For 110 days the Fraport Skyliners were flawless winning 10 games at home in a row and posing the question if their comfy living room temperature that had kept the club so snug for such a long period of time had been turned down as clubs like six time Beko BBL champion Brose Baskets Bamberg and Russian Eurochallenge opponent Avtodor Saratov arrived in the Fraport arena at the end of January 2014 and beat them. The last time the 2004 Beko BBL winner Fraport Skyliners lost two consecutive games at home. It was at the start of the season on the first weekend where they lost to Phoenix Hagen and ratiopharm Ulm. It was such a long time ago that the recently crowned 2015 Super Bowl champions New England Patriots were 2-2 and coming off a crushing 41-14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and were as far away from a fourth Super Bowl win as is nose tackle Vince Winfork is from ever getting lost at the take out drive through line at Mcdonalds, the Atlanta Hawks were in training camp getting ready for the 2014-2015 season as only the very few would have predicted them being the best team in the NBA at the start of February 2015 having a stellar 40-8 record and the San Francisco Giants and manager Bruce Bochy were near to winning their third MLB World Series in the last five years. However streaks are there to be broken as the Fraport Skyliners lost to the Brose Baskets Bamberg and Avtodor Saratov. Having lost key players German national player Danilo Barthel and Los Angeles native and rookie Justin Cobbs to injury, the club lost a third consecutive game to 2010 Eurochallenge winner BG Goettingen on the road. Despite injuries and a brisk winter wind having taken over in the usual warm and cozy Fraport arena that disrupted the success of the club, the Fraport Skyliners returned home, but the competition didn´t get any easier as 8 time Beko BBL champion Alba Berlin arrived, but Frankfurt had big hair, Oklahoma flavor, basketball general Justin Cobbs and basketball lieutenant Sean Armand who led the 2004 Beko BBL champion past 8 time BBL winner Alba Berlin 87-80 in overtime starting a new winning streak at home. Quantez Robertson had big hair again something he usually displays at the start of a season as a gesture of good luck and success for the season, three is a charm as Jacob Burtschi was back in Frankfurt for a third tour of duty bringing that Oklahoma flavor while Justin the basketball general Cobbs and basketball lieutenant Sean Armand took care of business in overtime as it was another normal day at the office even if it was an ugly win the club gave Alba Berlin only their second loss of the season. “It was an ugly game, but sometimes when you are overmatched playing against an Euroleague team where you should lose by 20 points on paper, you need to turn it into an ugly game. We were lucky, stuck together and got the win”, warned ex Bremerhaven forward Jacob Burtschi. For Alba Berlin, it was only their second loss of the season and something they definitely weren´t used to as lowered heads came out of the dressing room one by one as so little words escaped their mouths that one could of asked “cat got your tongue”? “We lost and Frankfurt played well. It was a good game and exciting, but Frankfurt had the advantage with the home court. They always had answers and shot very well from outside”, stressed ex Skyliner Alex King.
Alba Berlin
Jamel McLean (Alba Berlin) Has Matured Into A Consistent Euroleague Player
For some guys reaching the big show goes faster than for others as former Xavier(NCAA) players Jordan Crawford and Derrick Brown experienced as they reached the NBA right out of school. Crawford played for years in the NBA with teams like Atlanta Hawks, Washington Wizzards, Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors before moving to China this season racking in the big bucks while Derrick Brown played three seasons for the Charlotte Bobcats before moving to Russia last season balling for Lokomotiv Kuban. For a guy like Jamel Mclean of Xavier(NCAA) like his former teammate Kenny Frease, their resumes haven´t had any NBA teams listed, but instead they have made a steady progress in Europe. Mclean is a 26 year old 203cm forward/center from Brooklyn that is playing his fourth professional season. At Xavier, he played three seasons after playing as a freshman at Tulsa(NCAA) and had solid stats reaching an NCAA Sweet 16 in 201 and as a senior played 31 games averaging 10.6ppg, 8.4rpg, FGP: 53.9%, FT: 61.2%. In 2011-2012 he started his professional basketball career and made the trek over the pond and played