Derrick Allen Pregame Thoughts To Deutsche Bank Skyliners-Alba Berlin Game Nov 21st - Nov 20, 2009 (by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber)
Derrick Allen (203-F-80, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Mississippi) is a 203cm forward that grew up in Gadsen Alabama. He is a rugged inside player who attacks the glass, will provide help on the boards, is a solid defender in the post, a competitor and hard worker that can score facing the basket and has shooting range to the foul line. He started his career at Southern Union State from 1998-2000. He then transferred to Mississippi and played there from 2000-2003 [read more]
Derrick Allen (203-F-80, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Mississippi) is a 203cm forward that grew up in Gadsen Alabama. He is a rugged inside player who attacks the glass, will provide help on the boards, is a solid defender in the post, a competitor and hard worker that can score facing the basket and has shooting range to the foul line. He started his career at Southern Union State from 1998-2000. He then transferred to Mississippi and played there from 2000-2003. He then started his professional basketball career in Iceland playing for Keflavikur ripping up the FIBA Europe Cup playing 8 games and averaging 26.6ppg, 9.4rpg, 2.5apg, 1.8spg and playing 22 games in the Iceland league averaging 23,4ppg, 10.5rpg. He won the Icelandic league and cup title in his rookie season. In 2004, he ventured to Germany and has played there ever since with two years in Karlsruhe, one year in Leverkusen and he is now starting his third season for The Deutsche Bank Skyliners. In 2006-2007, he led Leverksuen into the playoffs and led the BBL in scoring playing 38 games and averaging 16.5ppg, 7.3rpg, 1.2apg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 50.6%, 3FGP: 32.3%, FT: 72.2%. In 2007-2008, he was second best scorer in the BBL for Frankfurt playing 43 games and averaging 18.1ppg, 7.3rpg, 1.9apg, 2FGP: 50.4%, 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 75.6%; and playing 10 ULEB Cup games finishing as the third best scorer averaging 19.9ppg, 7.9rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 54%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 72.9%. He has reached three BBL playoffs in five seasons and played in the 2008 BBL Allstar game.
That was a tough loss vs The Artland Dragons. After winning a few close games. Does losing a close game come with the territority that you cant win every nail bitter?
We didnt play very well in Artland, last weekend, but we still had a chance too win the game. But we dont want too be in a close game everytime that we play, but just get wins however we have too.
What did the team learn as a team after The Artland Dragons loss?
That we have too come ready too play for 40mins on the road, and we have to be mentally tougher.
The team made a lot of mistakes against The Artland Dragons. Was their defense that aggressive, or were a lot of mistakes more mental?
Neither, I think we had too many individual mistakes and we always had too fight back into the game, then we just ran out of time.
The next game is against 8 time BEKO BBL champion Alba Berlin. How tough is it preparing for a top team after losing a close game?
I dont think its very hard. We will prepare for Berlin just like every other team in our league. So we just have to do what our coaches want us too do, and be ready for a 40min war.
Julius Jenkins started very slow, but has brought up his shooting percentages up to 40% from the field and 40% from three point land. Are you surprised by his slow start?
Yeah, I am suprised. But Julius is a good friend of mine and I know what kind of players he is, and he wont continue too play like that or have low shooting percentages. Believe me.
Frankfurt has won the last two games at home against Alba Berlin. Why do you think that Frankfurt has had their number the last two years?
We cant go into the game thinking, just because we are playing at home we will win the game.. But I think we have had success against Berlin that last two years, because we came out aggressive on defense, and fought hard the whole game.
Alba Berlin kept 8 players, but got only two new players with Derrick Byars still adjusting and Kenan Bajramovic far away from his top game. Why should this team be considered a title team if they seem weaker than last year on paper?
I dont think they are a weaker team. I think they just struggled at the start of the season. But I know they will be one of the teams that can win this league.
Alba Berlin started slow, but have won the last three games outscoring the opponent 245 to 166. Why has the team been so strong recently?
I think its because they have picked it up on the defense end. They are also making their outside shots now.
What is the biggest strength of Alba Berlin and how do you fight against it?
They are a great pick @ roll team, and they got the best guard in the league (Julius Jenkins). So we have to make Julius work for his shot, and make it hard for Berlin too run their systems.
