Giants Düsseldorf

Steven Wright: Once I Figured Out What Murat Didin Wanted Me To Do My Game Got Better Individually

Steven Wright is a 28 year old 191cm guard from Dayton, Ohio. He was playing his first season in Finland for Namika Lahti, but left recently. He is an extremely athletic combo guard with great quickness, an explosive leaper and has great ball handling and passing skills. He 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. He 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 dplayed 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. In 2008-2009, 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. In 2009-2010,  he played for The Walter Tigers Tuebingen playing 26 games: 5.5ppg, 1.8rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 42.0%, 3PT: 29.9%, FT: 81.6%. Last season, he played for the Gloria Giants Duesseldorf 32 games: 8.7ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 45.9%, 3PT: 29.7%, FT: 71.9%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball in his future.

You had only a short time in Finland. Why didn´t it work out?

Yes a very short time. Things didn’t workout there because me and the club could not come to an agreement with residency for my family and the health care. I was playing well but that wasn’t the most important thing. Me and my family wanted to be comfortable.

You are back in States. How does your plan look now. You have mostly played in europe. Would you give a go at playing in the States?

Acutally I’m still in Finland right now my flight leaves here on Monday. I would rather stay here or come back to Europe once a job opportunity is available for me that fit’s the best situation for a player with a family.

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Chris Moss Steals The Super Murat Didin Energy Doner For Himself Launching The Deutsche Bank Skyliners past The Gloria Giants Duesseldorf With A Buzzer Beater 68-66

This season the name Gloria Giants Duesseldorf sprinkles about as much fear to BEKO BBL teams as does a tank filled with tiger sharks that have been fed frequently while a person falls in accidently, Cleveland Cavalier point guard Mo Williams currently not shooting out the lights from the parking lot as he is only at 26.6% from that distance or Los Angeles Clippers center Blake Griffin entering the TD Garden in Boston and seeing his opponent Shaq dancing around on the floor with a ballerina outfit, however The Deutsche Bank Skyliners had been well aware that The Brose Baskets Bamberg had left the Burg Wachter Castello arena in Duesseldorf recently with a bitter loss and were as focused in crunch time to win as were the Pittsburg Steelers getting past the New York Jets in the AFC championship game, Jacob Burtschi of Phoenix Hagen sinking the cherished money ball as often as possible in Trier last weekend in the three point shooting contest and Salu Benjamin Tadi sweeping away the BEKO BBL players last weekend in the BEKO BBL allstar slam dunk contest in Trier as Frankfurt escaped the elegant doner palace of Turk coach Murat Didin with an exciting 68-66 come from behind win as they finished the game with a 6-0 run and back breaking buzzer beater by American Chris Moss. “We were up by two points with a minute to play, but  we missed an easy rebound and made two mistakes. This was a sin for our efforts. We deserved to win this game. We shot 43% from the free throw line against Bremerhaven and only 57% against Frankfurt. We hustled a lot, but we missed too many free throws, made too many small mistakes which disturbed our gift to win the game”, stated Gloria Giants Duesseldorf coach Murat Didin. The win was about as far from pretty as was actor Mickey Rourke in his role in the fighter, but a win is a win and Frankfurt will take it. “We have to give Duesseldorf a lot of credit. They played very well. We didnt play with a lot of energy which is unacceptable. We were lucky that we on today”, stressed Skyliner forward Chris Moss.


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Can A Super Murat Didin Energy Doner Creation Propel The Gloria Giants Duesseldorf Past The Deutsche Bank Skyliners January 29th?

