Phoenix Hagen

Larry Gordon (Phoenix Hagen) We have not reached our goal yet and every team poses a threat to us not achieving our goal

Larry Gordon is a 25 year old 196cm forward that is playing his first season in the German Beko BBL for Phoenix Hagen. He played at Cal Poly Pomona (NCAA2) from 2005 to 2009 playing a total of 116 NcAA2 games. In his senior year, he played 33 games: 15.7ppg, 10.4rpg, 2.0apg, 1.7apg, FGP: 53.8%, 3PT: 38.5%, FT: 75.7%. He was a CCAA Player of the Year and NCAA D2 Finalist in 2009. In 2009-2010, he came to Europe as a rookie and played for Landstede Basketbal Zwolle (Holland-Eredivisie, starting five): 36 games: 14.0ppg, 8.1rpg, 1.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 48.3%, 3PT: 33.7%, FT: 75.8%. He played for ECE Bulls Kapfenberg (Austria-A Bundesliga) the last two seasons and last season played 38 games: 14.7ppg, Reb-3(8.4rpg), 1.8apg, FGP-3(65.2%), 3PT: 36.2%, FT: 77.1%. He spoke to german hoops before the game against the New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig.

Congrats on the 73-67 win at home against Oldenburg. Oldenburg was up by 5 points after three quarters. In the fourth quarter Phoenix Hagen played Hagen basketball erupting for 26 points. Was this not a better example of how the team ALWAYS believes in itself?

It was a great example, and teams are going to start to respect the fact that we don’t ever give up no matter what the game is looking like.

It used to be that nobody talked about the Phoenix Hagen defense, but giving up 67 points and forcing 23 turnovers was excellent. How has Phoenix Hagen improved defensively in the last two months?

We have been more focused and concentrated on defense more than our offense, we know our offense will come and we know that defense is what is going to win games for us.

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Flash White And Fantastic Dorris Give Phoenix Hagen First Win In History Against The Fraport Skyliners 107-102

It is no secret that age often doesn´t play a role when it comes to doing what you love. In the entertainment business especially in music, you have had numerous groups that have decided to keep getting on stage to perform instead of sipping champagne nonstop and getting massages on resort islands. Groups like the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd or the beach Boys keep coming back each year to perform for their fans instead of sitting back and watching their grand children grow up. It is no different in professional sports either as there are always so special sports dinosaurs around who keep returning season after season even though the muscles will be striking and yelling stop, get me off the court please. Famous athletes like tennis legend Martina Navratilova was still playing professional at the age of 49, ice hockey legend Gordie Howe played until he was 52 and at the end with his sons Mark and Marty. In 1997, Howe even played a shift at age 69. In the Beko BBL there are two fine examples of timeworn players that come back each season no matter what their bodies say and keep chugging away as Chris Ensminger and Bernd Kruel do. Ensminger is turning 39 and probably will play until he is 50, because he has that there is no stopping me attitude on the court. He may even keep playing until his sons are on the court. Bernd Kruel is a 36 year old 209cm power forward that still plays like a 28 year old. There is nothing spectacular about his game now, but he continues to be consistent off the bench and can give scoring and rebounding. He is playing his 16^th season in Hagen and it is always a pleasure when he plays against his ex team Frankfurt where he had the most success winning the Beko BBL title in 2004 over Bamberg and reaching the final in 2005. Kruel returned back to his old stomping ground ready with his typical “mahlzeit” phrase as a greeting and helped Phoenix Hagen win a 107-102 shootout against his old team. He didn´t have much stats, but that doesn´t mean that his presence on the court isn´t important. “Bernd is a wonder. He doesn´t have to do much on the court to be important. He always remains calm and is so smart. He is one of the top five smart players in the league. What he can´t do with his body anymore he does with his head. He gets smarter each season. I played with him here in the 90s. I wonder who will play longer him or Chris Ensminger. It was never about the money. Playing in Hagen is so important for him”, stressed Phoenix Hagen assistant coach Steven Wriedt. Basketball expert Steven Clauss coached Bernd Kruel in the 90s and has fond memories. “I coached him back in the German U-22. He was like a storch early in his career and reminded me of a Henning Harnisch. But he really bulked up through the years. Smaller players usually lose speed, but big guys usually can play longer because they don´t lose strength as quickly and that is what has kept him going”, stressed Stephan Clauss.

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Will Mark Mr Fantastic Dorris Bring The Needed Fantastic To Phoenix Hagen?