Teams have been trying to beat Alba Berlin with zone the last games, but their shooting percentages have been rising. How else can you stop them on defense in general?
I think that is because, teams feel that Julius is their only shooter on the floor. Rashad Wright wasnt making his shots at the start of the season so teams closed up the paint, but with Berlin, you have too attack them inside, make them work on defense, and attack the offensive boards.
Alba Berlin is rebounding better this season. Everybody talks about Immanuel Mcelroy and Julius Jenkins, but I think a key guy to stop will be Blagota Sekulic. How will Frankfurt want to control the boards?
Sekulic is a really good pick @ roll player. We just have to match his intensity, and do the little things against him and we will be good. Thanks Derrick! Good luck vs Alba Berlin.
The Deutsche Bank Skyliners Want To Give Captain Pascal Roller A Belated Birthday Gift With A win Against Alba Berlin Nov 21st - Nov 19, 2009 (by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber)
Recently the basketball world saw highlights like ex Rome player Brandon Jennings drop 55 points with the Milwauke Bucks, the return of ex Skyliners Travon Bryant to Panionios, Greece, Ken Johnosn to BC Kalev in Estonia and the release of Allen Iverson from the Memphis Grizzles, but a sport highlight always in the BEKO BBL is a duel between The Deutsche Bank Skyliners and 8 time champion Alba Berlin [read more]
Recently the basketball world saw highlights like ex Rome player Brandon Jennings drop 55 points with the Milwauke Bucks, the return of ex Skyliners Travon Bryant to Panionios, Greece, Ken Johnosn to BC Kalev in Estonia and the release of Allen Iverson from the Memphis Grizzles, but a sport highlight always in the BEKO BBL is a duel between The Deutsche Bank Skyliners and 8 time champion Alba Berlin. It doesnt matter if both teams are in the cellar, near the top or plagued with injuries, because the game always brings out the best in both teams. It is always a big challenge to play Alba Berlin. They are the most known German basketball team in Europe and it brings the best out in every team to try to play at their level. It makes us want to be able to play at their level. I think the reason that we have played well against them at home in the last years, is because we were the underdog, which in a way was an advantage as we were able to play our best basketball, stressed Skyliner captain Pascal Roller. In many basketball leagues in the world, there is always a top team that has a rich history, traditional following, and unending talent could carefully be compared to a mini Boston Celtics or Los Angeles Lakers. Well I wouldnt call Alba Berlin the Los Angeles Lakers of Germany, but they are a good group of guys that really know how to play the game and they bring out the best of each other and their opponents night in and night out, stressed 2009 BBL scoring champion Omari Westley who is earning his money in Kuwait this season. it is always a big challenge to play them because they have so many good players and as a basketball player and competitor, you always get up for these type of games, warned Giessen 46er center Jannik Freese. American Omari Westley is playing in Kuwait and seeing camels on a dailey basis, but still has fond memories about Alba Berlin. Those were two big games with Nordlingen. It menat so much playing against them. We didnt play well at home getting spanked 72-42, but I made it my duty to play better in Berlin and we gave them a run for their money, but they were simply better in the fourth quarter, stressed ex Nordlingen forward Omari Westley.
The Deutsche Bank Skyliners did not have to much luck with the dragon from Artland and now have their hands full with the eloquent albatross bird from Berlin. It is the largest of all flying birds and can cover long distances with little exertion. It will be interesting to see how well The Deutsche Bank Skyliners can hinder the Albatros from using their wings positively. We have to shoot them out of the sky. On the court, we have to limit their quick shots, stop their big men, their fast break, and their pick and role, joked Skyliner forward Qarraan Calhoun. The Albatros bird is also known for making a special ritual by dancing when they are breeding. Frankfurt may have no control how Alba Berlin does their breeding in the offseason for getting new talent, but they could prevent a Julius Jenkins or Immanuel Mcelroy from starting a funky dance after a spectacular play or thunderous dunk. We wont allow Alba Berlin to do a dance. If they want to dance, then they can go to Atlanta and do the dirty bird dance there all they want. You see that dance at Atlanta Falcons games after Jamal Anderson made a touchdown. He shaked his arms looking like wings of a bird, joked Qarraan Calhoun. Even though legends now a days are not always believed or even taken serious like back in the day. But many many many years ago, the albatross bird was regarded as the soul of the lost sailors and for see men it was seen as being disastrous if one killed an albatross bird. We are not thinking about bad luck. It doesnt matter if we win by one point or 40 points. We want to start a new streak and will clip the wings of the albatross bird and beat Alba Berlin, joked Qarraan Calhoun.
