Jonathan Kale (Phoenix Hagen) Pregame Thoughts To Deutsche Bank Skyliners Game November 7th - Nov 6, 2009 (by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber)
Jonathan Kale (203-F-85, agency: Bradley Sports Management, college: Providence) is a 24 year old Ivorian/American 203cm forward that is playing his rookie season in the BEKO BBL for Phoenix Hagen and is tearing up the league under the boards. He was born in Boston and grew up in Mattapan and went to St Andrews school. He played at Providence University from 2005-2009. In his senior year, he played 33 games averaging 10.1ppg, 6.0rpg, FGP: 57.4%, FT: 56 [read more]
Jonathan Kale (203-F-85, agency: Bradley Sports Management, college: Providence) is a 24 year old Ivorian/American 203cm forward that is playing his rookie season in the BEKO BBL for Phoenix Hagen and is tearing up the league under the boards. He was born in Boston and grew up in Mattapan and went to St Andrews school. He played at Providence University from 2005-2009. In his senior year, he played 33 games averaging 10.1ppg, 6.0rpg, FGP: 57.4%, FT: 56.6%. Before coming to Hagen, he played shortly in Poland for Anwil Wloclawek in pre season. This past summer, he took part in the African Championships in Libya winning the silver and playing 9 games averaging 5.6ppg, 3.6rpg, FGP: 57.1%, 3PT: 30.0%, FT: 56.3%. Jon spoke to eurobasket shortly before the game against The Deutsche Bank Skyliners
Your dominating the boards in the BBL. How has the style of play been for you in comparison to what you saw in NCAA?
The style of play has been very similar. Its very physical and the teams here can play both in full court and in half court setting.
Are you a guy that can average double double in points and rebounds? Is that a goal for you?
I think its possible, but I also understand that in order to achieve that it will take alot of hard work in this league.
If you had to compare your playing style to an NBA player who would it be?
I like guys like KG, Elton Brand and Carlos Boozer, I try to emulate their style of play, guys that can operate from the mid range to the post and rebound the ball.
Hagen started out 2-5. What have been the biggest problems for the team?
I think our biggest problem has been controlling our turnovers, and playing intense defense throughout the entire game.
You guys let up over 80 points in last 3 games. What are the main problems on defense?
Well I think its still the same thing, limiting turnovers because those usually lead to easy points for the opposition and just focusing on playing intense defense for the entire game not just a half.
What is the team doing really well so far this season?
We can definitely improve in everything we do, but right now we rebound the ball at a good rate and we get out on the break pretty well.
What do you remember from the preseason game vs the Deutsche Bank Skyliners?
From the preseason game I remember the Skyliners as being a really complete team. They have good players up and down the roster and they all play hard.
What was your impression of the Deutsche Bank Skyliners?
My impression of the Skyliners was that they were a well oiled machine, they played solid, and rarely made mistakes.
What has Hagen improved the most since the pre season?
I think we have improved on offense, we are starting to move the ball a lot better and we have improved our defensive rebounding.
They are a small team. Hagen should be able to dominate inside with you, turek and kruel. Will that be a main focus for game?
Ha I don't know if I would call them small but I think thats definitely one part of our game plan, we want to use any advantage we have.
What Skyliner really impressed you in that pre season game?
The whole team was impressive but the front line really stuck out to me, Allen, Doliboa, and Calhoun those guys are players
What will be key for victory?
I think the key for us is to control the boards, play physical and control the tempo, stick to our game plan and play the way we want to.
Going from the hot weather of Arizona to the cooler climate of Cuxhaven may not be easy for every basketball player, but for 20 year old 203cm Nicholas May making a rapid change like this comes from the heart, because he plays for the love of the game. A few months ago, coming to Cuxhaven was out of the question as May was begining his new basketball life at Arizona WesternJunior College, but this dream ended shortly as he decided to return back to Germany [read more]
Going from the hot weather of Arizona to the cooler climate of Cuxhaven may not be easy for every basketball player, but for 20 year old 203cm Nicholas May making a rapid change like this comes from the heart, because he plays for the love of the game. A few months ago, coming to Cuxhaven was out of the question as May was begining his new basketball life at Arizona WesternJunior College, but this dream ended shortly as he decided to return back to Germany. The return of May fit into the plans of Cuxhaven perfectly, because not only did they need help because of injuries, but also see the German as a player that can develop into a BBL player. The Cuxhaven Bascats signed May to a contract.
