After the overwhelming 74-54 win over the Fraport Skyliners on Sunday night, Jared Jordan exited the locker room and as always still answered every last question from journalists even every last one who had waited for him in the arena near the benches instead of hanging out outside the locker room. It was another normal day at the office for the 29 year old 188cm point guard from Harford, Connecticut even if it wasn´t his best game as he registered only four points and dished out six assists. He did a solid job as always conducting the Bonn offense and was a force with the reestablished Bonn defense that had given up an average of 90 points in the last three games, but against Frankfurt allowed only 54 points as Jordan steered six steals. However was this possibly the last game that Jordan played in a Bonn jersey as rumor had been that he had already signed a contract with six time Beko BBL champion Brose Baskets Bamberg. After celebrating his fourth win in a row in Bonn against Frankfurt never having lost to them in his living room, the word Bamberg was taboo for the 2007 Los Angeles Clippers draft pick. The Jordan jibber-jabber rumors about Jordan going to Bamberg had surfaced last week and has been as prevalent on the minds of German basketball fans as NBA fans wondering if the return of Jason Collins to the NBA Brooklyn Nets will be a success on and off the court. Beko BBL teams have until February 28^th to set their rosters for the last two months of the season and playoffs. Bamberg has the right to do what they want if they have the dough even if it means stealing the Jordan heart and soul of the Telekom Baskets Bonn.

In today´s basketball market where every few thousand dollars more is the difference from playing in one location from the other, it is very rare for a player to play for the same team for more than one or two years. Jared Jordan is playing his fourth year in Bonn. After playing a very solid rookie season with the Telekom Baskets Bonn in 2009-2010, where he played 37 games averaging  9.0ppg, 4.2rpg, Assists-4(5.3apg), he went to the strong Greek league and played for a weak team  VAP Kolossos Rodou , but led the league in assists. Instead of going to a more high level team which he probably could of, he returned back to Bonn in 2011 and has never left since. Jordan came back and has played for nice money in Bonn, but nothing compared to what he could be making with Bamberg or Munich. Jordan is without a doubt not only the best pass first point guard, but the overall best point guard in the Beko BBL. He may not have the overpowering scoring qualities of a Malcolm Delaney, Darius Adams or Trevon Hughes, but nobody runs and leads a team better than he does. He led the Beko BBL in assists the last two years with 7,6apg and 8,8apg. However what would  a team rather have a point guard that can score frequently, or a player that can get his team going like Jordan who always thinks team first, but if needed can score as he has displayed this season scoring 10 times in double figures having the number of Wurzburg with 20 and 19 points, 18 points against Bayreuth and 17 points against Ludwigsburg.

            Even if Jordan does go to Bamberg now, Bonn will be able to find another point guard, but it wont be a second Jared Jordan or a guard of that caliber. The only beneficiary will be the Brose Baskets Bamberg in this matter. Bonn can look as long and as hard as they want, but will they find a suitable point guard now at the end of February? Most likely not, because the market now is simply sucked dry. There had been rumors that the Telekom Baskets Bonn were eying American Darius Washington who is tearing apart the Turkish league. Nothing against his 18 NBA games with the San Antonio Spurs, 24,1ppg with Olin or recent 42 points against Usak, but those are more stats of a shooting guard than a point guard and Bonn doesn´t need that. Bonn has been in the German basketball news for days now which is nice publicity, but should let the Jordan chatter rest now. Why should Bonn make Bamberg even stronger now? Bamberg is looking for a point guard as their luck in the last two seasons has been tattered with not being able to find one that was to their liking as Teddy Gipson and Zack Wright demonstrated. Let Bamberg keep looking for a point guard, because they won´t find one in the class of a Jordan. It is unknown with how much money Bamberg could make Bonn weak by luring Jordan away and sometimes one can´t resist, but Bonn should simply end the season with Jordan. Even if Jordan goes, Bonn won´t be any better without him. The Bonn fans love Jordan as a special fan sign reading “Jordan: “We need you” has shown. Why add more agitation and concern for the last two months with the departure of Jordan. Bonn has not only very good chances now to be in the 2014 Beko BBL playoffs, but are more of a playoff team with Jordan than without. A negative aspect for the Bonn fans was how both Bonn and Bamberg management didn´t want to comment the situation as well as Jordan himself. Usually that is a good sign that there could be some truth to the speculation. However Bonn has the force at the moment and will make the move only if they can find a somewhat suitable replacement for Jordan. Jordan went to the prestigious Hartford prep school Kingswood Oxford where he learned the school core values like take personal responsibility, work hard, take risks and become involved. Jared Jordan doesn´t only put heart and soul into his work on the basketball court with the Telekom Baskets Bonn, but is the heart and soul of the team. If Jordan leaves now then it is like getting rid of Bonn trademark the Beethoven house. Over many years there have always been beautiful love songs from groups like Huey Lewis and the News, or T Pau with the catchy title Heart and Soul. Jordan and Bonn basketball is a love affair which doesn´t have to end. Maybe Bonn  management should listen to these songs before they get sucked in by the money.

For many years, Bamberg was a place where the Frankfurt Skyliners went, played 40 minutes and lost muttering the words “we lost again” and went home again and probably enjoyed the beautiful drive most to the pretty Bavarian city than their woes on the court. Frankfurt finally won in the 2010 playoffs with ex Skyliner Derrick Allen lifting that dreaded Bamberg curse, but talking about jinxes is something nobody likes to talk about, but that terrifying B word keeps creeping up as Bonn has been a place be it the old Hardtberg  gym or the new Telekom dome where they Frankfurt hasn´t won in more than 9 years. The last time, Frankfurt was able to exit the court with a victory, Bamberg was still searching for their first Beko BBL title, Fraport Skyliner center Johannes Voigtmann was 12 years old, Telekom  Baskets Bonn center Chris Ensminger was already in his 30s and winning Beko BBL rebound titles as if they were growing on a Quaking Aspen in his home state Ohio, ex Alba Berlin point guard Dashaun Wood was making a name for himself at Wright State and young Fraport Skyliner juniors Max Merz was 10 years old and brother Jacob was seven years old and were having their first playful brother competitions on the basketball court. There were some games to be remembered like the OT loss in 2009 where Titus Ivory brought the game into OT where the team then got squashed, three years ago despite a Derrick Rose like performance from Dashaun Wood scoring 20 points, grabbing eight rebounds and dishing out seven assists, the team lost a squeaker 92-89 and perhaps the most bitter loss of all being two seasons ago  where four months of hard work where the team came from 17^th place back to ninth place and having that golden opportunity to reach the playoffs on the last game day only to lose badly 81-62 as a 19-9 second quarter run by Bonn got them going and carried them to victory. Frankfurt had no remedy how to stop 38 year old Chris Ensminger who made the zone look his own feeding ground and where he played like a real tough man among Kids. It was the last game of Jermareo Davidson as he scored 18 points as well as that of sniper Jimmy Mckinney who contributed 13 points. The Fraport Skyliners returned back to Bonn looking to snap their five game losing streak in 2014 and 10 games in a row losing streak in Bonn once again came up short losing 74-54 and have been winless in Bonn for the last 109 months dating back to January ist, 2005. One man that has seen many games between both teams is Telekom Baskets Bonn sport director Andreas Bottcher who can´t explain the dominance either. “We also had a stretch where we lost many games in Frankfurt. I remember Oluoma Nnamaka winning a game on the last play and then us winning game five in Frankfurt in 2008. There were times where Frankfurt wasn´t playing well in the league, but came here and played very hard. I will never forget our win in 2009 in OT after Titus Ivory brought Frankfurt in to OT”, smiled Andreas Bottcher. Top Beko BBL point guard Jared Jordan was all smiles after the game as he won his fourth game in a row against Frankfurt in the Telekom dome living room. “I always say that streaks are there to be broken. I am just happy that it wasn´t tonight. We will take it”, smiled 2007 Los Angeles Clippers NBA draft pick Jared Jordan. Quantez Robertson is used to exiting the dressing room in Bonn mopping since he has lost five times in  a row since  entering the Beko BBL in 2009 including the 2010 Slam dunk contest. One would think after a while that he would hate to play in Bonn. “ I don´t hate playing in Bonn. I always have liked the atmosphere and the crowd is loud. I am not happy that I haven´t had success here, but I hope that I can help change that in the years to come”, stressed Quantez Robertson. As a Boston native, Tony Gaffney knows about curses and the Boston Red Sox not winning a MLB title in 86 years, but chuckled about the so called Frankfurt curse in Bonn. “It is never easy to play in Bonn. Sometimes teams simply have another teams number. They caught us on a good night”, expressed ex Jouventut Badalona forward Tony Gaffney.”11 straight loses here is hard to explain with different players and coaches over the years. Maybe it has something to do with the atmosphere or seat colors”, smiled Dane Watts.

