Jordan Talbert is a 25 year old 198cm forward from Little Rock, Arkansas that is playing his second professional season with the Giants Nordlingen. He came to Germany as a rookie last season and played with the Giants TSV 1861 Noerdlingen (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 26 games: 21.6ppg, 9.6rpg, 3.2apg, 2.0spg, Blocks-4(1.5bpg), FGP: 51.7%, 3PT: 28.9%, FT: 78.4%. He played his college career at Missouri SO(NCAA2) from 2010-2014 and as a senior played 31 games averaging 11.7ppg, 7.4rpg, 2.9apg, 1.1spg, 1.7bpg, FGP: 44.8%, 3PT: 37.0%, FT: 70.1%. He spoke to German Hoops after the big 84-59 win in game one against Oldenburg.

 

 

Jordan congrats on the huge 84-59 win against Oldenburg for the 1-0 series win. How was the two week preparation different for this Pro B north team then it was for the Pro B south teams this season?

The preparation wasn’t much different. We just had more time to do it. We prepared the same as always which is focusing on playing at our best instead of worrying about what the opponent does.

How exciting was this game for you? It was your first playoff game as a professional. Did you have some nerves at the start or was it a normal game for you?

 I was very excited for the game especially since we had a 2 week break leading up to it. I’m nervous before every game but once the game began the nerves always goes away.

At halftime Nordlingen had the overwhelming 49-23 lead. How much % of the game plan had the Giants successfully completed after the first 20 minutes?

 We definitely executed our game plan to great satisfaction. We came out and played team basketball at an extremely high level.

Nordlingen was defending great in the first half and had a good offensive rhythm going early. Was this Nordlingen basketball that the team was playing where everything was working?

Yes this was one of those rare games when the team comes out and the chemistry is at its full potential. We’ve had a couple games like this early in the year so it was perfect that we could start the playoffs this way.

You led by as much as 34 points in the third quarter. Was it tough to focus at times in a big lead or was the big lead a benefit more by how they were playing?

We’ve given up big leads before. You want to ease up sometimes but we know that the minute we do we give them confidence which can carry over to the next game and ultimately change the series. We really just wanted to keep our intensity and focus at the same level it was the entire game.

Winning the rebound duel 35-34 may not seem like much, but Oldenburg has a huge size advantage over Nordlingen. How proud are you of the team that they were able to match up well down low?

Rebounding has been a struggle for us sometimes this year. For us to win the rebounding against a bigger more physical opponent is something to be really proud of.

How confident are you that when the big three score in double figures plus two more players with Leo Vrkas and Kwame Duku that you will go very far in the playoffs?

I definitely like when we’re all scoring because it means we’re playing as a team and makes us extremely tough to guard. I think our effort on the defensive end was the most impressive thing. When we guard like we did then rebound and get out in transition it makes our offense that much potent.

How much did the defensive energy of American Brandon Lockhart spark Nordlingen in game one?

Brandon did a great job of disrupting their offense and making their guards uncomfortable. He’s really good at reading plays and picks good spots to get in the passing lanes.

You almost played 40 minutes How did you feel after 40 minutes? Did the two week break benefit your conditioning a bit?

Yea the two week break definitely helped. I felt good physically going into the game. After the game I was pretty tired but I’m sure I’ll be ready to go again for game 2.

You scored 13 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and getting six assists while getting two steals and two blocks. It wasn´t your best shooting game, but were you happy that you contributed in so many other areas?

Yes I think that’s the best part of my game. Even if I’m not able to score I think I can still find ways to help the team win. My teammates picked up the scoring slack for me and I got to contribute in other areas of the game.

Nordlingen can wrap the series next weekend in Oldenburg. Nordlingen had 17 steals in game one. Will another defensive effort like in game one get you the win even if the offense isn´t as sharp getting 28 assists and more points in game 2?

It’s going to take great effort on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. We know they’re going to come out with high energy and motivation to stay in the league. We’re going to have to weather the storm and just play our game that’s gotten us to this point.