for Stella Artois Leuven Bears (Belgium-D1) playing 36 games averaging 9.3ppg, 6.8rpg, FGP: 51.5%, 3PT: 18.2%, FT: 62.8%. In his second season he started the season with Telenet Oostende (Belgium-Ethias League) and in January 2013 moved to the Telekom Baskets Bonn playing 21 games averaging 13.7ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 59.3%, FT: 65.9%, 6.6rpg, 1.0spg, FGP: 58.6%, FT: 69.6%. In his second season in Bonn he continued to develop while having to play center playing Eurocup playing 10 games averaging 15.5ppg, 6.7rpg, FGP: 53.6%, FT: 77.3%. In the German League the American played 38 games averaging 13.2ppg, Reb-1(7.7rpg), 1.2apg, FGP: 56.9%, 3PT: 21.1%, FT: 69.8%. In these one an dhalf seasons, Mclean made a huge jump in his play and 8 time Beko BBL club Alba Berlin recognized his potential and talent and hauled him in for this season. In Bonn, Mclean was able to progress further under the guidance of then head coach Michael Koch. “My Bonn time was great for my development. My first coach Michael Koch just let me play my game which really built my confidence. Last year I had to be an undersized five man and this really gave me strength to expand my game. Playing center at the Eurocup level also helped develop my game, because it showed that I could play against centers in the Eurocup”, stressed Jamel Mclean. This season with Alba Berlin he is the teams leading scorer and rebounder in BBL and Euroleague play. In the BBL he has scored in double figures in 16 games including a 33 point 12 rebound explosion against Phoenix Hagen. He has been just as spectacular in Euroleague play having scored in double figures in 12 of 15 games and showing that consistency could be his middle name. His play has brought along extra attention again from top teams in Europe and ever since his buzzer beater win in preseason in Berlin against the San Antonio Spurs, he is on the list of NBA scouts as well. Getting that invitation to the NBA Summer League could happen this summer. “It would be nice if a team would invite me next season. I believe that I have shown people that I can play at a high level and the NBA is where everybody wants to play at”, warned Jamel Mclean. Even if the NBA doesn´t happen, he will always be able to tell his grand children about the shot. “Beating The San Antonio Spurs was the best game that I have ever played in my career. This is my #1 best game just because of the significance and the amazing atmosphere that was on the court”, warned Jamel Mclean.
Reggie Redding (Alba Berlin) Has Gone From Under The Radar To An Established Euroleague Player
The Walter Tigers Tuebingen have been known in the past few years as being one of those Beko BBL teams that doesn´t have the biggest budgets, but still have the power to haul in talented and interesting players within their budget that offer themselves to better teams with strong seasons in the Swaben city. In the past years, players like AJ Moye, Michael Haynes, Branislav Ratkovica or Jermaine Anderson have used The Walter Tigers Tuebingen as a place to tone their skills while also enjoying some juicy meat at the OX US steakhouse after practice or games. Tigers head coach Igor Perovic came on board in 2009 and has done a fine job keeping the team in the middle pack of the standing and sometimes grazing on the boundry of the playoff places like a famished cow on the pasture always hungry for more while having talented players according to their budget. Perovic was responsible for bringing in somewhat established players like Romeo Travis, Michael Jenkins, Chris Oliver and Dane Watts who have all moved on to bigger and better things on the basketball map. Especially in the 2011-2012 season the Serb head coach must of heard that special song from a mocking bird that gave him the right inspiration of not only bringing in the right players, but super character guys with Josh Young from the PRO B, Vaughn Duggins and Tyrone Nash from the NCAA and Reggie Redding from Cyprus and all four players eclipsed expectations and didn´t follow the trend of past years and fleeing to snatch the bigger bucks somewhere else, but already got contract extensions during their rookie seasons. American boy Reggie Redding had his breakout season in Tuebingen after a stellar career at Villanova where he played with NBA player Dante Cunningham and Beko BBL players Dwayne Anderson and Corey Stokes. Before coming to Tuebingen, Redding played his rookie year in Cyprus for Intercollege Etha Engomis. He had a solid season in Cyprus helping the club win 2 titles, but there was no real guarantee that