Jens Braehmer(finance executive Cologne 99ers) walked away with 16,000 Euro from Germanys version of who wants to be a millionar a day earlier, but his luck couldnt be transformed over to The Cologne 99ers, who couldnt match the intensity of The Deutsche Bank Skyliners, who controlled the game for the most part except for a short span in the third quarter where Cologne cut the lead to six, but couldnt step up the defense as Frankfurt crusied home with the 72-57 win. 'Braehmer might have won 16,000 euro which is nice, but we still have The Deutsche Bank Skyliners behind us and that is all what counts', joked Murat Didin (agency: Interperformances ). The Cologne 99ers had been playing well the last weeks including a tough win against Bamberg, but quickly found out that Frankfurt would not let themselves be pushed around. 'The game was a lot closer than what the score indicated, but Frankfurt played great Basketball and were very strong at the end', explained American ex Harlem Globetrotter Robert Turner (206-C-82, college: Pepperdine). Frankfurt continue to show their strong play at home, and the only thing missing from the comfortable court atmosphere was coach Murat Didin (agency: Interperformances ) telling his players a relaxing bed time story in front of the fireplace in the Ballsporthalle. 'This was a total team effort. We played strong defense. We got a lot of points in the paint and were helped by big three pointers from Pascal Roller (180-G-76) and Ilian Evtimov', stressed American Derrick Allen (203-F-80, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Mississippi).

The game also marked the first meeting of the season between good friends and 2006 BBL champs with Cologne Titus Ivory (193-G-79, college: Penn St.) and Michael Hakim Jordan. Ivory had missed the first game in Bamberg, because of a stomach injury, but leads the duel 1-0 with a win this season and making 8 points, while Jordan was near the freezing point as he went 1/9 from the field. 'Me and Mike were putting up bricks tonight. I just try to make my teammates better, set guys up and try to make a difference in the game', commented Titus Ivory. ' I didnt shoot well tonight. The release felt good, but I just wasnt getting the bounces', explained a disappointed Michael Jordan (183-G-77, agency: Court Side, college: Pennsylvania). Even though Jordan had a difficult shooting night, his good friend Ivory still sees a bright future for his ex team the Cologne 99ers. 'MJ is a leader. They are already better with him. He has only been there a week, but as soon as MJ gets playing and understands the team, then I think that they will get some key wins', stressed Titus Ivory.

Both Jordan and Ivory can flash the million dollar smile at any time, and it wasnt missing on the court, as they had smiles for each other and very healthy but amusing trash talk. 'I had a lot of fun with Titus. One time, I had the ball and he was screaming at me saying im going to take the ball, but instead, I went right around him and he was so slow to respond and it looked like a refrigerator was on his back,' laughed Michael Jordan. As Ivory heard this Jordan commentary, he found a logical comeback showing the closeness that he has to Jordan. 'The reason he went around me is simple. We were both talking, but I was too excited and I thought I was playing against my little brother, so I thought I could easily take the ball from him and I kind of forgot I was playing against a professional', explained Titus Ivory.

The game also marked the return of the two BBL Allstar Dunk finalists Keith Simmons (196-G-85, college: Holy Cross) and Robert Turner. The duel was at 1-1 as Turner had won the first game point matchup in Cologne with 24 points, while Simmons Made 14 points. Simmons struck back in Mannheim winning the dunk contest by one point. However Just like in a game of Basketball where it goes back and fourth, Turner struck back to take the 2-1 head to head lead against Simmons as he scored 12 points and Simmons only nine points. 'It was great to see Robert again. Our big men had to contain him well, because we didnt want his athletic ability to let him get offensive rebounds. He is very talented and I wish him a lot of luck in Cologne', said American guard Keith Simmons. 'It was great seeing the dunk champ. He is an exciting player and showed it with that two handed dunk near the end', said Robert Hollywood globetrotter Turner. Not only did Keith Simmons have a thundering dunk, but Turner who was no stranger to the Ballsporthalle having played there with the Globetrotters, also dazzled the crowd with an alley-oop. 'When I saw the ball in the air by Jordan, I actually thought it was a floater, but Turner snuck in from the wing and slammed it home. There is really nothing that you can do in a situation like that', added Keith Simmons.

The Ballsporthalle was nearly sold out as 5,000 enthusiastic fans supported The Deutsche Bank Skyliners. Michael Jordan didnt always have positive memories of The Ballsporthalle losing game five of the 2005 BBL Quarterfinal series Artland Dragons-Frankfurt and was more upset with his cold shooting than the arena. 'The Ballsorthalle is a great arena and has a great crowd. But after such a bad shooting performance, I might think differently. I guess you can throw the arena in the ocean', joked Michael Jordan. The Deutsche Bank Skyliners love their home court and quickly stormed out on a 5-0 lead and would never trail in the game as Greg Jenkins (206-F/C-82, college: Iona) scored inside prancing around ex Dragon Julian Terrell (206-F-84, agency: Hart Sports Mngm, college: Vanderbilt) as if he was fearfully looking over his shoulder to see if Tobi the Dragon(Dragons mascot) was lurking and captain Pascal Roller drilled home a three pointer. Cologne had immense problems going inside so they shot from outside as Robert Turner and American Jeremy Hunt (196-G-83, agency: CAA Sports, college: Memphis) scored. Frankfurt kept the upper hand as Greg Jenkins scored an off balance shot and German National player Konrad Wysocki (202-F-82, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Princeton) drained a three pointer after retrieving a Ivory kick out pass to the wing.