The Telekom Baskets Bonn came into the game in sixth place with a record of 12-9 and not being the strongest home team having  a 4-7 record. They also entered the game with a three game losing streak and had given up an average of 90 points in that span. The Telekom Baskets Bonn came out strong in the first quarter had a comfortable lead at halftime and really exploded in the third quarter as they shut the door early on the 2004 Beko BBL champion Frankfurt Skyliners. Bonn knew that they had to get back to their old ways of defending hard if they wanted to have great chances in beating the Fraport Skyliners. “We had had a tough stretch at home and in the last games got away from our defensive principles. We improved our defense tonight and had a very good defensive effort. It had been our goal to take Frankfurt out of their offense. They like that high low game and we took it away from them. Danilo Barthel played a great game though”, stressed ex Boston Celtic Tony Gaffney. The Fraport Skyliners entered the game with a five game losing streak and still sporting that goose egg of 0 wins in 2014. The only real bright spot for the team with all the injured players was the fact that they had played very well the last two games losing on the last play and games they could of won. However the club was as far away from those last performances against Oldenburg and Vechta in Bonn as medi bayreuth seem to be at the moment at getting that much desired victory. The Fraport Skyliners didn´t always seem to be mentally there on the court and the team didn´t harmonize as a team at all. “We worked hard all week in practice and practiced hard, but we played under our possibilities. We made easy turnovers from the start and that made it difficult to get into an offensive rhythm and that made it more hard to do what we wanted to do”, stressed Fraport Skyliners German guard Max Merz. The Turnovers was a big problem for the Fraport Skyliners as they were flooded with 27 that started to pop up quickly and never died away throughout the game. “We got many turnovers from the start which kind of killed our spirit. When you have a young team, you need to know how to get through periods like that, but we couldn´t”, warned ex raiopharm Ulm forward Dane Watts. Our offense wasn´t that great tonight, but it was our defense that won the game for us”, stated Telekom Baskets Bonn guard Jared Jordan.

During warmups there could almost been a Michael hakim Jordan sighting in the Telekom Baskets dome, as a bald shaven player wearing the Bonn jersey was conversing with Fraport Skyliner Quantez Robertson, however it wasn´t Jordan who is assistant coach at Colgate(NCAA), but ex Fraport Skyliner Ryan Brooks who had decided to get his head shaven a few days ago for that new look. Fraport Skyliner Max Merz was also back on the court less than 24 hours after hitting his second game winning shot in Speyer and at home against Rhondorf a week ago. Merz was already to go in Bonn and thrilled to talk about the last play. “I was happy my shot went in and the play was for me off the pick and role where I took a half hook shot over their big man. The success with the Pro B gives me a lot of confidence for the BBL”, stressed Fraport Skyliner Max Merz. 5,020 fans were in the arena to witness the Fraport Skyliners started off lethargic letting the Telekom Baskets Bonn take a 6-0 lead. Boston native Tony Gaffney nailed consecutive buckets on a reverse lay up and made a  15 footer and Jared Jordan connected for a mid distance shot. The Fraport Skyliners finally got on the board with a Quantez Robertson turn around shot and Danilo Barthel free throws. Frankfurt stayed on the heels of Bonn as Barthel hit a tough lay in over Gaffney as Bonn led only 8-6. However Bonn who is always dangerous at home sped out on a fast 7-0 run to lead 15-6. Gaffney scored inside as ex Skyliner Brooks tested his 36,2% three point shooting percentage hitting and then scoring on the penetration using his quickness to his advantage. Frankfurt then went on a mini 4-0 run as Johannes Voigtmann scored inside getting the bullet pass from Barthel and Konstantin Klein hit free throws as Bonn led 15-10. Bonn who had found their offensive rhythm quick kept up the pressure finishing off the first quarter with a 6-3 run to lead 21-13. Ex Ludwigsburg center Kurt Looby who is the classic rebounder/shot blocker and less known for scoring hit a hook shot. While Klein showed his usual hot first quarter three point shooting nailing one, but Bonn closed out the scoring using their quickness and athletic ability once again as Brooks hit  a runner as did ex BG Karlsruhe guard David Mccray. “Both teams hadn´t won much the last weeks. Both teams were missing open shots and playing more like not to lose than wanting to win. Frankfurt played unsure and the four turnovers by Klein was untypical, but these things can always happen with a young team”, stressed Giessen 46ers head coach Dennis Wucherer. The Telekom Baskets Bonn were shooting 60% from the field and 17% from outside while the Fraport Skyliners were shooting 44% from the field and 25% from outside. Frankfurt had the seven to four rebound advantage, but a poor nine turnovers while Bonn had four turnovers.

At the start of the second quarter, the Fraport Skyliners were unable to take advantage of many missed Bonn shots as they couldn´t hit shots either. Jordan got Bonn on the board first with an easy lay up as he caught a loose ball in perfect position at center court and scampered to the hoop for the bucket as Bonn had the 23-13 lead. Barthel kept Frankfurt over water with his offense as he scored on a lay in. Barthel once again stayed away from the three and did most damage in the paint. American Jamel Mcclean missed some easy free throws and David Mccray and Tony Gaffney were robbed of easy dunks as Bonn had chance after chance to pull away, but led only 27-16. Voigtmann and Brooks then exchanged dunks as Frankfurt trailed 29-18. In the last minute David Mccray who once hit Hagen for 23 points in 24 minutes had his hot shooting continue with a bomb from downtown and Kevin Bright connected on a three pointer as Bonn went into halftime with the very comfortable 35-23 lead. “Frankfurt continued to fight for a rhythm on offense. Frankfurt tried to break Bonn with their triangle and two defense, but it didn´t work. When you have guys like Jordan and Gaffney who have so much experience it isn´t easy to defend”, warned ex Bayer Giants Leverkusen German Dennis Wucherer. The Telekom Baskets Bonn were shooting 44% from the field and 14% from the three point line while the Fraport Skyliners were shooting 33% from the field and 25% from the three point line. Frankfurt had the 19-12 rebound edge, but 14 turnovers while Bonn had only six turnovers.