With Alba Berlin, there is always pressure to perform in each game, because everyone expects them to bring back a sack of titles each season. From 2003-2008, Alba Berlin was only able to win one single league title in 2008, but were unable to repeat in 2009. The pressure for Alba Berlin is so huge and similar to ex Baywatch star David Hasselhoff not falling off a stage drunk, The New England Patriots not making any costly mistakes in crunch time or Paris Hilton not being caught off guard in a limousine. I can imagine that Alba Berlin has much pressure. It reminds me off our last season in the second Bundesliga. You learn to deal with it and shift it in a positive direction. You learn to make a healthy arrogance which helps strengthen the self confidence. Our five game playoff series against Alba Berlin was a great experience. There were very tight games even though that we were the clear underdog. I think they they underestimated us and and as we got hot, we knew that we could beat them, commented ex Paderborn center Marius Nolte. For Skyliner captain Pascal Roller, the pressure that Alba Berlin has is something he has also felt in Frankfurt. The pressure with Alba Berlin is very high. They have a big budget, great players and need to always win, but we have had this in Frankfurt also. We have had very good teams in the past and have felt it also. It is only normal to always want to get better, which also gets up the motivation which helps to battle the pressure, warned Skyliner guard Pascal Roller.
Many critics are asking if the 2009-2010 Alba Berlin team is as strong as last years team, but if one studies the roster on paper, then it is clear to see that the team seems to be a little weaker not taking anything away from their positive 7-2 start into the season. The team lost Americans Casey Jacobsen and Ansu Sesay and Serb Alexsandar Nadjfeji. Berlin management seemed content with keeping the bulk of last years team and letting the team chemistry grow and only adding additional pieces to the team. American Lee Cummard didnt get past preseason not fulfilling the requirements on the court and Bosnian Kenan Bajrmovic came very late and has been taking very long to find his rhythm, who has much experience in Europe and had the pleasure of getting balls fed in many different ways from Jared Jordan in Lithuvania, but he seems to be coming out of his funk scoring 12 points in 16 minutes against Duesseldorf. It is still a bit early to exactly rate American Derrick Byars, who has only played three games and still has to be fully integrated into the team. Despite the strong start, the team had problems against Giessen, Tiebingen and Bonn and one has to wonder if this team will be capable to go all the way this season? I believe that with the new player Byars, that Alba Berlin is as strong as last season. They will continue to improve themselves this season mainly due to their consistency, added Giessen 46er center Jannik Freese.
After really annoying opponents in the last weeks with come from behind wins, The Deutsche Bank Skyliners got a taste of their own medicine losing a nail bitter 77-76. In the last weeks, the team has relied on their never dying attitude and making big shots in crunch time and getting big stops and huge defensive plays when they needed them. It doesnt matter if it is Pascal Roller making a breathtaking three pointer or American Aubrey Reese dancing in the zone and scoring or making a game winning pass, it seems like the team is ready for so many other players to be able to make key plays simply because there seems to be an aura in the air giving so much added self confidence to the whole team. Well I am 100% positive that I wont be taking a three pointer in a key moment. I think that other guys can step up. If key players are being doubled or being defended well, then I think that will give other guys the chance to help win the game. We have so many options. Derrick Allen has so much experience and Seth Doliboa is a clutch player. Our whole bench could help. Jimmy Mckinney showed in preseason that he can do it and Dominik Bahiense De Mello is capable of anything, warned Skyliner center Marius Nolte.
