only being in Frankfurt four months last season before moving to Bosnia, Michigan native Johnathon Jones really saw the whole package of Voigtmann and left the team with a big impression of the German. “His game reminded me a lot of Spencer Hawes. He has a good touch and can shoot the three and his foot work is excellent. I think he is a great role model, he plays the game the right way. I’ve seen him in practice and he works hard. The young Germans can really look up to him. I think his time will come and we will see him in the national team, he has a high skill set for his size”, warned Johnathon Jones. Voigtman finished the Pro B season playing 16 game averaging 12.3ppg, 8.8rpg, 3.0apg, FGP: 58.6%, 3PT: 18.2%, FT: 65.6%. He was able to further work on his game while learning from Marius Nolte and Zack Peacock. All in all it was a solid rookie season and the German was satisfied with his season. “There are always highs and lows. I was very happy to be able to get the confidence of the coach and be able to play so many minutes. I just tried to give my best and use my chance. There was a lot of physical stress, but I knew what to expect coming in. I also had this in Jena so I kind of got used to it. I did feel the stress at night when I went to bed”, added Johannes Voigtmann.

At times in his Frankfurt rookie season, Voigtmann looked and moved heavy on the court, but he worked hard over the summer to get his fitness level better losing 14 kilos and currently adds 104 kilo´s to the scale and also got added valuable experience playing at the 2013 University games and was able to match himself each day against three time Beko BBL champion Philipp Neumann who moved from Bamberg to Oldenburg recently. “He is already very far with his game for his age. He found a role quick in Bamberg and has played Euroleague. He is always aggressive and it is a challenge to play against him. I would like to become more agile like him”, commented Johannes Voigtmann. Playing one on one against Neumann hasn´t happened, but with time and experience in the Beko BBL, the self confidence of Voigtmann will surely grow against Neumann. “We haven´t played so much one on one, but I think he would beat me 6-4 or 7-3 if we played 10 times”, added Johannes Voigtmann. The fortunes of Voigtmann grew this season as the club continued to justify their desire to keep developing Germans as the playing time hasn´t only increased for Voigtmann, but he has become a starter together with Barthel and Klein. Frankfurt continues to be a figurehead for German playing time and development that Henrik Rodl has preached in Trier for years. Gordon Herbert has been vital this season for the big jump of Voigtmann in his development in that Herbert has given trust in him and the other starters and just let them play their game and thus their self confidence has risen. Currently he is averaging 8,0ppg, 5,3rpg and a very stellar 1,7apg in 22 minutes per game. When looking at his game, he really has improved in many areas of the game like his post play where he is scoring on a more consistent level, his footwork has improved as he doesn´t shy away from helping a Tez on the fast break and his understanding of the game continues to improve with experience. “Joe has made a big step this season. His development is very impressive. I didn´t expect his mid range jumper to be so good and he brings the needed physicality. I think it will only be a matter of time before he gets an invitation to the German national team”, stressed ex Skyliner Max Weber. His passing together with Danilo Barthel continues to be a delight to watch as they are possibly the best passing four-five man duo in the league. But its not only the passing that makes one want to come to the arena, but they compliment each other so well on the court and who knows maybe one will see them wearing an additional uniform in the future with an eagle on the jersey. “Joe and Danilo understand each other very well on and off the court. You notice that they are important for each other and that they profit from each other”, expressed Fraport Skyliner guard Stefan Ilzhoefer. Centers usually never have to really focus on passing, but if a big man can pass the ball with authority than why not? “He is a player with the basketball understanding of a point guard. I see a mix of Steve Nash and Tim Duncan in Joe”, stressed teammate Stefan Ilzhoefer. This season the German has scored in double figures nine times including a 10 point, 11 rebound performance in the famous three OT win in Ulm and a 18 point, five rebound and five assist game against the Artland Dragons. “Joe has grown with the team, is fitter, has improved his individual game and most important is that he functions with the team. He is a big role model for me. His professionalism and calmness that he brings on the court is impressive. You notice with his game that it keeps improving and going up and I see no end in sight. Frankfurt offers him the opportunity and perfect conditions to become a big player. If he keeps working hard than I am certain he will become a big player, because he brings the requirements with him”, warned Fraport Skyliner guard Stefan Ilzhoefer. Voigtmann is definitely on a very good way and it will be interesting to see how he plays in the six weeks of the season especially in March and April as the Frankfurt schedule will be double filled with make up games. Voigtmann might meet Philipp Neumann again this summer in the German national team or in the playoffs against Oldenburg, but one thing is for sure that the mix of Boris Becker and Oliver Kahn will still have one thing to settle as the two handed running slam dunk from Voigtmann in the face of Neumann in Oldenburg surely will be on his mind for a while.