he would explode in the higher league Beko BBL. Finding that special player in the Cyprus league is about as difficult as predicting what kind of pass of Rajon Rondo will fill the highlight reel that evening, but Perovic made the perfect snatch in Redding. The American had little difficulty being a force in the German league averaging 13,2ppg, 5,8rpg and 3,3apg while shooting 50% from the field and 41% from downtown in his freshman season with the Tigers. He was awarded three eurobasket.com awards and sent Igor Perovic into summer vacation with a smile and being able to whisper the words “I told you so” to possible critics. Redding has been fighting his whole career with failed recognition, but doesn´t let it bother him. “I have been dealing with this all my life being under the radar. Many people don´t know how good I can be, but that doesn´t matter. I just try to do whatever it takes to help my team win. People not knowing this isn´t going to change the way I play. I think that I am a lot better shooter for what people give me credit for. Last season opponents really let me shoot. I worked on my shot last summer. I think that I can do many things great and not just one. This has helped me become the complete player that I am today”, stressed Philadelphia native Reggie Redding. In his second season in Tuebingen, Redding heightened his stats from last season and it wasnt only offense that did the talking on the court, but his defense. “He is one of the best defenders that I ever played with”, warned ex BBC Bayreuth American Corey Stokes. His teammates know what his worth was three seasons ago. “He was so valuable to us with his defense, passing and rebounding”, stressed Indiana native Vaughn Duggins. Against Frankfurt in 2011-2012, Redding had nine points and six rebounds in a loss in Tuebingen and then exploded in a win in Frankfurt with 24 points, eight rebounds and five assists. In his second season with Tuebingen, he improved his stats more as his responsibility grew playing 34 games averaging 14.0ppg, 5.4rpg, 4.1apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 52.8%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 81.1%. After two seasons in Tuebingen, it was time to say goodbye as he moved to 8 time Beko BBL champion Alba Berlin. He paid his dues with Tuebingen and last season won his first Beko BBL title the cup with Alba Berlin. Despite a much more talented and deep roster than in Tuebingen, the Philadelphia native held his own and led the team in scoring, was third in rebounds, first in assists and in steals despite having the best defensive player in the league with Clifford Hammonds, Redding easily showed that he is a complete team player. This season, it is the same story as Redding is at the top of numerous statistical categories for his team. The 26 year old 196cm swing man doesn´t seem to be in his prime yet and sky is the limit for the player. If he hadn´t hit the buzzer beater in cup play last season against the Telekom Baskets Bonn, then he would still be searching for his first Beko BBL title. Buzzer beaters continue to be on his menu as he connected for another this season against Malaga. In Euroleague play he has also been a central figure in their offense as he is second in teams scoring, rebounding and assists. His stock as a high profile American player in Europe keeps rising and rumor has it that he has a contract offer from top European team Maccabi Tel Avivi, but before he makes any choices about signing, he first wants to help Alba Berlin win another league title something the team has about as good chances as their last win in 2008 as they are the best team currently in the Beko BBL.
Derrick Byars (Baloncesto Sevilla) Rickey Paulding Has The Shooting And Athleticism Of An NBA Wing
Derrick Byars is a 30 year old 201cm swingman that is playing his 8th professional season and first in Spain with Baloncesto Sevilla (Spain-Liga Endesa). He started his basketball career with Virginia in 2002 where he played until 2004. He then moved to Vanderbilt (NCAA) in 2005 where he played until 2007. In 2007 he was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers (NBA,2rd(42). IN 2007-2008, he started his professional basketball career with the Philadelphia 76ers (NBA), left in Oct.’07, in Nov.’07 moved to Koeln 99ers (Germany-1.Bundesliga): 4 games: 3.5ppg, 2.0rpg; ULEB Cup: 4 games: 6.3ppg, 1.3rpg, 1.0apg; released in Dec.’07, in Jan.’08 signed at Chorale de Roanne Basket (France-ProA, starting five): French League: 10 games: 8.8ppg, 3.6rpg, 2.1apg, 2FGP: 43.8%, 3PT: 35.3%, FT: 63.2%. In 2008-2009 