Even though The Deutsche Bank Skyliners have been writing their own thriller scripts the last weeks and possibly given star author Dan Brown ideas for future books and maybe making him a bit jealous. However is Frankfurt a team that is capable of having enough energy to keep coming back for 38 minutes and winning in the last minutes and are they even motivated to keep doing this just for the pleasure of the spectators? Of course, it is always great to win close games. The energy will not always be there. We have to learn to decide games earlier which will give us some less stress. Winning these close games has been a good experience , because we know how to win these games. It takes a lot of energy with the tight games, but we have to know that making all these comebacks will not always result in a win, stressed ex Paderborn center Marius Nolte. I think the fans would like to see these one-two point games each week. We cant let these close games become a routine, but win some games more easy, added Pascal Roller. With the luck that The Deutsche Bank Skyliners have been having, the team could probably still win a tight game if Pascal Roller had to take two free throws blindfolded. I dont think that it will ever come to that. It would be nice just to win games a bit more easily. Of course losing the close game in Quackenbrueck has given us a lot of motivation to work even harder and beat Alba Berlin. But Alba Berlin has so much more experience then The Artland Dragons. We cant afford to be down by 8 points, because it will be harder to come back. Then we will really need luck, warned captain Pascal Roller.
Since the climatic semi final win over Alba Berlin in 2005, where guys like Chris Williams and Tyrone Ellis led the then Opel Skyliners into the BBL final, Frankfurt has only a 3-7 record against the Albatros, but have built a special albatross cage in the Ballsporthalle which has rewarded them with a 3-1 record. Overall the record in the Ballsporthalle stands at 9-9. One of the biggest and most emotional wins in the last years was the 81-67 trouncing in January 2006 as it was the debut of ex Skyliner coach Charles Barton. It was only a shame that the team was unable to take this big win and grow off it as they won little more that season and had to win on the last day at home against The EWE Baskets Oldenburg to stay in the BBL. The last two years have been dominating with a 74-58 win in 2008 as American Derrick Allen added 19 points and six rebounds and in 2009, they won 73-66 as ex Sklyiner Lorenzo Gordon chipped in with 15 points and six rebounds.
Alba Berlin is led by 28 year old 187 cm guard American Julius Jenkins who has developed into one of the top players in the BBL after first being recognized in the 2004-2005 season as he averaged 27,1ppg in the second Bundesliga for Nurnberg. Last season he averaged 14.8ppg), 2.3rpg, Assists-4 (4.2apg), FGP: 52.6%,. This season, he is averaging 13,1ppg, 2,1rpg and 2,1apg. After a very slow start, he has increased his shooting to 44% from outside and 43% from the field. He is an explosive scorer from the point guard or the shooting guard position; possesses the ability to score and create his own shot at anytime; Has very long arms and great leaping ability; unlimited range on the jump shot, which allows him to stretch the defense. He has the ability to develop into a top tier guard in Europe. You have to pray that he misses. You have to be physical with him and make sure the bigs hedge hard on ball screens, warned Omari Westley. 27 year old 209cm center Montenegran Blagota Sekulic is averaging 11,6ppg and 5,8rpg. He came to Alba Berlin shortly before the BBL Cup last season and was an instrumental part in the team winning. He was the third leading scorer averaging 9.5ppg, 4.1rpg, FGP: 57.0%, FT: 68.9%; Euroleague: 3 games: 10.3ppg, 4.3rpg. He is a smart player that can move very well. He plays a good pick and role that is difficult to defend, warned Ex Braunschweig cemter Jannik Freese.
29 year old 193cm guard Immanuel Mcelroy is playing his third season in Berlin and is averaging 11,2ppg, 5,2rpg and 3,1apg. He is already on his way with fighting for the MVP award in 2010. His overall quickness, combined with his mental toughness, makes him well-suited as a defender in the attacking defense. He is very athletic, a 40-inch vertical jump and a bench press approaching 300 pounds, ability to break defenders down with his dribble and his explosiveness to the basket makes him an effective scorer. He also possesses good court vision and excellent ball-handling skills, giving him the ability to distribute the ball, particularly in the transition game. He is a natural leader who makes others around him better players. He also has very much experience having won three BBL cups and two BBL league titles. If you want to slow down Mcelroy, you have to deny him the ball and give him the jump shot until he starts to make some, warned Omari Westley. Mcelroy who has never been known as a good shooter has really improved his shooting and is shooting 52,9% from the field and 44,4% from the parking lot.