It looked like the Fraport Skyliners might get back into the game after Danilo Barthel connected on a beautiful step back three pointer to start off the third quarter with one second on the shot clock as Frankfurt trailed only 35-25, but instead Bonn started hitting shots on  a more consistent level which wasn´t the case in the first half. After Mcclean nailed two free throws, the Fraport Skyliners had their most spectacular play of the game as there was some Beko BBL showtime between Quantez Robertson and Ramon Galloway. Tez lofted up the perfect ally-op pass which Galloway jammed home. In the past it was usually Robertson who was the recipient of dunks, but these days is showing his passing expertise more. Benas Veikalas from Lithuania who had been quiet in this game hit his first three pointer of the game and Robertson answered with a hard penetration move to the cup and lefthanded lay in as Frankfurt trailed only 40-29. Galloway got Frankfurt back under ten points with a lay in getting the perfect pass from Barthel. However the Fraport Skyliners who otherwise had little movement on offense and more one on one play couldn´t keep pace with Bonn as they broke open the game ending the third quarter on a 18-7 run to lead 58-37. Mccray started the run drooping  a three pointer, Gaffney cut inside and scored off the Veikalas pass and Mccray scored again breaking the defense and using his quickness for the easy lay in for the 50-33 lead. The Bonn offense was clicking while Frankfurt had problems just getting stops as they couldn´t withstand the furious Bonn ball movement. Ex Bayreuth forward Steven Wachalski who is one of those rare players to have gone from Regionaliga to Beko BBL nailed a three pointer which was followed by a Brooks three pointer. Mccray ended the third quarter with a lay in. “Coach called a time out early in the third quarter and then we just started hitting shots. Brooks hit shots and Wachalski came in and did what he always does making shots. Everybody contributed in the third quarter”, stated Jared Jordan. “We weren´t collectively on the same page. You have to pressure or get in the passing lane as a team. We didn´t do that and Bonn exploited our weak defense”, stressed Fraport Skyliner Dane Watts. The Telekom Baskets Bonn were shooting 51% from the field and 29% from the parking lot while the Fraport Skyliners were shooting 35% from the field and 20% from the parking lot. Frankfurt had the rebound advantage 25-16, but had 24 turnovers while Bonn had only 14.

In the fourth quarter, the Telekom Baskets Bonn continued to play solid offensive basketball while buckling down on defense and riding into the Bonn sunset with a much deserved win as the Fraport Skyliners couldn´t get stops and still had no healthy rhythm on offense. Dane Watts who had been surprisingly quiet in his third game scored on a mid distance jumper to start the fourth quarter. However Bonn head coach Mathias Fischer continued not to be shy to use his bench and got solid production as Wachalski nailed another three pointer which was followed by the Brooks bread and butter mid distance jumper as Bonn led 63-39. Aziz Ndiaye who also was quiet put in a tip in, but it was Wachalski again scoring over the taller Ndiaye and making a free throw. Despite another Kevin Bright three pointer, Bonn continued to connect as Brooks made another mid distance shot and Wachalski hit another three pointer as Bonn led 71-45. “Wachalski was everywhere on the court. He was hitting shots, blocking shots or making good passes. I see what he does in practice each day and he is a great guy”, explained Tony Gaffney. The Fraport Skyliners closed out the game in fine fashion with a 9-3 run. Bright connected on three jumpers, but all in all it wasn´t enough as Bonn came away with the win. Bonn finally had their defense back in shape and Jordan was a bit surprised to see six steals in the stat sheet for him. “It was good to have a good defensive effort again. In the last weeks, we had played very offensive orientated teams like Munich, Berlin and Ulm. We let those teams be comfortable on offense, but didn´t let Frankfurt be comfortable. Some of my teammates joked and said that they gave me some of their steals. I had many balls coming my way, we pressured well and just played good team defense”, summarized Connecticut native Jared Jordan. One of the big basketball stories in Germany the last days was the rumor of Jordan going to Bamberg. After the win, he declined any comment about the matter. From experience, usually when comment is declined, there is usually more going on with the matter. Sportando had reported late Sunday night that Jordan had already signed a contract with Bamberg and it would become official in the next days. It will be interesting to see how this story develops. Despite scoring only 54 points as a team, Quantez Robertson saw the reason more to do with them than the Bonn defense for their lack of scoring punch. “We turned the ball over too much which didn´t allow us to get into a good offensive rhythm. However I tip my hat to them. Bonn played good defense and did a good job getting fast break points”, added Quantez Robertson. The Telekom Baskets Bonn were led by Ryan Brooks with 21 points. Steve Wachalski added 12 points and Tony Gaffney and David Mccray chipped in with 11 points a piece. The Fraport Skyliners were led by Danilo Barthel with 18 points and Kevin Bright had 12 points. The Telekom Baskets Bonn shot 68% from the two point range and 30% from outside while the Fraport Skyliners shot 45% from the field and 19% from outside. Frankfurt won the rebounding duel 37 to 24, but had an unacceptable 27 turnovers while the Telekom Baskets Bonn had 17 turnovers.

Myles Hesson is a 23 year old 195 cm forward from Birmingham, England that is one of the 12 best players in Great Britain and was selected for the 2013 national team playing in Slovenia at the Eurochampionships. He currently is playing in the German Pro A this season for the Giessen 46ers. Last season he played for  Weissenhorn Youngstars (Germany-ProB, starting five): 20 games: 19.7ppg, 10.3rpg, 1.5apg, 1.7spg, 1.5bpg, 2FGP: 54.4%, 3FGP: 27.4%, FT: 65.6%, in Mar.’13 moved to Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany-BBL): 9 games: 4.2ppg, 2.8rpg. He started his professional career in 2009-2010 for  Birmingham Aces (EBL2) averaging 13.1ppg, 4.9rpg, 2FGP: 47.9%, 3PT: 33.3%. In 2010-2011, he played for the Essex Pirates Basketball Club (BBL): 11 games: 9.5ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 47.1%, 3PT: 30.0%, FT: 68.4%. Last season he played for Liverpool Mersey Tigers (BBL, starting five): 27 games: 15.1ppg, 7.7rpg, 1.3apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 48.8%, 3PT: 32.0%, FT: 61.5%. This past summer, he was a member of the British national team taking part in preparations for the 2012 Summer Olympics. He also took part at the British 3×3 Mixed and menTeam for World Championships in Greece  in 2012. He spoke to German Hoops before the next game against the Bayer Giants Leverkusen

 

 

Thanks Myles for talking to German Hoops again. A tough 100-90 loss against Crailsheim in double OT. Was this one of the more entertaining, exciting and tough games that you have played since coming to Germany last season.