he played for the Bakersfield Jam (D-League) playing 49 games: 17.7ppg, 4.9rpg, 2.7apg, FGP: 46.6%, 3PT: 38.3%, FT: 75.6%. In 2009-2010 he played for the Chicago Bulls (NBA): only pre-season, in Nov.’09 moved to ALBA Berlin (Germany-1.Bundesliga, starting five): German League: 31 games: 8.5ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 51.6%, 3PT: 36.3%, FT: 75.4%; EuroCup: 15 games: 7.7ppg, 2.2rpg, FGP: 58.1%, 3PT: 38.6%, FT: 70.0%. In 2010-2011 he played for Panellinios Athens (Greece-A1, starting five): Greek League: 5 games: 15.2ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.6apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 47.1%, 3PT: 41.7%, FT: 70.0%; EuroCup: 1 game: 6pts, 8reb, 1steal, in Jan.’11 moved to Bakersfield Jam (D-League, starting five): 33 games: 17.5ppg, 5.3rpg, 2.0apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 48.2%, 3PT: 39.1%, FT: 70.5%. In 2011 he played for Cholet Basket (France-ProA): Euroleague Qualifying Round: 1 game: 2pts, 1reb, 1steal; French League: 1 game: 9pts, 3reb, 1ast, 1steal, in Dec.’11 signed for $457,588 at Miami Heat (NBA), only pre-season, in Feb.’12 moved to Bakersfield Jam (D-League, starting five): 29 games: 15.0ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.9apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 51.2%, 3PT: 35.6%, FT: 81.6%; then agreed terms with San Antonio Spurs (NBA, starting five): 2 games: 5.0ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.0spg. In 2012-2013 he played for the San Antonio Spurs (NBA), only pre-season, in Nov.’12 signed at ALBA Berlin (Germany-BBL, starting five): 13 games: 9.2ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 65.4%, 3PT: 35.1%, FT: 60.0%; Euroleague: 18 games: 6.7ppg, 2.9rpg, FGP: 45.6%, 3PT: 46.5%, FT: 61.5%. Last season he played for Memphis Grizzlies (NBA), only pre-season, in Jan.’14 signed at Krasny Oktyabr Volgograd (Russia-VTB), left shortly, in Mar.’14 signed at Bakersfield Jam (D-League, starting five): 14 games: 12.4ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.9apg, 2FGP: 53.8%, 3FGP: 41.7%, FT: 50.0%, in Apr.’14 moved to Belfius Mons-Hainaut (Belgium-Ethias League, starting five): 10 games: 10.0ppg, 3.2rpg, FGP: 60.0%, 3PT: 37.8%, FT: 76.5%. He spoke to German Hoops on the eve of the eurocup game in Oldenburg against the EWE Baskets.
Derrick thanks for talking to German Hoops. Your back in Oldenburg. What memories do you have of playing here with your two years with Alba Berlin?
It is always a great environment in Oldenburg. The fans are terrific there and there was always a lot of energy. It is too bad that I won´t be playing in the new arena. Julius Jenkins who I still talk to today told me they play their Eurocup games in old arena for whatever reasons.
Reggie Redding (Alba Berlin) Can Fit Into Any System
The Walter Tigers Tuebingen have been known in the past few years as being one of those Beko BBL teams that doesn´t have the biggest budgets, but still have the power to haul in talented and interesting players within their budget that offer themselves to better teams with strong seasons in the Swaben city. In the past years, players like AJ Moye, Michael Haynes, Branislav Ratkovica or Jermaine Anderson have used The Walter Tigers Tuebingen as a place to tone their skills while also enjoying some juicy meat at the OX US steakhouse after practice or games. Tigers head coach Igor Perovic came on board in 2009 and has done a fine job keeping the team in the middle pack of the standing and sometimes grazing on the boundry of the playoff places like a famished cow on the pasture always hungry for more while having talented players according to their budget. Perovic was responsible for bringing in somewhat established players like Romeo Travis, Michael Jenkins, Chris Oliver and Dane Watts who have all moved on to bigger and better things on the basketball map. Especially last season, the Serb head coach had the right feeling bringing in Josh Young from the PRO B, Vaughn Duggins and Tyrone Nash from the NCAA and Reggie Redding from Cyprus and all four players eclipsed expectations and didn´t follow the trend of past years and fleeing to snatch the bigger bucks somewhere else, but already got contract extensions during their rookie seasons. American boy Reggie Redding had his breakout season in Tuebingen after a stellar season at Villanova where he played with NBA player Dante Cunningham and Beko BBL players Dwayne Anderson and Corey Stokes. Before coming to Tuebingen, Redding played his rookie year in Cyprus for Intercollege Etha Engomis. He had a solid season in