Will Thomas is a 31 year old 203 cm forward from Baltimore, Maryland playing his 10^th professional season and second with Valencia Basket (Spain-ACB). Last season with Valencia he won the ACB title and averaged 6.7ppg, 4.3rpg, FGP: 57.5%, 3PT: 39.8%, FT: 92.3%. In the Eurocup, he played 23 games averaging 6.3ppg, 4.4rpg, FGP: 56.3%, 3PT: 23.9%, FT: 65.6%. He started his professional basketball career in 2008 with Belgacom Liege Basket (Belgium-D1) and on the Belgium Super Cup in 2009. He then played with Ostende and in the 2011-2012 season played with Army Sport Klub Tbilisi (Georgia-Superleague) with the Georgian league title in 2012. He then played the next two seasons with Pinar Karsiyaka SK Izmir (Turkey-TBL) and with Sidigas Avellino (Italy-SerieA). In 2014 after 6 professional seasons and at the age  of 28 finally made the jump to the Spanish ACB playing two seasons for Unicaja Malaga (Spain-ACB). He played at George Mason from 2004-2008 playing a total of 131 NCAA games reaching the NCAA Final 4 in 2006. As a senior he played 34 games averaging 16.1ppg, 10.4rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 64.2%, FT: 67.2%.  Finished career ranked 1st all-time at Mason in games played (131), games started (118) and minutes played (4,144). Also ranks 1st all-time at Mason in field-goal percentage (.616) and 3rd all-time in the CAA as well as 3rd all-time in rebounding (993) and 6th all-time20in the CAA. He spoke to German Hoops before the Euroleague game against Brose Bamberg in Bamberg.

 

 

 

 

 

Will thanks for talking to German Hoops. Welcome back to Germany. In your long career you have played against German teams 15 times scoring in double figures in 8 of 15 games. Could you guess what your record is vs German teams?

 

 

It might be negative.

 

 

 

It is 8/7. Your over 500. What are your fondest memories of playing German teams? Possibly sweeping Alba Berlin last season in Europe Cup or BG Goettingen in the 2011-2012 Eurochallenge?

 

 

 

I remember that German teams have always been really good over the years. All the teams are always competitive and they play really well.

 

 

You are back in Bamberg. You split with them in the 15-16 Euroleague season. With Unicaja Malaga (Spain ACB). With what kind of feelings are you returning back to Bamberg and what memories do you have of then?

 

I remember the games against Bamberg as always being very tough. The atmosphere in Bamberg is great and their fans are unbelievable.

 

 

 

What do you know in general about the country Germany and it´s basketball? You played three years in Belgium early in your career. Did you ever come to visit and do you have friends playing here?

 

 

I had one friend who played in Germany years ago with Folaran Campbell. We were teammates at George Mason. When I was playing at Liege early in my career, I was in Germany almost every weekend in Cologne or Duesseldorf.

 

 

Your playing your second season for Valencia Basket (Spain ACB) and won your third professional title last season with the ACB title. What stood out most for you in being able to win this title?

 

Winning that title meant everything to me. Winning the ACB would mean a lot to any player. It is good for the resume and just stands out.

 

 

 

Does the club feel a lot of pressure defending the ACB title and having a good Euroleague season?

 

 

We plan on having a very good season in the ACB. We also plan on competing every night in the Euroleague and trying our best to win. We have new players and a new coach and we plan on taking it one game at a time.

 

 

 

 

Your playing with very many talented and experienced players that are stacked up front. What kind of role do you have and is it any different from last season?

 

 

 

My role isn´t any different from last season. I am doing what I have been doing my whole career which is rebounding, playing defense, bringing energy and scoring when I can. I want to continue to be a good teammate and help lead with my experience.

 

 

How thankful are you to be playing Euroleague again? Do you appreciate it more simply because you played your first game in your seventh season at age 28?

 

I am very thankful to be playing Euroleague again and am very grateful. When you look over Europe at how many players there are and there are only 16 Euroleague teams, you notice that only a select can play Euroleague. I am happy I can show my talent against the best.

 

You have been a consistent scorer and rebounder your whole professional career. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player to who would you pick?

 

I don´t know. I wouldn´t compare myself to anyone. When I was young, I was trying to be Michael Jordan, but that didn´t work out too well.

 

 

What kind of experience has it been playing with the talented veteran Bojan Dubljevic. How do you feel have you both profited from each other on and off the court?

 

I think that we compliment each other very well. He can space the floor like a stretch four and be a tough guy in the post. I do sort of the same. We bring a certain toughness to the front court that helps us win.

 

 

After six seasons as a professional having played in Belgium, Georgia and Turkey, you reached the ACB in 2014 joining Malaga. Do you feel like you developed later than others or did people just recognize your talent later?

 

It really depends on being on the right teams and getting the right exposure. Early in my career I played in Belgium and Georgia that weren´t top leagues, so top teams didn´t see you play. When you are playing in leagues that have less exposure, it´s hard to move up. You have to play Euroleague and Eurocup for top teams to see you play. Euroleague teams want experienced players. I had to wait my turn to reach the Euroleague.

 

 

You had some very good Euroleague games, but was your 20 point game win against Maccabii Tel Aviv one of your most memorable games?

 

I remember that game in Malaga. I got in the zone and there was nothing that they could do about it. It was a very nice memory.

 

 

You played two seasons with Mindaugas Kuzminskas who reached the NBA last season. Did you have a feeling in your two seasons with Malaga that he could make it there?

 

Yes I did for sure. He was still young then and was very talented. He might not have shown his talent as much in Europe, but he had a game that he could use in the NBA. There was more space and 1-1 opportunities in the NBA which suited his game. It didn´t surprise me when he signed in the NBA.

 

 

After playing in Belgium, Georgia and Turkey, you moved to Sidigas Avellino (Italy-SerieA) in the 2013-2014 season playing 30 games averaging 15.3ppg, 7.4rpg, 1.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 41.5%, FT: 70.7%. Do you feel this was your real breakthrough season in a real top league?

 

I never have looked at it like that, but I guess it was. That got me to where I am today. Italy was considered one of the top leagues then and I worked myself up and showed what I could do. Some NBA Summer league teams took notice of me then as did top teams in Europe.

 

 

In the 2012-2013 season you played with Pinar Karsiyaka SK Izmir (Turkey-TBL) playing 30 games averaging 11.2ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 56.7%, 3PT: 19.0%, FT: 67.5%; In the EuroChallenge, you played 17 games averaging 14.3ppg, 7.4rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 58.3%, 3PT: 26.1%, FT: 72.2%. What memories do you have playing in Turkey in a league that was slowly developing into one of the top 5 in Europe?

 

 

I really didn´t know what to expect when I came to Turkey, but after a few months I really could see how competitive the league was. The style was slower than other places, but there were good players there, the league was well organized and was good coaching. Every game was a battle there. You had to play very well 90% of the season to make the playoffs. I knew then that Turkey would become a top league in a short time.

 

In the 2011-2012 season you played with Army Sport Klub Tbilisi (Georgia-Superleague) winning the league title playing 6 EuroChallenge games averaging 15.0ppg, 11.3rpg, 1.5apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 50.7%, 3PT: 21.4%, FT: 68.4%; In the Georgian League, you played 25 games averaging 16.5ppg, 7.4rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 60.4%, 3PT: 27.6%, FT: 71.4%. How much of a privilege was it playing briefly with NBA player Sundiate Gaines who was there because of the NBA lockout?

 

He was a really good point guard. He really understood the game and knew how to get everyone involved in the offense and played very good defense. He wasn´t there long, but he helped me get off to a good start.

 

 

You played in Belgium with Ostende and in Spain with Malaga with American power forward Caleb Green. How vital was his presence for your game over the years?

 

He was a great guy and great teammate. We played against each other in Belgium and Italy and were teammates in Belgium and Spain. We played the same position and there was a mutual respect for each other. We battled each day against each other in practice. We made each other better and we also played together at the same time on the court an we played well together, because we knew each other so well from our daily battles in practice.

 

 

 

 

You played your first two seasons with Belgacom Liege Basket (Belgium-D1). What was your wake up call to being a rookie in Europe where you knew that you were very far away from home in Baltimore?

 

 

I had a lot of them, but they were off the court. On the court basketball is basketball. You shoot, pass and run up and down the court. The basketball part wasn´t much of an adjustment. Off the court, I had to learn to adjust to everything. I had to learn how to cook and drive a stick. In college you were never far from home so if you needed something from home your parents would bring it. It was also tough talking to people on the phone, but not seeing them for 3-4 months.

 

 

You have won three professional titles, but how special was winning the 2009 Supercup with Belgacom Liege Basket (Belgium-D1). What memories do you have of it?

 

 

 

That was so early in my career. I didn´t know at that point how important the cup competition is in Europe. No one expected us to win. We were a very young team and we beat the defending champs. It was great starting the season like that winning a title. Our season then really took off for us.

 

 

After playing at George Mason(NCAA) you took part at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (Pre-NBA Draft): averaging 17.0ppg, 7.3rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 64.7%, FT: 58.3%. You also played with the Washington Wizards NBA Summer league team. Are you disappointed that after your good showing at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament that you didn´t get more of a look from NBA teams?