Were you surprised by so many upsets in the NCAA March Madness? Is there more parity with NCAA schools than possibly in the past?

There’s always a good amount of upsets every so no I wasn’t surprised at all. Anything can happen when it’s single game elimination. You know there are going to be upsets you just have to choose which team.

What sleepers that are alive now do you see possibly making a run in the 2016 NCAA March Madness?

 I haven’t really kept up with the NCAA this year because of the time difference. But from what I’ve seen I like Iowa St. I think Niang is a great versatile player with enough skill and experience to lead his team to a championship.

What was the last movie that you saw?

 Deadpool.

 

Thanks Jordan for the chat.

 

Ricky Easterling is a 32 year old 190cm guard from Baltimore playing his 10 professional season in Germany and over the years has been crowned Mr Regionaliga as he averaged over 30 points three times with TV Saarlouis and is now playing his second season in the German Pro B and belongs to the top 3 players there. Before moving to Saarlouis in 2007 he played at Bridgewater (NCAA3) and then as a rookie played with TSG Reutlingen (Germany-Oberliga and  Bergheim Bandits (Germany-Regionalliga). Last season with TV Saarlouis he played 28 games: Score-1(22.9ppg), 4.5rpg, Assists-4(5.3apg), 1.4spg, FGP: 55.2%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 86.1%. Currently he is averaging 22,7ppg, 3,9rpg and 4,1apg. He spoke to German Hoops before the start of the German Pro B playdown series.

 

 

Ricky thanks for talking to German Hoops. A tough 92-80 loss against Weissenhorn over the weekend. At the end of your second regular season in the German Pro B, how sick and tired are you of playing catch up basketball?

I’m sick and tired of playing catch up for a while now. It has been a tough 2 seasons. But regardless I am blessed to be here and remain thankful and humble for this opportunity.

Weissenhorn did everything better on the stat sheet except having one turnover more. What positive thing could you take out of this game?

For me it is hard to find setting positive to take out of this game. We didn’t play well and the stats and the results show that. But my young boy Edgar Schwarz got good minutes and played very well.

What does it say for the quality of Weissenhorn when there were only three guys in double figures and all were Germans and big talent Joschka Ferner who had 37 points last weekend wasn´t one of them?

They have a good group of young talent on their team. Many of those guys will be playing big minutes in the BBL in the near future!

You see the best young German talent every weekend in the German Pro B. Joschka Ferner only had 9 points against Saarlouis, but played Eurocup at age 16 with ratiopharm Ulm. How much potential does this kid have?

He is a big talent here in Germany and his stats show it. Has good size and a very good jump shot. I look forward to watching him in the future and I telling people I had the chance to play against him.

You had your best scoring game of the season with 33 points. With experience is there anyway you can still somewhat enjoy your good personal performances despite getting a loss?

Scoring 30+ is nothing new to me so I do not look at that as such a big deal. Wins are more important to me. So if we won this game and I had 0 points I would enjoy that more than scoring 30+ and losing

Saarlouis is back in the playdowns like last season. What is your regular season summary? What were the positives and negatives of the season?

Looking positively on the season I think we have made some improvements simply because we had the chance to win many more games this season than last. Even though our record does not show that you can look back at the box scores and find the evidence. To reflect negatively on the season we just did not have what it takes to win these close games and for me that is disappointing. We had many games where maybe one possession made the difference and we keep coming up on the losing side. Hopefully we can improve on that in the play downs.

How frustrating was it for the team to lose 3-4 games where you defended very good, but couldn´t put up points on the board?

That is very frustrating because we have the quality to win games and be good offensively but we just couldn’t put it together in these games.

Saarlouis averaged giving up 80 points in the regular season. Why couldn´t the team find any real consistency on the defensive end and what will have to improve to let up less points in the playdowns?

I don’t want to go into detail because that is something we as a team keep to ourselves. But the fact of the matter is we just have to be able to defend better night in and night out. There is a lot of talent in this league and it will not be easy. But I believe in my team and I think in the play downs we will be a team that will show what we are truly made of offensively and defensively.

