Despite the successful preseason with two cup wins and a 8 game winning streak, the realistic chances of the Deutsche Bank Skyliners winning their third
cup within weeks against a harmonious group like 3 time BEKO BBL champion Bamberg was about as likely as the Rolling Stones doing a duet with Paris Hilton, FC Bayern Munich basketball team losing a single game in the PRO A this season or Sascha Baron Cohen playing 007 in the next James Bond movie and there was to be no miracle for Frankfurt as the task of dismantling the Bavarian club was too difficult as they were routed 85-58. Frankfurt stuck with Bamberg for the first five minutes, but then had no real chance as they had to battle without a legitimate four man as Carlos Powell had been released earlier in the day and Joe Dabbert was missing due to injury. “This is a game that we need to forget as quickly as possible. We were without some key players and at the end this quality was missing. We just didn´t play well tonight and couldn´t do what we wanted to do against Bamberg to be successful. Bamberg played very well and at times made us look very old”, stressed Skyliner assistant coach Klaus Perwas who had to step in for head coach Gordon Herbert who was in Finland getting further tests on his back. One didn´t have to think twice when looking into the eyes of Bamberg guard Casey Jacobsen before realizing that the American is as hungry as last season to be successful and he knew exactly how to hurt Frankfurt on the court. “Frankfurt didn´t have two players, but our goal was defense. I told the guys before the game not to worry about if shots were falling or not for us. Defense is our first priority and then offense. The first five minutes were close, but from then on until the end, we didn´t let Frankfurt get easy points”, added ex NBA player Casey Jacobsen. For Pascal Roller it was the third lost final in Bambegr in the last six years, but that was something that was not on his mind. “I never thought about that. We won all our games in the 2004 title season in Bamberg in the finals. We were weakened inside and never found our groove in this game”, commented Skyliner guard Pascal Roller.
BBL
Can The Deutsche Bank Skyliners Win Their First Title In Bamberg After Failing In 2005 And 2010?
A fifth game final two point loss compared to a Champions Cup final game is about as different in meaning as Lebron James playing in a Lakers uniform than in a Heat uniform, The USA mens national team winning against a team with five Kobe Bryants than against the Turkish national team or Paris Hilton taking an Iberia commercial flight from Los Angeles to Madrid rather than lear private jet, but a game is a game and for The Deutsche Bank Skyliners winning anytime in Bamberg is like winning a lottery even if it is only a meaningless preseason game. Frankfurt play Bamberg in the Champions Cup on Saturday and enter the game with an 8 game winning streak and with their confidence as sky high as 20 Sears towers in Chicago staked on top of each other. Frankfurt lost two finals to Bamberg last season including a bitter fifth game final by two points and a cup final and some players like Pascal Roller, Dominik Bahiense De Mello and Grayson Moyer may have the two games in the back of their heads, but for the new players like Carlos Powell, Dashaun Wood or Kimmo Muurinen, it will just be another game. “Game 5 was a very tough loss for the players. One or two free throws made and the game might have been different. I think this is a game that no player will ever forget. I wont forget it. Frankfurt must win the Champions Cup”, stressed ex Skyliner Dragan Labovic.
The Rapid 10 Miles Questions Basketball exchange With Dane Watts(Walter Tigers Tuebingen)
Dane Watts is a 24 year old 203cm forward from Warrensburg, Montana.He played at Creighton (NCAA) from 2004-2008. In his senior year, he played
33 games: 11.3ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 53.4%, 3Pts: 42.5%, FT: 71.8%. In 2008, he came to Germany and started his professional basketball career with EnBW Ludwigsburg (Germany-1.Bundesliga, starting five): 32 games: 8.9ppg, 3.8rpg, FGP-1(68.4%), 3PT: 30.8%, FT: 68.7%. Lasts eason, he played for The Walter Tigers Tuebingen playing 34 games: 10.2ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 57.1%, 3PT: 37.6%, FT: 71.0%. He returns to Tuebingen for the 2010-2011 BEKO BBL season. At Creighton, he won awards such as MVC Tournament Winner -05, 07, MVC All-Freshman Team -05, MVC Regular Season Runner-Up -07, and MVC Tournament Semifinals -08. watts sat down with German Hoops and took the rapid 10 Miles questions basketball exchange.
Your starting your third season in Germany. What makes Germany so special that makes you come back each season to play?
I think that it is a very competitive league from the top team to the bottom team each year and it has been an easy adjustment for me and my wife to live here. I love the schwabian food too.