Sometimes a basketball player leaves a team after one season possibly because he got a better contract offer, didn´t really like the area or organization of his ex team, or might just want a change of scenery and catch a glimpse of a new style on the court and experience a new exciting culture in a new country. In the last years, the Beko BBL has experienced some players who have returned back to a team for a second time. Ex NBA player Casey Jacobsen helped Bamberg win the 2007 Beko BBL title their first in their history, but then returned to the NBA and and then the German capital Berlin, but after only one season gave up the German capital, its history and possibly the yummy Doner and Curry wurst and returned back to the country life style of Bamberg. American Barry Stewart started his Beko BBL career in Trier, but fled t Giessen after only one season, but returned back to the relaxing Mosel city Trier this season. It could be speculated why Stewart might return back to Trier, but Giessen that is known as a university city is lifeless at night where Giessen players in the past have chosen to drive 65 kilometers south to experience the night life in Frankfurt as Giessen has little to offer. In Trier, Stewart continues to flourish under 1993 NCAA champion with North Carolinna head coach Henrik Rodl. Rodl has been known not only being able to develop young German players, but also American players and Stewart might also have missed the beautiful landscape and Porta Niagra. Another player that has returned back to a team for a second time is Mark Dorris. Dorris is a 188cm 27 year old guard from Cincinnati, Ohio and could easily fill the Us Bank arena if it was made public that Quantez Robertson and him would duel in a slam dunk contest. Dorris played at Marshall and then started his professional basketball career in the German PRO A with Cuxhaven where he dominated the league. In 2010, he played in the Beko BBL for Phoenix Hagen having a strong season, but last season fled to Ludwigsburg for a likely pay raise, but decided to return back to Hagen this season even if it took longer than usual arriving in mid November 2012. There isn´t too much to see in Hagen except for the home base of the German basketball federation, but Dorris must have had some reason for returning even if winters can be very grey and dark making one feel very far away from home. Maybe he was missing the unique coaching duo of laid back German head coach Ingo Feyer and comedic and jovial assistant coach Steven Wriedt. Phoenix Hagen has another talented roster this season, but after a big win at home against Giessen in the home opener have lost lost and lost too many teams. At times they forget to defend and were missing that winner type of player with experience and never die attitude which Dorris possesses. Dorris could be the difference between falling down to the second league or remaining in the Beko BBL. The most underrated trait of Dorris on the court could lead the team in the right direction. “People don´t see my will to win on the stat sheet. It is the only thing that matters to me and at the end of the night if we win”, warned Mark Dorris.

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Larry Gordon (Phoenix Hagen) Basketball Is A Business And You Have To Produce If You Want To Keep Your Job

Welcome to Hagen, Germany. You played the last two seasons in Austria. Now you are in Germany. In both countires, teh language german is spoken. What has been a distinct difference that you have seen since coming to Hagen in the two countries?

I think the biggest difference is the dialect from Hagen and Austria is a bit different. I mean I dont know German all that well to really draw a comparison, but I can sense a difference of how they speak here in Hagen then in Austria.

You played in Holland and Austria the last three seasons and now are ready to make the next jump to the higher league Beko BBL. Are you ready to make the next jump and what are your expectations this season?

Im definitely ready for this move, this is something as a basketball player you strive to get to and that is the highest level of basketball and competition. I have developed as a Pro player every year and I think playing in the Beko BBL is only going to make me into a better player after the season because of all the talent here. My expectations for myself is to play hard and do what ever in ability to help my team here in Hagen reach our goals and have a successful season.

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Quantez Robertson Flies, Dunks And Blocks The Fraport Skyliners Past The Phoenix Hagen Thunderbirds 92-47

Four months ago, the Fraport Skyliners were about as far away from the Beko BBL playoffs as Jack Black is from having a sensual love scene with Jessica Alba and Scarlett Johansson at the same time in a movie, Peyton Manning from winning a Super Bowl again with his first NFL team Indianapolis Colts or the New Orleans Saints from regaining any kind of respect again in the next years. Back in early December, Frankfurt fans were wondering if a long winter in the Beko BBL cellar was to happen making early Christmas shopping and wondering if Jon Leuer would leave for the NBA. Now more than four months after the 83-65 win in Hagen and 27 point performance from Jon Leuer, Phoenix Hagen continue to be fighting to stay in the Beko BBL while the Fraport Skyliners continue to make a late season run for the Beko BBL playoffs and showed a powerful display of offense and defense totally dismantling Phoenix Hagen 92-47 holding a Beko BBL team under 50 points for the third time this season. The way the Fraport Skyliners play now then compared to early December is like night and day and that has to do mostly with coach Muli Katzurin, the team as a whole and a player that can play Monopoly with the best of them. “I think a big part of the success in Frankfurt has to do with Jacob Burtschi. He does all the little things that keep a team together and he is the glue guy. The way he plays makes the team get better. It also took some time for the team to mesh and understands the coaches defensive style. “We expected them to be a lot better than four months ago. There defense is a lot better, but that is because they know each other better. Their size and athleticism are the same, but whats different is that the Skyliners are clicking”, expressed ex Duesseldorf Giant Marc Anthony Carter. “I think that my non stop style has helped the team. I don´t have to score as much as in Hagen, but can do other things like rebound and find my teammates”, added ex Phoenix Hagen forward Jacob Burtschi. “Frankfurt play more together now than then making the extra pass and just doing things that good teams have to do”, stated Phoenix Hagen American Adam Constatine.

