Interviews

John Bynum (I know I Pulled A Brett Favre Before, But I Am Done Playing For Sure Now)

John Bynum is a 35 year old 191 cm guard from Visalia California that came out of a short retirement recently and played  for  New Energie Elephants Grevenbroich (Germany-Regionalliga) before leaving in January 2014. Last season he played for  BV Chemnitz 99 (Germany-ProA): 21 games: 11.8ppg, 5.2rpg, 3.6apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 50.8%, 3PT: 15.4%, FT: 62.2%. with TBB Trier playing  32 games: 6.3ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 39.9%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 63.6%. He played college basketball at College of the Sequoias Junior College:from 1996-1998 and then transferred to Metropolitan St. (NCAA2): and played there from 1998-2000. He started his professional basketball career in 2001 in the Uk for the Solent Stars (United Kingdom-NBLConf): 31 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assist. In 2002-2003, came his first tour of duty in Germany for BSG Grevenbroich (Germany-Regionalliga): 24.7ppg, 9.2rpg, 6.7apg, 3.5spg. In 2003-2004, he played for the Ulriken Eagles (Norway-BNLO): Regular Season: 14 games: 20,1ppg, 8,1rpg, 2,5apg, 2,9spg, 0,4bpg.In 2004-2005, he was back in Germany playing for BSG Grevenbroich (Germany-2. can Bundesliga): 30 games: Score-5(26.0ppg), 7.7rpg, Ast-4(5.4apg), 1.7spg, 2FGP: 55.5%, 3FGP: 33.3%, FT: 63.6%. In 2005-2006, he played for InterCollege Etha Engomis (Cyprus-A1): only pre-season, then joined COOCOON Baskets Weiden (Germany-2.Bundesliga, starting five): 8 games: 15.6ppg, 5.9rpg, 2.0apg, 1.6spg, 2FGP: 51%, left in Jan.’06 and later that month signed at Eisbaeren Bremerhaven (Germany-1.Bundesliga): 21 games: 7.8ppg, 2.6rpg, 1.8apg, 2FGP: 56.5%. In 2006-2007, he played for the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven (Germany-1.Bundesliga): 31 games: 5.7ppg, 2.0rpg, 2.2apg, 2FGP: 43.1%, 3FGP: 25.0%, FT: 55.9%. In 2007-2008, he played for USC Heidelberg (Germany-ProA, starting five): 14 games: 14.4ppg, 4.4rpg, Assists-5(4.6apg), 2.3spg, 2FGP: 54%, 3FGP: 27.3%, FT: 58.5%, left in Jan.’08 due to shoulder injury, in Feb.’08 moved to Digibu Baskets Paderborn (Germany-1.Bundesliga, starting five): 13 games: 6.3ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.4apg, 2FGP: 51.8%, 3PT: 14.3%, FT: 70.0%. In 2009-2010, he played in the PRO A for Proveo Merlins Crailsheim (Germany-ProA, starting five): 27 games: 16.9ppg, 7.1rpg, Assists-3(5.4apg), 1.1spg, FGP: 51.8%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 62.8%. He played for TBB Trier from 2010-2012. He spoke to German Hoops about his season in Grevenbrocih.

John thanks for talking to German Hoops. I wish it was under nicer circumstances, but every now and then it is correct to let a player to give his side of a story. You were recently released by Regionaliga team New Energie Elephants Grevenbroich. This a team where you started your career with in Germany in 2002. Was there ever a sign at the start that this season that you might not finish the season with the team?

I’m sure it was tough for both sides, I am mean it wasn’t as I had visioned it to be like. The last time I played there everything was very professional to practices, game preparations, as well of other things so it was very difficult for me. I am sure they had higher expectations as well, but at the same time when two sides can’t meet in the middle then someone has to go.

You were averaging 18 points, six rebounds and three assists, but as a player that has so much experience having played many seasons in the Beko BBl, you were recently released. Can you understand why a player of your stature could be released?

Well to be honest individually I wasn’t having a good season and they wanted more points from me, but in my eyes when a team is filled with two other guys who have first league experience, other guys who played at the pro A level as well then everyone’s numbers should be higher, but as the American I understand the business.