The Rapid 10 Miles Questions Basketball Exchange With Danny Gibson (BBC Bayreuth)
Danny Gibson is a 26 year old 180cm point guard from Madison, Indiana. He has returned back to the BEKO BBL and is playing his first season for BBC Bayreuth. He played at Olney Central JC (NJCAA) from 2002-2004
and then transfered to Southern Indiana (NCAA2) where he played from 2004-2006. In his senior year, he played 34 games: 8.6ppg, 2.7rpg, 4.9apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 54.9%, 3Pts: 40.6%, FT: 76.8%. In 2006-2007, he started his professional basketball career in Germany for NVV Lions Mnchengladbach (Germany-2.Bundesliga, starting five): 29 games: 22.1ppg, 4.0rpg, 5.1apg, 1.7spg, 2FGP: 55.6%, 3FGP: 40.1%, FT: 75.2%. In 2007-2008, he played for Cuxhaven BasCats (Germany-ProA, starting five): 28 games: 15.6ppg, 2.9rpg, 4.2apg, 1.1spg, 2FGP: 51.4%, 3FGP: 38.1%, FT: 76.3%. In 2008-2009, he played for Giants Noerdlingen (Germany-1.Bundesliga, starting five): 34 games: 12.2ppg, 1.9rpg, 3.5apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 49.3%, 3PT: 38.2%, FT: 66.0%. Last season, he led the Dutch league in scoring for Zorg and Zekerheid Leiden (Holland-Eredivisie, starting five): 43 games: Score-1 (18.3ppg), 2.8rpg, Assists-5 (4.3apg), 1.4spg, FGP: 55.4%, 3PT: 42.3%, FT: 73.3%. Last season, he was honoured with various awards like Dutch Cup Winner -10, Dutch Eredivisie Semifinals -10, Dutch Eredivisie All-Star Game -10, Dutch Eredivisie MVP -10, and Eurobasket.com All-Dutch Eredivisie 1st Team -10. Danny sat down with German Hoops and took the rapid 10 miles questions basketball exchange.
You are back in Germany playing for BBC Bayreuth. This will be your fifth professional season and you have played four years in Germany. You must of had many offers last summer, but you always seem to come back to Germany. is Germany like your second home now?
Germany has been very good to me. I felt like it was a great chance for me to come back and showcase my skills against some of the best competition in Europe !
The Rapid 10 Miles Questions Basketball Exchange With Jermaine Thomas(Eisbaeren Bremerhaven)
Jermaine Thomas is a 26 year old 186cm combo guard playing his fifth professional season and first with the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven. He is
from Frederick, Maryland and played at La Salle from 2002-2006. In his senior year at La Salle he played 28 games averaging 12.3ppg, 4.3rpg, 3.9apg, 1.3spg, FG: 41.5%, 3PT: 36.8%, FT: 82.1%. In 2006, he came to Europe and his first stop was in Hungry as he played for Gunaras KC Dombóvár playing 22 games: 16.0ppg, 2.1rpg, 4.5apg, 2.0spg, 2FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 41.0%, FT: 78.0%. In 2007-2008, he played for MAFC Budapest (Hungary-A Division, starting five): 11 games: 13.9ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.1apg, 2.1spg, 2FGP: 48.3%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 86.1%, in Dec.`07 moved to BC Lami-Ved Kormend (Hungary-A Division, starting five): 13 games: 15.2ppg, 3.2rpg, 1.4apg, 2.3spg, 2FGP: 67.3%, 3PT: 39%, FT: 81.1%. In 2008-2009, he went to Austria to play for UBC ökoStadt Gussing Knights (Austria-A Bundesliga, starting five): 30 games: 17.8ppg, 3.5rpg, 4.0apg, 1.7spg, 2FGP: 64.3%, 3PT: 37.7%, FT: 79.8%. Last season, he returned back to Hungry to play for Polaroid Lami-Ved Kormend (Hungary-A Division, starting five): 33 games: 15.7ppg, 3.4rpg, 4.4apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 59.2%, 3PT: 43.4%, FT: 86.3%. Some of the awards that he has gotten in his career were All-Atlantic 10 Honorable Mention -06, Hungarian League Finalist -08, Austrian Bundesliga A All-Star Game -09, Eurobasket.com, All-Hungarian League Honorable Mention -10, Hungarian League All-Star Game -10, and Hungarian League Semifinals -10. Jermaine sat down with German Hoops and took the rapid 10 Miles questions basketball exchange.
You come from Frederick Maryland which is about 40 kilomters from Baltimore which is by the water. How have you adjusted to Bremerhaven and the water so far?
I have adjusted pretty well. Bremerhaven is a beautiful city. But honestly I have to credit my teammates and the management and the fans here, for my adjustment going so smoothly. Everyone has made me feel so welcomed here the first day I arrived.