 

I came out of college undersized. There was little interest. But then I had a good showing at the Portsmouth Invitational tournament. I showed there that I had a lot of talent. I got interest from European teams and some from Asia. I had no agent at that time. I remember that if you had one good game, then there would be hundreds of agents wanting to talk to you after the game with each one flinging their business card at you. It was crazy. I tried out for the Washington Wizards Summer League team, but got cut after 4-5 days.

 

 

 

You played at George Mason(NCAA) from 2004-2008. You reached the NCAA final 4 in 2006. What made the run so special? The club had no future NBA players, but how vital were Tony Skinn and Folaran Campbell?

 

 

We had a great run in 2006 at the tournament. No one expected to go that far. We just went out and had fun. We lost in the Final 4 to Florida who would win it all. It was a very tough game. I remember playing in Indianapolis in front of 65,000-70,000 people. I had never played in front of so many people. I´ll never forget that.

 

 

 

How did head coach Jim Larranaga groom and prepare you best for a professional basketball career?

 

 

He didn´t really prepare me for a professional career. I think that if you never experienced how it is in Europe then you can´t really prepare someone for it. Coach prepared me for college to be the best that I could be. He knew I was smart enough to learn to become a professional player.

 

 

Who won a one on one in practice you or Darryl Monroe?

 

We never played then. I would win today. I would kill him.

 

Who was the toughest player that you battled in the NCAA that is in the NBA now?

 

 

I would say Michael Beasley. He was a very tough guard. He had an NBA game already in college. He could do it all. There was a reason why he was the #2 overall pick in the NBA draft.

 

 

 

If you had to construct your own NBA Rushmore which 4 heads would you chose?

 

 

Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Lebron James

 

 

 

 

Lebron James failed to win his fourth NBA title and is still three away from Michael Jordan. Where does Lebron stand right now in your opinion in the never ending debate of who is the best of all-time?

 

 

 

 

Jordan is the best. He is the best because of the way he always was able to perform in the moment. Lebron shrunk too much in the moment.

 

There has been criticism of Russell Westbrook to be focusing more on rebounding to help inflate his stats and possibilities of getting triple doubles instead of focusing on his defensive assignments. Do you feel that this is a fair assessment to the player Russell Westbrook?

 

 

 

I believe it´s not a fair assessment of the player Russell Westbrook. He always tries to do the most for his team to win.

 

 

 

How do you summarize the 2017 NBA Draft. What sleepers do you see playing a role in the NBA?

 

I like Jayson Tatum and Kyle Kuzma

 

 

 

 

Where will the journey of the Houston Rockets go this season with Chris Paul and James Harden in the back court. Do they have enough to make a serious run at the title or is something missing?

 

 

 

I don´t think so. They have pretty much the same team from last season adding Chris Paul. Nobody can beat the Golden State Warriors.

 

How do you rate the Kyrie Irving-Isaiah Thomas trade? Who got the better deal and which team will profit better in the long run?

 

Right now the Celtics. I think that the Cavs will turn it on at some point of the season. The Cavs won´t win the NBA title, but beat the Celtics in the Eastern Conference title.

 

 

 

Where will the journey of the Oklahoma Thunder go this season with Westbrook, George and Anthony? Can they make a serious run in the west?

 

 

 

They can´t get past the Golden State Warriors. None of the stars on that team have been in a final except Westbrook.

 

 

 

 

What was the last movie that you saw?

 

John Wick 2.

 

Thanks Will for the chat.

 

 

 

 

Erick Green is a 26 year old 190cm guard from Virginia that is playing his fifth professional season and first in Spain with Valencia Basket (Spain-ACB). Last season he played with Olympiacos S.F.P. Pireus (Greece-A!) playing 31 games averaging 9.4ppg, 2.2rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 40.0%, 3PT-2(47.3%), FT: 76.7%; In the Euroleague, he played 36 games averaging 9.9ppg, 1.9rpg, FGP: 47.1%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 81.7%. He was drafted by the Utah Jazz in 2013 at #46 in the second round and played as a rookie with  Montepaschi Siena (Italy-SerieA) playing 45 games averaging 10.8ppg, 1.5rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 56.4%, 3PT: 34.0%, FT: 83.3%. In the Euroleague he played 10 games averaging 11.1ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 46.5%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 69.2%; In the Eurocup, he played 6 games averaging 11.2ppg, 2.0rpg, 1.8apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 51.1%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 70.0%. In the 2014-2015 season he played with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants (D-League playing  2 games averaging 21.0ppg, 2.5rpg, 3.0apg, 2.0spg, and the Denver Nuggets (NBA) playing 42 games averaging 3.5ppg. In the 2015-2016 season he played with the Denver Nuggets (NBA) playing 3 games, the Reno Bighorns (D-League) playing 44 games: Score-3(26.5ppg), 4.4rpg, 3.9apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 57.2%, 3PT: 43.6%, FT: 85.5%, in Feb.’16 moved back to Utah Jazz (NBA) playing 6 games averaging 2.2ppg. He played at Virginia Tech(NCAA) from 2009-2013 playing a total of 128 games and as a senior led the NCAA in scoring with 25.0ppg, 3.9rpg, 3.8apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 50.7%, 3PT: 39.3%, FT: 81.7%. He spoke to German Hoops before the Euroleague game against Brose Bamberg in Bamberg.

 

 

 

 

Erick thanks for talking to German Hoops. Welcome back to Germany. You split last season with Brose Bamberg in Euroleague. With what kind of feeling are you coming back to Bamberg?

 

 

It is a good feeling coming back to Bamberg. It will be a tough game. They have another good team this year. They have a good crowd and nice atmosphere in the arena.

 

 

Overall you have a positive 3-1 Euroleague record against German teams. In your rookie season with  Montepaschi Siena (Italy-SerieA) you swept FC Bayern Munich. What memories do you have overall playing against Germans teams?

 

 

I don´t remember too much to be honest except for playing against my ex teammate Malcolm Delaney. I am really happy that he got a chance to play in the NBA after that

 

 

 

You have played in Italy, NBA, G-League, Greece and now in Spain with Valenica. What do you know in general about the country Germany and it´s basketball? Do you have any friends playing here?

 

 

I have a friend playing in Germany with Daniel Hackett of Bamberg. I have known him for four years. Other than that I don´t know too much about Germany.

 

 

Valencia Basket are the ACB defending champions and have started off well in both competitions ACB and Euroleague. You have the two big powerhouses Real Madrid and FC Barcelona and many other title candidates. The team has kept a healthy core of players from last season and added some new pieces. How confident is the team after this start that it could repeat?

 

 

I think that we are confident at the moment and also know that we will be competing against the two tough keepers Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. But we have another great team and coaching staff and if we continue to improve as the season goes on, then I believe that we will have good chances to repeat.

 

How inspiring has it been playing with 35 year old veteran and heart and soul of Valencia with Rafael Martinez who is in his tenth season with the team and won two Eurocup´s. How vital is he for the success and what have you tried to soak up from his game?

 

 

He isn´t only a great leader, but a great guy. He has been helping me a lot pushing me and giving me a lot of confidence. He keeps continuing to stress for me to score and make plays. He is so valuable for me and a great captain.

 

 

Two seasons ago, you were in the Utah Jazz organization and played one game with German Tibor Pleiss. How has his game progressed since that time and what added dimension does he give the team?

 

 

Tibor has gotten so much better since being with the Utah Jazz. He has such a great touch and can finish with his left or right hand. He has a nice mid range shot that spreads the floor and is that seven footer and important presence inside that every team could use. He continues to get better and better. I feel he didn´t get a fair opportunity with Utah. He was in the right place at the wrong time. So many guys can play in the NBA, but so can he. I am sure that he will get another chance. He is an NBA player.

 

 

Let´s talk about your game. You a scoring combo guard. What is your role this season with Valencia Basket and is it different from last season in Greece?

 

 

My role this season is to score and be that player that they didn´t have last season. They want me to be that go to guy that will finish well 1-1. Last season in Greece we were stacked with a lot of talent and there were many great players. It was tough playing behind Vasilios Spanoulis, but I didn´t pout, but learned as much as I could from him. He was a great leader and guy.

 

 

 

 

You have been a scorer all your career, but if you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would you choose?

 

I would compare myself to Lou Williams. We have something in common in that we can both score and are great 1-1 players. We both know how to get buckets. You can watch him and see him having four points and before you know he will have 20 points. It is crazy how fast he can fill the stat sheet.

 

 

Your also a guy that can fill the stat sheet, but what do you feel is a hidden strength in your game that doesn´t get noticed right away on the court?

 

My ability to create. I think that I can be a really good passer when I am aggressive.

 

 

After two seasons in the NBA, you returned back last season to Europe and played with Olympiacos S.F.P. Pireus. There you played with Greek legend Vasilios Spanoulis who has won 12 Greek titles, three Euroleague titles and numerous medals for his country. Do you feel like some of winning genes and leadership rubbed off on you last season that will help you lead Valencia to tiles?