Your stats are pretty much the same from last season, but you averaged more assists last season. What is your summary of the regular season of your own game?

I was playing more point guard last year so I had the responsibility to get my teammates more involved as well as being a scorer . Even though that aspect is something I have in my game regardless if I play the point or on the wing, this season being on the wing and playing more off the ball I feel I didn’t have the opportunity to create for others like the season before. I feel there is always room for improvement in my game regardless of how well I might play. So I am never satisfied and think some of my numbers could have been better then what they are.

After another season of experience in the German Pro B how do you feel your game matured this season?

I feel I understand the game better at this level. It is definitely stronger than the Regionalliga and I think I have matured as a leader being that leadership was something that was needed from me more than ever this season.

Saarlouis now plays against Speyer. How important is it that the team won the season series?

I think it gives us more confidence knowing that we can beat this team. But that does not mean that we will just go out there and win. We still need to come to the game ready to play and do what we need to do in order to walk away with the win.

In both games you combined for 48 points while Speyer American DJ Woodmore had 44 points, but 34 points in one game. How key will it be containing him?

He is their top scorer and they look to him to produce for them every game. I think it is important to keep him under control and force others to score if we want to win this game

What else will be key in this series to come out on top? I think the bench will play a big role.

Bench production will play a factor but I think our defense will tell the story in this one. If we can play good defense and make stops, it will lead to easy offense and give us the momentum we need to control the pace of the game.

As you get older, what do you appreciate most about being able to play the game so long and still belong to the top class at that level?

I appreciate just having the opportunity to play basketball overseas. It was always a dream of mine to continue basketball after college and I am living. Could ask for nothing better. To be here so long and to be considered as one of the tip players at this level is a honor. I work hard every day and appreciate the recognition of my contribution to my team

 

Some of the older NBA players that played at different times are having a hard time giving Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors credit for their success saying they might not have had that success 20-30 years ago. Are these former players just jealous or why can´t they just give credit where it´s due?

I find that the old school are the originators of the game and set the path for the players and teams of today. So without them there would be no us today. But I do believe GSW are making history with their great season deserve to be recognized for it.

Recently ESPN made a top 100 greatest NBA players of alltime poll putting Lebron at #3 before legends Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and BIll Russell. Do you see that as being justified?

 I can’t really call it. I guess if the experts say so then he must deserve to be there. One can argue for it or against it, but I’m going to plead the 5th.

What was the last movie that you saw?

The hateful 8 by Quentin Tarantino.

Thanks Ricky for the chat.

 

Hayden Lescault is a 23 year old 196cm guard from Folsam, California playing his rookie season with BG Karlsruhe. He played at Point Loma (NCAA2) from 2011-2015 and as a senior played 21 games averaging 11.5ppg, 4.1rpg, 3.7apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 52.9%, 3PT: 29.7%, FT: 78.7%. In his junior season he won the NCAA 2 title and played : 30 games: 16.6ppg, 3.5rpg, 3.8apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 52.4%, 3PT: 38.8%, FT: 72.5%. He spoke to German Hoops before the playoff series against Rechklingshausen

 

 

Hayden, thanks for talking to German Hoops. A big crunch time win against Ehingen to end the regular season. How good did it feel to get them back after they won the first meeting 76-67?

It felt great to get a little revenge on those guys and it’s always nice to win the last game of the season heading into playoffs. Especially a win against a strong team like Ehingen.

What was ultimately key in crunch time for BG Karlsruhe coming away with another victory?

Well we’ve played in a lot of close games this year and we have been able to pull out wins in most. I think the experience that we’ve picked up as team from those games helps keep us poise and confident in the fourth quarter of close games.

Since we last spoke, BG Karlsruhe finished the season with a 19-3- record. How has the team grown since the 77-70 loss in Frankfurt?

Everyone has stepped up their game and we are really playing well as a team. Also, the way we are committing to defense has been important down the stretch.

What really stands out in this stretch was the ability to continue to win tight games which you did 5 times since the loss in Frankfurt. Is it only the vast experience that the team has that gives you this ability?

