Can The Deutsche Bank Skyliners Stop The Playoff Run Of The Brose Baskets Bamberg In The 2010 BEKO BBL Final

The last time that The Deutsche Bank Skyliners were in the BEKO BBL Final, Miley Cyrus was not yet being hounded by the media or banks where to unload her bucks, Dwayne Wade and the Miami Heat were still one year away from their first NBA title, The Boston Red Sox were still on cloud 9 having broken the curse of the bambino and winning their first MLB title in 86 years winning 10 months earlier, Lady Gaga was unknown and a go-go girl and Miss umbrella Rihanna was on the brink o stardom as Pon De Replay was being released. The year was 2005 when Frankfurt lost 3-2 against GHP Bamberg as they were last called as they lost a bitter game five 68-64 in Bamberg as Demond Mallet led the winners with 19 points and Skyliner Malick Badiane who was best remembered for missing  a key lay up in the waning minutes. The only player remaining from this series is Skyliner captain Pascal Roller. A good omen for Frankfurt is that new coach Gordon Herbert led the club to the title in 2004 against Bamberg. Herbert will be good for the team, because he has experience and will help the team stay calm in such an exciting series.

In the last five years, The Deutsche Bank Skyliners have had a miserable 0-10 record in Bamberg and slowly one has to contemplate if secretly a curse has been set upon the club. The Boston Red Sox couldn´t win a title for 86 years as they were plagued by the curse of the bambino(Babe Ruth traded to New York Yankees) after title win in 1918. Hopefully there is no curse against the Skyliners at Bamberg, but since Game four of the 2004 BEKO BBL finals, nothing has gone right. There have been no memorable games in this winless streak, but just forgettable side notes like an 80-60 loss in 2006 where Antonio Meeking got injured in a humiliating 88-51 loss, but two close games like the 80-74 OT loss in 2006 where Frankfurt and Jimmy Mckinney were so close to winning and the 66-61 loss last season where American Anthony King showed his best game scoring 16 points and hauling down 11 rebounds. Even though German National coach Dirk Bauermann has not been coach in Bamberg since two years, Frankfurt still hans´t been able to win in Bamberg. The days where coach Dirk Bauermann could unknowingly scare a small child with his stare, Steffen Hamann whining and raising his shoulder in disbelief of a foul all day long, and a truck(Jason Sasser) mowing over a Skyliner are long over. The only thing remaining from the Bauermann era are lovable ex Skyliner Robert Garrett, faithful assistant coach Volker Stix and unbearable and cruel 70 months since the last win in Bamberg in game four of the 2004 BBL finals.

(more…)

German Joleik Schaffrath Looking To Jump To The PRO A In 2010-2011

Joleik Schaffrath is a 21 year old 206cm center who played in the German Pro B for Herten last season. He started his basketball career in 2003 with the Oldenburger TB junior team. In 2005-2006, he spent a year in the United States playing high school basketball. In 2006-2007, he played for the Oldenburger TB team in the Regionaliga playing 16 games and averaging 9,5ppg. In 2007-2008, he played 21 games averaging 12,9ppg. In 2008-2009, he played his first season for Herten playing 27 games averaging 4.4ppg, 4.0rpg. In 2009-2010, he played 29 games averaging 10.9ppg, 6.9rpg, FGP: 56.0%, 3PT: 23.1%, FT: 61.5%. He took some time to talk to German Hoops about basketball.

What do you think when you hear the words „Quotendeutscher“ and „Banklehre“?

I talked to my agent about that many times but we never really took it serious. There is no reason for a player to be in the “quotendeutscher”-role on a team. A basketball player wants and has to play and that is exactly what we are searching for me. If this is not possible in the BBL then the next league for me will be the ProA.

(more…)

Robin Benzing Reflects On The 2009-2010 Season

Robin Benzing is a 21 year old 208cm forward from Seeheim-Jugenheim playing his first season with Ratiopharm Ulm. He played with TV Langen from 2004-2009. In the 2008-2009 PRO A season, he played 25 games: Score-4(18.7ppg), 4.4rpg, 1.1apg, 1.0spg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 52.4%, 3PT: 31.8%, FT: 80.1%. Robin belongs to the German class of Basketball players (the Nowitzki style). He is a big forward who can play in both positions as he has the size and the shooting skills too. His game looks like his country-mate Jan Jagla, he is a bit lighter than the German international, and is playing mostly within the wing. He is amazingly a good ball handler for his size and he can attack the basket going both ways. Even though is nearly a 7footer he doesn’t have the strength to post up his opponents while he does prefer to play mostly on the parameter. He spoke to German Hoops at the end of the season.

NBA Scouts from the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers watched you play in Oldenburg. Were you able to block this out?

It was not difficult for me to play in front of the NBA scouts. There have been scouts at practice this season in Ulm and I am able to block this all out. I just concentrate on the game.