 

Yes I think so. He is a winner. He doesn´t care about how many points he gets, but just wants to win. At the end of the day that is what it´s all about. I learned so much from him, but one thing really stuck. He told me that I can do so much on the court especially score and that it is important to pick and choose carefully. In Europe it´s not all about scoring, but picking and choosing on the court. You also have to know how to find your teammates. He also told me “Don´t chase the money just play well and good things will happen to you”. There are too many guys in Europe thinking too much about the money. I learned so much from him and he told so many interesting stories

 

You played parts of two seasons in the NBA with Denver and Utah. When you look back at this time, what did you learn to appreciate most about the whole experience?

 

It was a great experience. I played behind some very experienced and older point guards like Jameer Nelson, Ty Lawson and Nate Robinson. Most important was that I learned great work ethic from these guys. These guys were all around and over 30 years of age, but their work ethic was incredible. A Nelson was already in the gym at 8:30 in the morning when we had a practice at 11am.and he already had a full out sweat when I got there. I was 23 years old and this kind of work ethic made me get my butt in the gym seeing that an older guy was putting in the work.

 

 

In the 2014-2015 season you played 42 games with the Denver Nuggets and on the last game scored 17 points and dished out seven assists in a loss against Golden State. Is this one of those games that stick in your mind knowing you held your own with some of the best players in the world with Curry, Thompson and Green?

 

 

100% yes. I had the chance to showcase my abilities and a game like this gave me confidence that I could play with the best. My goal continues to try to get back to the NBA. I hope my dream of the NBA will come through again.

 

When you look back at that season with Denver do you feel like you could have done anything differently that would have earned you more minutes or were you content with your stay?

 

 

I would never say that I was content, but it´s hard to get minutes when you are the third string point guard. It was difficult to really be able to show what I could do. In the games where I did get a chance to show what I can do, I felt I did well for the minutes that I received.

 

 

This is your second season back in Europe and you last played NBA Summer League in 2015.Have you pretty much ended the NBA chapter or do you feel with more Euroleague experience you could make it back to the NBA soon? I think your ex teammate Malcolm Delaney is a great example of a guy reaching the NBA after some years in Europe.

 

Yes that dream never closes. My goal is to get back to the NBA and I really do hope that I will get another chance. I feel that where I am now is the best route in trying to get back to the NBA. I have the chance to prove and play well at the ACB and Euroleague level where NBA scouts are always present. Last year there was something like 5 Euroleague players that went to the NBA.

 

As a rookie you played for  Montepaschi Siena (Italy-SerieA): 45 games: 10.8ppg, 1.5rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 56.4%, 3PT: 34.0%, FT: 83.3%; Euroleague: 10 games: 11.1ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 46.5%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 69.2%; Eurocup: 6 games: 11.2ppg, 2.0rpg, 1.8apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 51.1%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 70.0%. What was your wake up call to being a rookie in Europe where you knew that you were very far away from home in Virginia

 

I had quite a few wake up calls. I was thousands of miles away from the states and it´s tough for a young guy coming out of college to come to Europe. At Virginia Tech, I was three hours from home, but in Italy I was 9-10 hours away by plane and my family only visited twice a year. There were some times where I thought about going back home. It was difficult being in a small city and getting used to the language barrier. All in all, Italy was great. Siena was a beautiful city and I am happy that I didn´t walk away and go home. In Italy I matured and became a better player.

 

 

 

How important was it having many Americans on the team that helped you make the adjustment easier? Was there a particular guy that you felt you profited most? You had teammates like Marquez Haynes, Josh Carter, Spencer Nelson, Matt Janning and Othello Hunter?

 

 

 

All of them. They are all great people and I still have great relationships with them today. We are all in a group chat and keep in touch. They showed me how to play in Europe and without them, I don´t really know if I would have survived.

 

 

 

You played at Virginia Tech from 2009-2013. How tough was it your senior year being the best scorer in the nation, but the team playing below 500. Despite playing so much did you ask your self at times if you could have been doing more?

 

Yes for sure. I remember my parents saying what you scored only 25 points? You have to be getting 30 points to help your team win. It was cool getting all the honors and winning the scoring title, but in the end I never made the NCAA tournament in my four years there. That really got to me having to hear my friends talking about their experiences in the NCAA tournament.

 

 

After struggling your freshman year at Virginia Tech, you became a gym rat and your game rose after that from season to season. Even after leading the nation in scoring as a senior, have you continued to practice that same focused work ethic now in the pro´s?

 

Yes for sure. Work ethic is what got me to where I am today. I have had this type of work ethic my whole career. I love being in the gym. I love seeing how my game improves. I strive to get better every summer and then keep improving during the season. I want to continue to improve each year.

 

 

You didn´t have much to cheer about in your senior season concerning wins, but was the 66-65 win against Wake Forest where you led all scorers with 22 points one of your most memorable wins as a senior?

 

 

That was a nice memory, but the best memory was beating Oklahoma State when Marcus Smart of the Boston Celtics was on the team.

 

 

 

In the 2012-2013 season Adam Smith was with the team, but couldn´t play, but he practiced daily with the team. What memories do you have of your battles on the court?

 

 

Adam is a great player, shooter and guy. When he came to Virginia Tech(NCAA), he didn´t expect the level of the ACC to be so high. He was also a gym rat like me and worked his tail off in his time at Virginia Tech. Seeing how he improved was great and he had a heck of a career there.

 

 

 

 

How did head coaches Seth Greenberg and James Johnson help groom and prepare you best for s professional career?

 

 

Seth Greenberg was a great coach. He was my first coach for the first three years and was very demanding. I remember when I came in as a freshman in open gym and him telling me that he thought I would be an NBA player. He stayed on me the whole three years and demanded a lot from me. Johnson was the assistant coach in my first three years and became head coach in my senior year. I had known him since I had been 15 years old and he always had recruited me wherever I went. He was a big role model for me and was like a father figure.

 

 

 

Who won a one on one in practice you or Malcolm Delaney?

 

 

He got some of the best of me as I was a freshman. He is a very good player and taught me a few things. In my second year I did some work on him though. I always thought that he would get drafted. In one on one you saw two great scorers going against each other. It would be fun going against him today.

 

 

 

 

Who was the toughest player that you battled in the NCAA that is in the NBA now?

 

 

I would say the toughest guy I faced was Grevis Vazquez. He gave us 40 points. That was one of the best performances that I ever saw in the NCAA. I have had the chance to play against Kyrie Irving in high school and other guys like Kevin Durant and Brandon Jennings in the summertime.

 

 

 

If you had to construct your own NBA Rushmore which 4 heads would you chose?

 

Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Shaq

 

 

 

 

 

Lebron James failed to win his fourth NBA title and is still three away from Michael Jordan. Where does Lebron stand right now in your opinion in the never ending debate of who is the best of all-time?

 

 

 

When looking at rings it´s Jordan, but when you look at the player it´s Lebron. He is so dominant and a player that we haven´t seen before. I saw Jordan play at the end of his time, but in my era Lebron is the most dominant.

 

 

There has been criticism of Russell Westbrook to be focusing more on rebounding to help inflate his stats and possibilities of getting triple doubles instead of focusing on his defensive assignments. Do you feel that this is a fair assessment to the player Russell Westbrook?

 

 

 

Westbrook is one of my favorite players. I don´t think that it is a fair assessment to him. It was crazy to average triple double stats. He helped lead the team to the playoffs without Kevin Durant. He has the most edge of any player. He goes 100 miles and tries to kill you when he has the ball.

 

 

How do you summarize the 2017 NBA Draft. What sleepers do you see playing a role in the NBA?

 

 

My two NBA rookie of the year candidates are Ben Simmons who can change a game and Dennis Smith Jr.

 

 

 

Where will the journey of the Houston Rockets go this season with Chris Paul and James Harden in the back court. Do they have enough to make a serious run at the title or is something missing?

 

 

They can make a good run, but Golden State will be too strong for them.

 

 

 

How do you rate the Kyrie Irving-Isaiah Thomas trade? Who got the better deal and which team will profit better in the long run?

 

 

Boston got the better deal. The deal shows just how much Boston was willing to give up for Irving. Lebron probably has 2-3 more good years, but Boston is young and if they stay together will be very scary in a few years.

 

 

 

Where will the journey of the Oklahoma Thunder go this season with Westbrook, George and Anthony? Can they make a serious run in the west?

 

I think they could. They are losing at the moment, but they will be clicking soon. They are missing a bench, but will be scary. They could give Golden State a run, but won´t have enough in a series against them.

 

 

 

 

 

What was the last movie that you saw?

 

It. It´s a clown horror movie.

