A Conversation With Mike Smith (Eisbaeren Bremerhaven)

Mike Smith is a 24 year old 198cm forward from Vandalia, Missouri that is playing his first season with the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven. He played at E. Tennessee from 2007-2011. In his senior year, he played 35 games: 17.9ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 46.9%, 3PT: 36.7%, FT: 78.9%. This past summer, he took part at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (Pre-NBA Draft): 3 games: 10.0ppg, 8.3rpg, 1.7apg, 1.3spg, 1.0bpg. He was a A-Sun Tournament Winner -09, 10, and All-A-Sun Player of the Year -11. He spoke to eurobasket this summer about his basketball career.

You were in Bremen this summer and watched Dirk Nowitzki and Germany play Bosnia. What kind of experience was it watching Dirk in Bremen? What amazed you most about Dirk being in Germany?

Just the fan support that he has over here, the fans really love the guy and is a proven super star. Has proven himself in the best league in the world and he is well deserving of everything he has accomplished

You are starting your professional basketball career in the German beko BBL. What were the main reasons for choosing the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven?

Eisbaeren have made the playoffs the last two years and that made an impression on me, hoping that the returning guys and me could take this team to the next level.

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When The Going Gets Tough, Justin Gray Gets Going As He Leads The Fraport Skyliners Past The Walter Tigers Tuebingen 73-67

The last time that German national player Johannes Herber played in the Paul Horn arena, Bane Ratkovica was still performing his playmaking magic, Dane Watts was flying to the hoop with his long hair like surfer dude Jeff Spicolli, Chris Oliver was displaying his quick first step from the baseline and Kenny Wiliams was inserting fear  with his harsh demeanour despite not moving a face muscle and still having that lovable smooth going Miami character, but when the Darmstadt native Herber walked on the court during warm-ups, he had to look around for a while before seeing some recognizable faces like Nicolai Simon or Ruben Spoeden. After a less than satisfactory showing against Oldenburg, the German wanted to return back to his old stomping ground and help delay the transformation of the Tiger NCAA babies of Duggins, Nash and Hodzic as his shot still wasn´t falling consistently, but his defense was strong as he helped the Fraport Skyliners secure their first win of the season in  a hard fought 73-67 victory in the pink jungle of Tuebingen. “I was happy to be back and get a win here. It is never easy to win in Tuebingen. It was nice to see that Ruben Spoden is playing well as well as Akeem Vargas getting minutes. As for my self, I seem to have my lost my rhythm a bit, but I am not worrying. I contributed with good plays”, stressed Johannes Herber. The game featured four NCAA rookies with Skyliner Jon Leuer being the most known of the bunch. “I played against Nash in the NCAA. I don´t remember him hitting three pointers like that. He will help them a lot this season”, added 2011 NBA pick Jon Leuer. It was the first professional game of ex Wright State guard Vaughn Duggins and he was amazed with the crowd input. “The atmosphere was amazing and the fans really touched my heart. They gave us unconditional love and you want to feed off that and give back. It was too bad we couldn´t reward them with a win”, stressed Vaughn Duggins. “Their youngs guys played well. Nash hit big shots and Young showed he can run the team and play good defense. I was a cheerleader today. I really wanted to play, but I just try to stay positive and cheer the guys on”, commented Beko BBL rookie Michael Thompson.

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Can The Fraport Skyliners Delay The Birth Of The Walter Tigers Tuebingen NCAA Kids Into Professional Basketball Manhood October 8th?

The severe magnitude of disappointment can always be categorized from minimal to great depending how critical one looks at the picture. For Boston Redsox fans, the unbelievable, shocking and painful September slide in which they came into September with a 9 game lead in the Wildcard race, but a 7-20 September record and 4-3 loss in a do or die game in the last game in minor Bill Buckner fashion must of uttered a new famous phrase in Boston “not again”, great tennis player Ivan Lendl coming to Wimbeldon so many times, but never leaving the hallowed grass courts as a true Wimbeldon champion and possibly removing the word grass from his vocabulary which is difficult to do for him considering he is a passionate golfer or Paris Hilton after walking her little dog walking into a harmless kids food fight in a corner of Central Park west and getting her designer clothes dirty. These are all painful occurrences for these people, but what Walter Tigers Tuebingen fans recently endured with the sudden unannounced overnight disappearance of full bearded center Kenny Wiliams could be classified as deep unexpected hurt. This would have been the fourth season for the Miami native, but instead he is gone having left a very young and inexperienced Tiger team standing on brittle thin ice shortly before the start of the season. Ex teammate Steven Wright seemed concerned who is playing in Finland this season. “I was shocked when I heard that Kenny had left. I don´t know all the details, but knowing Kenny, it really wouldn´t seem like he would leave in the middle of the night if it wasn´t really urgent. Istill haven´t talked to him, but people have told me that he is ok.  Kenny is a good player that always worked hard and is a good rebounder. We didn´t do too much off the court, but he was a cool guy and will be missed under the basket”, warned ex walter Tiger Tuebingen guard Steven Wright. Beko BBL players have noticed the void that has been left under the court even if experienced Velimir Radonovic was brought in, Wiliams had played in Tuebingen for years and knew the system well. “He will be missed obviously underneath the basket on both ends of the floor, his rebounding and just his presence is a key loss for the team. He was real active at both ends on the floor and we had to focus on keeping a body on him at all times. he can hurt you on the offensive glass”, stated TBB Trier guard John Bynum. “Kenny was one of our leaders and was going to play a huge role on our team. It definitely was a setback but I think we have grown closer as a team because of it.Kenny could always make me laugh so easily and his friendly personality was so contagious which is why so many people in Tübingen liked him”, remembered Vaughn Duggins.