 

It was a pretty intense game which I feel we let slip away from us. The fans and the competitiveness of both teams made for a great game.

How much did this loss hurt? I mean playing 50 minutes of basketball and then losing is never easy. What was the difference at the end for Crailsheim getting the win?

Loosing is never easy but as long as you can learn from it I always try to remain positive so I wont let it get me down.

Despite the loss was there any positive things that the Giessen 46ers could take from the game that will help in the next game against the Bayer Giants Leverkusen?

Definitely, after we review the game as a team im sure we will all find something positive to take from it, personally and as a collective.

How proud have you been of the development of German Thierno Agne who has really stepped up his game since December becoming more of a factor in the Giessen game?

Thierno is a smart basketball player and our best shooter. He is a great team-mate so its good to see him developing as a player as we all are.

How do you guys help each other to get better in practice most?

We make practices really competitive which helps us get better because no one wants to loose. We are all young guys with promising futures ahead of us and we realize the importance of pushing each other every day so we can all improve.

You had another solid game with 24 points and nine rebounds, but had three turnovers. After a tough loss like that, do your turnovers remain in your mind for days or are you able to block it out quick?

I try not to dwell on my mistakes too much because I will be scared to make plays in games to come which wont be good. You cant learn if you dont make mistakes, I just try not to make the same one more than once.

The next game is against the Bayer Giants Leverkusen who you beat 79-57 to start the season. What memories do you have form that win?

It was our first game of the season at home and was a good team win.

The Bayer Giants Leverkusen have lost four of their last five games, but are always good for a surprise. What kind of game can we await and what will be key for getting the victory?

They play a lot of zone so as long as we disrupt their defense and play inside out I am confident we can find ways to score and leave with a win.

What was your take on the 2014 NBA allstar slam dunk contest? Many were disappointed about it? Are the dunking ideas running our or no new Vince Carters coming up on the horizon?

I think the professional dunkers, like team flight brothers on youtube have spoiled us with whats possible if that is all you concentrate on doing. The format was a bit weird this year too but nonetheless there were a few good dunks. Damian Lillard surprised me with a few of his but I had my money on Wall winning.

Lamar Odom has signed with a Spanish team. He is most likely done in the NBA. Do you think that he can adapt quickly to the European style?

I am sure he will be able to, he’s been a professional in the NBA for so many years so he knows basketball. it will be good seeing how he does.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 

Star Trek.

 

Thanks Myles for the chat.

 

Radenko Pilcevic is a 27 year old 18 cm point guard from Serbia playing his first season for  Radnicki Kragujevac (KLS).  He started his professional basketball career in 2004-2005 with KK Zeleznicar Cacak (1B). In 2005-2006, he played for Ribnica. In 2006-2007, he played for KK Crnokosa Kosjeric. In 2007-2008, he played for Proleter Naftagas Zrenjanin (B League, starting five), in April ’08 moved to KK Borac Cacak (A League): Superleague: 13 games: 8.3ppg, 1rpg, 1.9apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 52%, 3PT: 35%, FT: 93%, He moved from Masinac to Borac in April, no stats for A league. In 2008-2009, he played for KK Borac Cacak (A League): 31 games: 10.7ppg, 2.0rpg, 2.9apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 54.2%, 3PT: 31.9%, FT: 85.1%. He played for the Mitteldeutscher BC from 2009-2011. In the 2011-2012 season, he played for the Giessen 46ers. Last season he played for  Feni Indistrija Kavadarci (FYR Macedonia-Prva Liga): 8 games: 6.5ppg, 1.6rpg, 2.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 19.0%, FT: 94.7%. He spoke to German Hoops after the Eurocup loss in Berlin.

 

 

 

You were back in Berlin for a Eurocup game against Alba Berlin. What memories did you have from games with MBC and Giessen in the O2 arena?

 

I have great memories from playing in the O2 arena even if I never won  a game there. It was always a lot of fun to play in that big arena. I have better memories from beating Berlin in Weissenfels where I made the game winning free throws.

 

 

A tough 92-83 loss to 8 time Beko BBL champion in Eurocup play. Alba Berlin had control of game, but Radnicki cut lead to 67-65, but Alba Berlin then went on a 19-6 run to seal the win. What were the reasons for Alba Berlin getting the win?

 

I think that Alba Berlin had the deeper rotation which helped them as well as their physical play. They had early points in the fast break which opened up the game for them. When that happens you then have a small chance to win in Berlin.

 

 

What was the difference in the game giving Alba Berlin the win? Was the rebounding one of the key differences?

 

I don´t think that rebounding was the difference, but that we started off very slowly. They had a nice lead at halftime and we never really were able to recover even if he got back to two points in the fourth quarter.

 

You started the season for KK Crnokosa Kosjeric (KLS): 13 games: 18.1ppg, 1.9rpg, 4.9apg, 1.8spg, 2FGP: 56.3%, 3FGP: 43.0%, FT: 75.3%, in Dec.’13 moved to Radnicki Kragujevac (KLS). What were the main reasons for this?

 

Going to Radnicki was a very good opportunity for me. With Radnicki I have the chance to play in the Adriatic league as well which is a step above the Serbian league and Eurocup.

 

 

Do you see yourself as lucky or just good work of your agent for landing with Euroleague team Radnicki? How did this transaction come about?

 

I believe I got this job with Radnicki because of my good play with Crnokosa Kosjeric . I was one of the top players in the Serbian league, had good stats and had good result in the cup play

 

 

How difficult has been the adjustment of going from 30 minutes to 11 minutes with Radnicki?

 

Of course it is a very tough adjustment not playing as much anymore and I am still trying to get used to it,  but I believe if I continue to work hard that I will get more minutes for Radnicki in the future.

 

How beneficial has it been watching the master Marko Marinovic who is averaging 6,3apg. What has been the most important thing that you have learned from him?

 

Marko has taught me to play calm. He is calm in every situation and I try to take that into my game.

 

 

You were playing for the Mitteldeutscher BC when he was playing for Alba Berlin. What do you remember rom the two games were you faced off against him? I believe you beat Alba Berlin at home.

 

I never played against him with MBC because I was injured

 

 

 

 

How strange is it playing on a team with no Americans? How often do you hear English on a normal training day at Radnicki? Do you miss it?

I very rarely hear English. We had an American DJ Seeley, but he left to play in Germany. We all have Serbian guys so we talk Serbian. That is good and easier for us all. The only English we hear is normal basketball talk like point guard or baseline.

 

 

 

You were for a short time the teammate of DJ Seeley who now plays in Germany with medi bayreuth. What was your impression of him and will he help the German team stay in the league?

 

I feel that he will be able to help Bayreuth. He is a good player that is smart and can play. He reminds me a lot of Reggie Redding from Alba Berlin. Redding isn´t a point guard, but both can play the positions 1-3. Seeley is smaller, but has the style of play of Redding.

 

 

Head coach Miroslav Nikolic is  a known coaching face in the Balkins. How have you and him gelled and what have you learned from him in the short time?

