EUROBASKET NEWS REPORT - 12/9/2008
Copyright © 1997-2008 EurobasketMen News
*****************************************************| ABA |
| ADRIATIC LEAGUE |
| ANGOLA |
| AUSTRALIA |
| AUSTRIA |
| BAHRAIN |
Bahrain National Basketball Team is finally complete to resume practices in preparation for the upcoming GCC in Oman.
Al Mutawa joined the team a few days ago and he looks like he has made a full recovery after 2 years of absence in Bahrain Basketball.
Ahmed Al Mutawa (199-F/C-81, college: Broward CC) gave us time to answer a few questions.
1. How does it feel to be playing in Bahrain again?
Ahmed: I am very happy; it's always an honor to represent my country. I love playing in Bahrain and everybody is very supportive and I hope that with our new Team, Coach and Federation,
Basketball in Bahrain can look forward to that next hurdle in improving the future of our game.
2. What do you think of the new head coach, Walter Pereira ?
Ahmed: I have worked with Coach Walter before in Muharraq Club and we have always had a very professional relationship. I think his style and philosophies on how to play the game is going to be very helpful in making us a stronger team. I also like the group of players he has chosen to represent Bahrain.
3. How is playing for Kuwait Club?
Ahmed: Kuwait Club has been very supportive since my recovery; they obviously brought me to Kuwait because they believe I can help the team. Now that I started playing for them I am enjoying Kuwait and I appreciate everything that Kuwait Club has done for me. Also Kuwait Club never hesitated in letting me represent Bahrain, if anything they have been flexible and supportive.
4. Can Bahrain win the GCC?
Ahmed: I think every team has a chance to win the GCC, but of course I play to win and I came to Bahrain to help the team win. If we play hard and execute our plays are chances are very good. Our team is young and small but we are quick and everybody can shoot, so our goal is to work with what we have and come back with the cup!
| BELGIUM |
Oostende reports to be negotiating with American guard Dontaye Draper (180-G-84, college: Charleston) to replace the injured Nick Fazekas.
Fazekas hurt his thumb last week, did play for the Euro game vs Samara but did not suit up for this weekend's game.
He is headed back the US for his rehab.
Draper is at present playing in the French ProA league with Toulon. Oostende hopes to have him join the in order for him to play the coming weekend.
Left Charleston at the end of the 2006-2007 season with stats of 16.2 ppg, 4.1rpg and 5.3 apg as well as All Southern Conference honors.
Played 30 games for the Sydney Kings during the 2007-2008 and averaged 14.5 ppg and 4.4apg.
| BOSNIA |
| CHINA |
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| CYPRUS |
| DENMARK |
Bakken VS SISU (68-55): It was a low-scoring game for Bakken Bears at home in Aarhus, as the team hosted SISU. SISU had managed to hold Bakken down in the beginning and take a two point lead at half. 25-27.
Both teams struggled shooting the ball, and also securing the defensive rebounds, thus some dramatic stats. Both teams having around 50 total rebounds, and also 20 turnovers, while shooting terrible from the floor.
From the third quarter Bakken grained important ground and secured the win.
For SISU newcomer Jesse Pellot-Rosa (193-G-84, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Va Commonwealth) had 19 points and 16 rebounds in defeat, while the winner was lead by their Danish players Christoffersen, Jensen and Jakobsen.
Aabyhoj VS Horsens (102-82): Horsens is still chasing their first win, and hoping to make a change soon to stand for relegation-play.
Horsens came in fresh and ready to fight their chance, but again the team seemed to fall apart when momentum was not in their favor. Players were hanging their heads and making bad decisions on offence, while not helping each other out on defense.
Aabyhoj played a good game, and simply played stellar and went with what was working. Feeding Gilliam in the post and making extra passes.
33 assists as a team and 31 points from Chris Gilliam (201-F/C-86, college: Pitt-Johnstown) was the key for Aabyhjs no surprise-win.
Svendborg VS Roskilde (101-70): Roskilde almost had a re-run of their famous 'Zero-point quarter' from their first CDL-game this season, as the Rabbits toke a 25-8 lead in the first quarter.
In that previous game Roskilde sparked a big-scoring second quarter, this was also the case in this game. 32 points cut the lead to 46-40 at half-time.
Svendborg stepped up the game in the third and fourth quarter and left Roskilde behind. 101-70 was the end-result.