 

Thanks Erick for the chat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On a cold Saturday afternoon in Mid November or better described at midday when it´s a BBL game day, you will find most Fraport Skyliners going through their regular game day routines with finishing with the pre game shoot around and if you’re a Quantez Robertson possibly getting a last short sweat in the weight room as that freak athlete is still in top shape at 33 and then spending some quality time with his kids before it means taking the short 10 minute ride to the Fraport arena for the 6:00pm battle against ratiopharm Ulm. However if your a Philip Scrubb you most likely will be in his second living room the BCM watching a Pro B game or a NBBL game as he is one of the most faithful Skyliners that follows and watches the lower teams of the Fraport Skyliners. In the NBBL(U-19) league you don´t have the usual luxury that professional players have of spending the whole day preparing mentally for the evening clash against a formidable opponent, but more often than not have to get on the floor at 12 or 1 in the afternoon which presents totally different kinds of pre game preparation than would a professional player who plays the bulk of their games in the evening. The 3-2 Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners had a midday tip off against the 3-1 TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen who came into the game with a solid 3-1 record and were giving up only 48 points per game. The Frankfurt side went into the season having lost their big 3 from last season with Isaac Bonga who could still play, but is concentrating only on the EasyCredit BBL as well as Konstantin Schubert and Cosmo Gruehn who were too old. The Frankfurt team now had to rely on other pieces like Niklas Pons and Maxi Begue who have to take over the heart and soul role of the club. Against the Leverkusen team, it looked for a long time like Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners would leave the court as the losers, but they never gave up as a furious first half-second half comeback rewarded them with a hard fought victory and the guests from Leverkusen like the unfortunate losers who seemingly gave the game away. After the win, Frankfurt head coach Miran Cumurija looked content, but also knew that he had some luck on his side, but his defensive adjustment in the second half proved to be the correct decision. “We played our standard big man defense in the first half, but in the second half we changed it and played more switching which gave them problems. We also fought the whole game and played with heart which factored in the win”, stressed Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners head coach Miran Cumurija. On the other side, Leverkusen head coach Hansi Gnad was disappointed of having let the game fall out of their hands in the second half. “We gave up a big lead. They played more physical and we couldn´t adjust to that. We have two very big players, but we couldn´t get the ball inside on a regular basis. Frankfurt did a good job taking that away from us”, stressed Leverkusen head coach Hansi Gnad.

A few minutes before the game started Leverkusen head coach Hansi Gnad took a short break form reviewing his game plan and actually looked like he could moonlight as a sewing specialist as he put together a jersey with number for 18 year old 191cm guard Jan Philipp Merkens who had forgotten his jersey. The first quarter had two stories as both teams played at eye level in the first five minutes, but down the stretch run, Leverkusen made a run and had the comfortable 24-13 lead after 10 minutes. Leverkusen started off hot as 17 year old small forward Lasse Branding got a pair of buckets already putting Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners early on their heels and having to be in comeback mode. Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners got big production from ex TV Langen guard Niklas Pons who found his stroke early hitting two three´s and tying the score at 8-8. But then all of a sudden their stellar defense that was giving up only 48 points per game and had a very functional zone began to halt Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners on offense and in their offense climbed out on a 12-2 run to take the commanding 20-10 lead. The Leverkusen defense also sparked their offense getting two easy transition baskets from 17 year old 200cm Maximillian Marcus and 17 year old 185cm point guard Simon Muller-Landsvik from Norway. Then came the unbelievable three point shooting clinic from 18 year old 185cm guard Leutrim Ebiballari who entered the game averaging only 4,3ppg and was shooting 16,7% from outside suddenly had 8 points on his basketball account nailing two trey´s and making free throws and totally shocking the BCM gym. That wasn´t enough as he stroked home a third for good measure as did Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners guard Leon Pullen. At the end of 10 minutes Ebiballari had 11 points and was leading the game in scoring as Leverkusen led 24-13. “We had a bad start and then the Leverkusen big run hurt us”, stressed Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners guard Niklas Pons. TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen was shooting 57% from the field and 50% from outside while Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners was shooting 33% from the field and outside. Leverkusen had the 9-5 rebound lead and five turnovers while Frankfurt had seven turnovers.

The second quarter also looked like a tale of two quarters as Leverkusen continued to extend their lead to huge proportions leading by as much as 21 points, but a much needed 11-0 run in the second part of the quarter not only brought Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners back into the game, but also was the start of their massive comeback that would go until the end of the game. Leverkusen started the second quarter with a bang going on a 8-0 run nailing consecutive three´s as Ebiballari hit his fourth in a row and kept giving Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners fits and Muller-Landsvik also connected from outside and from inside giving the guests their biggest advantage of the contest at 32-13. Frankfurt was doing a good job on Leverkusen´s bigs Thiemann and Selimovic limiting them to little touches and no points, but didn´t have the guard Ebiballari on their scouting report as he was a menace with his shot. The Leverkusen zone was giving Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners headaches as they had no rhythm on offense and Maxi Begue was no factor yet. 15 year old huge German talent Len Schoorman stopped the Leverkusen run with a pretty runner, but then it was time for Leverksuen to show how lethal scoring in bunches can be as they went on a mini 4-0 run getting a Marcus and Merkens fast break points as Leverkusen had their biggest lead of the game 36-15. Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners didn´t lay down and die, but fought back showing life as they closed out the second quarter with a furious 11-0 run to claw back into the game and trail only 36-29 at halftime. In the run, Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners was led by Niklas Pons who hit his third three of the game in as much tries and also Maxi Begue who nailed his first field goal and added another one while 17 year old 180cm guard Cem-Turkay Akbayir who started his career at EOSC Offenbach snuck inside making a back door layin and 16 year old Risto Vasiljevic who started his career at BC Darmstadt also scored. A big factor in this run was the Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners defense that was led by 18 year old 200cm forward Antonius Douloudis who was active in the paint. “We woke up after the time out and defended more aggressively and showed more quality on defense”, added Niklas Pons. TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen was shooting 37% from the field and 40% from the three point line while Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners was shooting 36% from the field and from the three point line. Both teams had 18 rebounds apiece, but Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners had 15 turnovers and Leverkusen only nine turnovers.

Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners continued their improved play in the third quarter continuing where they had left off in the second quarter working on their run and extending it to 17 points in a row as they added 6 points in the first minutes cutting the Leverkusen lead to only 36-32 as they had once trailed by as much as 21 points in the second quarter. After getting his rhythm on defense in the latter part of the second quarter where Douloudis was a huge spark, he let that carry over into his offense as he scored twice in the lane as his aggressiveness and athletic cleverness haunted Leverkusen. Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners remained very aggressive in the paint area as 16 year old 180 cm energy package Alvin Oniya also snuck inside for two points. However Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners lost a bit focus and intensity and couldn´t totally get over the hump as they allowed Leverkusen to go on a 10-2 run to lead in double figures again 46-34. In the run Leverkusen finally got on the board for the first time in the second half at the 6.29 minute mark as 17 year old 190cm guard Moritz Finke scored. Leverkusen also got a basket from 17 year old 195cm forward Justin Peplinski who started his career at BBV Koln-Nordwest and two baskets from Marcus who carried the team as their two bigs Thiemann and Selimovic continued to be no factor in the scoring department. Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners closed out the third quarter not getting lost in the Leverkusen run, but getting back into the game with a key 9-3 run as their comeback was still in full throttle as they trailed 49-43 after 30 minutes. In the run, Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners got some production inside from Douloudis and 18 year old 196cm forward Dennis Machlab that scored inside, Begue free throws and a clutch trey at the buzzer from Akbayir. “We continued to fight and never gave up. Guys like Oliver Babitsch and Alvin Oniya took more responsibility on the court”, added Niklas Pons. TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen shot 39% from the field and 35% from the parking lot while Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners shot 37% from the field and 31% from the parking lot. Leverkusen had the slight 28-27 rebound advantage, but only 13 turnovers while Frankfurt had 18 turnovers.

 

In the fourth quarter Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners kept fighting and annoying Leverkusen with their defense taking control of the game as the guests couldn´t buy a basket at their will. 17 year old 208 cm German Lars Thiemann entered the game averaging 11,3ppg and 12.3rpg, but had been held scoreless for the first three quarters, but finally got on the board with an off balance shot to give Leverkusen the 51-43 lead. Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners continued to defend hard and with passion getting two stops which led to two buckets from 18 year old 193cm guard Oliver Babitsch who started his career at TG Hanau and from Begue as both Germans dominated in the paint as they were taking advantage of the penetration, but Leverkusen led 51-47. Leverkusen now had a small phase where they got Thiemann better involved which led to free throws and another basket inside as Leverkusen stayed strong trying to defend off the Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners comeback as they led 55-49. However Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners didn´t back off as they continued to go inside as their penetration was working as Akbayir scored. After Marcus free throws, Oniya tested his 35% three point accuracy and passed finding nothing but net as Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners suddenly trailed only 56-54 with 3.28 left. A Douloudis block led to Oniya free throws as the game was deadlocked at 56-56. 18 year old 203cm 135 kilo beast Dezemal Selimovic had been quiet all afternoon long but got fouled and hit free throws as Leverkusen led 58-56. Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners came back strong as Pons made a very difficult and risky pass, but it was perfect through traffic finding Pullen back door for the easy layin as the game was deadlocked again at 58-58. Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners clamped down on defense now and also got some fortune as guard Muller-Landsvik stayed true to his 33% free throw percentage missing both and Oniya made a steal which led to Pons and Begue free throws as Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners led 60-58. Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners then stopped Thiemann forcing him to a miss and Begue came back at the other end taking responsibility and hitting a clutch runner from the corner giving Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners the 62-58 lead sealing the win. “I didn´t start so well and I continued to fight to get a rhythm. I got my defense going and then got my offense going as I got to the basket more. I had a lot of confidence making that last shot”, stressed Maxi Begue. After a Finke miss, Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners  scored one more bucket and had the very hard fought 65-58 win. “Begue had a bad start, but was strong at the end. Our physicality was key at the end. We had better luck with the 50/50 balls and just wanted it more”, stressed Niklas Pons. “Frankfurt was more clever at the end and deserved to win”, stressed Leverkusen head coach Hansi Gnad. Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners were led by Maximillian Begue with 13 points and Niklas Pons added 12 points. TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen were led by Leutrim Ebiballari with 14 points, Maximillian Marcus added 12 points. And Simon Muller-Landsvik had 10 points, five assists and seven steal. Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners shot 39% from the field and 27% from outside while TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen shot 32% from the field and 30% from outside. Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners won the rebound battle 42-37, but had 21 turnovers while the guests had 16 turnovers.