With the 2011 NFL playoffs starting to get near the peak of the Superbowl, the Australian Open tennis tournament in its second week, and all Germans glued to their TVs to see which nasty insect will be eaten next in the German TV show Im a star getting me out of here camp, basketball fans should not forget that the BEKO BBL will start the second half on January 29th as the Deutsche Bank Skyliners want to get both feet off on the winning track with a victory in the elegant jazzy Burg Wachter Castello arena against The Gloria Giants Duesseldorf. In anticipation, that ex Skyliner coach Murat Didin might give his team the same spiced up extraordinary energy Doner that the Brose Baskets Bamberg got earlier this season as The Deutsche Bank Skyliners will have to be as focused as Bart Scott from the New York jets was in his post game interview after the win against The New England Patriots, comedic actor Sasha Baron Cohen who will be playing Saddam Hussein in the upcoming project “The Dictator” and the way UCONN junior Kemba Walker has been playing like a Pitbull winning games in crunch time and being known as the Kemba show. Frankfurt has been perfect at home and have lost all four games on the road and might have to hope that the special powerful Doner that Didin produces gets lost on game day. “Didin should put in some peppers and some special Turkish spices that his team is not used to eating to help give the team the extra energy to get by Frankfurt”, stressed TBB Trier guard John Bynum.
This season, The Gloria Giants Duesseldorf have had another season to forget as it started off bad and only got worse. Of course, Didin didnt make things any easier on himself signing five new players on the eve of the first game in Bremerhaven. The Gloria Giants Duesseldorf started off the season with a 8 game losing streak before winning two games in a row against MBC and Phoenix Hagen. One should not forget even though the Giants are in last place, they dont share the longest losing streak in the BEKO BBL this season as the Giessen 46ers currently are riding on a 13 game losing streak. However instead of getting on a healthy winning streak the team lost their next six games in a row before getting on the win column again beating the 3 time BEKO BBL team Brose Baskets Bamberg 72-69. How important was this win for the BEKO BBL stopping the Bamberg dominance? “No disrespect to to Duesseldorf, but any win that they get is very important. It could of been against any other team and it would of been just as important”, warned John Bynum. Since the win, Duesseldorf has lost two more games to the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven and Bamberg again. A big problem is their defense as they have given up 80 or more points 10 times, but the team has improved. “Duesseldorf made some changes and made themselves better and they seem to improve with every game as does every other team. With the second half starting, I am sure they will continue to improve and win some more games”, stressed California native John Bynum.

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The Evil Eye Of Murat Didin Doesn´t Help As The Deutsche Bank Skyliners Plow By The Gloria Giants Duesseldorf

With a packed Ballsporthalle, an atmosphere that could have been confused with the Akatlar arena in Istanbul and ex coach Murat Didin back in his living room, the Frankfurt fans could not have asked for a more delectable first home game, similar as if the Miami Heat would open up in Cleveland with Lebron James, actor George Clooney returning to an ER type of reunion show or Randy Moss returning back to New England making a winning touchdown with the Minnesota Vikings. The Deutsche Bank Skyliners sent nobody home sad as Murat Didin and the Gloria Ginats didn´t find the missing spice for glory on this sunny afternoon in Frankfurt getting trampled 58-43. “I had no personal feeling towards Murat. This was a delectable game and became more tasty in the second half. We prepared the meal in the third quarter and ate it in the fourth quarter”, joked Skyliner center Marius Nolte. Spinning a basketball on your finger can be classified as pure beauty, but this basketball game at times looked more like an episode of beauty and beast with 10 Vincents running around the court with missed shots and tons of turnovers. “This was not a pretty game. It was a hard fought game with good defense on both sides. Both teams missed a lot of shots, but we stuck with it, grinded it out and pull out the win at the end”, stressed Skyliner guard Grayson Moyer. For the Gloria Giants Duesseldorf, it was their second loss this season, but considering how new the team was an effort that was a lot improved over the loss in Bremerhaven. “I am from Detroit and there is not a special way how to classify a game like this except that it was real ugly. Frankfurt demolished us on the boards. We started off well and had a chance to push away but Frankfurt was able to capitalize on our mistakes. I have to blame this loss on us”, stated ex Paderborn guard Deandre Haynes. “This was a real sluggish game. Our offense was rolling, but we just weren´t hitting shots. These things happen and it is a part of life. We are happy that we won it and will take a win like this any day”, added Brad Buckman.