May was discovered on a playground by North Carolina and Alba Berlin legend Hendrik Roedl. The young German dabbled a bit with the TUS Lichterfelde junior teams, but never played any organized ball and was unable to leave a lasting impression mainly because he was too small. All of a sudden, he grew and grew and suddenly was not so small anymore. He made a video which Roedl saw and his abilty was raw. Mini NBA legend Eddie Johnson was flown into Berlin to see what May had to offer and was very impressed. 'If he keeps working, he could be the next Amare Stoudemire. Whenever Nicholas was touching the ball in the paint, someone was going to be dunked on. May has long arms and big hands and brings a lot of power on the court. He will be big-time for sure, warned Eddie Johnson. Before May can dream big, he has to prove that he can play at the German PRO A level. He already gave his debut for the Bascats in a cup game scoring two points and getting three rebounds.
The Deutsche Bank Skyliners Look To Cage Phoenix Hagen November 7th - Nov 6, 2009 (by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber)
After two incredibly exciting and emotional wins against The MBC Wolves and the burying of the curse of the Bauermann, which was as suspenseful as if Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton and Pamela Anderson were mud wrestling against Borat (Sacha baron Cohen) to see who can star in his next blockbuster film, The Deutsche Bank Skyliners might settle for less tension this time and just win with out writing a script for a last minute Dan Brown thriller [read more]
After two incredibly exciting and emotional wins against The MBC Wolves and the burying of the curse of the Bauermann, which was as suspenseful as if Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton and Pamela Anderson were mud wrestling against Borat (Sacha baron Cohen) to see who can star in his next blockbuster film, The Deutsche Bank Skyliners might settle for less tension this time and just win with out writing a script for a last minute Dan Brown thriller. We like to make some games easy, but it would be nice to get some easy wins again, joked Skyliner American Grayson Moyer. Winning the way Frankfurt did is not common, but Skyliner coach Murat Didin had experienced this as coach. I never experienced two wins like that so close within 48 hours, but a Wed-Sun schedule I had seen before in Turkey and Italy as coach, explained Murat Didin. At times it looks like Skyliner coach Murat Didin has suffered more than a Derrick Allen after a game just pacing up and down the sideline and barking commands, but he sees no difference how his team wins. A win is a win. A one point victory is stressful, but that is the definition of the game. One has to be realistic, because a team cant win each game by 20 points, stressed Murat Didin.
The Deutsche Bank Skyliners have had good fortune early in the season with teams that are affiliated to animals like The Walter Tigers Tuebingen which they were able to tame into an extremely non ferocious kitten, and being able to smoke out a very quick and energetic MBC Wolves off their court in the last minute. The positive trend of dismantling teams with animals could continue this weekend as they face off against newly regulated team Phoenix Hagen which is not any kind of bird, but a special bird which Frankfurt will need to be aware of. Frankfurt has to watch out and keep Phoenix Hagen in their cage and be careful not to leave the door open, because this would give Hagen the chance to break out and use the euphoric momentum and play good team basketball. Frankfurt should also not underestimate the phoenix bird, just because they had a bad start into the season, stressed Ehingen (PRO B) German Ruben Spoden The Phoenix bird is special, because the Phoenix lives a long life, but even if it is consumed by flames, it is able to immediately rise from the ashes. But can a phoenix bird also live further if it is not consumed by flames or just by stopping its game nourishment? Frankfurt might want to stop the Phoenix from getting food or by running quicker back on defense than the bird runs forward, joked BG Karlsruhe German Rouven Roessler.