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Larry Gordon (Phoenix Hagen) Phoenix Hagen Is Getting Back Into The Swing of Things

Larry Gordon is a 26 year old 196cm forward that is playing his second season in the German Beko BBL for Phoenix Hagen. Last season for Phoenix Hagen he helped the team reach the playoffs playing 37 games: 12.7ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 52.9%, 3PT: 43.0%, FT: 83.2%He played at  Cal Poly Pomona (NCAA2) from 2005 to 2009 playing a total of  116 NcAA2 games. In his senior year, he played 33 games: 15.7ppg, 10.4rpg, 2.0apg, 1.7apg, FGP: 53.8%, 3PT: 38.5%, FT: 75.7%. He was a CCAA Player of the Year and NCAA D2 Finalist in 2009. In 2009-2010, he came to Europe as a rookie and played for Landstede Basketbal Zwolle (Holland-Eredivisie, starting five): 36 games: 14.0ppg, 8.1rpg, 1.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 48.3%, 3PT: 33.7%, FT: 75.8%. He played for ECE Bulls Kapfenberg (Austria-A Bundesliga) the last two seasons and in his last season played  38 games: 14.7ppg, Reb-3(8.4rpg), 1.8apg, FGP-3(65.2%), 3PT: 36.2%, FT: 77.1%. He spoke to German Hoops before the game against the Mitteldeutscher BC.

Congrats on the big 73-57 victory against TBB Trier. Phoenix Hagen have had games this season where they scored 30 points more, but no games letting up as little as 57 points. How perfect was this performance on the defense end?

It was a very important Win and confidence booster for our defense. It was a great team defensive effort.

Phoenix Hagen led from the start and controlled the game for 40 minutes. Was this a game where one could say it was back to playing classic Phoenix Hagen basketball?

I would say so, we’re getting back to the swing of things.

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Larry Gordon (Phoenix Hagen) Ramsey And Gregory Encourage And Push Me To Stay On The Glass

Larry Gordon is a 26 year old 196cm forward that is playing his second season in the German Beko BBL for Phoenix Hagen. Last season for Phoenix Hagen he helped the team reach the playoffs playing 37 games: 12.7ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 52.9%, 3PT: 43.0%, FT: 83.2%He played at  Cal Poly Pomona (NCAA2) from 2005 to 2009 playing a total of  116 NcAA2 games. In his senior year, he played 33 games: 15.7ppg, 10.4rpg, 2.0apg, 1.7apg, FGP: 53.8%, 3PT: 38.5%, FT: 75.7%. He was a CCAA Player of the Year and NCAA D2 Finalist in 2009. In 2009-2010, he came to Europe as a rookie and played for Landstede Basketbal Zwolle (Holland-Eredivisie, starting five): 36 games: 14.0ppg, 8.1rpg, 1.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 48.3%, 3PT: 33.7%, FT: 75.8%. He played for ECE Bulls Kapfenberg (Austria-A Bundesliga) the last two seasons and in his last season played  38 games: 14.7ppg, Reb-3(8.4rpg), 1.8apg, FGP-3(65.2%), 3PT: 36.2%, FT: 77.1%. He spoke to German Hoops before the game against the TBB Trier

Thanks Larry for talking to German Hoops again. Congrats on the hard fought 85-81 win in Braunschweig. Are wins like these against teams with the identical records and teams in the same standings region double as important at this juncture of the season?

Definitely, getting wins like that will definitely help us to start separating ourselves from that middle pack and make our push back in playoff position

You have hit many big shots this season and hit another clutch shot in Braunschweig to give Phoenix Hagen the 83-79 win. Your leading the league in rebounds and what nickname do you like most Mr rebound or mr clutch?

I’m the Rebound King for sure, have to hit a few more big shots to get that Mr. Clutch title.

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Anthony King (Artland Dragons) I Want To Be A Five Man On An Euroleague Team And I Need The Three To Earn The Respect.