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Can Murat Didin And The Gloria Giants Duesseldorf Win Their First Game Of The Season In His Old Stomping Ground Against The Deutsche Bank Skyliners October 10Th

Big play unusual moments are welcomed in sports about as much as rich tasty syrup is for your Sunday brunch pancakes as who could forget The Play  in 1982 as Stanford was leading California 20-19 with four seconds left and on the last kickoff the Golden Bears took the kick back unleashing several lateral plays and getting unexpected help from the Stanford marching band who thought the game was over winning 25-20, or the classic game between Cibona Zagreb and Serbian team KK Partizan where Cibona nailed a three pointer with 0.6 seconds remaining and celebrating the victory which was squashed as Dusan Kecman heaved a 75 footer finding nothing but net and getting the improbable win or most recently the most criticised New England Patriots defense with no name Patrick Chung blocking two kicks and intercepting a pass for a touchdown as the special team stole the limelight of Tom terrific Brady silencing the Miami Dolphins 41-14, one might dream of having such an ending to add to the drama with the return of ex Skyliner coach Murat Didin with the Gloria Giants Duesseldorf on Sunday. Didin had quite some dramatic games in his four year tenure like the final game 5 loss in Bamberg in 2005, or the nail bitting game 5 win in Leverkusen in 2008 or the buzzer beater in Duesselodrf in 2009 by Quantez Robertson and some might be dreaming of some kind of magic occurring or a Agatha Christie type of ending which would get the Ballsporthalle decibles reaching an alltime high as if a Rihanna, Jay Z and Prince had rocked the arena a day earlier. “My favorite sports ending would probably be my boy Vince Young leading the Texas Longhorns to the NCAA title against USC in the 2006 Rose Bowl. He led the team down the field and scored the winning touchdown and it was really exciting since he scored with about 20 seconds left. They had been the two best teams in college football that year. I am sure due to circumstances that with Didin returning it will be an exciting game”, stressed American Marcus Sloan. Phoenix Hagen American Mark Dorris also has a special favourite sports moment. “My greatest Sports Moment has to be Michael Jordan against the Utah Jazz 1998 the year Michael Jordan would say good bye to the game he loved. It was like a story book ending the heros last bit of energy last shot of his career would be to win the NBA Championship and ride off into the sunset that is the way every body would want to go out. I pray I can have a similar ending one day“, added Phoenix Hagen American Mark Dorris. If the Frankfurt-Duesseldorf ending will be anything spectacular like the sports world has witnessed in the last 30 years is not known, but with Murat Didin anything is possible and he will have his famous tricks up his sleeve once the jumpball happens. “The coach will be motivated to win against his former club and the players will be wanting to win against their old coach”, warned Marcus Sloan.

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Murat Didin(Gloria Giants Duesseldorf) Duesseldorf Will Be A Top BEKO BBL Team In The Future

Murat Didin is in his first full season as head coach of TheGloria Giants Duesseldorf. He coached the Deutsche Bank Skyliners for four and reached the playoffs each season. In 2005, his team lost a hard fought five game series battle to Bamberg in the BBL finals and in 2008, he lost in the semi finals to The Telekom baskets Bonn and in 2009 in the Quarterfinals to eventual BBL champion EWE baskets Oldenburg. He had a 12 year playing career from 1970-1982 in Turkey. He played 12 times for the junior national team and four times for the senior national team of Turkey. He started his coaching career in 1982. He has coached 14 teams in his career including VIP Rimini in Italy and top Turkish teams Galatasaray, Fenerbache, Ulker Istanbul and Besiktas Istanbul. He took some time to talk with German Hoops after the 97-70 loss in Bremerhaven.

48 hours ago, You signed five new players and three players had to pack their bags. Was this not a risky decision to do on the day of the first game in Bremerhaven?

No I don´t think it was risky. We were looking for the right players since the start of preseason. The season is long and there are still 33 games more to play. Jamaal Tatum didn´t play in the first game. We will be ok.