The city of Hagen doesnt only have their rich Basketball tradition like their only championship in Germanys highest playing class winning in 1974 as SSV Hagen. Hagen not only has the team Phoenix Hagen, but the 36th biggest city in Germany is also the home of the DBB (German Basketball Federation). Could being in the same town with the DBB be an advantage for Phoenix Hagen? Maybe as an area, if there was not an internet age today, then I think that the team could be very early close to the latest news like an early bird, but now with the internet age, being in the same place as the DBB is nothing special, joked Murat Didin. Hagen is also known as having the only State run distance teaching University in Germany that provides higher education for students at home. German manager of the National soccer team Oliver Bierhoff was able to get a degree as he was playing professionally in Italy. That is an interesting fact to Hagen. I think that having this University is a good thing for people who have to work. This is very helpful for people in society that are working, added Murat Didin. Near Hagen is also the Cave Blaetterhoehle which has the oldest fossils of modern people in Westphalia dating back to 10,700 BC. If Frankfurt has any time for a quick field trip to this historic landmark for inspiration seems bleak. We have to stay in the hotel and prepare for Hagen. But if the guys want to see it in the summer, then that is fine, joked Murat Didin.
Phoenix Hagen was founded in May 2004 after old club Brandt Hagen had filed for bankruptcy. Brandt Hagen had to stop operations in December 2003 and Phoenix Hagen is not the legal successor of Brandt Hagen, but a totally new independent new organization made to continue the rich basketball tradition in Hagen. The team placed second in the 2008-2009 PRO A season behind MBC and were able to move up to the BEKO BBL. They were so good last season, because they were really aggressive on offense and had guys that could score. They also played pretty good defense as well. We were able to beat them three times. We mainly defended better than they did, which helped us get the wins, stressed Nurnberg baskets (PRO B) guard Will Chavis.
Currently Phoenix Hagen are hanging in the middle of the BEKO BBL rankings at position 12 with a record of 2-5. It is never easy for a new club coming into the BEKO BBL, but Phoenix Hagen started out pretty well despite losing three players with Bambale Osby who fled so quickly to Israel that the Phoenix bird never even noticed, American Marcel Jones had to go and the Sean Finn affair remains a mystery exactly what happened, but he is now doing damage in the Ukraine for Politekhnika Halychyna Lviv. On the first weekend, they beat Giessen on the road 83-77, before losing a tough game at home against Paderborn 85-79. On the next weekend, they lost away at Tuebingen 84-72, but came home and won a real nail bitter against Ratiopharm Ulm 76-75 as American Chase Griffin was fouled behind the three point line and held his nerves drowning three clutch free throws to clinch the win
. However since the huge Ulm win, it seems like the Phoenix bird has been unable to come alive from the ashes as they have suffered a three game losing streak. The Telekom Baskets Bonn crushed them at their home 82-59, then lost the new team duel against MBC 85-75 and last weekend got a nasty introduction to the dragon den as the Artland Dragons scored over 100 points again as defense was no issue in this game as Phoenix Hagen lost 106-89. Frankfurt had seen Phoenix Hagen late in preseason crushing them 99-71, but Skyliner coach Murat Didin is still impressed by the club. They are a good team. They are a quick team with scoring ability. They have more of a strong resistance under the boards with Jonathan Kale and John Turek, who can play inside and out. They are not very deep, but they always give a lot of effort and they make it difficult for opponents playing on the road, stressed Murat Didin.