Yeah the experience plays a big part in that and we also have a lot of guys who are reliable down the stretch. We all have trust in each other and I think that really helps in crunch time.

BG Karlsruhe has also been able to keep this healthy balance of consistent offense and defense. Do you believe just having this veteran presence all season long has given the younger guys added self confidence which in turn has sparked their play?

Absolutely, the young guys have been improving all year long and have been a big factor in helping the team get to where we are.

How valuable was the pick up of Paul Brotherson as added insurance and energy from the bench?

Paul had been a great pick up for us. He’s a very efficient player and helps us at both ends of the floor. Being a former BG player, he came in already knowing the culture around here and most of the players so it was a smooth transition getting him used to playing with this team.

How hungry is the veteran trio of Marcus Smallwood, Jeremy Black and Rouven Roessler to show basketball Germany that they still have what it takes to take a team up another level?

They are extremely determined to move up. They have all proven that they are still some of the top players in the league and their leadership has been critical. They constantly remind the team that the playoffs are a whole other monster so we can never get complacent with our #1 seed.

As a rookie your averaging 14,1ppg, 3,2rpg and 2,6apg while shooting 35% from outside. How happy have you been with your rookie season?

This has been a good start for me. Coming overseas you never really know what to expect, but Karlsruhe has been a great place to start my career and to help lead a team to the top record in the league is just icing on the cake.

Did the end of the regular season in a long season somewhat play with your body as your didn´t finish as strong in the scoring department?

No not really, my body feels great but there were a couple games there toward the end where some other guys had it going so I didn’t need to try to do a whole lot of scoring.

Since the loss in Frankfurt where you went 5/5 from outside, you have been struggling from downtown. Except for a 3/5 shooting night against Leipzig, your shooting 7/28 since the Frankfurt loss. With 2 weeks between games, will there be a new Hayden Lescault from downtown in game one against Recklingshausen?

Absolutely. I have a lot of confidence in my shot and in these two weeks I’ll have plenty of time to get a lot of reps up.

What kind of role do you want to play in the playoffs? Do you see yourself stepping up your game even more?

I don’t think the way we play as a team will change much at all because it has been working all year long. So for me, I’m just planning to come out with a lot of energy and I’ll step up my game if that’s what the team needs.

How excited are you to be playing an unknown team like Reckilingshausen that you haven´t seen yet this season?

I can’t wait.

BG Karlsruhe better not take Recklingshausen lighty even if they finished in eighth with a record of 9-13. They finished the season with a 4 game winning streak and have some real good players with Robert Franklin, Joe Kennerly and Cavel Witter. What will be key in getting to the next round?

Not taking them lightly, playing to our strengths, and execution.

Some of the older NBA players that played at different times are having a hard time giving Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors credit for their success saying they might not have had that success 20-30 years ago. Are these former players just jealous or why can´t they just give credit where it´s due?

They’re not jealous… they are crazy. Steph Curry is unreal!

Recently ESPN made a top 100 greatest NBA players of alltime poll putting Lebron at #3 before legends Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and BIll Russell. Do you see that as being justified?

I do, LeBron is one of a kind.

What was the last movie that you saw?

Deadpool.

Thanks Hayden for the chat.

 

Elijah Allen is a 26 year old 195cm swing man from Columbus, Ohio that is playing his fourth professional season in Germany and second with Lich. He started his basketball career at NW Missouri St. (NCAA2) in 2007 where he played until 2011 playing a total of 103 NCAA games and as a senior played 26 games: 14.9ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.1apg, FG: 44.8%, 3Pts: 23.1%, FT: 74.8%. He came to Germany in 2012 and played his first two seasons for the VfB 1900 Giessen Pointers (Germany-Regionalliga) and in the 2013-2014 season played 26 games averaging 20.0ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.3apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 58.7%, 3PT: 30.7%, FT: 68.4%. Last season for the Licher Basket Baeren he played 28 games: 10.4ppg, 4.1rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 54.9%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 72.2% He spoke to German Hoops  before the begin of the 2016 Pro B play downs.