Cyprus, but there was no real guarantee that he would explode in the higher league Beko BBL. However the American had little difficulty being a force in the German league averaging 13,2ppg, 5,8rpg and 3,3apg while shooting 50% from the field and 41% from downtown. He was awarded three eurobasket.com awards and sent Igor Perovic into summer vacation with a smile and being able to whisper the words “I told you so” to possible critics. Redding has been fighting his whole career with failed recognition, but doesn´t let it bother him. “I have been dealing with this all my life being under the radar. Many people don´t know how good I can be, but that doesn´t matter. I just try to do whatever it takes to help my team win. People not knowing this isn´t going to change the way I play. I think that I am a lot better shooter for what people give me credit for. Last season opponents really let me shoot. I worked on my shot last summer. I think that I can do many things great and not just one. This has helped me become the complete player that I am today”, stressed Philadelphia native Reggie Redding. In his second season in Tuebingen heightened his stats from last season and it wasnt only offense that does the talking on the court, but his defense. “He is one of the best defenders that I ever played with”, warned ex BBC Bayreuth American Corey Stokes. His teammates know what his worth was two seasons ago. “He was so value to us with his defense, passing and rebounding”, stressed Indiana native Vaughn Duggins. Against Frankfurt in 2011-2012, Redding had nine points and six rebounds in a loss in Tuebingen and then exploded in a win in Frankfurt with 24 points, eight rebounds and five assists. In his second season with Tuebingen, he improved his stats more as his responsibility grew playing 34 games: 14.0ppg, 5.4rpg, 4.1apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 52.8%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 81.1%. After two seasons in Tuebingen, it was time to say goodbye as he moved to 8 time Beko BBL champion Alba Berlin. He paid his dues with Tuebingen and this season won his first Beko BBL title the cup with Alba Berlin. Despite a much more talented and deep roster than in Tuebingen, the Philadelphia native has held his own and is the second top scorer behind David Logan and has shown that his skils and mind can work with a top level team. It doesn´t matter if he is mr everything in Tuebingen or a part of many in Berlin, he can fit into any system. His stats are a bit down from Tuebingen, but with so many scorers with Alba Belrin, that is only normal. Redding is averaging 12,2ppg, 4,2rpg and 3,5apg. He has scored in double figures 20 times including 23 points against Oldenburg. He was just as impressive in Eurocup play averaging 12,9ppg, 4,8rpg and 3,7apg and scored in double figures 16 times including 24 points against Valencia. Redding will be an instrumental part in the chances of Alba Berlin winning a second title this season. He already showed his worth with a buzzer beater against Bonn sending his team to the Cup top four.
Can A Young German Player Make The Breakthrough With Alba Berlin This Season?
When looking at the Alba Berlin rosters the last seven years, one has stumbled across very well known basketball names that have made a name for themselves, but finding a young German player that was able to come up in the ranks in the organization, develop through the years and make an impact for the eight time Beko BBL club was as beautifully hidden and as nonexistent as a Kobe Bryant and Derrick Rose have been for their respective teams this season as injuries have taken over their basketball lives. If you look at the German players that have started their career in Berlin and then left and made strides elsewhere for teams in the Beko BBL, then that list is as huge as the engagement rings that the future Mrs Dwayne Wade Gabrilelle Union has flaunted in public or that of the future Mrs Carl Crawford Evelyn Lozada has shown off in Beverly Hills, California. Ex Alba Berlin player like Nicolai Simon never got a chance in Berlin and finally became a German national player as a member of the Walter Tigers Tuebingen in 2013 after leaving Berlin in 2008. The most classic case was Philipp Zwiener that played a total of 114 Beko BBL games with Alba Berlin, but never was able to really develop into a high profile player that was contributing the way a Steffen Hamann or Heiko Schaffartzik did. Zwiener went to TBB Trier and was able to get minutes under 1993 NCAA champion Henrik Rodl and make the next step as a player and then move