Michael Jordan (Giessen 46ers): We Have To Play Hard, Smart And Together For 40 Minutes Against Tuebingen

33 year old Michael Jordan is a 183cm guard from Philadelphia. He played at the University of Pennsylvania graduating in 2000. His first two years found him jumping around leagues in France and Spain before he found a new home in Germany with TSV Quackenbruck. In the 2002-2003 season, he helped lead Quackenbruck into the BBL with exceptional stats in 30 games, 21.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 6.9 apg. He helped turn The Artland Dragons into a playoff team in the 2004-2005 season as they lost the BBL Quarterfinal playoff series to The Opel Skyliners in five games. That season he averaged in 34 games: 11.1ppg, 3.4rpg, Ast-1(6.4apg), 1.3spg, 2.6bpg, 2FGP: 52.5%, 3FGP: 31.3%. The next season, he was released by The Artland Drgaons, but went to Rhein Energie Cologne and won the BBL championship in 2006 averaging in 33 games: 9.8ppg, 2.3rpg, Assists-4(4.1apg), 1.0spg, 2FGP: 45.3%, 3PT: 40.3%, FT: 52.2%. The next season, he went to Italy and played at Cantu where he led the league in assists and averaged in 37 games: 13.8ppg, 2.7rpg, Assists-1(5.2apg), 2.0spg, 2FGP: 54.6%, 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 74.0%. The next season, he played in Belgium for Charleroi averaging in 15 games: 9.5ppg, 1.6rpg, 3.6apg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 56.0%, 3PT: 36.0%, FT: 90.0%;. He had injury problems and finished the season in Greece with PAOK. In 2008-2009 after a very short stay in Israel, he played a few months in Bamberg before going to the Cologne 99ers averaging 10,5ppg, 2,4rpg and leading the BBL in assists with 6,2apg. Last season, he played for Phoenix Hagen helping the team remain in the BEKO BBL. He played 16 games: 8.9ppg, 2.3rpg, Assists-5(5.3apg), FGP: 44.2%, 3PT: 32.5%, FT: 73.3%. This season he started with MBC before going to the Giessen 46ers recently. He spoke to German Hoops before the game against The Walter Tigers Tuebingen March 12th.

The Giessen 46ers are coming off a tough 81-62 loss against The Deutsche Bank Skyliners. How well has the club digested the loss the last days?

Our last 2 losses have been very hard to digest, but I think we have focused in on what we need to do and are ready to prove ourselves in the next games. The intensity and focus in practice this week has been a lot better. Coach has us ready for the next opponent.

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Can The Deutsche Bank Skyliners Withstand BG Goettingen And New John Patrick Surprises Out Of His Lokcave March 12th?

In the last weeks, it seems like intriguing point guard duels Wood-Rice and Wood-Jordan have jumped into the foreground of the pre game chat of The Deutsche Bank Skyliners, but this weekend when BG Goettingen glide into the Ballsporthalle, chatter might evolve around a non player challenge , but more of a fierce coach joust between Gordon Herbert and John Patrick. The Canadian Skyliner skipper Herbert is a coach that is able to get the best out of each individual player no matter the circumstances while Patrick has the talent to keep forming strong teams despite a little budget and the constant coming and going of players each season. BG Goettingen won the Eurochallenge last season and this season is a silent favorite to win the Eurocup. Somehow one has the feeling that Patrick who coached one season in Japan for Toyota Alvark winning the league title, that he has his own type of Patrick cave(Bat cave) under the mysterious Lokhalle where he secretly is able to form college players into BEKO BBL top players as he has demonstrated in the last years with guys like Chris Oliver, Taylor Rochestie, Dwayne Anderson and Jason Boone. Coaches in the BEKO BBL might be wondering what dazzling potions the American is brewing up and helping his players develop so rapidly? “I’d call the potion Patrick’s Cola, named after the ever-so-popular Coca-Cola. Because he is able to take ingredients (players), put them in a bottle (a team), and make it successful without anybody knowing the recipe”, joked MBC American Wayne Bernard. The magic of the BG Goettingen coach isn´t only present in his halo Patrick cave, but in the off season. “I think he does a great job doing research on his players that he is bringing in and they all buy into his system. All of his players seem to play hard for him and that style of basketball is attractive to most players”, added TBB Trier guard John Bynum. Patrick also has been able to have his club reach realistic goals in international play the last two years. “I think it has to do with the players buying into the system and they are a tough team to prepare for. They have a lot of versatile players at the 3/4 spot and cause match up problems for a lot of teams that have traditional players down low and they come at you with pressure with there guards and dont let up”, stressed John Bynum.