(more…)

German Andy Buechert Looking To Make An Impact In The BEKO BBL In 2010-2011

Andy Buechert is a 208cm German center from Trier that just graduated from Winthrop in South Carolina. He played at tallahasse CC in the JUCO league form 2005-2007. he then transferred to Winthrop. In his senior year, he played at Winthrop playing 33 games and averaging 5.7ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 44.6%, FT: 44.6%. He won the Big South Conference in 2008 and 2010. Now he is testing the market in Europe and has garnered interest from various BEKO BBL teams. German Hoops spoke with the young German about basketball and his future.

Andy, thanks for taking some time to talk to German Hoops. You just finished your college career at Winthrop. How excited are you about turning professional?

I’m very excited about taking the next step in my life and go play professionally in Europe.  Since my early childhood I dreamed about being a professional athlete.

(more…)

Steven Wright Reflects On The 2009-2010 Season

Steven Wright is a 26 year old 191cm guard from Dayton, Ohio. He is playing his third season in the BEKO BBL for The Walter Tigers Tuebingen. He is an extremely athletic combo guard with great quickness, an explosive leaper and has great ball handling and passing skills. Wright hurts you with his penetration or a pull up for the mid ranged jumper, pick and roll, coming off picks for the shot, and when left open he’ll hit the three pointer also. At the same time he is an unselfish player who creates scoring opportunities for others and has a very good ability to finish around the basket. The 26 year old american is a great defensive player because of his quickness and athletic abilities and is a great and mature person with a good work ethic.

He played at Bowling Green from 2002-2006. He finished his NCAA career at Northern Kentucky in 2006-2007 averaging 16,8 ppg., 5,3 rpg., 3,2 apg., 1,6 spg., FG: 46.1%, 3PT: 34,6%, FT 77,5%. In 2007, he came to Germany an played for The New York Phantoms Braunschweig averaging 7.4ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.3apg, 1.6spg, 2FGP: 44.9%, 3PT: 32.6%, FT: 75.5% in 34 games. Last season, he helped lead The Paderborn Baskets into the BEKO BBL playoffs averaging 7.8ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 40.8%, 3PT: 38.2%, FT: 77.2% in 36 games.

He recently joined The Walter Tigers Tuebingen and spoke to German Hoops about his season in Tuebingen.

How would you rate your season with The Walter Tigers Tuebingen coming in so late in the season?

I wouldn’t rate my season high at all. This was the worse season I’ve ever had since playing the game of basketball. It’s nothing personal with the coach or my teammates I’m pointing the finger at myself. Also, coming to a team in the middle of the season was tough. I didn’t want to come in and try to do too much. I wanted to fit right in. I tried to let the game come to me while playing in games. Most of the time I stood around waiting for the right time and it never came. But at some point you have to be the aggressor and I didn’t do that in all the games. I am definitely a much better player.

(more…)

Jason Boone Looking To Make History At The Eurochallenge Final 4

Jason Boone is a 24 year old 198cm power forward/center from Sugar Loaf, New York. He is playing his third season with BG Goettingen.

He played at New York University(NCAA 3) from 2003-2007. In his senior year, he played 28 games averaging 14.1ppg, 9.6rpg, 2.4bpg, 2.9apg, FG: 63.0%, FT: 64.3%. Two seasons ago, he played at Bernau(Regionalliga) before making the jump up three leagues to MEG Goettingen. Last  season, he averaged 4.4ppg, 4.0rpg, FG: 53.7%.

This season, he is averaging 21 minutes per game and is averaging 11,0ppg, 5,6rpg and 1,1bs.

He took some time to talk to German Hoops about the current BG Goettingen season.

How does BG Goettingen continue to win games despite injuries and foul trouble in the last months?

It has to do with how hard we work. We come in well prepared and execute our game plan well. We win some games and lose some games.

(more…)

Mark Dorris Likes To Get Started On Defense Before Getting His Offense Going

Mark Dorris is a 188 cm guard playing his rookie season in Germany in the PRO A for Cuxhaven. He was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio and visited Princeton high school. He then attended St. Catharine College for a year before transfering to Marshall where he played from 2005-2008. In his senior year, he played 30 games averaging 13.6ppg, 4.0rpg, 2.4apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 39.1%, 3Pts: 34.3%, FT: 75.9%. Currently he is averaging 18,8ppg, 4,4rpg and 3,8apg for Cuxhaven.

He took some time to talk to German Hoops about his rookie season.

Mark you are playing your first season in Germany with Cuxhaven. How do you like Germany?

Germany has been a great Experience. I have enjoyed it thus far and winning games makes it easier.

(more…)

Josh Wilson Makes A Name For Himself In Ehingen

On paper the ProB is just the third league in Germany. But in recent years many great players were able to leave a mark and make themselves a name in this league. The best example is probably Spot Up Medien Baskets Zack Wright. The American playmaker made it from Braunschweig’s ProB team to an All-Star in the first division in France.