Back in the day when a third grade school kid had produced good work on a math quiz of testing one´s division and times skills, one would get a small star plastered to your forehead and you would run home to mommy and be gleaming with joy while possibly being rewarded again with a tasty twinkie after a hard school day. In basketball it´s no different, if Kameron Taylor would have been rewarded with every amazing game and shot he had completed so far in this young season for the Dragons Rhondorf, his forehead would be hidden from site. The play of the Maryland native and ex Seton Hill(NCAA) standout has been brilliant again and brought joy again to the energetic Dragon Dome after two poor seasons where the club was clobbered in the Pro A two seasons ago winning only two contests while last season had to battle in the playdowns to secure a spot again in the Pro B this season. Taylor was averaging 23,8ppg, 6,0rpg and 4,1apg coming into the KIT SC GEQOUS Karlsruhe  game and has totally dominated the Pro B leading his club to a refreshing 7-2 record this season. Even if he did play in the higher Pro A last season for Ehingen where he averaged 10,8ppg, you sometimes have to take a step back to make a step forward. He wooed fans three weeks ago with a spectacular buzzer beater against the Fraport Skyliners juniors at home and in the last two weeks has been brilliant as he combined for 69 points in the two wins at home against the EN Baskets Schwelm netting 37 points and the nail bitter win in Coburg where he dropped 32 points and help ice the cake with free throws in the last seconds preserving the 68-65 victory. Rhondorf went into the contest having found a consistent rhythm on defense again allowing an average of only 70 points per game in the last two and wanted to register their fifth home win of the season while Taylor was gunning for his third 30 plus game in a row of the season. The Dragons Rhondorf kept their winning ways, but Taylor didn´t reach his third 30 plus game of the season, but nobody noticed as the club pounded  KIT SC GEQOUS Karlsruhe as 24 year old German Patrick Reusch had the game of his life pouring in 18 points while Kameron Taylor was derailed a bit in his minutes and points because of foul problems. After the big win, Taylor was raving about the fine effort his club displayed as he played only two minutes in the first half plus minus Kevin Thomas, the club still led 41-39 at the break. “Everybody stepped up today and it was a great team effort with great team basketball minus Kevin Thomas. We knew that we had to rebound well with Thomas and we did. We played solid defense forcing the opponent to many turnovers doing a good job keeping the man in front of us”, stressed ex Seton Hill(NCAA) standout Kameron Taylor. KIT SC GEQOUS Karlsruhe totally fell apart in the third quarter and could never get back into the game after head coach Jaivon Harris was rejected and Rhondorf cruised out on a 22-7 run. “We played ok in the first half, but it wasn´t our best basketball. They came out more aggressive in the third quarter and forced us right away to two turnovers and scored. Then our coach was thrown out and they had the momentum. When Rhondorf has the momentum then they are very hard to beat at home”, stressed ex BG Karlsruhe guard Aaaron Schmitz.

A big key in the game was that everyone stepped up on the Dragons Rhondorf squad as Kameron Taylor was hit with two early fouls. It was the Germans Valentin Blass, Thomas Michel and Yannick Kneesch that carried the team along with 24 year old Patrick Resuch. The young German Reusch started his career with Bayer Uerdingen and came to Bonn in 2014. He worked his self up slowly playing two solid seasons in the Regionalliga averaging 10,5ppg and 12,9ppg and arrived in Rhondorf last season. Last season was also a process as his minutes increased more in the second half and he sparkled with his aggressive defense and timely offense especially in the playdowns. This season he was struck with a tough injury that held him back and it took him a while to reach his rhythm again. In the last weeks he was making some progress on the court as he got into the last three games. The early foul trouble from Kameron Taylor was like a blessing in disguise as the German jumped up from the bench and not only fulfilled his role, but much more scoring nine points in eight minutes in the first half. His consistent production didn´t end there as his magical play continued in the second half as he scored nine more points in eight more minutes finishing with 18 points in 18 minutes while Taylor finished with 16 points in 18 minutes. After the big win the German was thrilled with the big win and modest with his own achievement on the court. “It really helped me that I hit my first two shots. That raised my confidence to want to keep taking and making shots”, stressed Patrick Reusch. The instant production was no surprise to Taylor as he has seen it over and over in practice. “He plays so hard in practice and he was coming off an injury. He came in and proved he could produce. He saw me in foul trouble and knew the team needed scoring and stepped up”, stressed Kameron Taylor. Despite the foul trouble, Taylor was on triple double course, but because the game only has four quarters and not five was denied as he finished with 16 points, seven rebounds, eight assists and two steals in only 18 minutes. “I was mad about the fouls in the first half. I had my head down at half-time, but my team told me i´m good and I should just play my game. They gave me the confidence to execute in the second half”, stressed Kameron Taylor.

The Dragons Rhondorf were without Kevin Thomas who was home in Canada spending time with his sick dad. Both teams came out hot from downtown as KIT SC GEQOUS Karlsruhe took the quick 6-3 lead with two trey´s from Croatian sniper LuKa Drezga and ex Speyer guard Aaron Schmitz as Rhondorf tallied with a Thomas Michel three. The first quarter remained a tight affair as there were four lead changes and no team ever led by more than three points. Michel gave Rhondorf their first lead 9-7 after he followed a Andreas Moeller basket. Drezga regained the lead for KIT SC GEQOUS Karlsruhe with a trey only to see it melt with two buckets in a row by Michel who gave Rhondorf the 13-11 lead as Rhondorf were getting easy bucket after easy bucket inside as KIT SC GEQOUS Karlsruhe was lacking physicality and good 1-1 defense. KIT SC GEQOUS Karlsruhe got the lead back on Florian Rothenberg free throws 19-18, but in the last few minutes Patrick Reusch sparked Rhondorf with five points and Kneesch made a lay in keeping Rhondorf in front 24-22 after one quarter. “We did a good job compensating the foul trouble of Kameron Taylor and Kevin Thomas absence. We were attacking well and got easy baskets”, stressed Dragons Rhondorf assistant coach Max Schamborn. The Dragons Rhondorf were shooting 58% from the field and 25% from outside while KIT SC GEQOUS Karlsruhe was shooting 43% from the field and 57% from outside. The Dragons Rhondorf had the 10-5 rebound edge and both teams had two turnovers apiece.

In the second quarter despite a slow start, the Dragons Rhondorf would control the quarter and lead by as much as eight points, but KIT SC GEQOUS Karlsruhe clawed back and trailed by only two points at the break. KIT SC GEQOUS Karlsruhe upped their intensity and aggressiveness on the defense end stopping Rhondorf on their first five possessions, but got only two buckets in the paint by German second Bundesliga Veteran Jeremy Black who averaged 13 points and 8 rebounds in six Pro A seasons. Taylor was hit with his third foul and left after a few seconds. However Rhondorf stuck together and were tough as nails as their two imports were off the floor and it was the Germans and Latvian Lion Ronalds Elksnis who brought the club back on a potent 13-3 run to retake the lead 37-29. In the run, Rhondorf totally crushed KIT SC GEQOUS Karlsruhe in the paint area as they scored 11 points there. Viktor Frankl-Maus carried the team with his aggressiveness and crafty play netting eight points. Moeller made an offensive rebound and put back and Kneesch connected on a pretty running hook shot. Rhondorf also displayed their immaculate transition offense as KIT SC GEQOUS Karlsruhe lost focus and intensity. KIT SC GEQOUS Karlsruhe got out of their funk riding into the locker room at halftime with some momentum going on a 10-4 run to trail only 41-39. Dutch player and ex Tennessee State(NCAA) center Chaed Wellian hit a trey and scored inside while ex Speyer guard Banjamin Kaufhold made a pull up jumper while using Reusch´s body to flick the ball at and get back as he could find no teammate open in the inbounds pass and Drezga nailed a trey. “The second quarter wasn´t pretty. We didn´t have a good start as they stopped us on our first five possessions. But there were 2-3 situations where we rebounded well which led to transition baskets and helped us back into the game”, added Rhondorf assistant coach Max Schwamborn. The Dragons Rhondorf were shooting 44% from the field and 11% from the three point line while KIT SC GEQOUS Karlsruhe shot 54% from the field and 58% from the three point line. Rhondorf had the 22-12 rebound edge and five turnovers while KIT SC GEQOUS Karlsruhe had 10 turnovers.