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Another Phoenix In Der Asche Type Of Season For Phoenix Hagen

After Brandt Hagen went bankrupt and had to close down shop on December 29th, 2003, not seeing BBL games from 2004-2009 for the most hardcore Hagen fans must have been as difficult for them as animal rights activists seeing Donald Trump junior slaughter some exotic animals on a safari in Africa or famous American fashion designer Dona Karan seeing a total fashion disaster with Rihanna who recently was seen wearing unflattering baggy men’s jeans, a pair of construction boots and a braless and see-through mesh top. Like a Phoenix out of the ashes that seemed lost, but reappears again, the team returned back to the Beko BBL in 2009. However since their return, the club has been struggling and after a poor 2009-2010 season where they were saved at the end of the season from regulation, the team could be filming a sequel of Phoenix in der asche part 2 this season as they are stuck in the relation fight. Who could forget the classic scene from the documentary phoenix in der asche where Michael hakim Jordan lets loose an Oscar worth tirade at a halftime locker room talk in Frankfurt in 2010. Maybe the team should fly in Jordan for a repeat performance to try to get the team going or get Adam Constatine his MR T mohawk back again so he could put some fear into his teammates. “Well maybe a guy like Michael Jordan is missing there who will open his mouth,but then again once that happens you get labeled as the bad boy”, stressed Lti Giessen 46ers Achmadscah Zazai. Alba Berlin rocked the world of Phoenix Hagen a few weeks ago scoring over 100 points and 2011 Beko BBL MVP Dashaun Wood was a gracious winner possibly not noticing the score at the end his 27 point performance not bashing the play of the opponent. “Phoenix Hagen didn´t play that bad and we just played very well”, warned Alba Berlin guard Dashaun Wood. This is the third season in the Beko BBL for Phoenix Hagen. They entered the German top league in 2009-2010 and Phoenix Hagen finished the year in 16th place just staying in the BEKO BBL by 0ne point as they had a record of 9-25. The two biggest problems of the team was a lack of defense and a thin rotation.

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The Fraport Skyliners Look To Snap Their 10 Game Losing Streak Against Scoring, Scoring And Scoring And A Possible Positive Jinx Growing Against Alba Berlin For Phoenix Hagen

Phoenix Hagen may not be a team that has a superstar player like Dashaun Wood, will reach the beko BBL playoffs with ease this season, have Bernd Kruel play point guard for a quarter, have Paris Hilton as a cheerleader, or German actor Til Schweiger sitting in the front row at each home game, but one thing that they have and can never be taken away from them is the very sweet distinction of having Alba Berlins number in the Enervie arena the last two seasons winning 92-86 last season despite 37 points from mr ballerina Derrick Allen and 98-91 this season. Who needs a Dashaun Wood when you have a Marc Carter who can lead you to the win with 33 points. Even if the season isn’t a total success, one will at least have the memory of having beaten Alba Berlin in your own living room. One player that will cherish the win last season forever is Quentin pryor who found some time to reflect on the upset win last season in Austria where he is currently earning his bread for his family. “The win over Alba Berlin was my second biggest win after the win we got getting to the Beko BBL in 2009. I remember that we didn´t give Alba Berlin a chance in this game. Once the fourth quarter rolled along, we felt that we were going to win the game. We held the Alba Berlin shooters in check and got them out of their comfort zone. I thought that it was great that we were able to prove all those doubters wrong by coming on the floor and competiting”, stressed Quentin Pryor. Other teams in the Beko BBL are noticing how difficult it is to play in Hagen like the Walter Tigers Tuebingen who won a 111-104 shoot out recently. Josh young remembers the win in Hagen and beating underdogs in college as ifapples were growing on trees. “That they beat Alba Berlin doesn´t surprise me at all. Once Hagen gets going offensively, they can be very dangerous and play with anyone. It is tough to play there since they have nice fans and use their home court advantage well. When I was at Drake, we beat Iowa and Iowa State each year until my senior year when we finally lost. For underdog teams, there is always an extra motivation playing higher ranked teams, because nobody expects them to win. And after you beat them so many times, you expect to always win”, warned Josh Young. It took the Frankfurt Skyliners some six years to win in Bamberg again, is a Phoenix Hagne jinx already cast upon Alba Berlin? “It seems like an Alba Berlin jinx has started, but if Phoenix Hagen wins again next season, then there is definitely a jinx”, smiled Quentin Pryor.