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Teamcheck 2011/2012: Alba Berlin

There was a time between 1996-2003 that the basketball world of Alba Berlin seemed as perfect as the Michael Jordan run with the Chicago Bulls, the seemingly always flawless face of Cindy Crawford even in her rise in age or the breathless scenery of the lake Geneva. In these 7 years Alba Berlin was able to win 10 German basketball titles, including 7 league titles in a row and three cup wins.  Alba Berlin ruled the German basketball world and was on top of the world like Dirk Nowitzki currently is after winning his first NBA title, or 19 year old Borrusia Dortmund  German Mario Gotze currently is by invitation of the media. However since 2003, the team that plays in the posh O-2 World arena has seemed to lost that magic touch as they have only been able to win 3 titles in the last seven years with the league title in 2008 and two cup wins 2006 and 2009. What have been the main problems? Did the team loose their hunger in 2003 which somehow has been transferred over to the next teams? The Beko BBL has become more competitive and athletic in the last 5 years, coaches have come and gone, and the player transfers have not always seemed to have fit and team chemistry was lacking as well.  Despite being only a game away last season from winning their 9th title, Alba Berlin knows that in order not to get passed this season by a Bamberg and Munich, the club had to react and could have heightened their title chances in 2012 with the arrival of mastermind coach Gordon Herbert.

Last season, Alba Berlin rebounded well after not knowing how the coaching change from Luka Pavicevic to Muli Katzurin would end, but the club lost on the road to the always very strong Brose Baskets Bamberg in 5 games in the Beko BBL final. Alba Berlin had chances to win game 5, but some small mistakes and missed shots coupled with some big John Goldsberry three pointers washed out their hopes of bringing the championship back to the Spree. Muli Katzurin did a wonderful job taking over a squad in mid season changing the Pavicevic style and making the Albatros game more fast and mixing up the defensive sets. He led the team from a come from behind series win against the EWE Baskets Oldenburg and a very satisfying win over the Deutsche Bank Skyliners winning 3 games on the foreign floor of the Ballsporthalle. Katzurin brought new life to guys like Bryce Taylor and Heiko Schaffartzik, but somehow despite him saving the season from a possible nightmare had he not stepped up to the helm in January, Alba Berlin was looking in a new direction with Gordon Herbert.

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Brandon Chappell (Licher Basket Baeren): If Robin Benzing Wasnt Playing In Germany He Would Be On The And1 Tour Doing Tricks For Fun

Brandon Chappell is a 28 year old 183cm guard from Beaumont, Texas that is playing his first season in the PRO B for the Licher Basket Baeren. He is a up tempo floor general that makes smart decissions on the floor. Can really shoot the three but great at getting to the basket. Played with NBA Champion Kendrick Perkins of the Boston Celtics in High School where they won the Class 4A state championship. He played at Lamar from 2003-2007. In his senior year, he played 32 games averaging 8.4ppg, 2.1rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 38.6%, 3Pts: 39.5%, FT: 59.1%. In his first three seasons as a professional he has played in Germany. In 2007-2008, he played for BBC Bayreuth (Germany-ProA): 30 games: 7.7ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.8apg, 2FGP: 47.3%, 3FGP: 31.1%, FT: 75.0%. In 2008-2009, he moved to TV Langen playing 23 games: 14.5ppg, 2.7rpg, 3.0apg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 41.2%, FT: 78.3%. In 2009-2010 for TV Langen, he played 29 games: 11.5ppg, 1.7rpg, 2.8apg, FGP: 43.6%, 3PT: 34.2%, FT: 81.8%. Last season, he played for the Southeast Texas Mavericks (ABA) He spoke to German Hoops recently about basketball.

Brandon, congrats on your new job with the Licher Baskets Baren. How good a feeling is it coming back to Germany?

I feel good about coming back to Germany. This is where i started my career so its a comfortable feeling

You will be playing in the lower division PRO B. You had experience playing in the PRO A with TV Langen. Will you be setting big goals since you performed very well years ago in the German PRO A.