The turning point of the contest occurred in the third quarter as KIT SC GEQOUS Karlsruhe head coach Jaivon Harris was kicked out of the game and the Dragons Rhondorf launched a brutal 22-7 run to open up the game and the club would never look back. The Dragons Rhondorf got off to a quick start right away and went on a 8-2 run before Jaivon Harris was ejected. Kameron Taylor was back on the court and got very aggressive on the offensive end and scored twice as did his playmaking side kick Frankl-Maus as the home club led comfortably 49-41. Then came the ejection of KIT SC GEQOUS Karlsruhe head coach Jaivon Harris. He had been at odds all game long with the referees and despite being warned by, he didn´t get a second warning as he was ousted from the game. This rattled KIT SC GEQOUS Karlsruhe which propelled the Dragons Rhondorf to an unstoppable 21-7 run as three´s rained down for the basketball heaven as the club led 70-48. When the damaged had ended, KIT SC GEQOUS Karlsruhe had witnessed six trey´s as the Dragons Rhondorf didn´t miss as the basket looked as big the ocean. Rhondorf got three point support from Michel with two and also from Frankl-Maus, Taylor, Blass and Kneesch. The Dragons Rhondorf kept up the pressure on offense as Taylor scored two more times inside and Reusch hit another trey as KIT SC GEQOUS Karlsruhe trailed 77-54. “Coach Adelt told us at halftime that we had to improve our three point shooting. He said shoot if your open, but also go inside. We were open and shot and mostly scored”, smiled Kameron Taylor. “We had big problems trying to stop them in their run. We gave them too much room and let them score to easily”, added Aaron Schmitz. The Dragons Rhondorf shot 53% from the field and 33% from the parking lot while KIT SC GEQOUS Karlsruhe shot 49% from the field and 44% from the parking lot. Rhondorf had the 31-18 rebound edge and had seven turnovers while KIT SC GEQOUS Karlsruhe had 15 turnovers.

In the fourth quarter there were no let downs by the Dragons Rhondorf as they finished strongly and also got solid input from players like Joe Kaschade and Fabian Vermun who got some extra garbage time. The Dragons Rhondorf started off quickly going on a 6-2 run to extend their lead to 83-56 as Reusch continued his stellar play with two drives inside that resulted in layins and a Michel layin. Both teams continued to score at ease while the defense took a break. Rhondorf had the huge lead and wouldn´t lose any more on this evening. The fans saw a pretty Kameron Taylor tap in alley-oop in which Geretzki dished him the perfect pass. Young German talent Anton Geretzki also hit a trey and  Alexander Moeller hit a jumper who had a solid game with nine points and five rebounds as Rhondorf led 92-67. Down the stretch KIT SC GEQOUS Karlsruhe German Marcel Davis scored inside and Taylor added some fine tuning to his stat sheet with free throws closing out the 98-73 Rhondorf victory. “We never let up on the court. Our bench did a good job keeping the energy up and closing out the game”, expressed Kameron Taylor. “It is hard to come back when your down by 25 points. The mental part played a big role. Rhondorf continued to play their game and we couldn´t stop it”, stressed Aaron Schmitz. The Dragons Rhondorf were led by Patrick Reusch with 18 points. Kameron taylor added 16 points.  As did Vikto Frankl-Maus. Thomas Michel added 13 points and Yannick Kneesch had 11 points. KIT SC GEQOUS Karlsruhe were led by Luka Drezga with 20 points. Chaed Wellian supplied 14 points and Jeremy Black and Florian Rothenberg added 10 points apiece. The Dragons Rhondorf shot 52% from the field and 34% from outside while KIT SC GEQOUS Karlsruhe shot 49% from the field and 39% from outside. Rhondorf won the rebound duel 39-27 and had only eight turnovers while KIT SC GEQOUS Karlsruhe coughed up the ball 19 times.

At the end of September head coach Rick Pitino was dismissed of his basketball duties at Louisville and where exactly ratiopharm Ulm guard Trey Lewis was when he had heard of the news over the social media, CNN or a phone call from an ex teammate is unknown, but any basketball fan would have loved to have been caught in his personal thoughts about the matter and a phrase like “Good riddance” or “That for sure didn´t surprise me” could easily have been in his mind. According to si.com Pitino´s employment contract and that allegations in the federal government complaint “insinuate a scheme of fraud and malfeasance'” in recruiting gave the school a reason to put Pitino on unpaid leave.  The short basketball career of Joseph Lewis has had his highs and lows as he played his first three years for two schools Penn State and Cleveland St. (NCAA) where he put up very strong stats and as a senior averaged 16.3ppg, 4.4rpg, 2.9apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 47.4%, 3PT: 42.3%, FT: 75.7%, but two Horizon League Tournament Semifinal runs denied him every player´s dream of playing at a NCAA tournament. Despite graduating from Cleveland State, he still had a season of eligibility to play and chose to play at Louisville a school that had captured two NCAA titles in the 80´s, but then dipped into obscurity until 2005 since then the school has reached two NCAA Final 4´s, two NCAA Elite 8´s and won it all in 2013. In the 2015-2016 season, Lewis and the Cardinals had a great season and a record of 23-8 and were 12-6 in the ACC, but it all didn´t matter, because shortly after the college basketball season started, the school announced that they were ineligible to play in the NCAA or ACC tournament on account of a recruiting scandal. After not winning anything at Cleveland State or at Louisville despite averaging 11.3ppg, 3.4rpg, 2.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 46.9%, 3PT: 35.1%, FT: 79.5%, he left Louisville with a big chip on his shoulder and probably unending thoughts in his mind and numerous “why me´s”. It didn´t help matters either that he couldn´t make any impact for his own cause on the court at the NBA Pro Summer League in Las Vegas (Cleveland Cavaliers) as he hardly got a chance in 5 games averaging 1,4ppg. His chip on his shoulder was growing and continuing to be an annoying reminder each day about his career and as heavy as if Terrance “pot Roast” Knighton was resting on his shoulder. The American from Garfield Heights stayed calm and let his agency Priority Sports go to work and prompt found him a good situation in Germany with medi Bayreuth last season. He was the main offensive force on a team that hadn´t been to the playoffs since the 90´s and brought the small Bavarian city back to life and back on the map since 2011 where there was the funny Kevin Durant rumors of him going to play there during the NBA lockout. Last season Lewis was brilliant as a rookie averaging 15.3ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 46.7%, 3PT: 44.7%, FT: 93.8%. He had no problems adjusting to the European game. Last season he took almost six three´s per game, but not only his shooting was adored by the fans, but also his drive and free throw accuracy. He came on a mission with a chip on his shoulder and delivered. The club lost in the playoffs to a strong and confident Oldenburg team, but he did his share averaging 19,0ppg and shot a massive 11-24 from outside. A couple breaks here and here and medi Bayreuth could have been in the semi´s. This season Lewis has made the jump to top team ratiopharm Ulm and has the difficult task of replacing ex NBA player Chris Babb, but so far he has done a fine job as his stats are up, but the only negative thing is the team started off slowly. His stats might not be as high as last season as he is simply engulfed with more scoring options but he is being effective. Averaging 12,8ppg, 1,9rpg and 2,1apg and really been great in the Eurocup averaging 13,8ppg, 1,0rpg and 3,0apg while shooting 42,4% from outside. Lewis will make the next step in Ulm and improve once again just because of the vast talent on the team, but one thing won´t disappear so quickly. He continues to play with an urgency and angriness that really has propelled his game to another level. He had his lows in the NCAA and really was robbed at Louisville and it just will take some basketball time for that to heal so in the meantime he will take it out on his opponents. His chip will still be clinging on his shoulder and feeling like it could physically maim him sometime as it won´t get any lighter even as his team is crawling out of it´s hole clinging on to a three game winning streak in the BBL at the moment.

Sometimes things change so rapidly that one forgets just how wonderful basketball times were last season. Last season ratiopharm Ulm didn´t lose their first regular season game until April 8^th against FC Bayern Munich where they pulled out 27 victories in a row setting off a new kind of excitement never witnessed before by a team other than a Bamberg or Alba Berlin or the Bayer Giants Leverkusen back in the day. But the club was unable to finish the job last season in the playoffs as all were expecting a Bamberg-ULM final, but instead lost a hard fought five game series against the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg. Their unstoppable offense fascinated everyone last season and rebounding helped them get out of jams on many occasions, but without their arsenal of offensive weapons, they would have landed farther back in the playoff places on account of their inconsistent defense. This season has been a nightmare so far for ratiopharm Ulm as they started off 1-5 and for anyone that took a three week vacation to the outback and were offline and came back and saw the BBL standings wouldn´t have believed the 1-5 start something that just seemed impossible on paper. Nobody expected the club to start as well as last season, but these horrible start shows just how valuable the loses of ex NBA player Chris Babb, top center Raymar Morgan, Augustine Rubit, Braydon Hobbs and Karsten Tadda was for the overall team chemistry. Their offense is far from reaching their peak and defense continues to be their achilles heel as they allow 80 points per game. But they have another potent offense as always and now it depends on just how good a coach Thorsten Leibenath is to get out of this black hole. In the last weeks, it has gotten better as the club is quietly climbing up the BBL ladder with a three game winning streak and currently in 10^th position.