He is very experienced and has won so much in his career. He was an assistant under Zeljko Obradovic winning the European championships with Yugoslavia in 1997 and even won medals as a youth coach. He always gives freedom to his players. He always tells me show me what you can do which gives me more self confidence. I don´t feel any pressure playing for him.

 

 

Recently Radnicki beat Khimik 86-68 and you played against two ex BBL players Jamal Shuler and Romeo Travis. Did they remember you from the BBL days or did you guys not say hello before the game?

 

Yes I talked to Jamal Shuler and he remembered me. It is always nice to see guys that I played against in Germany having success in other countries. It is always a nice memory to see guys I played against in Germany.

 

 

You recently played twice against Strassburg and Lou Campbell. What do you remember most from his game from the BBL. Did his game get better with age?

 

I think that his game has matured and gotten better with age. He had a very good game against us in Strassburg scoring 11 points in the third quarter.

 

 

Have you stayed in touch with ex teammate Giorgi Gamqrelidze? He has been tearing up the Georgia league the last two seasons averaging 8,0apg currently.

 

I haven´t talked much with him, but we had a very good relationship playing for MBC. I have more contact with Wayne Bernard and Anatoly Kashirov. My best basketball time in my career was with MBC. Each player was great

 

 

What was your nicest memory with Michael hakim Jordan.

Jordan was a funny dude all the time. I learned to be a leader from him. Many guys think bad of him or think that he has something against them, but he doesn´t. He has nothing personal against anyone, but just wants to be a leader and acts like a leader.

 

 

 

Ron Ross is moonlighting as a singer that had much success in Croatia. Did you already witness his musical talent in Weissenfels?

 

Yes I already saw that with MBC. He was always making music on his labtop on the bus

 

 

 

Could you ever imagine playing in Germany again?

 

I would love to come back to Germany and play. I like that style of basketball. I loved it with MBC. The fans were great and they love their basketball.

 

 

 

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 

Wolf of Wallstreet.

 

Thanks Radenko for the chat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jermel Kennedy  is a 24 year old 201cm forward from Toronto Canada that is playing his first season in the German Pro B with TV Langen. He started his basketball career in 2008 with  Iowa Central Community College (NJCAA) playing 26 games: 4.3ppg, 3.8rpg, FGP:47.3%, FT: 57.1%. In 2009-2010, he played for Volunteer State Community College (NJCAA) playing  27 games: 11.7ppg, 8.2rpg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 26.0%, FT: 83.0%. He finished his college basketball career at Lander in 2012 playing two seasons there and as a senior played  27 games: 11.0ppg, 7.0rpg, 1.2spg, FGP: 66.1%, FT: 70.5%. Last summer he was drafted by Moncton Miracles (NBL Canada,1rd(6). He spoke to German Hoops after the big 99-72 win against Baunach.

Jermel congrats on the 99-72 win against Baunach. Looking back on the bitter loss against Dresden last week, what things did the team improve on as a team against Baunach?

Thank you Miles well one of the things that we do a much better job at home is getting stops. We played all around exceptional defense on their key guys.  Stabler and Knight that combine for 34 points per game on a nightly bases which we held to 19.

TV Langen had the comfortable 45-32 lead at halftime. Were the 32 points from the view of head coach Thomas Glasauer TV Langen defense that the team knows how to play?

I’m sure Coach Thomas was pleased with our consistent defense. Knowing his strive to be better mindset I’m sure he wished we played better and that’s the type of attitude that drives me and the rest of the team.

In the third quarter TV Langen exploded for 32 points. What adjustments did TV Langen make on both ends of the court to really dominate the game?

Baunach decided to turn up the defense a lot in the third quarter and when we responded to this fresh aggressiveness and physicality it deemed to be more unfortunate for them

Baunach really didn´t shoot so bad and the rebounding was even. TV Langen won by many points and Had six turnovers less. Where do you think was the biggest difference in the end for getting this win?

I think the game changer in all of this would be our ability to share the ball so well. When you have 19 assists and our whole team is getting involved were surely difficult to beat.

You had another solid game with 25 points and eight rebounds. How pleased were you with your game? You got more shots and hit at a high percentage.

Im not as pleased with my performance as I should be I just felt like I could have contributed more on the glass. Baunach didn’t do a good job taking me out of my comfort zones and the game just continued smoothly for me.

Usually when you and Martins Woody combine for many points, it isn´t always a guarantee that you will win. How proud are you of the team as there were many guys that scored in double figures?

Well I have a lot trust in my teammates and on any given night when we play as a team I’m sure the results will always be similar

What was your impression of young German Johannes Thiemann who is a big talent and also plays for Bamberg? Do you see him as making a splash at a higher level?

I thought Johannes was solid very fundamentally sound and he has an array of post moves. A guy at his age and talent I can only expect great things from him in the future.

Did the solid game of German Maxim Schneider who had seven points, six assists, one steal, one block and no turnovers go unnoticed? How valuable was he for TV Langen?

Maxim’s performance most certainly didn’t go unnoticed he’s our floor general he knows where everyone wants and needs the ball. He also has great poise and understands the game very well.

I heard the NBA slam dunk contest was a bore. John Wall won, but the contest wasn´t spectacular. How much does that as air Canada disappoint you since you are a very good dunker.

I think the rule adjustments made it quite boring to watch and I wasn’t impressed with the NBA’s lack of innovative ideas. It could have been much better with the talent that was present.

Are the NBA dunkers running out of ideas or are the quality of dunkers eroding away? Are there no new Vince Carters on the horizon?

I don’t believe they are running out of ideas I just believe most of the dunks that haven’t been performed yet can’t be done by anyone in the league

What was the last DVD Movie that you saw?

Oldboy starring Josh Brolin and Samuel L. Jackson

 

Thanks Jermel for the chat.

Michael Jenkins is a 27 year old 192 cm guard from Kinston, North Carolina that currently is playing for  Pallacanestro Cantu (Italy-SerieA. He played at Winthrop(NCAA) from 2004-2008. He didn´t play as much his first two seasons, but got increased playing time in his junior and senior years. As a junior, he averaged 14.8ppg, 3.8rpg, 3.2apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 45.9%, 3PTConf-1(41.5%), FT: 70.2% in 34 games. In his senior year, he played 34 games and averaged 13.9ppg, 4.1rpg, 2.5apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 41.6%, 3PTConf-6(36.8%), FT: 71.3%: and finished his career as the 10th leading scorer in Winthrop history with 1,253 points. With Winthrop, he was the Big South Conf. Regular Season Champion in 2005, 2006 and 2007 and won the Big South Conf Tournament from 2005-2008. He was named to the Big South Conf. All-Tournament Team in 2007 and 2008. In his first professional season 2008-2009, he was drafted by the Albany Patrons of the CBA and in November 2008 signed with the Albany Patroons playing 3 games and averaging 6.7ppg, 2.0rpg, FGP: 47.4%,  but left during the season and moved to BC Buducnost Podgorica (Bosnia-1A) . In the 2009-2010 season he came to Germany and played for the Walter Tigers Tuebingen.  In the 2010-2011 season he played for Belgacom Liege Basket (Belgium-D1) playing EuroCup Qualifying Round: 2 games: 11.0ppg, 2.0rpg, 3.0apg, 1.0spg; EuroChallenge: 6 games: 12.5ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.0spg, FGP: 40.7%, 3PT: 36.8%, FT: 84.6%; Belgian League: 13 games: 12.6ppg, 4.3rpg, 2.5apg, Steals-1(2.8spg), FGP: 43.8%, 3PT: 29.6%, FT: 78.3%. In the 2011-2012 he played for Optima Gent (Belgium-D1) playing  29 games: 13.0ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.5apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 42.2%, 3PT: 33.1%, FT: 75.6%. In the 2012-2013 season he played for Centrale del Latte Brescia (Italy-Lega2): 38 games: 17.0ppg, 4.5rpg, 2.4apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 46.1%, 3PT: 41.1%, FT: 79.6%. He spoke to German Hoops before the Eurocup game against ratiopharm Ulm today