28 year old 207cm center Adam Chubb is playing his fifth season in Germany after having found experience in Giessen, Bremerhaven and The Artland Dragons. He won the BBL cup in 2008 and 2009 and is currently averaging 10,6ppg and 3,9rpg. His rebounding has gone down, but he continues to be a very athletic big man and runs the floor extremely well. He is a sound fundamental player who has good hands, is a fine low-post presence and is a good passer to players who are open or cutting to the basket. He can defend a center in the low-post as well as a power forward perimeter player. He harmonizes very nicely with Blagota Sekulic. Chubb is not as explosive anymore, but he is still a very good player. He is more your typical big man, added Omari Westley. Chubb is athletic and has good moves to the basket. You have to box him out and not give him the position to be successful against him, said Jannik Fresse.
American Rashad Wright is a 27 year old 189cm guard who was drafted by the Indiana Pacers in 2004 and is playing his second season with Alba Berlin. Last season, he averaged 7.9ppg, 3.1rpg, 2.5apg, FGP: 58.3%, 3PT: 28.1%, FT: 66.3%. This season, he is splitting the point guard duties with Dirk Bauermann favourite Steffen Hamann and is averaging 7,6ppg, 3,2rpg and 3,7apg. He has been playing well averaging 26 minutes as Hamann only 17,6 minutes per game. You have to play Wright solid and limit his open looks, stressed Omari Westley. The team recently got 25 year old 202m American Derrick Byars, who had a short stint with Cologne in 2007 playing only four games. He was drafted by the Portland Trailblazers in 2007. He has played three games this season averaging 7,3ppg, 2,0rpg and 1,7apg. He is a very talented player, stressed Alba Berlin guard Immanuel Mcelroy. 33 year old 205cm Serb forward Dragan Dojcin is playing his third season with Alba Berlin and is a lefthanded power forward, very quick and is a very good shooter from the distance. He can also play under the basket. This season, he is averaging 6,3ppg, 2,7rpg and 1,2apg. Frankfurt will really have to keep an eye on him and not let him run hot from outside, because once he gets going, he can quickly make a 3 point game to a 10 point game.
28 year old 206cm Bosnian forward Kenan Bajramovic came late to the team and is still looking for his rhythm. He is averaging 5.8ppg, 3,3rpg and 1,1apg. He has a lot of experience having played in 56 International games in club play and played for top team Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius. He is a solid big man with great outside shooting and interesting passing skills. His play reminds a little of Marko Tusek, and has the same inside-outside dimension that make him perfect to play the modern 4 position. He is playing for a new team and new coach and it has been difficult for him to adjust to our team. We as teammates try to help him as much as possible to get him going. He is talented and it might take time for him to get going, but he will get there, warned Immanuel Mcelroy. 28 year old 194cm German guard Steffen Hamann is playing his second season in Berlin after playing from 1997-2008 in Bamberg. This season, he is averaging only 4,8ppg, 2,8rpg, 2,3apg and 1,2spg. He may not be an offensive force, but a very solid point guard that is an aggressive defender and can penetrate with the best of them. 24 year old 198cm forward Philipp Zwiener was promised more playing time this season, but hasnt really gotten it averaging 8 minutes per game and it is difficult showing much on offense with such a deep roster. He is averaging 2,4ppg and 1,7rpg.
The Deutsche Bank Skyliners have suffered their second swine flu recipient as American center Greg Jenkins has been struck with it and will be out for at least a week. Frankfurt seems not to be too scared about any further players being infected since captain Pascal Roller was able to joke a bit about it. I hope that the seating arrangement in the bus has nothing to do with it, other wise I will be next. De Mello, Jenkins and then Me is the order in the bus, joked Pascal Roller. Coach Murat Didin mentioned something about getting his flu shots on Sunday, but actually had money thoughts. This whole flu thing could be like a big lottery. If you pick the right horse, then you could win a lot, joked Murat Didin.
One player that has been sort of unlucky in the last games has been American BEKO BBL rookie guard Quantez Robertson. He had a span of three games where he scored 37 points, but in the last four games, he has scored only ten points. His defense is still up to par, but it was sort of a riddle why he did not play more against The Artland Dragons. I dont know why I didnt play more. Other guys performed better and deserved to play. I think that I have been playing good defense. I will continue to go and do my best, commented Quantez Robertson. Coach Murat Didin sees the whole Robertson situation as a learning experience. Not all guys can play the whole game. He is doing ok. He has to continue to bring the best of his abilty each night. He will progress, stressed Murat Didin. The club is also awaiting good results form ex Paderborn center Marius Nolte who will likely get more minutes, because Greg Jenkins will not play. I think that Marius knows what he did wrong in Quackenbruck. That is just the nature of his game. I think that he can play well. He always fights to the end and being so physical, he will get some fouls quicker than usual, but his game really gives us energy and makes us stronger, warned Pascal Roller.