Besides keeping their talented young Germans like David Kramer, Joschka Ferner, Bjoern Rohwer and Hungarian Marcell Pongo, the club also held on to Per Guenther, Da´sean Butler and Tim Ohlbrecht. Guenther is a 185cm point guard that will be turning 30 this season and is wedged between Rickey Paulding(since 2007 in Oldenburg) and Quantez Robertson(since 2009 in Frankfurt) as he arrived in Ulm in 2008 from Hagen and is the club´s absolute identity figure. His back problems have been persistent, but the ex German national player still belongs to the best point guards from Germany. He is trying to find his lethal three point accuracy from 2012-2015 where he averaged an amazing 47% and last season played 38 games averaging 8.0ppg, 1.2rpg, 3.4apg, FGP: 38.6%, 3PT: 35.2%, FT: 88.0%; In the Eurocup, he played 7 games averaging 9.1ppg, 1.0rpg, 2.9apg, FGP: 36.8%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 84.6%. The German now has the task of not only leading his team to success, but grooming Ismet Akpinar and helping him reach the next level., Da´sean Butler is a 201cm forward from New Jersey that played at West Virginia(NCAA) and was drafted by the Miami Heat in 2010 and is playing his third season with Ulm. He has experience having played in countries like Latvia, Belgium, France and the D-League. Last season for ratiopharm Ulm he played 28 BBL games averaging 10.4ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 53.7%, 3PT: 35.5%, FT: 79.7%; In the Eurocup, he played 13 games averaging 9.0ppg, 4.0rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 51.4%, 3PT: 32.9%, FT: 60.0%. The versatile American who can play both forward positions will be relied on to help carry the team since he has been a consistent contributor the last two years and be a good role model for the new players. Tim Ohlbrecht is a 30 year old 201cm forward/center playing his third season with the team. The ex NBA player who played 3 games with Houston is the most experienced player on the squad playing his first BBL game at age 16 with Leverkusen and also played for teams like Bonn ,Frankfurt and Enisey Krasnoyarsk (Russia-VTB). Last season the two time D-League champion was plagued with injuries and played only 16 games averaging 12.4ppg, 4.4rpg, FGP-2(69.1%), 3PT: 43.8%, FT: 88.9%; In the Eurocup, he played 8 games averaging 9.1ppg, 3.1rpg, FGP: 55.8%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 72.2%. His inside out game and experience will help the team most this season.

Besides Joseph Lewis, the team also brought in five new players with ex NBA players Luke Haragody and Toure Murray as well as Ryan Thompson, Isaac Fotu and Ismet Akpinar. The club has been known of liking to haul in ex NBA players and with Harangody did just that. The 29 year old 202cm undersized forward is an ex Notre Dame(NCAA) standout who averaged 21,8ppg and 9,1rpg as a senior and was drafted by the Boston Celtics in 2010 playing 70 NBA games for Boston and Cleveland. He has had a solid European career since 2013 playing in Russia, Spain and Turkey and the last two seasons balled for Darussafaka Dogus Istanbul (Turkey-BSL) playing 23 games averaging 8.8ppg, 4.9rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 66.7%, 3PT: 38.2%, FT: 74.1%;In the Euroleague, he played 28 games averaging 3.9ppg, 2.5rpg. His 62 Euroleague games will help the team as well as his consistent scoring and rebounding and should be that Jack Cooley type dominant player in the BBL. Murray is a 29 year old 196cm American that can play the positions 1-3 and is in his second season in Europe. Last season he played with Yesilgiresun Belediye (Turkey-BSL playing 6 games averaging 8.3ppg, 3.7rpg, 3.0apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 41.4%, 3PT: 26.3%, FT: 78.6%. After playing only 75 NBA games for teams like New York, Washington and Utah and playing with 5 G-League teams, the American is concentrating on Europe. He could easily be an impact player overseas, but so far hasn´t found his place in the Ulm rotation. His defense, scoring and creative impulses will only help ratiopharm Ulm get back on track if he gets the chance. Ryan Thompson is a 29 year old 198cm forward playing his eighth professional season and third in Germany after stops in Bamberg and Bonn. The ex Rider(NCAA) standout has extensive experience having played in Italy, Belgium, Serbia and Turkey. Last season the Belgium cup winner with Ostende played with the Telekom Baskets Bonn (Germany-BBL) playing 35 BBL games averaging 13.7ppg, 2.1rpg, 3.1apg, FGP: 60.3%, 3PT: 40.3%, FT: 84.2%; In the FIBA Europe Cup, he played 12 games averaging 9.6ppg, 2.4rpg, 4.9apg, FGP: 58.2%, 3PT: 28.0%, FT: 72.7%. The American could be the X-factor this season as the exceptional one on one player who can also shoot the three will be able to decide games in crunch-time. Isaac Fotu is a 24 year old 203cm forward that has the Tonga/New Zealand citizenship that played at the University of Hawaii (NCAA) and the last three seasons in the Spanish ACB and last season with Tecnyconta Zaragoza (Spain-Liga Endesa) played 32 games averaging 9.5ppg, 5.7rpg, FGP: 66.9%, 3PT: 8.7%, FT: 58.9%. The physical big man will bring the needed muscle and be a consistent scorer, but also an impact player on the defensive end. Ismet Akpinar is a 190cm point guard that is playing his fifth BBL season and is only 22 years of age. He made his breakthrough with Alba Berlin as Sasa Obradovic believed in his abilities and in the last two seasons got more responsibility and grew as a player and became a German national player last summer. Last season with Alba Berlin, he played 37 BBL games averaging 4.4ppg, 1.4rpg, 1.1apg; In the Eurocup, he played 14 games averaging 3.6ppg, 1.2rpg, 1.2apg. The German with Turkish roots is a good scoring point guard that likes the floater and can find his teammates will be a suitable back up to Guenther.The club recently brought in big man Jerrelle Benimon for inside insurance who is a 26 year old 203cm forward from Warrenton, Virginia playing his fourth professional season. After not getting a real chance at Georgetown, He finished at Towson (NCAA) and had a stellar senior season playing 32 games averaging 19.0ppg, Reb-3(11.6rpg), 3.7apg, 1.3bpg, FGP: 55.3%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 72.3%. AS a rookie he played one NBA game with the Utah Jazz, but stayed the rest of the season with the  Idaho Stampede (D-League) playing 44 games averaging 19.8ppg, 11.0rpg, 4.4apg, 1.1spg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 63.6%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 62.9%. He chased the bucks the last two seasons in China and last season played with Qingdao Double Star Eagles (China-CBA) playing 17 games averaging 18.9ppg, 10.4rpg, 2.4apg, 1.5spg, 1.5bpg, FGP: 58.3%, 3PT: 10.0%, FT: 72.3%. He will make an impact in the paint for the club.

So where will the journey of ratiopharm Ulm go this season?   On paper they are just as deep as last season, but with their immense loses especially with Babb and Morgan is lacking in having kept that dominant team chemistry of last season. When looking at the first nine games and 4-5 record, one could say they are underachieving and it can only get better. Their offense is only average and their defense so far is horrible which has resulted in the less than satisfactory start. In four of the first five loses they averaged giving up 85 points and played under expectations on offense. The season is still young and ratiopharm Ulm is going through a process that will only get better. New imports Ryan Thompson and usual consistent player Da´sean Butler are still searching for their groove while Toure Murray has been a bust. Those are three players that could help give the team between 30-40 points. Ratiopharm Ulm won´t win as many games as last season, but they will still reach the playoffs. The club will find their rhythm on offense and be an 80 plus scoring team, but their major goal will be to get some sort of defensive consistency which will be the difference between a longer playoff stay or a three and out playoff run. Ratiopharm Ullm will finish between 5-8 and in the playoffs anything is possible with a team like ratiopharm Ulm that has the personal to beat any team in a playoff series which they demonstrated over the last years reaching the final.

 

 

Michael Holton JR is a 26 year old 185cm guard from Portland, Oregon that is playing his second professional season and first in Germany with  RSV Eintracht Stahnsdorf (Germany-ProB).Currently he is averaging 19,6ppg, 4,7rpg and 3,4apg and shooting 44% from outside As a rookie two years ago he played with ECE Bulls Kapfenberg (Austria-A Bundesliga) playing 38 games averaging 8.4ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 42.3%, 3PT: 34.1%, FT: 75.7%; He also played 6 FIBA Europe Cup games averaging 10.7ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 46.4%, 3PT: 27.6%, FT: 87.5%. He started his basketball career in 2010 at St.Michael’s (NCAA2) and as a senior played 17 games averaging 14.9ppg, 3.8rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 55.0%, 3PT: 34.7%, FT: 79.6%. He spoke to German Hoops late in the summer about basketball.

 

 

 

 

Michael thanks for talking to German Hoops. It has been almost 16 months since your last professional game against Wels. Please explain how hungry you are to get back on the court in a professional game?