For the Rabbits both US players had good games, William Pharis (206-F/C-81, agency: Promotex, college: Arkansas) and Johnell Smith (186-G-80, college: New Orleans), but also Danes Niels Degn-Andersen (185-G/F-80), with 5-8 three-pointers, and young Mikkel Plannthin (195-G-88), with 10 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds and 5 steals, had important roles in this win.
Horsholm VS Horsens (79-77): Despite losing yet another game and the disappointment of that, this could be a positive note for Horsens, even if they had a 14 point lead going into the fourth quarter.
For the first time in a while the team was able to put themselves in a position to actually have a big chance to win the game.
Miljan Petrovic (179-G-82) had impressive 29 points for the home-team.
Naestved VS Amager (86-73): Important win for Naestved to get closer to the top and to secure a good play-off spot.
The 28-19 fourth quarter made the difference for the home-team. Head coach Geoff Kotila saw good performances from four players, with 15 or more points.
For Amager Peter Johansen (204-F/C-80, agency: Arik Krayn Services) fought hard with 23 points, but it was not enough.
Naestved is now tied with Amager and Horsholm for fourth place, with six wins and four losses.
Randers VS Aabyhoj (97-88): The two highest scoring import big-men faced off in this game, both putting up big numbers.
Bonell Colas (206-F-82, agency: ProSportsCareers, college: Florida) lead Randers with impressive 23 points and 23 rebounds, while Aabyhjs Chris Gilliam had 27 points and 7 rebounds.
The game itself however, was not as close as the individual matchup. Randers toke a big lead early on, and had it not been for a great fourth quarter by Aabyhj, where the team came back 14 points, the end-result would have told a much truer story of the game.
Chris Nielsen (193-G-85) and Petar Popovic (201-F-79) also had big numbers with 22 and 20 points for Randers.
| D-LEAGUE |
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| D-League Stats Leaders |
| Points Per Game |
| 1.J. Crawford, LAD 29.0 2.J. Davis, COL 26.0 3.M.Williams, AUS 24.6 4.W.Conroy, ABQ 24.0 5.C. Sims, IOW 23.8 |
| Rebounds Per Game |
| 1.D. Monds, ABQ 13.0 1.J. Dabbert, COL 13.0 3.C. Hunter, 12.6 4.C. Sims, IOW 12.5 5.J. Davidson, IDA 12.0 5.C. Collins, FWN 10.5 5. D. Mitchell, LAD 10.5 |
| Assists Per Game |
| 1.W. Russell, FWN 12.4 2.M. Cleaves, BAK 7.5 3.W. Conroy, ABQ 7.4 4.S. Parker, RGV 7.0 4.T. Brown, ANA 7.0 5.D. Jefferson, UTA 5.5 5.D. Mitchell, LAD 5.5 |
| EL SALVADOR |
| EUROLEAGUE |
| FRANCE |
It's more and more difficult to find contract in Pro A for french players,so they choose to play in Pro B in order to demonstrate their capacities,and maybe to return in high level.Last month 3 players well known in France have signed in Pro B.
*In Boulazac,Thierry Zig,Shooting Guard, has signed a contract in order to replace Eleara injured.This is a good defender,player with team mentality who has played 10 seasons in Pro A(Levallois,Paris,Strasbourg,Dijon)
He has been Champion with Paris in 1997,and he participated in Euroleague wih Malaga(Spa)he has also played in Italy,in Bulgaria.Last year he has played for 3 teams,the last was Montecatini(ITA-LEG 2)for 3,3ppg 1,7rpg.
*In Bourg ismaila Sy has signed a contract to replace Chelle injured.This is a Shooting Guard,but he's able to play Guard.He can pass,rebound,good defender also an excellent 3pt shooter.He has played 7 seasons in Pro A(Nancy,Gravelines,Hyeres-Toulon),he partcipated in ULEB Cup,FIBA Eurocup and he has played in Italy and Germany.Last year he was in Hyeres- Toulon(Pro A) for 7 games and 3,9ppg 2,3 rpg
*In Le Portel,Laurent Cazalon,Forward has signed for the rest of the season.This is a good defender,who can shoot and drive.He has played 4 seasons in Pro A.He has been Champion with Roanne in 2007;Last year he was in Roanne(Pro A) for 5,6ppg 2,2rpg with a participation in Euroleague!Pro B is becoming very impressive!