This will be a very interesting game to see how The Deutsche Bank Skyliners respond after their bitter 77-76 loss against The Artland Dragons and match up against Alba Berlin who is getting their groove sporting a current four game winning streak. Captain Pascal Roller sees the Berlin style fitting that of Frankfurt. I think that Alba Berlin plays a style that fits us so preparing is easier. It is so much more difficult to prepare against a team like MEG Goettingen last season, because of their unorthadox play, where you never know what to expect, stressed captain Pascal Roller. One thing that The Deutsche Bank Skyliners will need to do is get on the right track right as the game starts and not somewhere in the third quarter. We cant allow to have any weak phases. Then it will be difficult to come back. We have to cut down on the little mistakes, warned captain Pascal Roller.
When looking at the stats, Both teams are quite solid, but The Deutsche Bank Skyliners still score more points and grab more rebounds. Alba Berlin also has improved their shooting drastically in the last four games. They are still below 50% from the field, but are on their way to eclipsing it. The Frankfurt defense will have to be awake for 40 minutes and not be able to beat them only with a zone defesne. They have very good individual players and two starting five teams that can give pressure for 40 minutes. We will have to surprise them with switching defenses, added Pascal Roller. Even though ex Giessen center Jannik Freese lost a very close game to Alba Berlin in overtime 81-76, they were so close to winning. Freese has tips for Frankfurt how they can play to be successful. Frankfurt needs to be patient and use their matchups to their advantage. You have to force Alba Berlin to take difficult shots and work hard as a team to make sure that they dont get in a groove shooting. It is very hard to stop them when are shooting well, warned Jannik Freese. Even though likeable Omari Westley is very far away in Kuwait, he sticks to an old basketball adage that can work anywhere in the world on a court. Frankfurt has to focus on the task at hand. They lace up their shoes just like Berlin does. It is all about who wants it more, added Omari Westley. The Deutsche Bank Skyliners Welcome 8 time BEKO BBL champion Alba Berlin on November 21st at 18:00.
Is This The Year That Immanuel Mcelroy (Alba Berlin) Is Rewarded With An MVP Crown? - Nov 18, 2009 (by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber)
Immanuel McElroy (193-G-80, college: Cincinnati) is a 29 year old 193cm guard from Port Arthur, Texas, He played at The University of Cincinnati from 2000-2002. In his senior year, he averaged 9.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.5 apg. He reached the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2001. He then turned professional in 2002-2003 playing in the CBA for the Grand Rapids Hoops playing 46 games averaging 11.8ppg, 4.5rpg, 3.4apg, 1.0spg. In 2003-2004, he played for the Gary Steelheads playing 48 games and averaging 16 [read more]
Immanuel McElroy (193-G-80, college: Cincinnati) is a 29 year old 193cm guard from Port Arthur, Texas, He played at The University of Cincinnati from 2000-2002. In his senior year, he averaged 9.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.5 apg. He reached the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2001. He then turned professional in 2002-2003 playing in the CBA for the Grand Rapids Hoops playing 46 games averaging 11.8ppg, 4.5rpg, 3.4apg, 1.0spg. In 2003-2004, he played for the Gary Steelheads playing 48 games and averaging 16.6ppg, 5.2rpg, 3.0apg. In 2004, he came to Europe and played for Cologne from 2004-2008. He was very successful in this time winning two BBL cups and the BBL title in 2006. He then moved to Alba Berlin in the latter half of the 2007-2008 season as Cologne went bankrupt. He helped win Alba Berlin the BBL title in 2008 and helped securing a BBL Cup in 2009. He has visited three BBL Allstar games. Last season, for Alba Berlin, he played 40 games averaging 9.7ppg, 4.7rpg, 3.1apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 61.6%, 3PT: 33.0%, FT: 68.6%. Prior to the 2009-2010 BEKO BBL season, he has played 29 Euroleague games, 22 ULEB Cup games and 12 Fiba Eurocup games. He took some time to talk to Eurobasket about the curret Alba Berlin season.