Phoenix Hagen is led by 26 year old 188 cm guard Chase Griffin who is averaging 16,4ppg, 3,1rpg and 3,1apg, while shooting 43% from the field, but still looking for his range from three point land with 24%. This is only his third professional season and first in the BEKO BBL, but he shown early on that he could grow into the top class of point guards in the BEKO BBL. He is known as a playmaker, but has kept his reputation of being a scorer being top scorer in 3 of the first 6 games. Griffin is a very dominant and strong point guard in the open court with strong ball handling, a quick eye for his teammates and also has a very quick shot. He reminds me a bit of Jason Williams with the way he presents himself on the court, commented Ruben Spoden of Ehingen (PRO B). Without giving any disrespect to Phoenix Hagen, but where would the team rebounding average of 38 be without Jonathan Kale? It would be at 29 and the team might be even lower in the standings. Kale might be one of the strongest try out players that has come into the BEKO BBL in the last years. Through six games, he has developed into a real workhorse averaging 15,3ppg and 9,6rpg. He is an Ivorian-American who is a BEKO BBL rookie that played at Providence last season playing 33 games and averaging 10.1ppg, 6.0rpg, FGP: 57.4%, FT: 56.6%. He grew up in Mattapan, a city suburb of Boston and played in the African Championships this past summer in Libya winning the silver playing 9 games and averaging 5.6ppg, 3.6rpg, FGP: 57.1%, 3PT: 30.0%, FT: 56.3%. I really like Kale. I saw him play in college and think he can really be a good player in the league, stressed Bayreuth youth coach Sean Mccaw
22 year old 178 cm guard Andre Mcghee is another BEKO BBL rookie who is averaging 11,6ppg, 2,7rpg and 2,9apg, but is still getting used to shooting as he is at 36% from the field and 34% from outside. He played at Louisville reaching the NCAA elite 8 in 2008 and winning the Big East regular season in 2009. I like how Mcghee is able to play one on one defense, expressed MBC guard Wayne Bernard. 26 year old 205 cm power forward/center John Turek from Council Bluffs, Iowa who played at Nebraska, two seasons in Holland, and one in Belgium and Poland came only a few weeks ago, but has quickly adjusted to the new league averaging 9,3ppg and 6,0rpg. He is a very effective front court player, who improved his performing year after year and seems now ready for the higher level. He bangs well inside, can score from outside and defends hard. He isn' t so athletic, but knows how to do and where to stay in almost any moment of the game. He has a great attitude and team mentality. John Turek is real good. I played against him in Holland, stressed ex MBC guard Will Chavis. 25 year old 206cm forward Aaron Fleetwood is playing his second season in Hagen after averaging 8.9ppg, 4.7rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 60.7%, 3PT: 23.1%, FT: 75.0% in 30 games last season. This season, he is averaging 7,9ppg and 5,3rpg. He played at Delaware and then came to Germany in 2007-2008 getting his start with Osnabrueck in the German Regionaliga. Fleetwood is long and athletic and is mostly a garbage man. He runs the floor well can get offensive rebounds and is able to alter shots, said Will Chavis.
33 year old 210 cm center Bernd Kruel has played most of his career in Hagen starting with Brandt in 1993, but leaving in January 2004 as the team folded. He got rewarded by winning a BBL title with the Opel Skyliners. After playing some years in Frankfurt and Bonn, he came back to Hagen in 2008-2009 helping the team get back into the BEKO BBL. He may not be the youngest anymore, but he will bang with anyone as he is averaging 7,4ppg, 6,6rpg and 2,1apg. His quickness, leaping ability, shot selection and rebounding are his main strength. He is a good athlete, can shoot, can dribble and plays inside and outside. Quenton Pryor is a 26 year old 193 cm shooting guard/small forward that is playing his third year in Germany and his second with Phoenix Hagen. He is averaging 6,1ppg, and 2,4rpg. Last season, he was a big force in helping the team reach the highest German class playing 30 games and averaging 14.7ppg, 3.8rpg, 3.0apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 60.5%, 3PT: 30.3%, FT: 75.2%. He is a good defender and very athletic on the wing, added Will Chavis. 31 year old 200 cm 110 kilo power forward Matthias Grothe is the heart and soul of the team playng his 11th season in Hagen after having a short stay with TUS Iserlohn. This season, he is averaging 3,3ppg and 1,5rpg. He can be intimidating in the zone with his big body that could plow over most BBL bodies and has gotten some added fame having a minor ole in the new German movie Hangtime. He can shoot the three, Pick and pop and looks overweight but he can play. He also puts the ball on the floor well as is a bit undersized, but uses his body well, stressed Will Chavis. The team also has the talented German boys Kristof Schwarz and Malte Schwarz (4,1ppg), who have developed nicely in the last years. I think it is great that the club is giving young players a chance. The Schwarz brothers have gotten playing time even though they are not as known as Robin Benzing at the moment, said Ruben Spoden.