Of course goals will be set for this upcoming season. I am confident that our management, coaches/players, and myself will work together to accomplish what we set.

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Bobby Brown Is Basketball Cruel Leading The EWE Baskets Oldenburg Past The Fraport Skyliners 72-53

Back in the late 80s, Boston native singer Bobby Brown was on top of the world celebrating world hits like Don´t Be Cruel, My Prerogative, Every Little Step, and Roni, while another Bobby Brown, the basketball player was more likely studying the moves and head to head duels of Magic Johnson and Isah Thomas than the dance moves of the ex new Edition singer. Bobby Brown never again found that success in the billboard charts in the 90s while Bobby Brown the basketball player matured as a basketball player and kept having success on the court and leading Alba Berlin to the Beko BBL title in 2008 and is now back in the German league and led the EWE Baskets Oldenburg past the Fraport Sklyiners 72-53 in the opening game of the new season. The Frankfurt defense had relinquished an average of 84 points in the last 3 test games and knew that they would have to have their A game if they wanted to hear Thunderbird Bobby Brown possibly squeal the famous words Don’t be cruel like a disillusioned little puppy would to his master after not getting a juicy bone for its birthday, but Bobby Brown was able to do what he wanted to on the court bring calmness into the Oldenburg offense and not letting the Frankfurt defense be cruel to him. “I had to be cruel today. I brought the whole package today. I got guys involved and hit my shots”, said ex NBA player Bobby Brown. Frankfurt had problems getting the Oldenburg offense to stutter whenever Brown ha dthe balls in his hands. “Brown is a great player who can shoot the ball and has good moves. He is tough to defend”, stressed Skyliner guard Quantez Robertson. “We don’t kid Bobby about the singer Bobby Brown. I think he is too young to know who he is. Our Borwn was cruel for us today. When he is penetrating and hitting his shots is when the team is at its best”, added 2004 Detroit Pistons NBA draft pick Ricky Paulding. “He was very cruel to us and controlled the game. I played against him in Greece. He is a quick athlete that can have big games. Tonight he didn´t have to make the big plays”, added Skyliner guard Justin Gray. The Fraport Skyliners had a horrible shooting day at the office which a team cant do against a strong team like Oldenburg and expect to win. “This was a tough game where we couldn´t get anything going on offense which I think transformed over to our defense. They pressured us all night and played well on offense and defense”, added Justin Gray. The EWE baskets Oldenburg played a very consistent game not allowing Frankfurt to take control. “We had a lot of trust in our system. We played very hard defense and just worked well together as a unit”, commented Bobby Brown.

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Teamcheck 2011/2012: Bayern Munich

Ever since Bayern Munich announced to re-establish its basketball project everybody has been enthusiastic about the impact Germany’s biggest sports brand could have for basketball in Germany.

With a roster full of experienced BBL players (e.g. Aleksandar Nadjfeji, Darius Hall) and german national players (Steffen Hamann, Demond Greene) it was not a big challenge to make it to the Beko BBL. Former national coach Dirk Bauermann had formed a team that could have been a play-off competitor in the BBL. With just two losses during the season and mainly huge wins over other ProA teams the club could fulfill expectations and is now ready for the real challenge in Germany’s elite league.

While some german players retired this summer (Robert Maras, Robert Garrett and Arthur Kolodziejski) coach Bauermann decided to keep most of the players from last year’s roster. The only American who had to leave was Beckham Wyrick, who signed with BBC Bayreuth. These changes were necessary to make the team more competitive for the much more physical BBL and Bayern’s participation in EuroCup.

The new Bayern Munich team that is expected to be a top team in the BBL right from the start looks like a typical Bauermann roster. It’s the mixture of veterans and german national players he also signed during his time with Bamberg.

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Face To Face With EJ Gallup (TBB Trier)

EJ Gallup is a 26 year old 193cm guard from Gloverville, New York. He is playing his first season as a member of TBB Trier. He is a very positive player on the court, who plays with talent and personality. Has great offensive skills and knows how to do at the defensive side. He started his basketball career at Albany (NCAA2) in 2000 and played there until 2002. He then transferred to Co.Carolina (NCAA) where he played until 2004. In his senior year, he played 29 games: 17.2ppg, 3.1rpg, 1.8apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 45.2%, 3PT: 43.4%, FT: 89.6%. He started his professional basketball career in 2006 with Albany Patrons (CBA). He then moved to Germany in the same season playing for ratiopharm Ulm (Germany-1.Bundesliga): 10 games: 4.7ppg, 2FGP: 35.3%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 2-3. In 2007-2008, he returned to Ulm playing 34 games: 12.2ppg, 1.8rpg, 1.3apg, 2FGP: 42.9%, 3PT: 31.6%, FT: 87.3%. He stepped away from the court from 2008-2011 before returning last summer to play for the Albany Legends (IBL, starting five): 17ppg, 4.4rpg, 3.6apg, 3PT: 56%(1). He spoke to German Hoops this summer about basketball.