The Rapid 10 Miles Questions Basketball Exchange With Jacob Burtschi(Phoenix Hagen)
Jacob Burtschi is a 26 year old 198cm forward from Chickasha, Oklahoma who will be a rookie this season for Phoenix Hagen. He played at the
Air Force from 2003-2007. In his senior year, he played 35 games averaging 13.5ppg, 6.0rpg, 2.3apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 49.7%, 3Pts: 39.0%, FT: 77.3%. He had offers to play in the NBA, but served in the Air Force the last three years and could only play club ball. Some achievements that he got in the NCAA wereAll-MWC Honorable Mention -05, MWC Regular Season Runner-Up -06, All-MWC 2nd Team -06, 07, NABC All-NCAA District 13 2nd Team -07, and NIT Final Four -07 Jacob took the rapid 10 miles questions basketball exchange at German Hoops.
You played your last NCAA game in 2007. How strange is it being a professional basketball rookie at age 26?
It is definitely a little strange being a 26 year old rookie but im happy that I have the opportunity to play. I had a commitment to the Air Force, served my time, and now I have an opportunity to chase a childhood dream.
The Rapid 10 Miles Questions Basketball Exchnage With Deandre Haynes(Gloria Duesseldorf Giants)
Deandre Haynes is a 25 year old 187 cm guard from Detroit Michigan that is playing his first season in the BEKO BBL with The Paderborn
Baskets. He played at Kent from 2002-2005 and at Kent state from 2005-2006. In his senior year, he played 34 games averaging 13.0ppg, 2.7rpg, 3.9apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 43.7%, 3PT: 39.7%, FT: 78.6%. He won the MAC Tournament in 2006 and was player of the year in the MAC conference in 2006. He came to Europe as a rookie and played in Belgium for BBC Royal Atomia Brussels playing 23 games and averaging 4.0ppg, 1.3rpg, 1.1apg, 1.0spg. The next season, he stayed in Belgium and played for Okapi Aalstar playing 35 games averaging 9.4ppg, 1.5rpg, 2.6apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 52.0%, 3PT: 34.0%, FT: 74.0%. In 2008-2009, he played in Hungary for Kecskemeti Univer KSE playing 26 games averaging 13.6ppg, 4.0rpg, 3.4apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 61.1%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 70.9%. Last season, he played for the Webmoebel Baskets playing 34 games: 11.1ppg, 2.9rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 47.7%, 3PT: 36.8%, FT: 74.7%. He took the rapid 10 Miles questions basketball exchange for German Hoops talking basketball from training camp in Turkey.
You just signed with Duesseldorf Giants? How happy and relieved are you about getting the job?
I’m really happy and blessed to be able to get a second opportunity in the BBL after a tough season last year.
The Rapid Miles 10 Questions Basketball Exchange With Wayne Bernard(MBC)
Wayne Bernard is a 28 year old 180 cm guard from San Diego that is playing his second season with MBC. He played at Davidson in North 
Carolina from 1999-2003. His best season was his senior year where he played 27 games averaging 15.1ppg, 3.3rpg, 5.4apg. In 2003, he became a professional coming to Europe to play for Maccabi Ironi Ramat Gan (Israel-Premier L.) playing 10 games and averaging 14.0ppg, 2.1rpg, 5.5apg, 2.4spg, but got waived and finished the season in Greece for Ilysiakos Athens playing 8 games and averaging 7.5ppg, 2.0rpg, 1.4apg, 1.1spg. In 2004-2005, he played for Norrkoping Dolphins in Sweden playing 30 games and averaging 14.3ppg, 3.8rpg, 4.2apg, Steals-3(2.2spg), FGP: 40.7%, 3-Pts: 30.5%. In 2005-2006, he played for Etoile Charleville-Mezières (France-ProB) playing 34 games averaging 14.1ppg, 2.0rpg, 2.9apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 49.4%, 3PT: 42.2%, FT: 75.7%, and during the season moved to ESPE Chalons-en-Champagne Basket Pro (France-ProB). In 2006-2007, he played for ESPE Chalons-en-Champagne Basket Pro (France-ProB), French League playing 18 games and averaging 10.4ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.6apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 37.7%, 3PT: 37.0%, FT: 70.6%; , but left in January 2007 and then joined Kouvot Kouvola (Finland-Korisliiga) playing 11 games and averaging 14.1ppg, 4.1rpg, 2.6apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 45.9%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 84.4%. In 2007-2008, he stayed with Kouvot Kouvola playing 47 games and averaging 16.3ppg, 3.1rpg, 2.5apg, 2.2spg, FGP-3(62.0%), 3PT: 36.2%, FT: 78.8%. In 2008-2009, he came to Germany to MBC playing 30 games and averaging 14.4ppg, 2.3rpg, 2.6apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 56.9%, 3PT: 43.2%, FT: 80.4%. He earned 2009 PRO A player of the year honours. Last season, he played 34 games averaging 8.6ppg, 1.9rpg, 1.7apg, Steals-5(1.5spg), FGP: 41.6%, 3PT: 33.6%, FT: 80.8% Wayne took the rapid Miles 10 questions basketball exchange for German Hoops talking basketball.