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Jevohn Shepherd (Deutsche Bank Skyliners) Has A License To Fly To The Hoop And No Cinderella Reality Hanging On His Shoulders

In the last 10 months, the basketball career of 24 year old Canadian Jevohn Shepherd has been sort of a whirlwind like that of Bayern goalie Thomas Kraft who was always in the shadow of Hans Jorg Butt and then got the call, 19 year old soccer player Andreas Merkel who came to Germany from Kazakhstan and lived in a village in the Westerwald and now is getting press in Germany after being discovered by AC Milian and recently playing Champions League or actress Gabourey Sidibe going from Americas got talent to being nominated for a Golden Globe for Precious. Last summer Shepherd who had graduated from Michigan played in Canada in Halifax, the gateway to the Atlantic for the Rainmen possibly enjoying the breathtaking city street scapes often used for motion pictures to stand in for other cities that are too expensive to work in and then a few months later mixing it up for the Canadian national team at the World championships in Turkey with top basketball players like Marc Gasol, Boris Diaw or Linas Kleiza. He then started off the 2010-2011 basketball season in Germany in the PRO A for the Giroballers Live Osnabrueck and a few weeks ago played against Chemnitz against Americans like Gary Johnson and Ty Law and a few days ago against the Giessen 46ers against Michael Jordan and with ex NBA player Roger Powell. Despite all this excitement, it seems like the friendly Canadian is taking it all in stride despite looking at me a bit lost in the expression in his eyes as I was flooding him with German in the post game radio interview, but he then showing some relief as the English came in the translation. “I am extremely excited this is a great club to be apart of and to be able to be apart of it is a great opportunity I cant really express much more how excited I am .I felt comfortable in my first game. Frankfurt has a good group of guys that talked to me a lot. Coach prepared us well and there was adjusting to do since this league is a lot more physical and the players are smarter”, stressed Jevohn Shepherd.

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The Deutsche Bank Skyliners Get Extra Energy By The Marius Nolte Lego Man As They Win Their 8th Game In A Row In Giessen 81-62

Playing in the Hessen Derby in the Osthalle is always something extremely fascinating with the Frankfurt-Giessen rivalries like a Boston Red Sox-New York Yankees, Boca Juniors-River Plate or AC Milan-Inter Milan battle, because it doesn´t only bring out the best in the players, but also with the fans. The Osthalle is never an easy place to play in because the location can be as hostel and brutal as being stuck on 5th avenue in New York in rush hour, having to survive the blizzard of 78 in New England or hanging out in front of Yankees stadium after a New York loss and chanting New York sucks. The atmosphere was incredible as usual and stayed in the heads of the players, but The Deutsche Bank Skyliners had less problems as they out played the Giessen 46ers 81-62. “The atmosphere was great and the perfect place to play a derby game. The atmosphere in Giessen beat many big places in the league”, added Skyliner forward Kimmo Muurinen. “I had played in many tough places in the PRO A, but I had never really experienced a place like Giessen. We had great support from the fans tonight”, said Skyliner Air Canada Jevohn Shepherd. “It was a derby game, but we didnt give the fans anything to cheer about. If we dont play well then they are not satisfied which effects the atmosphere. I have played in a better atmosphere”, stated Giessen forward Elvir Ovcina. Frankfurt won their fifth game in a row and keep showing that they are the second best team in the BEKO BBL. “We simply sucked tonight. We could´t execute on offense or defense. We let them do what they wanted to. We play harder in practice. They outworked us and deserved to win”, stated Giessen 46er guard Michael Jordan. Frankfurt continues to look like a fine tuned Ferrari thats ready to win the Monte Caro Grand Prix. “It all looks so easy for us because we have a great coach who prepares us well with the game plan. We play for each other”, stated new Canadian national player Jevohn Shepherd.

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The Deutsche Bank Skyliners Want To Prevent The Giessen 46ers and Michael The Fireman Jordan From Putting Out The Next Frankfurt Fire On The Court