Anthony King is a 29 year old 206cm forward from Durham, North Carolina that is playing his third season for the Artland Dragons. He played at Miami(NCAA) from 2003-2008 playing a total of 126 NCAA games. In 2008-2009 he was a rookie for the  Deutsche Bank Skyliners Frankfurt (Germany-1.Bundesliga): EuroChallenge: 9 games: 4.3ppg, 3.4rpg; German League: 31 games: 3.2ppg, 2.8rpg. He then played fro 2009-2011 for  InterCollege Etha Engomis (Cyprus-Division) where he led the league in scoring and rebounds and won a championship and cup. He also got the Cyprus citizenship and plays for the national team and recently played the Qualifications to European Championships 2013 -12: 8 games: 13.8ppg, Reb-5(9.1rpg), 1.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 49.4%, FT: 75.9%. He spoke to German Hoops at the 2014 Beko BBL allstar game in Bonn.

How good does it feel being named to the 2014 Beko BBL allstar squad for the first time?

It feels great and I think that it doesn´t reflect my individual work, but from the work of the team that we are consistent.

What is your take on the play of the Artland Dragons in the first half of the season?

There were many doubters who didn´t think that coach Mccoy could do job as a rookie coach and playing in Eurocup, but coach and we have done a great job at being successful. A big strength is that we are mentally tough. We won almost every close game in the first half.

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Brian Qvale (medi bayreuth) It Was A Bad First Half To The Season And Something We Will Not Repeat

Brian Qvale is a 24 year old 210cm center from Williston, North Dakota that is playing his first season in the Beko BBL with Medi bayreuth. He played at  Montana (NCAA) from 2007-2011 playing a total of 116 NCAA games and in his senior year played  32 games: 14.9ppg, 8.8rpg, 3.0bpg, FGP: 62.6%, FT: 64.5%. In 2011-2012, he started his professional basketball career with  Aliaga Petkim (Turkey-TBL): 32 games: 8.9ppg, 4.4rpg, FGP: 56.5%, FT: 58.3%. Last season he played for : Belfius Mons-Hainaut (Belgium-Ethias League, starting five): 31 games: 9.8ppg, Reb-4(6.1rpg), Blocks-2(1.1bpg), FGP-2(65.3%), FT: 66.7%; EuroChallenge: 6 games: 13.3ppg, 9.7rpg, 1.0apg, 1.7bpg, FGP: 71.1%, FT: 57.1%. He spoke to German Hoops before the game against the Brose Baskets Bamberg.

Thanks Brian for talking to German Hoops again. How did you spend the Allstar break? Was it more relaxation or did you keep your body in shape?

The Allstar break was more about getting rest for our team. I think we all tried to relax and get ready for the 2nd half of the season.

A tough first half for basketball club medi bayreuth. You guys started off great winning two of the first three games, but since then lost 12 of 14 games. How would you summarize the first half of the season?

 Nobody on our team has experienced a season like this before. We got off to a good start and then we just started losing and dug ourselves into a hole. We lost and things just kept going downhill for us. It was a bad first half to the season and something we will not repeat.

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Jack Eggleston (Bayer Giants Leverkusen) We Will Keep The Same Routine Because Hard Work Is Leading To Success Not Because Of Superstition

Jack Eggleston is a 24 year old 203cm power forward from Noblesville, Indiana that is playing his third year as a professional for the Bayer Giants Leverkusen in the German Pro B. He played at  Pennsylvania (NCAA) from 2007-2011. He played a total of 125 NCAA games. In his senior year he played 28 games: 13.2ppg, 8.0rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 50.4%, 3PT: 45.1%, FT: 73.5%. As a rookie  for Leverkusen he played  23 games: 14.0ppg, 6.0rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 49.5%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 71.2%. Last season he played 33 games: 15.3ppg, Reb-2(11.1rpg), 3.4apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 51.2%, 3PT: 34.1%, FT: 74.7%He spoke to German Hoopsbefore the game against the MLP Academics Heidelberg.