Thierry Zig (192-G-75)Ismaila Sy (192-G-79, agency: Interperformances)Laurent Cazalon (195-G-79)| GERMANY |
There is Michael Jordan (199-F-63, college: N.Carolina) who won six NBA titles with The Chicago Bulls and then also Michael Jordan (183-G-77, agency: Court Side, college: Pennsylvania), who has had the burden of going through life with a very famous name. He has coped well and had a fine European Basketball career having played in Germany, winning the BBL title in 2006 with Rhine Energy Cologne and playing in Italy, Belgium and Israel. Now he is back in Germany with the Brose Baskets Bamberg and wants a new championship in Freak City.
Hi MJ, welcome back to the BBL! How happy are you to be back in Germany?
-I'M VERY HAPPY TO BE PLAYING IN GERMANY... THIS IS THE COUNTRY WHERE MY CAREER REALLY STARTED SO IT FEELS GREAT TO BE BACK.. I'M REALLY COMFORTABLE WITH COUNTRY AND THE LEAGUE...
Let me start by saying congrats to your team Phillies winning the Baseball World Series again after not tasting victory for 28 years. After my Red Sox won in 2004 and 2007, I feel a bit oversatisfyed, but we are both happy. Were you actually at home when they won and how thrilled were you that they finally won?
-LUCKILY I WAS AT HOME DURING THE PHILS MAGICAL RUN. IT WAS PROBALY THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO ME. THEY RELEASED ME AND I GOT TO GO HOME AND BE WITH MY WIFE, FAMILY FRIENDS AND SEE THE PHILS!!!!! AND TO TOP IT ALL OFF I GOT A JOB PLAYING BACK IN GERMANY. THE PHILS WINNING WAS GREAT FOR THE CITY. WE NEEDED A CHAMPION. PHILADELPHIA HAS BEEN THIRSTY FOR A WINNER FOR A LOOOOOOONG TIME!!!! THE PARADE WAS AWESOME AND SO WERE THE POST GAME CELEBRATIONS, MINUS THE FEW THAT DESTROYED SOME PARTS OF THE CITY.
Your last team was Eldan Askelon in Isarel, but you left early in the season. What were the main reasons for going?
THEY WEREN'T HAPPY WITH THE WAY I WAS PLAYING I GUESS. AS IT WAS SAID TO ME, THEY WANTED MORE SCORING FROM MY POSITION. SO I GUESS THAT IS THE REASON. IT'S STILL STRANGE TO ME, BUT EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON. I THANK THEM FOR THE OPPORTUNITY BUT I THINK I'M IN A BETTER PLACE RIGHT NOW, PLAYING FOR A TEAM THAT DOESN'T MIND A PG THAT PASSES THE BALL
Now your back in the BBL playing for the Brose Baskets Bamberg. You also had interest from the Cologne 99ers, but why did you choose to go to Bayern to Bamberg?
WELL WHEN I GOT RELEASED, A FEW TEAMS WERE INTERESTED. BUT THE COACHES OF THOSE TEAMS HAD THE FINAL SAY AND I GUESS THEY DIDN'T THINK I WAS GOOD ENOUGH OR WANTED TO GO IN ANOTHER DIRECTION SO WHEN THEY COME UP ON THE SCHEDULE ITS GONNA BE A GOOD TIME. I CAME TO BAMBERG BECAUSE IT WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY. I KNOW COACH FLEMMING AND COACH ARNE WOLTMANN VERY WELL. I KNEW A FEW OF THE PLAYERS FROM BEFORE. THEY PLAY IN THE EUROCUP, THEY HAVE GREAT TRADITION AND FANS. I MEAN IT SEEMED LIKE A PERFECT SITUATION. NOW ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS WIN SOME GAMES.
Bamberg has received a complete facelift from the times that you played them. The only people left from the champion 2007 team are German National player Robert Garret and assistant coach Volker Stix. How different is the whole atmosphere now that the man in black Dirk Bauerman and fan favourite Steffen Hamann are gone?
WE DEFINTLY HAVE A DIFFERENT TEAM THAN THE PAST. HAMANN AND DIRK ARE GONE, BUT THE FANS ARE STILL HERE AND THEY SUPPORT US JUST AS THEY DID THEM I ASSUME. THE ATMOSPHERE HERE IS CRAZY. I LOVE IT AND THE FANS ARE GREAT. AND WE WANT TO WIN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE SO THAT FREAK CITY IS A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE HATE TO COME PLAY.