 

Hey Miles, thanks for having me I appreciate it. It’s been a long 16 months since that last professional game and I am extremely hungry to get back out on the floor and compete at a high level again.

 

 

You have signed with German Pro B team Stahnsdorf. How difficult was the last season not playing the game you love? Did you ever have doubt that your career would continue?

 

 

Watching this last season come and go without being on a team was a really difficult challenge for me to navigate. I’ve been on a team year after year since I was very young. There were definitely a lot of moments of frustration, but I never let doubt fully creep in and used my situation to fuel me to keep getting better and preparing for another opportunity.

 

 

You played your rookie season in Austria and now are coming to the German Pro B league. Do you feel pressure to have to really make a statement in your game or are you the type of player that just let´s the game come to you and let the rest fall in place?

 

As a competitor you always want to go out and make a statement with your performance, and for me that has always been important especially with trying to crack my way into the pros. Overall I am more of the type of player to let the game flow and have it come to me. Any pressure I have is never external and only internal as a driver to keep pushing forward and improving.

 

 

 

What was the main reason for you joining Stahnsdorf? What sold you most on coming to play for them?

 

I’ve wanted to play in Germany for some time now and the opportunity with Stahnsdorf is a good one for me. They believed in me enough to give me an opportunity after a “year off”. With the way their season ended last year and coming into this year you could say that some may have counted them out. I see my situation as a similar one, and think it’s a good fit for both the team and myself to go out there and turn things around this year.

 

 

You have been impressed by the motivation of the club in the early going. The club has two Americans with you and Josh Smith and talented Germans. What has impressed you most about this bunch of guys in the early going?

 

Everybody has been working really hard early on here in the preseason and I can really tell that we have a great group of guys who are ready to train hard and go out and compete.

The club has a new Head coach Denis Toroman who has coached in 8 countries. Have you felt his experience come through in the early going and what has impressed you most about his coaching style?

 

I really like Coach Toroman’s approach. He has a lot of on court experience and it’s clear that he knows a lot about the game, especially from the players’ perspective. With him playing previously at a high European level it comes out in his coaching style and he’s able to coach and take us through a lot of situations on the court as well as talk about the mindset you need to have as a player.

 

 

 

Let´s talk about your game. You are a point guard that demonstrated that you could score in college. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player to whom would you do that?

 

 

I like to think that everybody has their own game and playing style including myself, but Damian Lillard is one of my favorite guards to watch and if I could model my game after an NBA player it would be him.

 

 

What other strengths do you have? You never averaged more than 3,6apg. Do you feel like you could really heighten your playmaking this season and not be relied on so much to only score?

 

I shoot the ball very well and this has been a big part of my game and has also often enabled me to play off the ball for previous teams I’ve been on. Increasing my playmaking is definitely something I’m conscious of and want to continue improving in.

 

 

 

 

You’re a player that can really fill up the stat sheet, but what do you feel is a hidden strength in your game that doesn´t get noticed right away on the court?

 

 

My ability to set other guys up by keeping good spacing.

 

 

AS a rookie you played for ECE Bulls Kapfenberg (Austria-A Bundesliga) playing 38 games averaging 8.4ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 42.3%, 3PT: 34.1%, FT: 75.7%; You also played FIBA Europe Cup: playing 6 games averaging 10.7ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 46.4%, 3PT: 27.6%, FT: 87.5%. What was your wake up call to being a rookie in Europe where you knew that you were far away from home in Portland, Oregon?

 

I’d say the biggest wake up call for me as a rookie was seeing the business side of the game. Before reaching the professional level you don’t see guys on your team being sent home or new guys being added in the middle of the season as well as on the other teams in your league that you’re playing against. So just adjusting your mindset for that and being steady in your routines and controlling what you do was a big learning piece for me.

 

 

 

 

How vital was 35 year old veteran Shawn Ray in your rookie season. Did he take you under his wing in the early game and what did you appreciate most by his presence?

 

I’m extremely glad that I had Shawn Ray as a veteran on my team in my first season. He definitely took me under his wing as a rookie and we’re still close today and talk to each other pretty often. I learned a lot from him and really admire how he has turned coming from a smaller college into a lengthy and successful professional career abroad. He embodies what it is to be a pro from his professionalism on the court to his consistency in his routines off the court that have always kept him in shape and ready.

 

You had some big games in the Austrian league and also hit Cantu and Boras for 20 plus points in the Fiba Europe Cup. Will you keep these highlights in the back of your mind this season when you continue your quest of climbing the basketball ladder in Europe?

 

Sure. I think that you can always use experiences and learn from both the good and the bad. So I look at the moments where I wasn’t at my best and keep working to improve on those areas and situations, and then with the highlights I use them as confidence for myself that I belong and that I can keep climbing and moving forward in my career.

 

 

Your dad played in the NBA in the 80´s with teams Phoenix, Chicago, Portland and Charlotte, coached at the college ranks and is a color man for the Portland Trailblazers at the moment. How was it growing up with an NBA dad and what special NBA stories do you have?

 

 

What stands out most for me having a dad who played in the NBA and coached in college is that I’ve always been able to be around the game and continually watch and learn. I’ve been in gyms for as long as I can remember and have observed a lot. He played in a golden era of the NBA with and against a lot of legends, there’s just too many stories to tell one. His path wasn’t clear cut and he bounced around a bit with the CBA and was on a couple of 10-day contracts at times but he turned it into 6 years in the league. I’ve always admired the drive he had to keep pursuing his career.

 

 

 

You played at ST Michaels from 2010-2015 . You had many memorable games, but was your 36 points game in the win against Bentley your most memorable experience on the court?

That was a special game individually for me, but my most memorable game at Saint Mike’s would be one from my sophomore season on the road at Southern Connecticut State. We were the underdog and it went into 4 overtimes, we pulled out the win, and had 3 guys score over 20. A lot of big time plays were made from everybody on the team to pull out the win and the feeling afterwards was really special.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How did head coach Josh Meyer groom and prepare you best for a professional basketball career?

 

 

Coach Meyer took over as head coach for my last 2 seasons and he really helped me mentally to mature as a player and a leader especially at a time when I went from being an underclassman to being in my final years.

 

 

 

Who won a one on one in practice you or Corey Crawford?

 

 

Corey Crawford is one of the hardest working players I know and we spent a lot of time preparing together in the off-seasons. We had a mutual admiration and respect for each other’s games. I’ll tell you that I would win one on one every time against him, and he would tell you that he’d win one on one against me every time. That’s just how we are as competitors. So, me. I would win.

 

 

Who was the toughest player you battled in the states in high school or college time that is in the NBA or in Europe now?

 

There’s a lot of guys I could mention. Avery Bradley and I were on the same AAU team for a brief period in high school, on the Portland Legends. He was a killer on both ends of the floor. Going against him consistently in practices getting ready for tournaments, I saw why he’s an elite defender and starter in the NBA now.

 

 

 

 

 

If you had to construct your own NBA Rushmore which 4 heads would you chose?

 

 

 

Jordan, Kareem, Magic, LeBron.

 

 

 

Lebron James failed to win his fourth NBA title and is still three away from Michael Jordan. Where does Lebron stand right now in your opinion in the never ending debate of who is the best of all-time?

 

Jordan is the best to ever do it. LeBron is also unlike any player we’ve seen before and his career is far from finished. Depending on how he ends his career he could end up being the greatest.

 

 

 

 

There has been criticism of Russell Westbrook to be focusing more on rebounding to help inflate his stats and possibilities of getting triple doubles instead of focusing on his defensive assignments. Do you feel that this is a fair assessment to the player Russell Westbrook?

 

 

I think that people have always and will always have something negative to say about Westbrook for some reason. Do you realize how special you have to be to inflate a stat like rebounding? I think that’s silly. The guy is incredible and anybody who averages a triple double is doing something valuable for their team. He deserved MVP.

 

 

 

 

How do you summarize the 2017 NBA Draft. What sleepers do you see playing a role in the NBA?

 

 

 

This year’s draft was loaded with talent and exciting players. I think maybe 2nd rounder Jordan Bell will find his niche. He plays great defense and has a good motor. He could end up being another valuable piece for the Warriors.

 

Where will the journey of the Houston Rockets go this season with Chris Paul and James Harden in the back court. Do they have enough to make a serious run at the title or is something missing?

 

I really don’t know what to expect from this situation. They’re two of the top guards in the league with the ball in their hands. It will be exciting to watch how they share roles on the team and see how it will elevate the players around them. Rockets have some good defenders and shooters which makes them tough, but the West is just going to be really hard to get out of.

 

 

 

 

How do you rate the Kyrie Irving-Isaiah Thomas trade? Who got the better deal and which team will profit better in the long run?

 

I was shocked when I saw this trade go through. Both teams lost and received value. Cavs got more in the short term, and a lot obviously depends on if LeBron remains there for a while or not. If Kyrie fits well in Boston they could be in a great position for some years to come due to the young talent that he will have around him.

 

 

 

 

What was the last movie that you saw?

 

Get Out.

 

Thanks Michael for the chat.