 

Elijah thanks for talking to German Hoops. You closed out the regular season with a big 93-72 win against the BIS Baskets Speyer. How important was this win for the self confidence of the team for the play downs?

Hello Miles. Thanks a lot for the interview. Last weekends game were very important especially for our young guys. Basketball is all about confidence and we will need it going into these last 6 games.

The team also saved the last regular season game to score their most points of the season. Did the team feel more relaxed than usual?

We made some tough shots for sure but I don’t feel this game was more relaxed than others. I feel we are a competitive team that just caught the case of being inconsistent some games this season.

A lot of the role players and young Germans were involved in the scoring. How key will the bench be in the series against Wurzburg?

Our bench has been the key all season. We don’t rely on just one or two people to do all the scoring. Every player has had a good scoring game this season.

How key was it that American Lamar Mallory had a big 29 point 14 rebound game after being out for a month with an injury?

 I am really happy he is back and didnt have a major season ending injury. Having a good game this past weekend is really important for his confidence . After having an injury it can be hard to get your confidence back right way because a lot of times you can be hesitant to not reinjure yourself. I know he will carry this confidence into the play downs and continue to play well.

In the time where Mallory was out, Lich still had a 2-1 record without his services. How was Lich able to compensate the loss of the American best in this period?

 We missed Mallory a lot especially on the defensive end. He makes a lot of plays for us that don’t show up in the stat sheet. We really had to fight together as a team to pick up those 2 wins.

Lich did a pretty good job on the defensive end this season giving up an average of only 74 points, but often would come back the next game and give up 90 points. Why did the team continue to have these breakdowns all season long?

We try to play defense at a high rhythm with a lot of pressure and doing unordinary rotations to try and confuse the offense. Some nights it really works and other nights teams figure it out at a high pace.

You really stepped it up offensively in the last few games. Did you let the game come more to you then usual or how did you explain this scoring explosion?

 I have just been playing aggressive and just trying to read what the defense gives me. Our point guard Nil Angelats has really done a great job in getting me into positions to score the ball at a high rate.

You only made three three pointers last season and 24 this season and 12 in the last two games. Did the Steph Curry fascination inspire you?

 HAHA! I would never try to duplicate what Steph Curry is doing right now. It is truly amazing to watch him hit these crazy shots over and over and over. Personally my shot selection comes from what the defense gives me and I try to make the right read at the right time. Teams are playing off me because I like to drive the ball. I am just taking what the teams are giving me.

Do you see yourself keeping up the offensive aggressiveness in the playoffs or will you go back to your usual play of being a glue guy that does much, but not necessarily have to score much?

 I am the type of player that likes to read the game. If needed I can score the ball and if not I have no problem doing the little things to win games.

Do you see yourself taking on an even bigger role in the play downs simply because you have experience from last season as Lich has many young guys this season?

 I think just as a leader I need to keep this team focused and encouraged. Not making playoffs is a bit of a disappointment. We were one maybe two games away from being in the playoffs right now. We need to now focus on winning the next game so that we can keep the team in the league. I am very confident in our team and it has been fun seeing the development of our youth.

You split the season series with Wurzburg 1-1. What will be key to getting that first win?

 Wurzburg is a team that I felt also deserved to be in the playoffs. They are very talented and have good victories this season. They were also inconsistent like we were. We will have to focus on the defensive end to come away with a victory against them. They are a good club with good players.

How key will it be to containing German Felix Hoffman that registered two double doubles against Lich this season?

 Felix Hoffman is a good player that competes hard every night. He is undersized at the 4 position and makes teams pay offensively from his quickness and strength. He is a good player and will get his stats. Keeping everyone else under control will be our main focus.

How did you see the NBA trades recently at the deadline? What teams did the best?

 I thought the Joe Johnson trade to the  Miami Heat was a really bad one for the Nets. Joe Johnson is one of the highest paid players in the NBA and Brooklyn got nothing in return for him. I really like the trade for the Heat. Now they just need to hope Chris Bosh can return and play.