 

 

 

Michael thanks for talking to German Hooops. It has been four seasons since you last played for a German team Walter Tigers Tuebingen. Is there anything in particular that you miss about the German league and lifestyle?

 

Wow 4 years time definitely does fly man. The things I miss the most about the German league is how entertaining it was. I really used to enjoy how professional it felt having the preseason photo shoots and having the lights cut off during the pregame introductions with videos. As far as the lifestyle, I really miss drinking Apfelschorle. Everytime I get a chance to step foot in Germany I must have one (haha).

After two seasons in Belgium, you have continued to move yourself up in Europe going to the Italian Lega 2 last season and this season playing for Pallacanestro Cantu (Italy-SerieA). How happy have you been with your development as a professional basketball player? I remember with our interviews during your Germany year that you always had that extra special self confidence that had me thinking that you would continue to go places.

 

I’m very happy with my development as a professional. I would’ve been to this level a lot sooner but my first year in Belgium I had to have season ending surgery on my shooting arm. That ended up setting my career back tremendously. The season I had in Tubingen really put me on the radar of a lot of clubs. I’m still not satisfied and where I want to be so i’m going to continue to keep working hard.

You and Cantu are high up in the standings this season. Do you think that anything will change up there with some team coming from behind and where will Cantu be at the end of the season?

 

I feel like the top 5 teams will be the top 5 teams all season. Maybe spots will change here and there, but for the most part stay the same. I feel we will finish just as we are at the moment a top 3 team.

What exactly is your role on the team and how much fun is it playing at the two spot with explosive player point guard Joe Ragland?

 

I honestly do not know my role exactly, but personally I feel it is to provide just an all around spark to the team and be aggressive no matter what. Both offensively and defensively. Playing with Joe is very exciting. We both played for the same college coach, (me when he was at Winthrop and him at Wichita State) so we clicked on the court immediately.

Your coming off a huge game in Eurocup play against Nantere with 29 points where you connected on six three pointers the most this season with your six threes against Oostende. Your confidence level must be high. Do you usually know early on in your first few shots where your shooting night will end on a positive or not positive note?

I never lose confidence in my scoring ability, it’s just more of a matter of if it’s smart or beneficial to the team to force when i’m not in a rhythm, and majority of the time it’s never beneficial at this level. Most of the time I can tell what kind of shooting night I will have, however, I’m the type of player that can start the game 1 for 5 and finish the game shooting over 50%.

 

You see amazing rivalries in the NCAA, in Italy or Spain, but how intense was the Ulm-Tubingen games when you played in Germany? Is their a particular game that you remember or play?

 

That Ulm-Tubingen rivalry was very intense. I will never forget beating them at home for the first game, and then losing to them the last game of the season on a buzzer beater by Robin Benzing. We had that game won and he saved the day for them.

What do you remember most from the 106-97 shoot out loss to ratiopharm Ulm? Edgar Sosa had the hot hand with seven three pointers?

Just how poor defensively we played, but also just how well they shot the ball. Especially in the first half. Edgar Sosa was absolutely unconscious that game. He played an extremely great game scoring wise and had a team high for assists.

Cantu needs a road win in Ulm. What kind of game can we expect and what will be key to coming out of Ulm with a victory?

You can expect a very intense game. You have 2 teams that need to win to advance to the top 16. To come out of Ulm with a win we must defend better, play smarter, and just be prepared to fight both physically and mentally.

 

You have played together with many great point guards in your career, and where would you stack up Bane Ratkovica with all the point guards that you have played with?

 

Bane was definitely one the best point guards I’ve had the luxury of sharing the backcourt with during my career so far. His passing ability and vision was definitely high level in my opinion.

Romeo Travis is playing a solid season for Khimik-OPZ Yuzny (Ukraine-Superleague). What do miss most from him on and off the court? I guess that buzzer beater against Bamberg will always be in your mind?

 

Yea Romeo is playing well for Khimik-OPZ Yuzny. I talk to him often. Rome was just an overall great person to be around on and off the court. You always knew he was going to bring it on the court and be a great friend off the court. Yea that play against Bamberg will never be forgotten (haha).

Were you disappointed how poor the NBA slam dunk contest was? Are the players running out of dunk ideas or are their too little new Vince Carters coming up on the horizon?

 

Yea I was pretty irritated by it. I wasn’t fond of the East vs. West theme, but even with that they should’ve had the 3 members of the East team have a dunk off to determine the overall champion. No, I feel there are still dunks that haven’t been seen before in the NBA dunk contest.

 

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 

I actually haven’t watched a DVD in a very long time.

 

Thanks Mike for the chat.

 

The BCM basketball court of the Fraport Skyliners at their training facility where the Beko BBL team practices and Pro B team juniors play their games is a small, tight gym like atmosphere that might have reminded a Dru Joyce of the EWE Baskets Oldenburg of the type of places he played in together with NBA superstar Lebron James at St Mary´s high school where they won three state titles, but in comparison to the Fraport arena is more like an exciting, high flying Deandre Jordan that can get any arena in the NBA pumped with his eye popping dunks while the Fraport Arena is more like a huge, strong and impressive like Kevin Love that can dominate anyone just like the Skyliners can on any given day in their own living room. Let us rewind back to more than a year ago on January sixth, where the German Pro  B club Bayer Giants Leverkusen came into the BCM in Frankfurt with top Pro B player at that time Josh Parker, but were crushed badly 107-67 by the Fraport Skyliners juniors. It was one of the less satisfactory games from the Chicago native as he was way below his average and just couldn´t get anything going with his shooting and tried to find his teammates to help his team. “. Frankfurt did a great job defending me and doubling teaming me and not allowing me to get into a rhythm. My shots weren´t falling so I had to try to get my team going by setting them up. . Coaches have told me no matter what is happening to always keep playing hard. I try to play good defense and get my teammates involved when my scoring isn´t on. It is important to keep pushing my teammates, because if I get down then they get down. This was a good game for me to see that despite everything I stayed aggressive. I continue to go against different defenses which will make me better”, warned Josh Parker. Parker has had no problems getting adjusted to the Beko BBL this season as he scored in double figures 13 times including 19 points in a massive 30 point victory against Frankfurt last December in Weissenfels. However 13 months later, Parker didn´t return back to Frankfurt and he wasn´t in the BCM anymore, and not in the bigger Fraport arena either and was unable to show that motivation for revenge and seeking that first win in Frankfurt as Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson was of proving doubters wrong that he had what it took to win a major championship the Super Bowl and was only the second African American to do it. After the 66-64 MBC win in Frankfurt, MBC head coach Silvano Poropat gave his reasons why Parker stayed in Weissenfels. “Everything is ok with Josh Parker. We have one player more for the international spots and always one guy has to sit out. We have a lot of competition at the guard spot. All guys always deserve to play. However today it was a tactical decision why Parker didn´t play. Parker has done  a very good job this season for us. He will be back and I won´t forget him, don´t worry”, stressed head coach Silvano Poropat. After the nail bitter win, manager Martin Geisler also was able to back up the words of his coach. “We are happy that we have the luxury of having an extra international player for the stretch run. Each player has to show results in practice and games. We felt that with this rotation, that we would have the biggest advantage against Frankfurt. Parker works very hard in practice and will be back soon”, added Martin Geissler. American Angelo Caloiaro had to be diplomatic concerning the Josh Parker situation. “Parker is a key part of the team. We have to concentrate on things on the court. In an ideal world, it would be great if all could play, but it sucks that it don´t work that way”, expressed San Jose native Angelo Caloiaro.