How well have you been received by the Brose Bamberg organization? I am sure manager Wolfgang Heyder was all smiles at the press conference after making this great deal.
EVERYONE HERE HAS BEEN GREAT. FROM TOP TO BOTTOM. I HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED INTO THE FAMILY AND IT FEELS GREAT.
You have a two month contract plus option. But seriously isnt it quite realistic that you will stay to the end and possibly win your second title in Germany?
HEY I'M NOT THE GUY WHO SIGNS THE CHECKS AND MAKES THE DECISIONS. IT WOULD BE GREAT TO FINISH THE SEASON OUT HERE. BUT STRANGER THINGS HAVE HAPPENED. I'M HOPEING TO STAY AND HELP THE TEAM AS MUCH AS I CAN. AND WE ARE GETTING BETTER EVERYDAY. I THINK WE WILL MAKE OUR RUN AT THE RIGHT TIME AND SNEAK UP ON SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE DOUBTED US.
After playing in the middle of nowhere in Quackenbruck to going to a big city to Cologne, you are now playing somewhere in between in Bamberg when comparing size. How do you like the city Bamberg?
BAMBERG IS AN OKAY CITY.I LIKE IT. THEY HAVE A US ARMY BASE SO IF YOU CAN GET ON THERE AND GET THAT AMERICAN FOOD AND CANDY, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT CITY YOUR IN.
What will your role exactly be in Bamberg. Just coming in for Filiberto Riviera or actually going with this two man point guard position? You can dish out the assists and be dangerous as a scorer too!
WELL ITS TO PLAY AS WELL AS I CAN AND TO DO WHATEVER CHRIS ASKS OR NEEDS ME TO DO. I LIKE PLAYING WITH FILI BECAUSE IT GIVES US ANOTHER PG ON THE FLOOR AND TWO BRAINS ARE BETTER THAN ONE.
Bamberg started out slow losing three of their first four games, but now have caught fire going on a three game winning streak. It seems like the missing piece to the puzzle came with your signing. After a week in Bamberg, how well is the team chemistry?
OUR TEAM CHEMISTRY IS GETTING BETTER AND BETTER.THE GUYS HERE ALL GENUINELY LIKE AND CARE ABOUT ONE ANOTHER. I WOULDN'T SAY I'M THE MISSING PIECE, BUT I'M GLAD THAT I AM HELPING OUT.
For years Brose Bamberg played a very defensive orientated game under Dirk Bauermann. What kind of style is team playing under Chris Flemming?
WE ARE TRYING TO BE A BETTER DEFENSIVE TEAM, BUT WE WANT TO BE KNOWN AS A TOUGH TEAM THAT EXECUTES ON BOTH ENDS OF THE FLOOR.
Bamberg has two German National team veterans with Demond Greene and Robert Garret. As an American what can you say about these two fine players that have American blood in them!
OH THOSE DUDES ARE MY GUYS. I LOVE NOT HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT BIG SHOT ROB HITTING A BIG SHOT AGAINST ME, BUT YEAH MAN, I REALLY ENJOY PLAYING WITH THE BOTH OF THEM.THEY ARE BOTH GREAT PLAYERS AND HELP OUR TEAM OUT A LOT. DEMOND IS OUT THERE LOCKING GUYS UP AND SETTING THE TONE DEFENSIVELY,AND THEY ARE BOTH CLUTCH/BIG TIME PLAYERS.
Were their any guys on the team that you already knew somewhat better before you came to Bamberg? Have you already in such a short time already created a special bond to some player?
I KNEW ROBERT AND DEMOND BEFORE I GOT HERE AND ALSO FILIBERTO. WE ALL GET ALONG SO WELL THAT I WOULD SAY THE BOND IS A TEAM BOND AND THATS ALL YOU CAN ASK FOR IN ANY SITUATION.
You had to depart the Artland Dragons in 2005 and the real reason was never really stated officially. Did anything change with your relationship to coach Chris Flemming? How are you and him getting along now in Bamberg?