on to the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven where he hasn´t become that impact player the club was hoping for, but has been a solid contributer. Another player that Alba Berlin gave up on was Andreas Seifert who was in their system from 2006-2011, but played only eight Beko BBL games. In 2011, what a surprise he also went the TBB Trier route and increased his minutes each season and has gotten the needed self confidence under Rodl and he has taken full advantage of it. He recently led TBB Trier to an upset in Bonn steering 27 points and showing American Jamel Mcclean who was the real boss in his beloved living room. Another classic example was Lucca Staiger who came to Alba after playing 49 NCAA games at Iowa State, but also never got a chance that was billed right away as a liability on defense and played only 69 Beko BBL games for Alba Berlin. The low point came in the 2011-2012 season when he was forced to play Pro B games for Alba Berlin 2 team. Last season Sasa Obradovic was too occupied on making a good impression in his first season as he didn´t give any suitable minutes to young Germans Joey Ney, Sebastian Fulle or David Herwig. This season he quickly displayed more of an interest in not only getting young German talents like Johannes Wohlfarth-Bottermann or the disgruntled Akeem Vargas minutes whos career looked as good as over after never getting a chance in Tuebingen and having to go to the Pro A and BG Goettingen and earning his contract with Alba Berlin after a strong season there averaging 33 games: 13.8ppg, 4.7rpg, 2.2apg, FGP: 48.8%, 3PT: 38.9%, FT: 81.1%. Wohlfarth-Bottermann has gained valuable experience in Bonn and last season played 36 games: 5.4ppg, 3.6rpg, Blocks-5(1.1bpg), FGP: 60.9%, FT: 49.1%; EuroChallenge: 14 games: 7.4ppg, 5.4rpg, Blocks-1(1.6bpg), FGP: 57.1%, FT: 26.8%. Vargas is averaging 16 minutes per game and Bottermann 12,5 minutes per game. Of course, it is double as difficult to get minutes on a team like Alba Berlin where they are occupied at each position with two good players and it will be interesting to see how these two guys will continue to get minutes and develop as the season moves on. It is already worth lauding that Obradovic has had the audacity to give German players a chance in a basketball environment that seemingly has been more occupied with going the safe route than trying to experiment and give German players a chance.
Dashaun Wood (Alba Berlin) Playing For Frankfurt Wouldn´t Be A Step Back For Me
Dashaun Wood is a 27 year old 185cm point guard from Detroit, Michigan that just completed his third season in Germany and second for Alba Berlin. He is a young point guard with natural leadership abilities, who directs teammates on the floor and takes the ball in clutch moments. Loves to go inside to score, challenging the big guys, but has also shooting range from behind the 3pts arch. Despite lack of size, he can be effective even at the defensive side. He played at Wright state from 2003-2007. In his senior year, he played 33 games averaging 19.6ppg, 5.1rpg, 4.0apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 43.5%, 3Pts: 37.3%, FT: 88.3%. In 2007-2008, he played his rookie season for Tisettanta Cantu (Italy-SerieA, starting five): 38 games: Score-5(16.9ppg), 3.0rpg, Assists-4(3.3apg), 2.7spg, 2FGP:52.1%, 3PT-2(42.8%), FT:77.4%. In 2008-2009, he played for : Benetton Treviso (Italy-SerieA), injured in Oct.’08 and was off for 2 months: Eurocup: 12 games: 5.3ppg, 2.0rpg, 3.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 40.0%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 87.5%; Italian League: 17 games: 7.2ppg, 2.9rpg, 3.2apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 43.1%, 3PT: 35.6%, FT: 70.4%. In 2010-2011, he was the Beko BBL MVP with The Deutsche Bank Skyliners playing EuroCup Qualifying Round: 2 games: 13.5ppg, 2.5rpg, 5.0apg; EuroChallenge: 6 games: 16.3ppg, 3.8rpg, 5.2apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 46.9%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 73.7%; German League: 42 games: Score-1(19.0ppg), 4.6rpg, Assists-2(5.9apg), 1.2spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 33.2%, FT: 80.3%. Last season for Alba Berlin, he played German League: 37 games: Score-5(15.0ppg), 3.7rpg, Assists-4(4.8apg), 1.1spg, FGP: 47.7%, 3PT: 36.8%, FT: 79.2%; Euroleague Qualifying Round: 2 games: 9.5ppg, 1.5rpg, 4.0apg, 2.0spg; EuroCup: 12 games: 14.2ppg, 3.2rpg, Assists-1(5.4apg), 1.1spg, FGP: 55.1%, 3PT: 38.8%, FT: 82.2%. He spoke to German Hoops after losing the series against FC Bayern Munich.