One guy who would have had an even more spectacular title had the Fraport Skyliners won would have been rookie Aziz Ndiaye who put on a dunking clinic in the first half as the Fraport Skyliners were getting easy buckets as they were destroying the 2004 Fiba Europe cup winner on the pick and role. The 25 year old 213cm center that played at Washington(NCAA) had a very very respectable game with 13 points and six rebounds in 15 minutes. He had four dunks and on the eve of the 2014 NBA Allstar game and dunk contest, it seemed like the big man was trying to present a very late entry from for the contest in New Orleans. The Senegal native was very humble after the bitter loss, putting his teammates in the spotlight for his stellar dunks that energized the Fraport arena. “Dunking is all about finishing and setting good screens. I was able to get open and my teammates put me in  a good situation to finish. In the second half, they changed their defense and it was harder to do the pick and role”, described Aziz Ndiaye. Jacob Burtschi who is still injured and begins to practice with the team again next week, hopes to return to action March 23^rd at home against ratiopharm Ulm was able to give a big grin about the dunking talent of his big teammate. “He gets to the rim fast and is a ferocious finisher. Aziz always makes sure that he gets his two points. That is just his style”, smilied Oklahoma native Jacob Burtschi. Two time Beko BBL Allstar slam dunk contest finalist Quantez Robertson knows something about flying and dunking knows that if he is in the middle and Ndiaye gets the ball, then he better fly out of the way quick. “He is the master of the power dunks and you better get out of the way or you might become a poster dunk”, smiled Ohio native Quantez Robertson. “Aziz played well. He always gives us rebounds and blocks. He got going dunking over people. He doesn´t get much time, but he does the most he can with minutes he gets”, added Ramon Galloway.

The Mitteldeutscher BC came into the game with only a 2-3 record in 2014, but came off a huge 76-70 win at home against Phoenix Hagen and once again showed that they have the nerves in crunch time not only in their own living room, but also foreign living rooms. The self confidence of the team continues to rise more and more as they try to solidify themselves in the middle of the standings. The Mitteldeutscher BC trailed for most of the game, but adjusted their defense in the second half and came up big at the end as the Fraport Skyliners lost another close game again as they did last weekend in Oldenburg. “This is how our team is this season in that we never give up even when times seem tough. The guys seem to find a way to win. The self confidence also grows with each close win like last weekend against Phoenix Hagen. We came up with big plays at the end. I told them to do jump switch waiting a bit until they penetrate. We really did a good job of this on the last few plays. Key for the win was improving our pick and role defense in the second half. We closed up the zone. In the first half, it felt like Ndiaye had 20 dunks”, smilied ex Ludwigsburg head coach Silvano Poropat. “Key at the end was defense. The highlight of the game was the defense by Hatten and Meiers at the end. We continue to believe in ourselves. We work hard each week in practice and when it comes game time, we always believe that we can win no matter who it is. We have a two game winning streak and it feels good”, added Angelo Caloiaro. The Fraport Skyliners continue to be winless in 2014 coming into the game with a four game losing streak and still have a walking wounded list that is as long a Paris Hilton receipt at Chanel. The Fraport Skyliners continue to play well despite their limited roster, but are starting to get a nasty habit of losing close games. “This game was back and forth. A big mistake was that we let some guys hit shots early that usually wouldn´t make shots. We were unable to make the adjustment from the non shooters being shooters in this game. These guys fueled the other guys. We were in this game form the start to the end, but we also know that we can lose to anyone. We were unable to do the little things at the end like screens”, warned Missouri native Dane Watts.

4830 fans showed up for only the second home game of the season and their were some familiar faces in the crowd like Fraport Skyliners captain Marius Nolte friend Steven Esterkamp and former Skyliner Zach peacock who had five days off. This season he is playing for Boulogne (France-ProB) averaging 20,1ppg and 7,9rpg and has a good chance of helping moving his team to the France PRO A. Peacock was all smiles and happy to see a familiar surrounding again and would have jumped at the chance of helping Frankfurt “It is great to be back. I loved playing here. It is great to see how Danilo Barthel has developed. I would have loved to have gone on the floor, if they had had my #35”, smiled  Miami native Zach Peacock. The Fraport Skyliners got on the board first as German Johannes Voigtmann connected on a mid distance jumper, but American Michael Cufee scored inside. Quantez Robertson may be the energizer, but if there is one guy who could compete for the nickname on offense than it is German Konstantin Klein. If the Frankfurt offense is stalling, then give him the ball. He is always aggressive and his self confidence is already half the rent for success for him. He hit  a high rainbow and then scored inside with a left handed lay in as the Fraport Skyliner led 7-2. Djorde Pantelic then connected on free throws, but Voigtmann scored inside. The Mitteldeutscher BC was making a mini comeback as Caloiaro hit a three pointer and he then fed Pantelic a nifty back door pass for the quick bucket as MBC had their first lead 10-9. However that was as close as MBC would get as Frankfurt closed out the first half with a lightening 13-4 run to lead 23-14. In this run, Frankfurt scored three buckets in a row as Barthel scored inside gathering a shovel pass from Ramon Galloway, Voigtmann scored on the fast break and Galloway then made a fierce spin move around Pantelic who didn´t know what had just happened as Frankfurt led 15-11. MBC guard from Croatia Hrvoje Kovacevic scored on an off balance shot as MBC cut the Frankfurt lead to 15-13. Frankfurt then closed out the first quarter with an 8-1 run as they took apart the MBC pick and role defense. Ndiaye scored two dunks and a sweet hook shot over Martins Meiers. Klein also scored inside as Frankfuer could do what they wanted to inside. “Meiers missed some defensive assignments not doing what we wanted him to do. Ndiaye took advantage of it”, stressed MBC manager Martin Geissler. The Fraport Sklyiners were shooting 65% from the field and didn´t attempt  athree pointer while the Mitteldeutscher BC was shooting 43% from the field and 17% from outside. Frankfurt had the 10-4 rebound edge and no turnovers while MBC had two turnovers.