The biggest mistake that any team can ever do is think to big at this early juncture even if the last two games of The Deutsche Bank Skyliners have worked as perfect as the near perfect season of The New England Patriots in 2007-2008 which was abruptly ended on the last day of the season as The New York Giants made their own mini comeback winning the Superbowl. Almost a year ago, fans and critics were very impressed by The Deutsche Bank Skyliners golden December where the team was playing inspired Basketball and were winning as frequently as the Boston Celtics currently are in the NBA still not having tasted defeat yet. The way Frankfurt won in MBC and at home against The Brose Baskets Bamberg was extremely spectacular and the only thing missing to each win was a sudden appearance by a confused MBC streaker sporting a live wolf on its shoulder or the real Dirk Bauermann making a sudden appearance from the Ballsporthalle catacombs sprinting over in the last minutes all dressed in black making quick eye contact with assistant coach Oliver Stix making his eyes as mesmorising as Germanys top talent Bruce Darnell to take a seat in the front row with Wolfgang Heyder and just making a quick signal with head coach Chris Fleming to take the place of Stix for the last minutes as he somehow found a way to deny the curse of Bamberg ending in Frankfurt. It has been interesting how Frankfurt has been able to win the last two games in crunch time and how well the team has come together seeming to know their roles as blindly as Stevie Wonder knows where the keys of the piano are, but any early mumble jumble about the Deutsche Bank Skyliners already peaking as a team in early November is as far from the mind of Murat Didin as is swimming in a pool for an excited six year old who is preparing for its first swim ever. I dont believe in peaking at all. I dont pay any attention to this kind of talk. Good results come quick and late. We cant be worried how it happens, but just stay strong work better each day and improve each day in order to reach our goal at the end of the season, stressed Skyliner coach Murat Didin.
It is always extremely important that newly regulated teams start well in the beginning of the season so that later in the season, the team might have some breathing room in the standings in their fight to stay in the BEKO BBL for the next season. Even though Phoenix Hagen finished second in the PRO A last season to MBC and started at 2-5 this season, many players believe that the phoenix bird will arise from the ashes and stick to the BEKO BBL for the future. I think that they have a real good chance to stay in the league. They already won two games, but it will be tough. They are very tough under the boards. I think that they are better than Paderborn and Giessen, warned Will Chavis. However the biggest mistake that the team can do now is think about staying in the league instead of their daily duties to go about preparing to win games. I think that they can stay in the league, if they put their minds to it. A lot of times teams go on a losing streak and put their heads down and think the season is over. For them, I hope they aren't wondering if they can stay in the BBL. They should just focus on winning the next game. Its too early for them to think negative thoughts right now. We're only a month into the season, stressed MBC guard Wayne Bernard.
Frankfurt have some difficult weeks in front of them as they have to travel to frog country meeting the current wrecking crew and scoring machine Artland Dragons next week and then welcoming 8 time BBL champion Alba Berlin the week after. Phoenix Hagen may not be quite the calibre of those two teams, but also a challenge as the team has improved since preseason. Frankfurt is the favourite in this game, but Hagen can bring a lot of energy when their arena is packed and loud. With the addition of John Turek, Phoenix Hagen has improved their inside/out game and could be a good match for Frankfurt. If Griffin, Pryor, and Mcghee can penetrate, score, and open up shots for the other guys then that will help them win. When we played them, Aaron Fleetwood didnt make many of his shots. but I know that he is able to so if he is hot, and the guards can attack (they are all good penetrators), then that will help Hagen offensively, added Wayne Bernard. When opponents marvel about the players of The Deutsche Bank Skyliners then it is the usual common suspects leading Frankfurt to victory. Allen of course is a force down low and outside so he is impressive. I also like Reese because he plays hard even though he plays a lot of minutes. Roller I liked too - he's quick and can shoot, said Wayne Bernard. Even though the Deutsche Bank Skyliners are still looking to find their top defense rhythm of last season this season, MBC guard Wayne Bernard already got a rude introduction to an aggressive defense last weekend in MBC from Frankfurt. Frankfurt can win by doing what they do best - solid, in-your-face defense and attacking inside and Hagen rely on their mobile big men so stopping them will be important, warned Wayne Bernard. Phoenix Hagen also has another ace in their sleeve with Bernd Kruel that really hasnt exploded yet against his former team. Frankfurt cant let Bernd the storch Kruel get heated up and put Chase Griffin under pressure at all times. Frankfurt can beat Hagen best with a strong block defense that can stop the early offense of Hagen, stressed ex TV Langen German Ruben Spoden. Phoenix Hagen host The Deutsche Bank Skyliners on November 7th at 20:00.
Winning Is More Important Than Minutes For Zack Whiting (Duesseldorf Giants) - Nov 4, 2009 [read more]
Khimky celebrates in thriller against EWE Baskets Oldenburg - Nov 4, 2009 [read more]
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