CHRIS AND I ARE GETTING ALONG FINE AND DANDY. THERE ARE NO ISSUES BETWEEN US. A DECISION HAD TO BE MADE IN 2005' AND AS I STATED BEFORE EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON. I ENDED UP IN KOLN AND WINNING A CHAMPIONSHIP. ITS GOOD TO BE BACK WITH CHRIS AND ARNE.I STARTED MY CARREER IN GERMANY WITH THEM AND IT WOULD BE GREAT TO END IT WITH THEM, BUT AS CHAMPIONS....!!!!!!!
You can mark December six in your memory that is when you will play at Artland. How excited are to seeing Darius Hall again. That guy is a true warrior and always a pleasure to see fighting under the boards. Did you guys have a special bond in Quackenbruck?
D-HALL IS MY MAN. A GREAT TEAMMATE AND FRIEND. WE DEFINITLY HAD A SPECIAL BOND IN QUACKENBRCK. I KNOW HE WANTED ME TO COME BACK EVEN IF HE MIGHT NOT SAY IT, BUT HE MISSES ME. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO GOING BACK THERE, ITS LIKE A HOMECOMING FOR A BUNCH OF US OUT HERE AND I'M SURE THE ATMOSPHERE AND THE GAME WILL BE AWESOME.
In your Debut at Dusseldorf, you played 25 minutes and had three points, four rebounds, and nine assists. How happy were you with your debut and what else can we expect from you in the next games?
I'M JUST HAPPY THAT WE WON. I THINK I CAN ALWAYS PLAY BETTER.
Are you more a scorer or first look passer now at this stage of your career?
I THINK BECAUSE I THINK PASS 1ST, IT KIND OF MESSES WITH MY SCORING GAME IF THAT MAKES ANY SENSE. BUT I CAN DO BOTH. IT JUSTS TAKES SOME TIME FOR ME TO GET BUCKETS. IN THE BEGINNING I NEVER SCORE MUCH WHEN I AM ON A NEW TEAM, BUT I AM SURE THERE WILL BE GAMES WHERE I'LL BE ROLLING. WE HAVE SO MANY WEAPONS OUT HERE, THAT IT WILL BE A DIFFERENT GUY EVERY NIGHT. I'M A PG, SO ITS MY JOB TO SET THE TABLE, FEED EVERYONE, AND WHEN THEY ARE FULL, THEN I CAN EAT.
Your buddy Titus Ivory is back in Germany playing for The Deutsche Bank Skyliners. How happy are you to see him again?
IT WAS GOOD TO SEE TITUS AGAIN. I HAVENT SEEN HIM SINCE BELGIUM. HE'S A GOOD GUY AND FRIEND AND A GREAT PICK UP FOR FRANKFURT I THINK
What is your nicest memory with Titus Ivory at Cologne in the champion 2005-2006 season?
THAT WAS MY FAVORITE TEAM OF ALL TIME.. I MISS PLAYING WITH THOSE GUYS AND WINNING THE TITLE AND CELEBRATING!!!!!
You and him signed within five days back into the BBL. Was that just a coincidence or just Basketball luck?lol
JUST A COINCIDENCE I THINK. WE WERE BOTH IN NEED OF A GIG. FUNNY THAT WE ENDED UP IN THE SAME LEAGUE AND BOTH ON 2 MONTH DEALS. HAHAHAHAHA
I guess your lasting memory of THE DEUTSCHE BANK SKYLINERS is game 5 of the playoff quarterfinals 2005 which you lost. How well do you remember that game? What was missing on that day for your team?
MAN, THAT WAS TOUGH BECAUSE WE SHOULD HAVE SWEPT THEM AND I STILL BELIEVE WE HAD THEM. WE JUST WEREN;T DISCIPLINED ENOUGH TO FINISH THEM OFF WHEN WE HAD OUR CHANCES.
Pascal Roller is the best German point guard and one of best BBL point guards. How can a Michael Jordan stop him?
BASKETBALL IS A TEAM GAME, SO IT TAKES 5 GUYS TO SHUT SOMEONE DOWN NOT 1. THE KEY IS TO NOT LET HIM GET GOING AND MAKE HIM TAKE TOUGH SHOTS AS IT IS FOR EVERYONE I GUARD
American guard/forward Bernard Johnson (196-F-77, agency: Prime Select Sports) replaced Junior Denson (180-G-85, agency: Scorers 1st Sportmanagement) in GV Waltrop until Christmas.