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The Rapid 10 Miles Questions Basketball Exchnage With Deandre Haynes(Gloria Duesseldorf Giants)

Deandre Haynes is a 25 year old 187 cm guard from Detroit Michigan that is playing his first season in the BEKO BBL with The Paderborn Baskets. He played at Kent from 2002-2005 and at Kent state from 2005-2006. In his senior year, he played 34 games averaging 13.0ppg, 2.7rpg, 3.9apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 43.7%, 3PT: 39.7%, FT: 78.6%. He won the MAC Tournament in 2006 and was player of the year in the MAC conference in 2006. He came to Europe as a rookie and played in Belgium for BBC Royal Atomia Brussels playing 23 games and averaging 4.0ppg, 1.3rpg, 1.1apg, 1.0spg. The next season, he stayed in Belgium and played for Okapi Aalstar playing 35 games averaging 9.4ppg, 1.5rpg, 2.6apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 52.0%, 3PT: 34.0%, FT: 74.0%. In 2008-2009, he played in Hungary for Kecskemeti Univer KSE playing 26 games averaging 13.6ppg, 4.0rpg, 3.4apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 61.1%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 70.9%. Last season, he played for the Webmoebel Baskets playing 34 games: 11.1ppg, 2.9rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 47.7%, 3PT: 36.8%, FT: 74.7%. He took the rapid 10 Miles questions basketball exchange for German Hoops talking basketball from training camp in Turkey.

You just signed with Duesseldorf Giants? How happy and relieved are you about getting the job?

I’m really happy and blessed to be able to get a second opportunity in the BBL after a tough season last year.

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The Rapid 10 Miles Questions Basketball Exchange With Jibril Hodges(Duesseldorf Giants)

Jibril Hodges is a 26 year old 188cm guard that was born in San Diego, California but grew up in Chicago as his dad was a member of the Chicago Bulls in the early 90s. He is a athletic player with great shooting prowess from behind the arc. He played at Long Beach, university from 2002-2006. In his senior year he played 30 games: 14.1ppg, 1.5rpg, 1.5apg, 1.0spg, FG: 40.6%, 3PT: 37.3%, FT: 84.9%. At Long Beach, he made the  Big West All-Freshman Team 2003, was All-Big West Honorable Mention 2005, was a Big West Tournament Finalist 2006 and made All-Big West 1st Team 2006. In 2006, he was drafted by the Fort Worth Flyers (D-League,8rd (93)). In 2007-2008, he played in the CBA for Butte Daredevils and left during the season, came back in Feb.2008: 34 games: 14.7ppg, 2.7rpg, 2.9apg, FGP: 46.7%, 3PT: 38.0%, FT: 76.8%. In 2008-2009, he came to Germany and played for USC Heidelberg in the PRO A playing 29 games: Score-3(18.8ppg), 2.6rpg, 2.9apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 60.9%, 3PT: 32.3%, FT: 85.7%. Last season at USC Heidelberg, he played 30 games: Score-4(19.4ppg), 3.7rpg, 3.9apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 62.3%, 3PT: 35.7%, FT: 84.7%. He recently made the jump to the BEKO BBL signing with the Duesseldorf Giants. Jibril took the rapid 10 miles questions basketball exchange for German Hoops talking basketball.

Congrats on getting signed by the BEKO BBL team Duesseldorf glory. After two years in the PRO A with Heidelberg, now your first shot in the first league. How have you been able to pick up your game in the last two seasons.

I think in the last two seasons I improved my leadership abilities. That I think was the most important improvement.

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Struggle Against Relegation In The BBL

With half of this year’s BBL season played it is worth to take a look at the bottom of the rankings and analyse which teams have to fear relegation.

In our off-season Teamchecks German Hoops previewed all teams. Like many other experts we predicted Mitteldeutsche BC and Walter Tigers Tuebingen to face trouble to stay in the league. Surprisingly both teams are currently in the race for a play-off spot. While MBC had a great start into the season, Tuebingen is currently on 5 game winning streak – and that’s a new club record in their BBL history.

A team that really looked a lot stronger on the paper, but could not fulfill expectations so far is the Düsseldorf Giants. Our author Mario predicted Düsseldorf to be a force to be reckoned with in the BBL race.

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Teamcheck: Düsseldorf Giants

Year two in Düsseldorf is going to be interesting for the Giants, who took over much of the former Bayer Leverkusen Giants organization. düsseldorfAfter failing to attain their goal of reaching the playoffs, coaches Achim Kuczmann and Hansi Gnad focus on continuity, keeping most of last year’s roster intact. Despite a promising start to their inaugural season in Düsseldorf, the Giants ended the season a disappointing 14th in the league, but only four games behind a playoff spot.

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