If someone had told you before the FC Bayern Munich series that Alba Berlin would get swept what would you have thought?
I would have said that it was a lie. We played them very well this season winning in pre season, cup and in the regular season. If someone would of said that it would have been very hard to believe.
FC Bayern Munich won game one easily, but lost game two and game three with six points apiece. What was missing in the last two games to get over the hump?
The third quarter really hurt us in the last two games. Munich had some guys step up that made tough shots that usually they would not have made. We played the percentages, but you have to give them credit for having determination and effort to make those difficult shots. Those big shots gave them momentum just to slightly get the lead and hang on. I also think that we had 25 more Euroleague games in our bones and they just had more juice than we did.
DaShaun Wood (Alba Berlin) I Am At The Stage In My Career Where I don´t Want To Be Like Allen Iverson And Just Score, But Want To Win Titles
Dashaun Wood is a 27 year old 185cm point guard from Detroit, Michigan that is playing his third season in Germany and second for Alba Berlin. He is a young point guard with natural leadership abilities, who directs teammates on the floor and takes the ball in clutch moments. Loves to go inside to score, challenging the big guys, but has also shooting range from behind the 3pts arch. Despite lack of size, he can be effective even at the defensive side. He played at Wright state from 2003-2007. In his senior year, he played 33 games averaging 19.6ppg, 5.1rpg, 4.0apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 43.5%, 3Pts: 37.3%, FT: 88.3%. In 2007-2008, he played his rookie season for Tisettanta Cantu (Italy-SerieA, starting five): 38 games: Score-5(16.9ppg), 3.0rpg, Assists-4(3.3apg), 2.7spg, 2FGP:52.1%, 3PT-2(42.8%), FT:77.4%. In 2008-2009, he played for : Benetton Treviso (Italy-SerieA), injured in Oct.’08 and was off for 2 months: Eurocup: 12 games: 5.3ppg, 2.0rpg, 3.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 40.0%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 87.5%; Italian League: 17 games: 7.2ppg, 2.9rpg, 3.2apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 43.1%, 3PT: 35.6%, FT: 70.4%. In 2010-2011, he was the Beko BBL MVP with The Deutsche Bank Skyliners playing EuroCup Qualifying Round: 2 games: 13.5ppg, 2.5rpg, 5.0apg; EuroChallenge: 6 games: 16.3ppg, 3.8rpg, 5.2apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 46.9%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 73.7%; German League: 42 games: Score-1(19.0ppg), 4.6rpg, Assists-2(5.9apg), 1.2spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 33.2%, FT: 80.3%. Last season for Alba Berlin, he played German League: 37 games: Score-5(15.0ppg), 3.7rpg, Assists-4(4.8apg), 1.1spg, FGP: 47.7%, 3PT: 36.8%, FT: 79.2%; Euroleague Qualifying Round: 2 games: 9.5ppg, 1.5rpg, 4.0apg, 2.0spg; EuroCup: 12 games: 14.2ppg, 3.2rpg, Assists-1(5.4apg), 1.1spg, FGP: 55.1%, 3PT: 38.8%, FT: 82.2%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.
This is your second season away from the Fraport Skyliners.Do you still feel at home when you play there?
I guess I do since I hit most of my shots in the loss this season. 24 points was the most I made this season. I just felt real confident on that day and had much confidence. I felt very relaxed and that arena is my home away from home.
Does your teammate Deon Thompson have a chance at the MVP award?
I think he has a good chance to win it. If you look at what he has done in the Euroleague. He has been very important in that competition and in the Beko BBL, he has carried us. You have to give him credit in that he has dominated both competitions.
Can Alba Berlin Win At least One Title This Season?
