Even though it will be a highlight to see this brother clash, there is still a Basketball game to be played between Frankfurt and Braunschweig. Frankfurt has been playing great Basketball winning six of their seven last games in the BBL, Eurochallenge and Cup play, but for some reason arent higher than position ten. The New York City Phantoms Braunschweig have also been playing good ball in the last weeks after having a slow start losing three of their first four games. They had their four game winning streak halted last weekend as they had a bitter loss to Dsseldorf in the Volkswagon Halle in Braunschweig. However The Deutsche Bank Skyliners know that the biggest mistake is too take any opponent too lightly, were back at work 15 hours after the run of the mill win against Nrdlingen. 'We shot around and watched film. We were in a good mood. They are a dangerous team and we will have to be aware of them', stated Ilian Evtimov.
The New York City Phantoms Braunschweig are a team that hasnt given The Deutsche Bank Skyliners really any problems in the last three seasons. In this time, Frankfurt has won five of six games and all three games at home. The last two wins in the Ballsporthalle were by 10 and 13 points, only three years ago, could the fans experience an exciting finish as Frankfurt won 68 to 65.
The New York Phantoms Braunschweig have never been shy of promoting their youth program, but the program lacked two things. The young players hardly got playing time from coach Emir Mutapcic and a majority of the players after having sustained enough pain at the end of the bench with splinters in their back side decided to leave the club. Guys like Jan Lipke (193-G-83, agency: Court Side), and Dirk Madrich (211-C-83, agency: Court Side) were able to develop further in Bremerhaven and Artland and guys Like Flavio Stuckemann (187-G-85), Jorge Schmidt (193-G/F-85, agency: Scorers 1st Sportmanagement), Jannik Freese (208-F/C-86), Leo Niebuhr (208-F-86, agency: Court Side) and Nikita Khartchenkov (201-F-87, agency: Scorers 1st Sportmanagement) have all left dreaming of more success and playing time for other clubs. In 2.5 years, no German has been able to be a regular in the rotation. It is important in Braunschweig to educate young talent on the court, but if they make it into the playing rotation seems not to be the first preference. The most important thing is too win and to fill the arena.
Emir Mutapcic now has turned his back on eastern block players for the second year in a row, and put his total confidence on the US boys. However he did keep a healthy framework with Americans Jonathan Levy (193-G-82, college: Cal.St.-San Bernar.), Andrew Drevo (202-F/C-81, agency: Warren Sports International, college: Nebraska) and Kyle Visser (211-C-85, agency: Octagon, college: Wake Forest). The team couldnt keep John Allen (196-F/G-82, agency: Elfus-Siegel Management (ESM), college: Seton Hall) and Steven Wright (191-G-83, agency: LimeLight, college: N.Kentucky), because they were too expensive. The team has a healthy nine man rotation that can mix it up from inside or outside and plays very athletic and likes the fast break. 'They have good inside play with Visser and Drevo. We will have to control the boards. Their guards also run well with the ball. We will have to stop their fast break', explained Illian Evtimov.
The New York Phantoms Braunschweig are led by American William Franklin (183-G-85, college: Bradley), who averages 12,2 points, 2,7 rebounds and 3,6 assists per game. He is a great point guard with a good assist /turnover ratio. He played together with American Jeremy Crouch (196-G-85, college: Bradley) at Bradley and reached the NCAA sweet 16 in 2006. American Dustin Salisbery (196-G-84, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Temple) is averaging 12,1 points 3,3 rebounds and 1,4 assists per game. He played at Temple University and was invited in 2007 to play at the prestigious Portsmouth Invitational(Top American College players) together with ex BBL players Caleb Green (203-F-85, college: ORU) and Anthony Tolliver (206-C-85, college: Creighton)(San Antonio Spurs). American Andrew Drevo is averaging 10,7 points and 7,0 rebounds per game. He is an all around fine player who can bang underneath and step outside and hit the jumper. He has experience having played in Sweden and France. American Jonathan Levy is averaging 10,0 points, 3,2 rebounds and 1,3 assists per game. He is a deadly shooting guard, who last played for Mike Taylor at Ulm. He was the MVP at the Austrian All Star game 2005. American Kyle Visser is averaging 8,1 points and 6,1 rebounds per game. He is still very young with a lot of potential. He played at Wake Forest reaching the Sweet 16 in 2004.
American Jason Cain (208-F-85, college: Virginia) is an important role player from the bench and is averaging 7,4 points, 5,9 rebounds and 1,1 assists per game. This is his second season in the BBL after getting his Basketball learning at The University of Virginia. German Nils Mittmann (201-F/C-79, agency: Agency No 10) is averaging 3,1 points and 1,4 rebounds. The ex Ludwigsburg player doesnt get many minutes, but when he is on the court, he gives 180% and can always score or make a big defensive play. American Jeremy Crouch is averaging 2,9 points and 2,3 rebounds per game. He has been a disappointment thus far, but he is a BBL rookie with a high Basketball IQ and makes his team mates better. American Michael Flowers (188-G-86, agency: CAA Sports, college: Wisconsin) is averaging 2.7 points per game and also is still seeking his rhythm. He is from Chicago and also a BBL rookie having played at The University of Wisconsin.
The Deutsche Bank Skyliners still have injury woes as Lorenzo Gordon (201-F-83, agency: Hart Sports Mngm, college: Oklahoma City) and Jimmy McKinney (192-G-83, agency: Strategic Sports, college: Missouri) are still out. However Titus Ivory (193-G-79, college: Penn St.) and Keith Simmons (196-G-85, college: Holy Cross) may be in the lineup on Sunday. From the stats, both teams are nearly even with points and rebounds, but there is a huge and untypical high difference with the assists. Frankfurt is averaging 14,2 assists per game and Braunschweig only 9,8 assists per game. But that low assist rate of the Phantoms should not lessen the quality of the guard play. 'That assist stat isnt really so relevant. Sometimes I have noticed that not all assists are counted especially if the ball is passed to an open man. We have to be aware of their passing', warned Ilian Evtimov (201-F-83, agency: Interperformances, college: N.Carolina St.). Frankfurt will be looking for a big win, which will give them an extra portion self confidence for the start of the Eurochallenge on Tuesday in Estonia. 'Pascal Roller (180-G-76) will run the show as always and we will have to play smart. We have to make good plays and use our advantages in the match ups and just challenge them physically under the boards,' said Ilian Evtimov. The Deutsche Bank Skyliners host The New York Phnatoms Braunschweig on Sunday November 23rd at 15:00.