Congrats on your new job with TBB Trier. After 3 years absence from the Beko BBL, how does it feel to be returning back to Germany?

It feels great, Im happy to be back in Germany, and excited to be playing for TBB Trier.

In the 2007-2008 season you played with Ratiopharm Ulm having a solid season averaging 12.2ppg, 1.8rpg, 1.3apg, 2FGP: 42.9%, 3PT: 31.6%, FT: 87.3%. Why did you leave the basketball world then?

I had a great experience in Ulm, but for me at that time I decided to go in a different direction than basketball and opened a bar and grille.

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Can The Fraport Skyliners Defense Force Bobby Brown To Shout Dont Be Cruel When They Meet The Ewe Baskets Oldenburg October 3rd?

When Dominik Bahiense De Mello comes out of the runway and enters the Fraport arena he wont go right, but left to warm up and will be wearing the untypical yellow and blue which will get some getting used to like it is not see Charlie Sheen and his womanizing ways on Two and a half men, seeing Manuel Neuer in a Bayern Munich jersey and not Schalke uniform or thinking actor Nicholas Cage could be a vampire and have been around during the American civil war as an antique picture was revealed of a man that has a scary resemblance to the Con Air man. De Mello played 6 years in Frankfurt for 6 different coaches and who could forget his strong performance in a 2005 game in the Festhalle in a loss to Bonn or his 19 point effort in a 80-81 loss to Alba Berlin in game one of the playoffs last season. It is no secret that De Mello didn´t always have an easy time playing for Murat Didin, but as new coach Gordon Herbert took the reigns in April 2010, the tide started to turn for the Bonn native. Last season, his first full season for Herbert, De Mello started many games averaging 17,2 minutes per game and 5.8ppg, 1.8rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 50.7%, 3PT: 35.5%, FT: 76.9%. At 26 years of age, the German has matured well, but how well will he come to terms with the style, mentality and moods of head coach Predrag Krunic? “Dominik will make it in Oldenburg. I feel that he will play a good role. He will get his minutes and know how to use them best. He has so much talent and he will gain the confidence of Krunic once he shows his aggressive defense”, stressed Skyliner captain Marius Nolte. De Mello wont have it any easier in Oldenburg as he did in Frankfurt fighting for playing time as his new team went on a successful shopping spree this summer it will depend how the German shows up to play. “De Mello has a new situation and a good team. I don´tknow what his role will be, but it is up to him how he will show is talent best”, warned Skyliner sport director Kamil Novak. I think Domink will do great in that system. He just has to play his game and he will be a key piece this season. he is a solid back up and will give them a shooter and play solid defense as well”, added TBB Trier guard John Bynum. On October 3, the Fraport arena will see De Mello again and just hope that his three pointer isn´t on fire.

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Joe Herber´s 3 Pointers Can´t Save The Fraport Skyliners as EnBW Ludwigsburg Escape The Fraport Arena With a 85-82 Victory

With late summer temperatures gracing the city of Frankfurt, it is only seemingly that a majority of people might be enjoying post work in one of the cafes on the Fressgasse, taking a dip in the main river, playing a quick nine hole round of golf before dusk settles in or having another listen to the legendary Nirvana album Nevermind while reading an exciting John Grisham novel on the balcony, but for the Fraport Skyliners a test game was on the agenda as they gave a strong fight in the second half, but came up short as EnBW Ludwigsburg crawled out of the Fraport arena with a hard fought 85-82 in their last preseason game. “Even on a nice day like this, I want to be in the gym. And before you ask me if I want to be at a cubs game, I don´t want to talk about them”, smiled ex Telekom Baskets Bonn center John Bowler. St Louis native Jimmy Mckinney who is sporting a slick goatee also wouldn´t want to be in any other place than the place where he comes to work. “I want to be in the gym on a day like this and not enjoying the weather on the Mississippi river, because there are a lot of dead bodies in that river”, added Jimmy Mckinney. Since the game wasn´t open to the public, it was a shame that fans were unable to witness the fierce battle between 206cm 100 kilo Marius the force Nolte and 204cm 123 kilo John old school Bowler as the Chicago native seemed to have the upper hand on the German in this game. “He is always a difficult player to play against. He had a good game. I hope that I can annoy him a bit more in the regular season”, stressed Marius Nolte. Bowler finished with 14 points and four rebounds in 21 minutes which shows his effectiveness that he has shown for years in the Beko BBL. “Nolte is very physical and always plays hard. His strength is frustrating other big men and just getting into their heads”, added John Bowler.

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