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Michael Hakim Jordan: I HAVE To Win! I NEED To Win!

34 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. In 2009-2010, 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%. Last season, he played for Mitteldeutscher BC Weissenfels (Germany-1.Bundesliga, starting five): 19 games: 9.3ppg, 1.9rpg, 4.3apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 38.2%, FT: 80.6%; in Jan.’11 moved to LTi Giessen 46ers (Germany-1.Bundesliga, starting five): 14 games: 7.1ppg, 2.0rpg, 3.7apg, FGP: 40.4%, 3PT: 42.9%, FT: 72.7%. Michael spoke to German Hoops about basketball and his current situation.

It is September now and your still unsigned. How surprised are you about this? Is the Market even tighter now then the last few years due to the lockout?

I’m really surprised because I thought I played well enough last year to earn a job for this season. I did what I was brought in to do you know? I guess The lockout plays a role, but still it’s a bit disappointing.

What are the biggest difficulties for Michael Jordan finding a team right now? I am sure your agent is working day and night to find you a team?
Honestly, If I knew I would feel better about the situation. My agent Refiloe Lethunya is doing what he can to get me a job. Just a little difficult at the moment and neither of us know why exactly. I have a few theories though.

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Brandon Brooks(Phoenix Hagen): I Want To Earn The Starting Point Guard Spot Nothing Is Given

Brandon Brooks is a 24 year old 188cm guard from Dallas, texas. He is starting his third professional basketball season with Phoenix hagen in the beko BBL. Last season, he got experience in the D-League playing for Tulsa 66ers playing 36 games: 4.7ppg, 1.8rpg, 3.3apg. He started his professional basketball career in Germany with the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven averaging 7.4ppg, 1.8rpg, 2.2apg, FGP: 53.2%, 3PT: 38.0%, FT: 72.8% He played at Alabama State and as a senior he played 32 games: 13.7ppg, 4.2rpg, 6.6apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 50.2%, 3Pts: 36.9%, FT: 77.1%. He was the SWAC Regular Season Champion in 2008 and 2009. He spoke to German Hoops before he came to Germany to play for Phoenix Hagen

Congrats on the contract with Phoenix hagen. How happy are you about being back in Germany?

Im very happy to be in familiar territory again.

What did you miss most about Germany and the beko BBL?

I miss the fans. Even when Iwas in the D-league the people still wished me luck.

What convinced you most about taking the job with Phoenix Hagen?

The playing style they have is very much up and down run and gun type of offense.

You played last season in the D-league for the Tulsa 66ers. How much was your game able to develop in the States?

I learned a lot in the D-league. My basketball IQ is much better now. I hope to transfer it to Hagen.

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Jacob Burtschi (CAI Zaragoza): Whether Its 25 Minutes A Game Or 5 Minutes A Game. I Just Want To Contribute

Jacob Burtschi is a 27 year old 198cm forward from Chickasha, Oklahoma who will be playing his second professional basketball season in the best basketball league in Europe the ACB in Spain this season for CAI Zaragoza . He completed his rookie season for Phoenix Hagen averaging 14.2ppg, 6.9rpg, 2.5apg, Steals-3(1.5spg), FGP: 56.0%, 3PT: 44.2%, FT: 82.2%. He played at the Air Force from 2003-2007. In his senior year, he played 35 games averaging 13.5ppg, 6.0rpg, 2.3apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 49.7%, 3Pts: 39.0%, FT: 77.3%. He had offers to play in the NBA, but served in the Air Force the last three years and could only play club ball. Some achievements that he got in the NCAA were All-MWC Honorable Mention -05, MWC Regular Season Runner-Up -06, All-MWC 2nd Team -06, 07, NABC All-NCAA District 13 2nd Team -07, and NIT Final Four -07. He spoke to German Hoops about his season in Germany and his future in Spain.

Congrats on the getting a job in the best European league ACB with CAI Zaragoza. For a guy who didn´t play for 3 years and then played in Germany and made the jump to the ACB, you can be extremly happy. Were you surprised to land in the ACB despite your history and so many good players in the world?

Thank you. I am very pleased with how things have progressed and excited for the next opportunity in Spain. I was a bit surprised, but its all about finding the right situation at the right time and I felt that is what I did.

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