The native of Savannah,Georgia scored 12 points in a close 87-101 loss to NOMA Iserlohn Kangaroos.
GV Waltrop's coach Markus Dueringer like Johnsons performance, while the team is going to play again this Wednesday before resting until the new year.
In other news: Bayi Handy (183-G-81, college: Maine-Mahias) returns to Germany after starting the season in Iceland. In his first game for TVG Baskets Trier, Handy scored 21 points in a close 69-75 loss to Saarbruecken.
| HOLLAND |
Through a busy game schedule (League and Eurochallenge games), playing tuesday's, thursday's and saturday's or sunday's, there was a little delay to complete the interview with Head-coach Randy Wiel of the Eiffeltowers. So we have decided to publish the first part of the Interview with coach Randy Wiel about his team and his thoughts about coaching.
What is this year's philosophy going to be?
Well this years goal/phylosophy will be the same as the previous years. We want to win the regular season, win the Dutch Cup, Try and go as far as we can in the Eurochallenge (perhaps win it), and of course our long range goal is to win the Duch Championship again.
What is the best part of coaching?
The best part of coaching to me is having the opportunity to work and teach top athletes the game of basketball, watching the team improve over the course of the season, and in my case having a chance to compete and win the National championship.
What is the hardest part of coaching?
The hardest part of coaching to me is having to start from scratch every season with a totally new team. Having to deal with unrealistic expectations sometimes., and the win now and what have you done for me lately mentality.
How does this year's team compare to last year's?
We have a totally new team this year, as compared to last year. We are stronger inside as compared to last year (with the addition of Jerome Beasley , Anthony Richardson, and Devonne Giles).
Last year we were more perimeter oriented. This year we are playing more from the inside out, which is the formula for most winning basketball teams
What are your thoughts about your team, the EiffelTowers, and their chances this year?
Well I, think that as in the previous years Eiffeltowers is one of 5 teams that has a legitimate chance of winning the Dutch Championship. We are still a little inconsistent especially in our league.
Team chemistry is something that we still need to improve, but is a byproduct of having so many new players. 6 of our top eight players are new, and 3 of them are starters. (Beasley, Giles, Richardson,Jackson,Downey, and Steenvoorde all are new and have to play prominent roles. The automatism is not there yet, but it is something that is coming. I would love to keep a group together 2 years in a row. As it is now we have played some great games (we are still unbeaten in the Eurochallenge) and we have played some games that were marred with inconsistent play. We are trying to find out which side of the bread to butter
What is going to be the key for success this year?
We have to Play together, trust in each other, and put together 40 minutes of honest effort, Especially defensively. Consistency on defense combined with a good offense and sharing the basketball.
What do you, as a coach, bring to your sport?
I feel that that I bring coaching experience, having coached at every level (high school(Chapel Hill High school), Small College (U.N.C. Asheville) , Mid Major (Middle Tennessee Univ), Major University (University of North Carolina). The Dutch National Team (1990 to 1992 pre Olympic Qualifications) and Eiffeltowers, in addition to working with countless N.B.A players. I enjoy the teaching part of the game and prefer an uptempo style of basketball. I also believe that communication with players and discipline are 2 of my strenghts.
Till sofar part one of the Interview with Coach Randy Wiel.
Part two of the interview with Head-coach Randy Wiel :
Talk about how you're doing the first twelve league-games this season with losing the last two games, how you feel about the performances.
Well going into the season we know we are not going to win every game. As a coach Losses tend to stick longer. Probably because i watch the game film over and over, the media bringing it up constantly because as a top team you have to win every single game which is unrealistic.
As I mentioned before we have been inconsistent, but I kind of expected it with so many new faces. However I still feel we have to fight through this, play hard, and win the games we are supposed to win. There will be enough contests that we will have to fight for our lives. The goal is to be playing your best basketball at the end of the season, but with the Eurochallenge we have to ready to play right now.
What are you going to have to do to prevent the team from getting down?
Players don't get down unless you hit a big losing streak like 3 or 4 in a row. Practices make players forget games quickly, and the next game is right around the corner. Players have a short memory. They just want to play. So far we have not lost 2 in a row. Unlike players as a coach I tend to brood over a loss way more than I enjoy the wins. I guess alot of coaches are that way.
You made the groupstage of the EuroChallenge Regular Season, what do you expect of this International season?