Some of the older NBA players that played at different times are having a hard time giving Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors credit for their success saying they might not have had that success 20-30 years ago. Are these former players just jealous or why can´t they just give credit where it´s due?

 In a way I understand what the older players are saying. The game was way more physical 20 or 30 years ago. Defense in the NBA is not the same as it is now. The pace and passion was also different. I can’t picture Curry making some of these plays on legends like Gary Payton. He would have hurt Curry before he let all these shots go in HAHA!

Recently ESPN made a top 100 greatest NBA players of alltime poll putting Lebron at #3 before legends Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and BIll Russell. Do you see that as being justified?

Like I said in my previous answer I feel the time period is just too different to really give a rating who was better than the next man. Lebron is a great talent and is the best easily in this generation.

What was the last movie that you saw?

 Deadpool.

 

Thanks Elijah for the chat.

 

Luke Loucks is a 25 year old 196cm guard from Clearwater, Florida playing his fourth professional season and first in Germany with the Hebeisen White Wings Hanau (Germany-ProA). He started his basketball career with Florida St. (NCAA) in 2008 where he played until 2012 playing a total of 136 NCAA games. He reached the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2011 and as a senior played 35 games averaging 7.1ppg, 3.3rpg, 4.3apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 44.2%, 3PT: 34.4%, FT: 70.8%. In 2012 he started his professional season with VEF Riga (Latvia-LBL): VTB League: 6 games: 1.5ppg; VTB United League: 6 games: 1.5ppg; Latvian LBL: 4 games: 1.8ppg, 3.3rpg, 5.3apg, in Jan.’13 moved to Forex Time Apollon (Cyprus-Division A) playing 11 games: 10.4ppg, 3.3rpg, 6.4apg, FGP: 54.1%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 76.5%. In the 2013-2014 season he played with the Kangoeroes Basket Willebroek (Belgium-Ethias League): 26 games: 10.3ppg, 3.3rpg, Assists-2(4.7apg), FGP: 43.2%, 3PT: 30.3%, FT: 77.9%. Last season he played with the t Erie Bay Hawks (D-League): 10 games: 4.0ppg, 2.3rpg, 3.4apg, in Feb.’15 moved back to Maine Red Claws (D-League): 9 games: 2.4ppg, 1.2rpg, 2.2apg. He spoke to German Hoops after the wins against Rent4Office and Trier.

 

 

Luke thanks for talking to German Hoops. Congrats on a successful weekend with wins against Rent4Office and the Gladiators Trier. Have the Hebeisen White Wings Hanau finally peaked or do you still seeing that happen in the next games?

Thank you, Miles. It is an exciting time of the year as a basketball player and as a basketball fan. I do not think our team has peaked, as surprising as that may sound. I still believe our best basketball is ahead of us and that is the attitude we bring every day when we show up for work.

After remembering the first game against the Gladiators Trier being a 76-58 victory at home, with what kind of an approach did the Hebeisen White Wings go into this game with?

We all know how talented Trier is. On film during our preparation we saw that they really have been playing great basketball since the Christmas break. We had the goal of matching Trier’s intensity and physicality and tried to use their aggressive defense to our advantage with back door cuts, spacing, and ball movement.

The Gladiators Trier made a last run in the fourth quarter, but overall how pleased were you that the Hebeisen White Wings did a good job keeping control of the game in the second half?

I was very pleased with our effort and intensity all game. This was a huge defensive game for us. Trier made a great run in the second half to catch up but we remained composed under pressure and stuck to our game plan: play hard nosed defense, rebound, and share the ball on offense to find easy shots.

How fitting was it that American Kruize Pinkins hit a big bucket late in the fourth to put keep the Gladiators Trier at bay?

Kruize will tell you, we don’t really care who scores. We just try to find the best shot available every possession. Kruize made some big baskets all game under heavy defense, which he has done frequently all year.

Kruize Pinkins scored 38 points on the weekend as he was as usual on fire and a big factor in Hanau getting two wins. Do you feel that he has stepped up his game extra in the last weeks in keeping this spectacular run by the team going?