How was your summer? How does a normal Wayne Bernard work out day look like in the summer?
My summer was ok. When I got back to the States I took some time for myself to let my body relax for a bit. Then I began my workouts after a few weeks. Every summer I travel somewhere but this summer was pretty low-key.
Will Derrick Allen(Alba Berlin) Be Able To Ballerina To The Barking Of Coach Luka Pavicevic?
Over time the world has witnessed the grace and beauty of world class ballerinas like Mikhail Baryshnikov, Frederick Ashton or Erik Bruhn and
Frankfurt basketball fans have had their very own hoops ballerina with Derrick Allen the last three years who made the zone his own pretty dancing area as he glided, cat stepped and side stepped around opponents with ease often letting his man look more like a lost puppy weeping for its mother than an aggressive defender trying to shut him down. As training camp has started in Frankfurt, the BCM facility is missing a touch of gracefulness in the zone as Derrick Allen is no longer around as he signed a contract with 8 time BEKO BBL champion Alba Berlin earlier this summer. This will be Allen´s 7th season in Germany and now has reached the big time going to a Euroleague calibur team. Allen played in Frankfurt for three years reaching the playoffs each season, but was unable to win a title as he lost a heartbreaker in game 5 of the 2010 finals to the Brose Baskets Bamberg. “. Losing game 5 was very tough, because we were so close and let it slip away at the end. It was a great playoff run that we had, and when you play a game 5 like that you dont want no team too loose, but we did, and congrats too Bamberg, but it has motivated me for this season”, warned Derrick Allen.
In his three years for the Deutsche Bank Skyliners, Allen played 128 BEKO BBL games averaging 15,1ppg, 5,9rpg and 1,6apg and shot 52,3% from the field. In the 2007-2008 season, he was the second top scorer in the league averaging 18,1ppg. He also played 20 international games. Many were hoping that D.A which everyone calls him except for ex coach Murat Didin who calls everyone Babba might return for a fourth season, but the Gadsen Alabama native decided to make the next step. “Leaving Frankfurt was tough, because of the great years I had with all of those guys. It was a place that was truly like home and a great family atmosphere. I will miss everything, from my apartment in Sachsenhausen too my teammates, organization and the fans just Everybody. But leaving Frankurt to go too Alba Berlin was the right move too make at the right time”, stressed Allen. After some strong scoring seasons early in his career in Karlsruhe and Leverkusen(2007 BEKO BBL scoring champion), it wasn´t until he came to Frankfurt that he was more recognized for his ability on the court from Eurobasket as he was Eurobasket.com All-German Bundesliga Forward of the Year in 2008, Eurobasket.com All-German Bundesliga 1st Team 2008 and 2010 and Eurobasket.com German Bundesliga All-Imports Team 2008 and 2010.
The Rapid 10 Miles Questions Basketball Exchange With Jibril Hodges(Duesseldorf Giants)
Jibril Hodges is a 26 year old 188cm guard that was born in San Diego, California but grew up in Chicago as his dad was a member of the Chicago Bulls in the early 90s. He is a athletic player with great shooting prowess from behind the arc. He played at Long Beach, university from 2002-2006. In his senior year he played 30 games: 14.1ppg, 1.5rpg, 1.5apg, 1.0spg, FG: 40.6%, 3PT: 37.3%, FT: 84.9%. At Long Beach, he made the Big West All-Freshman Team 2003, was All-Big West Honorable Mention 2005, was a Big West Tournament Finalist 2006 and made All-Big West 1st Team 2006. In 2006, he was drafted by the Fort Worth Flyers (D-League,8rd (93)). In 2007-2008, he played in the CBA for Butte Daredevils and left during the season, came back in Feb.2008: 34 games: 14.7ppg, 2.7rpg, 2.9apg, FGP: 46.7%, 3PT: 38.0%, FT: 76.8%. In 2008-2009, he came to Germany and played for USC Heidelberg in the PRO A playing 29 games: Score-3(18.8ppg), 2.6rpg, 2.9apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 60.9%, 3PT: 32.3%, FT: 85.7%. Last season at USC Heidelberg, he played 30 games: Score-4(19.4ppg), 3.7rpg, 3.9apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 62.3%, 3PT: 35.7%, FT: 84.7%. He recently made the jump to the BEKO BBL signing with the Duesseldorf Giants. Jibril took the rapid 10 miles questions basketball exchange for German Hoops talking basketball.
Congrats on getting signed by the BEKO BBL team Duesseldorf glory. After two years in the PRO A with Heidelberg, now your first shot in the first league. How have you been able to pick up your game in the last two seasons.
I think in the last two seasons I improved my leadership abilities. That I think was the most important improvement.