We made the group stage of the Eurochallenge, which was one of our goals. At this writing we have won 6 games without a loss in the Eurochallenge. it is much tougher this year because all the teams that got eliminated in the Uleb preliminary's automatically are in the Eurochallenge. So there are alot of champions and tough competition ahead. we try to take them one at the time and see how far we can get. Hopefully we can make it to the final 4 and then who knows, but of course that's everybody's goal, but what we have is a chance to do something special, and we have to make the most of this opportunity.
Is it surprising to you that you have to actually tell players to work? To do their job?
Well a coaches dream is to have 12 players that are selfmotivated and work as hard as they can every minute of every practice and every game. However that is not the case. Some players are natural hard workers, others you need to push. Every player is different, and as a coach you need to find out from each player which buttons to push to get the maximum effort out of that particular player. This year I have a good group although some days i need crack the whip and push harder than others. The season is long, with the regular season,
Eurochallenge, the Dutch Cup, Playoffs etc , practices and travel. Our team will have played in excess of something of 80 games counting preseason and all. So when I schedule a sunday morning practice at 9 olock in the morning after a saturdaynight game because we have to travel to our next Eurodestination on monday,.
I cannot expect the players to be jumping for joy, But its their job and they are proffessionals, But as a coach its always good to remember that their body is their work tool and not to just , work them and work them and work them, because at the end of the season when the playoffs arrive, they may not have nothing left, because they will break down,
It's an interesting balance, between motivating players, teaching some guys the fundamentals, vs. normal, standard X's and O's.
As I mentioned before I like the uptempo style of basketball, combined with a sound half court offense. Defensively I prefer pressure man to man rather then alot of zone defense. I think the last 4 years we have been the highest scoring team in our league, which has alot to do with the fast pace which makes the game a high possession game for both teams rather than a walk it up half court grind it out low possesion game. I also think that playing uptempo is very entertaining for the fans.
Thanks Randy for taking the time to do the interview.
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Manchester mainstays Al Stewart (5'10''-G-83, agency: Rice and Rice, college: Drake) and Marlowe Currie (6'7''-F-78, college: S.Indiana) collied heads and left the game early in the second quarter, and the Manchester Millrats were unable to prevail against the Quebec Kebs, losing 101-92 in game one of the Champlain Cup Series.
Manchester had picked up where they left off last night, jumping out on the hosts 17-19 to start the game, and led 21-17 at the end of the first quarter.
The Kebs, who added back starting point guard Dominic Soucy for tonight's game, responded and quickly erased the Millrat lead early in the second quarter. Suddenly, Stewart and Currie, pursuing the ball in the backcourt, collided heads with each other and fell to the court.
Immediately, trainers and coaches attended to the fallen players while everyone in the gym collectively held their breath. Stewart was rushed to the hospital by ambulance, while Currie remained on the sidelines receiving medical attention.
When the game resumed, the Kebs wasted no time taking advantage of the depleted Manchester roster, gaining a 42-34 lead before Alex Owumi's three-pointer before the halftime buzzer made the score 42-37.
The Manchester Millrats fell behind several times by as many as 16 points in the second half, each time battling back to cut the lead to just two. With the score 87-80 with 4:40 left in the game, Quebec's star guard Charles Fortier (35 points) drilled a three-pointer to dash any hopes of a comeback.
'You always want to win every game you play, but our first concern was to the well being of Al and Marlowe and to make sure they were ok,' stated Manchester Millrats head coach Rob Spon, 'but give the Kebs credit they responded tonight and Fortier was terrific tonight.'
The Manchester Millrats had already been without the services of guard Desmond Fergguson and Scott Hazelton (6'8''-F-81, agency: Passing Lane, college: Rhode Island), who were nursing injuries. Hazelton entered the game nonetheless to help bolster the roster, and would end up leading Manchester in scoring with 17 points. Chris Burns and Sam Carey added 12 points apiece.
With the win, Quebec earned 10 'points' towards the Champlain Cup, while Manchester earned 1 for winning the opening quarter. The Kebs visit the Manchester Millrats at NH Tech in Concord on December 16th in game two of the Champlain Cup Series.
For more information please email Manchester Millrats GM Ian McCarthy at millrats@gmail.com or visit www.manchestermillrats.com or www.pblproball.com
Courtesy of The Manchester Millrats
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