 

Jack congrats last weekend on the 93-73 win against the Finke Baskets Paderborn. It was an even game at halftime, but the Bayer Giants Leverkusen shifted up a few gears in the second half to win the game. What were the main reasons for getting this big

 

Thanks Miles. I think we turned up the intensity on defense and did a much better job of taking away easy transition buckets and clean three point looks. Offensively, we moved the ball very well and knocked down open shots.

The Bayer Giants Leverkusen got big production from Tony Watson, Marc Sonnen and yourself. How relieving is it to know that you were able to play so well without a Jake Koch who didn´t play. With him playing the team is even more dangerous.

Tony and Marc both played very well against Paderborn and have been playing well all year. It has been fun to watch them develop over the course of their first pro season, and I’m sure they will continue to improve the rest of the year. Hopefully we can get Jake back on the court with us soon.

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Larry Gordon (Phoenix Hagen) It’s Not How You Start, It’s How You Finish

Larry Gordon is a 26 year old 196cm forward that is playing his second season in the German Beko BBL for Phoenix Hagen. Last season for Phoenix Hagen he helped the team reach the playoffs playing 37 games: 12.7ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 52.9%, 3PT: 43.0%, FT: 83.2%He played at  Cal Poly Pomona (NCAA2) from 2005 to 2009 playing a total of  116 NcAA2 games. In his senior year, he played 33 games: 15.7ppg, 10.4rpg, 2.0apg, 1.7apg, FGP: 53.8%, 3PT: 38.5%, FT: 75.7%. He was a CCAA Player of the Year and NCAA D2 Finalist in 2009. In 2009-2010, he came to Europe as a rookie and played for Landstede Basketbal Zwolle (Holland-Eredivisie, starting five): 36 games: 14.0ppg, 8.1rpg, 1.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 48.3%, 3PT: 33.7%, FT: 75.8%. He played for ECE Bulls Kapfenberg (Austria-A Bundesliga) the last two seasons and in his last season played  38 games: 14.7ppg, Reb-3(8.4rpg), 1.8apg, FGP-3(65.2%), 3PT: 36.2%, FT: 77.1%. He spoke to German Hoops at the 2014 Beko BBL  allstar break

 

Larry thanks for talking to German Hoops A tough 80-73 loss against MBC. Did MBC put some kind of basketball repellent on the Pheonix Hagen rims, because three point shots weren´t falling? I guess if you shoot 1/16 from outside, it will be pretty much be hard to beat any team.

Yea I agree you can’t best any team shooting the way we shot from behind the arc. The worst thing about it was we were in our gym, where most of the time you are suppose to shoot good.

I can imagine head coach Ingo Freyer wasn´t happy about the only six assists. Is the lack of creating in this game reason for concern or was it more the MBC defense that caused havoc for the Phoenix Hagen offense?

It’s tough because of our style of play is designed for us to score at a high volume, so there is no real pressure for our guards to create for others because their roles are to score.

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Larry Gordon (Phoenix Hagen) The Pressure Is On MBC To Come To Our House And Win

Larry Gordon is a 26 year old 196cm forward that is playing his second season in the German Beko BBL for Phoenix Hagen. Last season for Phoenix Hagen he helped the team reach the playoffs playing 37 games: 12.7ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 52.9%, 3PT: 43.0%, FT: 83.2%He played at  Cal Poly Pomona (NCAA2) from 2005 to 2009 playing a total of  116 NcAA2 games. In his senior year, he played 33 games: 15.7ppg, 10.4rpg, 2.0apg, 1.7apg, FGP: 53.8%, 3PT: 38.5%, FT: 75.7%. He was a CCAA Player of the Year and NCAA D2 Finalist in 2009. In 2009-2010, he came to Europe as a rookie and played for Landstede Basketbal Zwolle (Holland-Eredivisie, starting five): 36 games: 14.0ppg, 8.1rpg, 1.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 48.3%, 3PT: 33.7%, FT: 75.8%. He played for ECE Bulls Kapfenberg (Austria-A Bundesliga) the last two seasons and in his last season played  38 games: 14.7ppg, Reb-3(8.4rpg), 1.8apg, FGP-3(65.2%), 3PT: 36.2%, FT: 77.1%. He spoke to German Hoops before the next game against the Mitteldeutscher BC

Larry thanks for talking to German Hoops again. Phoenix Hagen lost last weekend 105-95 to ratiopharm Ulm. Another typical high scoring Phoenix Hagen game, but ratiopharm Ulm was able to score even more points. What were the main reasons this time for Phoenix Hagen not being able to get the win?