KP is really growing as a young professional. He is very active and scores more on will than on skill. His motor is always going and he just outworks people around the basket. He is really playing great basketball for a rookie and has helped us tremendously this season, especially in the past few games.

American Dane Johnson really has stepped up his game since the Gotha game. How vital will his production coupled with Kruize Pinkins be for the further success of the team this season?

Dane has been very productive for us lately. He has a big, strong body and is efficient around the rim. Coach has rewarded his production with an increase in playing time and it is helping our team having a duel threat down low with Kruize and Dane scoring and rebounding at a high level.

Since the last interview, the Hebeisen White Wings have a 3-1 record and despite a 77-71 loss against the Hamburg Towers, have given up an average of 67 points in the last three wins. Have the players grown to understand the urgency of defending well now at this stage of the season?

We feel that our defense is our best quality and has won us a few close games in the second half of the season. We have a great sense of urgency on defense and try to defend every possession like the last possession of the game. In basketball, especially at the end of the season, more teams will win close games with great defense than with good offense.

If you look at the standings now, there is a real dog fight for the last playoff spots as Chemnitz, Nurnburg, Baunach and Hanau all have 26 points. Has the excitement sunk in for you or are you still waiting for it to happen?

As excited as we are from a few huge wins for our club, we are remaining level headed. We have to play the two best teams in the league, Jena and Vechta, and understand that both of these games will be incredibly difficult to win. We are excited for the challenge to fight for a spot in the playoffs against the best teams in the league.

Before the weekend and two wins, Kruize Pinkins told me that every game is a playoff game for Hanau. The team treated the last two games as playoff games. Will the team heighten their approach and take the last two big games against SC Rasta Vecta and Science City Jena as game 7 type games?

I think that every game, from the past three wins to the next two games, we have and will continue to treat as game 7 type scenarios. Essentially, if we lose we are out of the playoffs. We are giving every ounce of effort and energy into every possession knowing that we are fighting for something that our club thought would be impossible to start the season.

The Hebeisen White Wings lost both games this season to Vecta and Jena, but both loses were at the start of the season where you were 1-6. You are a totally different team now. How confident are you that the Hebeisen White Wings will do special things in these two games?

I did not have the chance to play against Vechta on the first game of the season as my paperwork was not submitted by game time, unfortunately. I am really looking forward to playing against them as they are clearly a top team in the league and have aspirations to move up to the BBL. But first, we have a huge game at home against Jena. The last time we played Jena we were a completely different team. We were dealing with quite a few injuries and were not nearly as competitive, cohesive, and together as we are now. We played them really well in the first half and they kicked our butt in the second half to beat us at their place. We obviously respect Jena’s talent but we will be ready to fight next weekend in front of a good crowd in Hanau.

Simon Cote continues to do a marvelous job keeping the team focused and prepared each weekend. Are you looking forward to hearing the game plans for the last two games which could separate him between savior and legend?

Coach Simon Cote and Assistant Coach Ryan Pannone have done a tremendous job as first year coaches in Pro A. They are both “players coaches” and have our respect and attention. They have exceeded the managements expectations. They spend countless hours preparing with breaking down film and scouting our opponents and then applying it in a way that will help us succeed on the court. I’m sure Simon will have a great game plan for these final two matches. One thing I enjoy with Coach Simon is he really values our opinion and will gladly welcome suggestions on what we are comfortable with instead of being a dictator and forcing us to play schemes a certain way that may not gel with our roster or the match ups that we have for a certain game.

With March Madness commencing this week, what teams do you see making noise this time around?

I think that UNC will win it all. I like Michigan State due to Izzo’s coaching in March, obviously, and their veteran leadership with Valentine running the show. I am pulling for Southern California as their coach, Andy Enfeild, was the one who recruited me to Florida State before moving on to Florida Gulf Coast following our run to the Sweet 16 in 2011. I’m hoping he takes USC on a little run as he did with us at Florida State and as he did with FGCU a few years back.

What was the last movie that you saw?

Deadpool.

 

Thanks Luke for the chat.