There are many wonderful things that a Dashaun Wood would desire like battling a Derrick Rose in a one on one duel on a playground in Oak park, Chicago, having Monta Ellis 26, 8, 7 like stats in every Beko BBL game or finally experiencing a Detroit Lions Super Bowl some time in his lifetime. Wood has won a Beko BBL MVP title in 2011 and the only thing missing in his basketball career is a title. Whenever asked why he is on the court, his usual answer is is too win that championship and that is the main reason why he fled from Frankfurt two seasons ago with Gordon Herbert. However so far he still is winless in the hardware department in the Beko BBL in his third season. The last time Alba Berlin the 8 time Beko BBL champion won a title was the cup in 2009. With the high budget and unending talent that lands in the Spree each season, it can be at times a real mystery like it is how a Brazilen boy could juggle a soccer ball for 12 hours and 15 minutes nonstop and his name wasn´t Pele as too why the team is unable to win titles in more of a consecutive rate. Alba Berlin is a top basketball address in Germany and was the FC Bayern Munich of the league before the Bavarian club moved up to the Beko BBL in 2011. With Marco Baldi, Alba Berlin has a top executive who made the team to what it is since making it a top team in the 90s and definitely has that Uli Hoennis passion 24 hours a day with the only difference that he can keep his emotions better in check. The team has always had top coaches on board and a supporting cast of players that makes a team like the LTi Giessen 46ers foam in their mouths. The Beko BBL gets more and more competitive each season and winning atitle isn´t as much of a cake walk like in the past and one can´t forget that the Brose Baskets Bamberg started their little dynasty in the 2009-2010 season right after the last title of Alba Berlin. Maybe this is the year as Alba Berlin is hosting the 2013 Beko BBL Top 4 as Alba Berlin only needs to win two games and could get revenge against FC Bayern Munich in the semi final with a win and as a good omen head coach Sasa Obradovic won two titles with Rhein Energy Cologne. “Alba Berlin always has strong players, but I feel that ex coach Luka Pavicevic was unable to get equal strong players at each position when he was there. I really like the three new players they got with Je Kel Foster, Derrick Byers and Ali Traore. They have been up and down this season and should be playing better. They have interesting new players and now Obradovic has to make them fit in with the other players. I think that they have a chance to beat FC Bayern Munich in the cup game. They already beat them once before in Berlin this season and why shouldn´t they be able to do it again”, stressed basketball expert Steven Clauss.
Another Normal Day At The Office For DaShaun Wood Leading Alba Berlin Past The Fraport Skyliners 91-65
It has only been 17 months since the Deutsche Bank Skyliners lost a close fifth game to Alb Berlin in the 2011 semi -final playoffs. Back then it was the last game for Dashaun wood in a Skyliner uniform. Many will have fond memories of his season as he tore apart the Beko BBL leading the league in scoring with 19 points and at times tearing apart defenses as if he was taking a stroll in the River walk in Detroit. Instead of remaining in Frankfurt, he took more money and continued offense freedom under Gordon Herbert last season. The season had its up and downs and ended with an unsatisfying four game series playoff loss against the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg. Despite this misfortune, the road runner Wood remained in Berlin, but knew things would change and become different under new head coach Sasa Obradovic. Wood found out quickly that he would have to be as prepared for the new strict basketball teacher as James Bond had to be with his confrontations with henchman Jaws. Wood doesn´t have the freedom as he had the last two seasons with a much deeper and talented roster, but the Detroit native clamped down right away in training camp and accepted the1998 World champion with Yugoslavia and his precise rules and buckled down and left his ego in the trash can next to the O2 World arena. His stats have been down this season, but that is more than expected with the talented teammates that he has as well as the overload traffic at the guard position with Heiko Schaffartzik and Vule Avdalovic. The interesting fact is that his scoring has dipped only a bit from last season, but his assists and rebounds are way down. He isn´t averaging 30 plus minutes this season, but has gotten accustomed to his newer reduced role, but can at any time pull out the road runner Wood turbo scoring, rebound and assist machine and make the big shots in key situations. After only a week with his new coach Sasa Obradovic, he explained the harmony between him and his new coach. “We have been on same page since day one. I understood from the start that he was a great player for Alba Berlin and won as a coach. I wanted to learn from him from day one. I think that I have become a better player with him as coach. I think that with me learning more and more in the future that our relationship will get even better”, stressed 2011 Beko BBL MVP Dashaun Wood. Coming into the game, Wood had a 2-0 record against his ex team and was as focused to meet his ex team as was Ray Allen of the Miami Heat recently when he squared off against his ex team the big green machine Boston Celtics. Wood had a solid game against the Fraport Skyliners scoring 15 points, dishing out four assists and grabbing two rebounds and two steals in 25 minutes.
German Hoops 