The Hessen derby as a whole is the main course this weekend in the 25th BEKO BBL game day as The Giessen 46ers host The Deutsche Bank Skyliners as Frankfurt try to win their 8th game in a row in Giessen on Saturday March 5th. The last win for the home team, they were called Avitos Giessen and BJ Mckie was top scorer. The spunky guard duels continue each weekend as last weekend it wasthe lightening quick Dashaun Wood against Mr floater Tyrese Rice and this weekend it will be Dashaun Mr road runner Wood against Michael the fire fighter Jordan going head to head to see who can lead their team to victory. “Well I guess you have to say that Jordan is trying to put out the flame in all that speed that Wood has”, laughed John Bynum. Wood is an early MVP candidate in the BEKO BBL and Frankfurt would be as lost and helpless without as Paris Hilton would be without her lear jet, St Elmos Fire actress Demi Moore without Twitter and 1990 World Cup champion Loather Mathaeus without young girls. Michael Jordan is with his 6th team in Germany and saved Phoenix Hagen last season from moving down to the PRO A and returns to his next tour of duty with his fire truck and uniform ready to douse the fire and problems and keep The Giessen 46ers in the BEKO BBL. “He seems to put out fires when the team is on fire meaning he comes in with that water hose and saves the day. He just brings a lot to the table, his experience and his competitiveness rubs off on his teammates. He always wants to wins and it rubs off on his team”, added John Bynum. Jordan has that big smile and carefree demeanour on the outside, but in the inside, he is as focused to keep Giessen in the BEKO BBL like Kevin Garnett is every single game wearing the green, Tom hanks is preparing for a movie like Philadelphia or ex President Bill Clinton is deciding to chose Mcdonalds or Burger King as his next munching stop. The roadrunner and the fire fighter already met in the Ballsporthalle, but the Osthalle will be a whole different atmosphere for both competitors. “It will be a competitive match up, Wood brings the heat and MJ doesnt back down from anyone. It will be interesting by all means, because both are great players”, stressed TBB Trier guard John Bynum. The question remains is his big smile more an advantage or disadvantage for teams? “Well considering he has all those teeth, it is tough to beat, but at the same time I do have a cute smile but not as much teeth though. I’m not sure if it is an advantage or disadvantage but playing against him you dont want to see that smile cause that usually means they are winning the game”, joked John Bynum.

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Jacob Jaacks(Telekom Baskets Bonn): I Feel Like Sometimes I Pass Too Much When I Should Be Shooting

Jacob Jaacks is a 33 year old 208cm forward from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He played at Iowa(NCAA) from 1998-2000. He started his professional basketball career in 2000 with Limoges (France-ProB) and then played for St. Quentin (France-ProB): 28 games: 18.4ppg, Reb-1(11.5rpg), 2.3apg, 0.9spg in 2001-2002. In 2002-2003, he started a long career in Italy as he played for Acqua Lauretana Biella (Italy-SerieA): 12.4 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 67.4% 2, 48.6% 3 (1.7 made a game), in 29.5 mpg. In 2003-2004, he played for Edimes Pavia (Italy-Lega2): 23 games: 12.0ppg, 9.8rpg, 1.0apg, in March ’04 moved to Calefacciones Farho Gijon Baloncesto (Spain-LEB1): 5 games: 15.4ppg, 5.4rpg. In 2004-2005, he played for Lauretana Biella (Italy-SerieA): 32 games: 11.3ppg, Reb-5(8.2rpg), 1.6spg, 2FGP: 62.4%, 3FGP: 33.3%,. In 2005-2006, he played for Amatori Snaidero Udine (Italy-SerieA): 33 games: 11.1ppg, 7.7rpg, 1.8spg, 2FGP: 65.4%, 3PT: 29.5%, FT: 52.4%. In 2006-2007, he played for Amatori Snaidero Udine (Italy-SerieA, starting five): ULEB Cup: 10 games: 11.6ppg, 7.0rpg, 1.2apg, 2FGP: 62.7%, 3FGP: 55.6%, FT: 75.9%; Italian League: 32 games: 11.0ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.0apg, 1.7spg, 2FGP: 56.2%, 3PT: 34.8%, FT: 67.6%. In 2007-2008, he played for Besiktas ColaTurka Istanbul (Turkey-TBL), in Oct.’07 signed by BC Kyiv (Ukraine-Superleague): Ukrainian Superleague: 18 games: 5.9ppg, 4.1rpg, 2FGP: 53.0%, 3PT: 42.0%, FT: 70.0%; ULEB Cup: 11 games: 5.9ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.0spg, FGP: 57.1%, 3PT: 20%, FT: 64%. In 2008-2009, he played for Banca Tercas Teramo (Italy-SerieA): 31 games: 6.2ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.1spg, FGP: 59.4%, 3PT: 36.0%, FT: 83.9%. Last season, he played for Hapoel Afula (Israel-Premier League): 13 games: 7.6ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 65.2%, 3PT: 27.8%, FT: 68.6%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

The Telekom Baskets Bonn have a solid 9 man rotation but it seems like often the club is carried by Nic Wise, Folarian Campbell and Jeremy Hunt. Is it not dangerous to always rely on them for scoring input?