In the second quarter, the Fraport Skyliners would keep the lead and lead by as much as 10 points, but the Mitteldeutscher BC continued to be scrappy and not letting Frankfurt run away with the game. New Skyliner Dane Watts started the scoring with a runner and Ndiaye kept up his dunking rampage, but they couldn´t make any ground as ex Phoenix Hagen guard Malte Schwarz who makes three pointers for a living connected on two as MBC trailed only 27-20. Frankfurt continued to make use of the pick and role and playing superb fast break basketball as Ndiaye finished it off with a thunderous dunk as Klein and Robertson looked like the Harlem Globetrotters with their quick touch passing. Galloway also scored inside on the penetration, but Frankfurt still couldn´t run away from the Wolves as little used utility guard Daniel Hain who got known by defending Skyliner legend Pascal Roller during the 2009 playoffs hit two unexpected three pointers as he was left as open as a camel in a barren desert and an antelope grazing on a field in Sudan as suddenly Frankfurt led by only 32-26. Serb big man Pantelic then put more salt into the fire with the third consecutive MBC three pointer as MBC trailed 32-29. Watts then hit a turn around jumper as Frankfurt led 34-29. American Michael Cufee who might be the most aggressive 195cm guard in the Beko BBl crashed the boards got the offensive rebound and somehow made the put back in severe clogged traffic down low. Voigtmann finished off the scoring with  a lay in as the Fraport Skyliners led 36-31 at the break. “Our zone worked as Frankfurt couldn´t hit shots. Daniel Hain made some big shots. He was the surprise effect in the second quarter. I am happy for his good play and how he stole Klein the ball”, added Martin Geissler. The Fraport Skyliners were shooting 53% from the field and 0% from the three point line while the Mitteldeutscher BC was shooting 46% from the field and 40% from the three point line. Frankfurt had the 17-13 rebound edge and one turnover while MBC had six turnovers.

The third quarter was very tight as the Mitteldeutscher BC upped their game stepping up their defense and just fighting, fighting and fighting. American Marcus Hatten who is playing in his eighth country in Europe started off the third quarter with  a lay in cutting the Frankfurt lead to 36-33. Voigtmann then got a slam dunk as Robertson continued not to get shots, but found his teammates. Caloiaro then dropped another three pointer a shis shooting looks as easy as an Italian pizza maker swirling a pizza as MBC trailed only 38-36. Frankfurt then went on a mini 4-0 run to increase their lead to 42-36 as Voigtmann dropped another mid distance jumper which is his bread and butter the same way the three was for Pascal Roller and Bartlel finished a fast break with a dunk. Hatten then made two free throws as Frankfurt led 42-38. The game was very exciting and one could observe the many injured Skyliners with Andrew Rautins, Jacob Burtschi, Jarred Dubois, Marius Nolte and Stefan Ilzhoefer as their seats looked like a special movie theater as they were watching the game as closely as a doctor is examining his patient. “The only thing missing was popcorn”, smilied Jacob Burtschi. Texas native Ramon Galloway then hit the first Frankfurt three pointer of the game extending the Frankfurt lead to 45-38. MBC kept fighting as Hatten scored on the fast break and Pantelic buried an open three pointer as Frankfurt led 47-43. Watts then made  a huge hustle play tipping in a rebound as Frankfurt led 49-43. However Caloiaro broke the Frankfurt back at the end of the third quarter with consecutive three pointers. Klein made free throws as Frankfurt led 51-49 after 30 minutes. “We took away the pick and role from Frankfurt. We were stepping up too much and there was no help side earlier. The zone helped as we didn´t give up easy baskets anymore”, expressed Angelo Caloiaro. The Fraport Skyliners were shooting 50% from the field and 17% from the parking lot while the Mitteldeutscher BC was hooting 43% from the field and 43% from the parking lot. Frankfurt had the 26-20 rebound advantage and five turnovers while MBC had 10 turnovers.

The fourth quarter continued to be very exciting as neither team could go on a run and seal the victory early, but instead it would be a fight to the finish. Caloiaro started the fourth quarter with a free throw and Michael Cufee who also is a basketball globetrotter playing in his eighth country in Germany as he sealed a three pointer and 53-51 MBC lead. Ndiaye made up for two missed free throws and an air ball with a lay in in traffic as the scored was tied at 53-53. Robertson then set up German Max Merz on the fast break for his first bucket and Cufee hit free throws as the score was still deadlocked. Klein then hit a big three pointer for the 58-55 lead, but MBC jumped back with Cufee free throws and a massive bomb from Kovacevic that was covered well in the corner, but somehow hit over Klein for the 60-58 lead. Frankfurt took the lead with a Voigtmann baby hook shot and Robertson late in the fourth quarter made his first hoop of the night on only his second shot as Frankfurt led 63-61. “I didn´t shoot so much. I passed up many shots mainly because I saw guys that were in better position. I created for guys and got easy buckets on the fast break”, commented Quantez Robertson. MBC then went on a mini 4-0 run to lead 65-63 capitalizing on Galloway and Voigtmann misses as Kovacevic hit a15 footer and Hatten made a lay in. Voigtmann then mad eonly one free throw cutting the MBC lead to 65-64. Caloiaro then missed a jumper and Frankfurt had 18 seconds to go for the win. It was obvious that Frankfurt would go inside to draw the foul, but instead of drawing the foul, Klein and Galloway were denied and MBC came out with the victory. The reason for the last two defensive stops was the MBC M&M combination of Marcus Hatten And Martins Meiers. They may not have M&M chocolate to hand out after a big play, but instead have the capability to stifle an opponent´s offensive play under pressure which Frankfurt unwantedly had to experience. “Our defensive stops at the end were key for the win. Hatten made  a big steal and Meiers with two huge blocks. We played straight up at the end and didn´t want to commit. We got no stupid fouls and played solid defense. I was proud of Martins Meiers at the end. I wouldn´t say that he messed up in the first half on defense, but we all did as a team. He always works hard and when that happens good things happen as he came up big for us on the defensive end”, added Angelo Caloiaro. “Coach had told us all to go to the rim. I had the open shot, but I kept hearing go to the rim in my head and that is what I did. This was a learning experience and I just have to continue to find ways of helping the team win”, stressed Ramon Galloway. The Mitteldeutscher BC was led by Angelo Caloiaro with 13 points. Michael Cufee chipped in with 12 points and Djorde Pantelic had 11 points. The Fraport Skyliners were led by Johannes Voigtmann with 15 points. Aziz Ndiaye had 13 points and Konstantin Klein had 12 points. Frankfurt finished with 47% from the field and a miserable 17% from outside while the Mitteldeutscher BC shot 42% from the field and 41% from outside. Frankfurt won the rebounding battle 37-30. The best Frankfurt stat on the night were their eight turnovers and overwhelmingly 42-18 points in the paint advantage.