Alba Berlin didnt reach the Euroleague this season. How disappointed is the team and did that effect your start in the BEKO BBL?
We were very disappointed that we didnt reach the Euroleague, but we started well in the BEKO BBL winning which is most important.
Even though Alba Berlin started at 6-2, the team had problems against Giessen, Tuebingen, Bonn. Why was that?
Those were tough games with a playoff like atmosphere. They played hard and the biggest problem for us is that we always have to win. Every team plays hard against us and we just have to go out and perform.
The Alba Berlin machine seems to be rolling along now. In the last three games, the team has outscored their opponents 245-166 points. What has changed with the team?
We are more focused now. When we are up by 10 points, we are able to keep the points going and not letting up anymore. We have a new player with Derrick Byars who is very talented. We are not letting teams come back anymore and closing out games well.
You guys slaughtered Phoenix Hagen 90-64 on the weekend. Was it as easy as it looked?
It was not easy at the start as Hagen was very aggressive. But we started to hit more shots and score down low. We pulled away at the end and made more stops. Our defense has gotten better.
Alba Berlin kept many good players, but seems not to be as strong on paper as last season. Why should Alba Berlin win the BEKO BBL title this season?
Our team last season was talented with good names. We lost Casey Jacobsen and Ansu Sesay, but we also got a lot of our team back. We got Derrick Byers who will help us. It will be difficult to win this season. It is always harder to win a title with different players. I think if we stay focused, play together and play good defense, then we will be fine.
Julius Jenkins had a slow start, but is slowly finding his form shooting 40% from the field and the parking lot. Why has it taken so long for him to get started?
He is a great player and helps us in many ways. He is getting his shooting back. He just has to find his groove and comfort zone. He will be back and we are winning now so thats most important.
You are already an early MVP candidate averaging 11,1ppg, 5,4rpg, 3,3apg, 54% from the field and 44% from three point land. Will you still be able to get stronger?
I think that I can still get stronger. If I stay focused, keep doing my thing and staying with the team concepts and play aggressive, then I will get stronger.
Why is it taking so long for Kenan Bajramovic to get going?
He is playing for a new team and new coach and it has been difficult for him to adjust to our team. We as teammates try to help him as much as possible to get him going. He is talented and it might take time for him to get going, but he will get there.
The next game is against The Deutsche Bank Skyliners. You have lost the last two games in Frankfurt. What can we expect from this game?
I think that the fans will see a good and tough game. We lost the last two games in Frankfurt and this will not be an easy game. They are a very good team, have a very good coach, and a tough gym o play in. We will play our best and hope for a win.
Teams have tried to beat Alba Berlin with zone the last weeks. The team is hooting better now, so is that something that wont be seen anymore?
They can keep playing zone, but if we keep making our shots then that will help us. If the opponent keeps playing zone then we will have to continue to make important shots.
What Skyliner are you looking forward to playing against?
Pascal Roller, who is the team leader and always gets his team going and also Derrick Allen.
Can coach Luka Pavicevic be funny?
Yes, he can be funny. He will joke in practice and in meetings. But he is a serious guy and demands a lot from us. We have have to go out and perform. He jokes when the time is right. He just wants to win every game
Who has the nicest smile from the ex Cologne champions of 2006? You, Titus Ivory or Michael Jordan?
Michael Jordan, but not me.
What was the last DVD that you saw?
The DVD of the TV series Martin Lawrence
Thanks Imac! Good luck this season!
Thank you!
Chris Copeland does not want to go home early this season - Nov 18, 2009 [read more]
Osnabrueck and Coach Torbica part company - Nov 17, 2009 [read more]
Michael Meeks Is Back And Signs With MEG Gottingen - Nov 17, 2009 [read more]
The Artland Dragons Fire Agitate The Deutsche Bank Skyliners on the last play 77-76 - Nov 16, 2009 [read more]
BEKO Bundesliga Game Day 10 Saturday November 14th, 2009 - Nov 15, 2009 [read more]
A Conversation With Marius Nolte (Deutsche Bank Skyliners) - Nov 15, 2009 [read more]
Bryan Bailey Joins The EWE Baskets Oldenburg For A Month - Nov 15, 2009 [read more]
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