We seem to depend on them in many games and we need to find a balance in our play. We have a lot of young players and other guys that step up when they might have an off night.

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Jimmy McKinney(Deutsche Bank Skyliners): Every Player Has Been A Hero This Season

Jimmy McKinney is a 26 year old 192cm guard from St Louis. He is a is a solid knock-down shooter, but also can score from penetration and with rim-rattling dunks. He played at Vashon High School winning the State tournament three times. He played at Missouri from 2002-2006 with well known players like Ricky Paulding, Travon Bryant and Jason Conley. In his senior year he played 28 games averaging 12.6ppg, 3.7rpg, 2.3apg, FG: 40.6%, 3PT: 35.5%, FT: 78.2%. He turned professional in 2006 and joined the Deutsche Bank Skyliners. In his rookie season, he played 30 games averaging 12.3ppg, 3.2rpg, 1.6apg, 2FGP: 44.9%, 3FGP: 38.5%, FT: 77.2%. He is playing his fifth season in Frankfurt and spoke to German Hoops before the game against The Giessen 46ers March 5th.

Congrats on the superb 83-72 win against The New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig. Where does the team find this energy despite not having Pascal Roller and Dominik Bahiense de Mello?

We are showing a lot of character and very much mental toughness.

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The Deutsche Bank Skyliners Give A Oscar-Like Gladiator Performance whipping The Artland Dragons 83-72.

On the eve of the 2011 Oscars, some movie fans might have gotten their Sunday rolling with some past awards moments dancing in their heads like the famous Halle Berry speech wanting more time for to talk after being named the first African/African to win in 2002, the inspiring and heart felt speech by Tom hanks for his best actor win in 1993 for portraying an aids victim in Philadelphia, 72 year old actor Jack Palance showing the world in 1992 his virility doing push ups after finally winning after four decades of acting for City Slickers, Robert Opal interupting the 1974 show as David Niven was introducing Elisabeth Taylor by running across the stage nude or the legendary stroll across the chairs by Italian actor Robert Benigni for winning best foreign movie for “Life Is Beautiful, but despite the historic day in films, there was still a basketball game to play as The Deutsche Bank Skyliners showed another spirited, inspired and hard fought win despite not having captain Pascal Roller and Dominic Bahiense De Mello getting by The Artland Dragons 83-72. After the win the players had some time to reflect about the Oscar like team performance. “This win was like any Rocky movie. They came out and punched us and beat us up bad and we were down by 14 points. We fought back and got the lead, but at the end they punched us again coming back. It was like a boxing match and we got beat a little, but better to go out with a win than with a loss”, stressed Skyliner guard Dashaun Wood. “This win reminded me of Gladiator. We fought hard and a gladiator never stops, but always fight back”, stated Skyliner forward Roger Powell. “This game reminded me of the movie “Cop Out”. We had a great start, but then slid off just like the movie did”, added Dragon gaurd Tyrese Rice. “This game reminded me of the movie “Life with Martin Lawrence and Eddie Murphy”, said Skyliner Quantez Robertson. “The movie 300 comes to mind in describing this game. I wouldn´t call this a Oscar performance though”, commented Skyliner foreward Kimmo Muurinen.

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Dashaun Wood And Tyrese Rice Duel And Might Rekindle Small Traces Of Larry And Magic On The Court As The Skyliners Look To Sprinkle Dirt Over The Artland Dragons Flame

It seems like everybody in the BEKO BBL knows that The Brose Baskets Bamberg will win the championship and then kilometers later teams like Berlin and Frankfurt might be teams that could challenge them in a five games series, but no really has the Artland Dragons on the radar as a title team that could win it all, but they could possibly be a team to sneak into the final the same way Rajon Rondo does into the zone and be that team that laughs hardest last getting an upset like a Jack Black or Seth Rogen would after finding out that they beat out the Chippendales for a date with Paris Hilton. The Deutsche Bank Skyliners could meet The Artland Dragons again in the 2011 BEKO BBL cup final in Bamberg and their February 27th meeting against them will be an interesting and educational preparation that they have to take serious just like their last win in Braunschweig because their next meeting will be in the Cup semi finals April three. The Artland Dragons dont have to hide from any team in the BEKO BBL as their roster is as strong in appearance like the current Chicago Bulls who could be a sleeper, as actor George Clooney is in a Starbucks getting any woman with his non resisting appearance and raised eyebrows and actor Frankie Muniz being as credible to the press proclaiming that he isnt suicidal and The Deutsche bank Skyliners will have to be ready for this potential title team that nobody really has any eyes for at the moment. “The Artland Dragons are my dark horse as well as they are a talented team and they are deep in a lot of positions. They have experience and they are tough to beat on there home court. I really like them in the playoffs and they can compete with anyone in my opinion. Rice is getting better and Peavy is healthy and they are just clicking right now, and they are a team that most teams dont want to play in the playoffs or just at the end of the week”, warned TBB Trier guard John Bynum. Frankfurt will have to find a way to douse the Dragons fire possibly with dirt? “Well its cold and winter, but Frankfurt just has to let it rain on the Dragons fire”, joked John Bynum. “They are one of the best teams and I am looking forward to the challenge. They are playing well and it will be a good challenge. We will have to bring our A game against The Artland Dragons”, warned current BEKO BBL leading scorer Dashaun Wood.