This season many great point guards entered the league and their stats could serve them as a stepping stone to a great career in Europe. One of these promising players is former Northern Arizona playmaker Josh Wilson. The 22-year old point guard had a nice college career (All-time Assist leader in NA history) and started his pro career with Erdgas Ehingen this season. On a young team full of german talents Wilson had to show his leadership skills and had an impressive rookie season in Europe.

He took some time to talk to German Hoops about his first experiences in Europe.

After 4 years of NCAA basketball with Northern Arizona you turned pro last summer. Was that something you always planned to do? And how did you end up in Germany?

Becoming a professional basketball player is something that every basketball player dreams about. It’s something I strived for every day in my high school and college career. To be able to see it happen here in Germany has been a very fulfilling experience. I ended up here in Germany through my website, joshwilsonbasketball.com that has video and information about me and I sent the information out to teams. Nico Drmota saw my website and asked my former teammate Kristian Kuhn on the team about me. It ended up working out well and I got the opportunity to come to Ehingen.
(more…)

Marcus Smallwood Was Out Of Basketball For Two Years But Still Wants To Play In The BEKO BBL

Marcus Smallwood is a 28 year 198cm forward playing his second season in Germany fort he PRO A team Kaiserslautern.

He is from Elgin, Illinois and played at Northern Illinois from 2000-2004. He came to Europe for his rookie season and played for Ostromecko Astoria Bydgoszcz (Poland-EBL): 4 games: 9.5ppg, 9.0rpg: was released in and later that month signed at Pyrbasket Tampere (Finland-Sparliiga): 6 games: 13.5ppg, 10.8rpg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 59%, and also played shortly at Solna Vikings (Sweden-Basketligan): 3 games: 8.3ppg, 5.3rpg, 1.0bpg. The next season, he played in Finland for Forssan Koripojat (Finland-1st Division, starting five): 26 games: 19.7ppg, Reb-2(11.1rpg), 1.3apg, 1.0spg, Blocks-1(1.4bpg), 2FGP-3(64.1%), 3PT: 31.6%, FT: 56.2%. 2006: Elgin Racers (IBL). He had a very strong season in Finland, but surprisingly in the next few years played only briefly in the IBL for the Elgin Racers.

Last season, he played for Kaiserslautern playing 30 games: 9.0ppg, 5.5rpg, FGP: 61.3%, FT: 40.7%. He took some time to talk to German Hoops.

Marcus, you are playing your second season with Kaiserslautern of the PRO A. How do you like the style of the PRO A ?

I think the style of Pro A is a lot more physical and tough than people would imagine. The main reason for this is because it’s a league full of players hungry to show people how good they are who might have overlooked them other places and want to prove themselves!

(more…)

The Deutsche Bank Skyliners Allow Predrag Suput To Get Hot Losing The 2010 BEKO BBL Final To Bamberg 76-75

The comeback attempts by The Deutsche Bank Skyliners this season have been as often and usual as Paris Hilton changing her shoes, Tiger Woods coming up with a new apology for his wife each day, sadly Lindsay Lohan running around drunk as if it was a home work assignment and Mark Mcgrath being mistaken for Ethan Hawke, so with four minutes remaining in the BEKO BBL cup final and the club back 74-63, there was no surprise that they would stage a comeback, but were denied in the last seconds their third club title as The Brose Baskets Bamberg prevailed 76-75. Playing back to back and only having 18 hours to recuperate from the thrilling 61-59 win in the semi final against The Eisbaeren Bremerhaven might of played a toll on the total effort of the team as fatigue was something that couldn´t be erased.

“We had no energy today. We gave all our focus yesterday. Our problem is that we have problems starting tough and aggressive against top teams. If we don´t do this, it is always difficult to win. There was a perfect atmosphere and I am just very unhappy for the fans. We wanted to give the fans the cup. We will have to win it for them next season”, stressed Skyliner assistant coach Engin Gencoglu.

Frankfurt has lost the last three games by a total combined score of five points and it was no surprise that the players were disappointed and reserved after the loss. Even captain Pascal Roller who is not only the best interview partner for the Skyliners, but it sometimes seems like he could start his own school of speech because of his fluid and solid rhetoric was very terse with his answer.

“There isn´t too much one can say after a game like this except that we didn´t reach our goal of winning the cup”, stressed Pascal Roller.

For The Brose Baskets Bamberg, it was their first title again since the 2007 BEKO BBL title and for coach Chris Fleming it was his second cup win after the Artland Dragons victory in 2008.

“Each title is different. With Artland, we had been having a consistent season, but with Bamberg this season, we had a tough start and had high expectations and were struggling. But in the last 25 games, we have a 20-5 record, so we have showed that we are a good team and results can be achieved with hard work”, warned Chris Fleming.

(more…)