We just were not lucky this time around, Ulm played very good.

What was your overall impression of ratiopharm Ulm. How much different of a club are they now without John Bryant? It seems that they still have many good rebounders to compensate the loss.

They still are solid, have good players that play well. One player doesn’t define a team, so they are doing quite well with out him.

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George Filkinis (A Greek Perspective On German Basketball)

George Filkinis is a Greek basketball coach with over 30 years of experience. He has won 11 titles as a head coach and 6 as an assistant coach. He has coached teams like Marousi, Asteras BC, AO Arion,  Irakleion, AO Sporting, Achilles  Cyprus, Panathinaikos Cyprus, and AO Lamias.  He has coached 680 official games is  and his record is 477 ( 70,15%) wins and 203 (20,85%). He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Thank you coach Filkinis for talking to the German Hoops. You have been a basketball coach as is known, for more than 30 years with great experience and watching closely the most European championships and especially the German. What is your opinion about the German basketball?

 The few friends of mine dear Miles know very well that I always say the things with their name and I will continue to do it even though this costs for me and remains costing on my personal and professional life. I watch indeed closely the German championships of BBL, Pro A and Pro B , in the last 10 years and I have found that despite the huge sums of money that teams have spent each year and despite the best efforts of some romantics unfortunately the level of National basketball, if you compare it with other European countries, remains stagnated or to be more realist goes for the worse.

Would you like to be more specific coach?

The image of the National basketball team in combination with its results in the last international events, justify me absolutely. The level and the quality of basketball in a country expressed primarily by the capacity and the achievements of it’s National team. After 2005, where they lost the final against Greece and won the second place shows of the German National Basketball Team was moderate to disappointing. So at 2007 won the 5th place , at 2009 the 11th, 2011 the 9th while at 2013 ranked 17th where defeated even by Belgium without wishing and for any reason to belittle the efforts and the well deserved victory of Belgium.

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Larry Gordon (Phoenix Hagen) It Is Going To Be A Tough battle Against the Artland Dragons

 

Larry Gordon is a 26 year old 196cm forward that is playing his second season in the German Beko BBL for Phoenix Hagen. Last season for Phoenix Hagen he helped the team reach the playoffs playing 37 games: 12.7ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 52.9%, 3PT: 43.0%, FT: 83.2%He played at  Cal Poly Pomona (NCAA2) from 2005 to 2009 playing a total of  116 NcAA2 games. In his senior year, he played 33 games: 15.7ppg, 10.4rpg, 2.0apg, 1.7apg, FGP: 53.8%, 3PT: 38.5%, FT: 75.7%. He was a CCAA Player of the Year and NCAA D2 Finalist in 2009. In 2009-2010, he came to Europe as a rookie and played for Landstede Basketbal Zwolle (Holland-Eredivisie, starting five): 36 games: 14.0ppg, 8.1rpg, 1.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 48.3%, 3PT: 33.7%, FT: 75.8%. He played for ECE Bulls Kapfenberg (Austria-A Bundesliga) the last two seasons and in his last season played  38 games: 14.7ppg, Reb-3(8.4rpg), 1.8apg, FGP-3(65.2%), 3PT: 36.2%, FT: 77.1%. He spoke to German Hoops before the game against the Artland Dragons.

Larry thanks for talking to German Hoops. How is Christmas in Germany different than in Austria and Holland?

I went home on Christmas, but in Holland the holiday spirit is about the same as in the countries I been to, really festive.

Congrats on being named to the 2014 Beko BBL allstar team. How excited are you about being named as a reserve? It shows that head coach Tyrone Mccoy has appreciated your play.

Im real excited, came a long way in my career. It’s a real honor to get picked by the coach, I really appreciate it.

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