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EJ Rowland(Vanoli): Darius Hall Has Been My Favorite Teammate In My Career

EJ Rowland is a 27 year old 188cm guard from Palma, California that was born in Frankfurt, Germany. This season he is playing his second season in Italy for Vanoli Cremona. He is a good point guard who always find the open man. Very intelligent ball player and good athlete. A tireless defender that steals lots of balls to the opponents. Rebounds well because of his size. Can guard both guard positions in defense, at the offensive side is better penetrator than shooter but can knock down the open shot. He played at St Marys from 2003-2005. In his senior year, he played 34 games: 11.0ppg, 3.8rpg, AssistsWCC-3(3.9apg), 1.6spg, FGP: 38.2%, 3PT: 30.7%, FT: 69.2%: Finished two-year career at St. Mary’s ranked tenth all-time in total assists (263) and fourth in assist per game average (4.2). In 2005-2006, he started his professional basketball career for the Florida Flame (D-League, starting five): 44 games: 5.6ppg, 2.5rpg, 3.0apg, FGP: 47.4%, 3PT: 25%, FT: 61.8%. In 2006-2007, he played for Sydney Kings (Australia-NBL), in Nov.’06 moved to Townsville Crocodiles (Australia-NBL, starting five): Australian League: 21 games: 12.9ppg, 5.2rpg, 4.8apg, Steals-1(2.0spg), FGP: 48%, 3Pt: 35%, FT: 71%; in March ’07 signed at Barons/LMT Riga (Latvia-LBL, starting five): Baltic League: 6 games: 10.7ppg, 2.8rpg, 3.8apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 40.7%, 3PT: 16.7%, FT: 70.0%; LBL: 17 games 15.2ppg 4.9rpg 4.2apg 1.9spg. In 2007-2008, he came to Germany and played for the Artland Dragons Quakenbrueck (Germany-1.Bundesliga): ULEB Cup: 14 games: 7.6ppg, 3.1rpg, 2.3apg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 51.4%, 3FGP: 14.3%, FT: 58.1%; German League: 37 games: 7.5ppg, 3.1rpg, 2.2apg, 2FGP: 52.2%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 60.9%. In 2008-2009, he played for The Telekom Baskets Bonn (Germany-1.Bundesliga, starting five): German League: 45 games: 13.6ppg, 3.4rpg, 3.4apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 53.3%, 3PT: 36.0%, FT: 65.4%; Eurocup Qualifications: 2 games: 11.5ppg, 3.5rpg, 2.5apg, 1.5spg; EuroChallenge: 14 games: 10.6ppg, 3.0rpg, Assists-5(4.1apg), 1.6spg, FGP: 47.6%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 61.0%. Last season, he played his first season for Vanoli Cremona (Italy-SerieA, starting five): 30 games: 13.8ppg, 4.3rpg, 3.6apg, Steals-3(2.9spg), FGP: 56.9%, 3PT: 37.7%, FT: 73.8%. He won the 2008 BEKO BBL cup in 2008 with The Artland Dragons. He is a member of the Bulgarian national team and played at the European Championships in Poland 2009 playing 3 games: 17.7ppg, 3.0rpg, 3.0apg, 1.3spg. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

What was it like playing against big Serb point guard Stefan Markovic?

He is a young good player. He sees the floor well and it is hard to crowd him, but as a smaller guard, I have an advantage since bigger guards have more problems with small defenders. I pressured him a lot.

You are playing your second season in Italy in the Serie A. How have you been able to be so successful on the court so quick?

I simply have had good people around me. I got a lot of experience on the fly which quickly gave me confidence. It also has helped since I have been aggressive and learning from mistakes quickly.

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