Frankfurt led 13-5 and they had been doing a great job defending Michael Jordan as he couldnt get the open jumper or really create the way he is used too. 'Pascal Roller and Adam Emmenecker did a great job on Jordan playing efficient defense and not letting him run', stressed Murat Didin (agency: Interperformances ). Cologne found a short glimpse of daylight going on a 7-0 run as 2006 NBA Draft Pick of the Toronto Raptors Edin Bavcic (210-F/C-84, agency: Beo Basket) scored a three pointer and Stefan Milosevic scored inside as Greg Jenkins was a step to late. Pascal Roller and Jeremy Hunt ended the first quarter with three pointers. Frankfurt had the slight edge 16-15. Cologne was shooting a mind boggling 67% from the field while Frankfurt was under room temperature at 33%. Both teams were near 40% from the Ballsporthalle parking lot. Frankfurt had the rebounding edge 9-6 and both teams were locked at three turnovers a piece.

The first few minutes of the second quarter secured the win for The Deutsche Bank Skyliners as they skyrocketed out on a 11-0 run to lead 27-15. They stuck to the same formula that worked in Ludwigsburg and Braunschweig with a stingy defense and a very varied and flowing offense that Cologne couldnt control. Frankfurt took the option of going inside as Wysocki made a tip in and Lorenzo Gordon (201-F-83, agency: Hart Sports Mngm, college: Oklahoma City) made a lay up as Ilian Evtimov faked a shot and drilled the ball inside to Gordon. The comparisons to Larry Bird continue with the Evtimov fake shot pass, an option that Larry Bird liked using to teammates like Robert Parish or Kevin Mchale. American Keith Simmons used his body to fight for two points inside. Frankfurts offense was running on full throttle as the offense of Cologne had no fluency and little security. 'We played no defense, which helped them get the big lead and we just couldnt recover',added American guard Michael Jordan.

American Jeremy Hunt finally scored in the zone to cut the Frankfurt lead to 27-17. However Frankfurt was confident and continued hitting their shots as Evtimov nailed a catch and pop while falling back and Simmons and Ivory added three pointers. Frankfurt led 35-19. Frankfurt was dominating the game now and Cologne couldnt come back quickly so instead added some buzz with a pretty alley-oop pass from Jordan to Turner. 'Turner is a great athlete. I can always put the ball in the air for him', commented Michael Jordan. Konrad Wysocki and Derrick Allen closed out the second quarter with consecutive hoops in the zone. Frankfurt led comfortably 41-25 after 20 minutes. Cologne was having problems getting into the zone and Michael Jordan still had zero points. Frankfurt was shooting over 50% from three point land and from the field while Cologne was bitter cold at 25% from outside, but a bit warmer at 43% from the field. Frankfurt was stilling leading the rebound battle 18-14. Frankfurt is a very good team. 'They did a good job on defense closing our pass ways and annoying our systems. Frankfurt clearly dominated the first half', stressed Edin Bavcic.

After the strong first half, it seemed like there were few Skyliner faithful, who could imagine the tide to turn in favor of the Cologne 99ers, but then again the third quarter has not always been smooth sailing for The Deutsche Bank Skyliners. Cologne got a full tank for the third quarter as they jumped out on a 14-4 run to cut the Frankfurt lead to 45-39. Bavcic scored inside and outside, while Hunt made a spin move shot in the lane something he may have learned form globetrotter Robert Turner. Turner followed with a three pointer demonstrating his unorthadox left handed shooting style. Stefan Milosevic followed with garbage work underneath and with a fadeaway jumper. All of a sudden, Frankfurt led only 45-39 and Cologne seemed to have regained momentum. Frankfurt was very hectic on offense, and Lorenzo Gordon and Greg Jenkins were getting few touches inside. The Cologne defense had also stepped it up as Frankfurt seemed uninterested in putting up with the pesky defense.

However, Frankfurt had had enough of the Cologne scoring and closed out the third quarter with a 5-0 run as Derrick Allen scored in the zone, which was only a warm up to what would follow in the fourth quarter.' We were able to get back to six points, but we played unconcentrated the rest of the way. I congratulate Frankfurt for the win', said Edin Bavcic. 'We had too many defensive lapses after cutting the lead to six points and Frankfurt capitalized on it', stressed Michael Jordan. 'Our bench did a great job by stepping it up and getting the big lead back', added Ilian Evtimov. Cologne was still shooting hot from the field at 56%, while Frankfurt was at 46%. The three point shooting was led by Frankfurt with 39%, while Cologne was still looking to get hot were shooting 26%. Cologne was still a step behind Frankfurt at securing the rebounds with 25-22. Cologne had 11 turnovers while Frankfurt had nine.

The Deutsche Bank Skyliners had been the team in total control for 30 minutes and closed the Ballsporthalle door on Cologne in the last ten minutes as the opponent was unable to stage a comeback. A big plus that Frankfurt has had this season, is that they can have many separate guys getting hot during certain phases of the game. The fourth quarter belonged to Derrick Allen, who at times looked like the Derrick Allen of 2007-2008, who was always wanting the ball and getting the ball and producing. Allen was scoring a lot with his outside shot, which at times seems like a long distance love affair then an intense one this season. After Wysocki scored in the zone to give Frankfurt the 57-41 lead, it was finally time for Michael Jordan to get his first points some 34 minutes after the game had started. It wasnt a good day for the mad professor Jordan. 'I was in the lab creating for my teammates. I had open shots, but couldnt make them', expressed Michael Jordan. Frankfurt continued setting the tone on offense as Allen scored twice with his outside shot and Ivory sunk a three pointer. Frankfurt led 64-47 and never seemed any jeopardy of letting Cologne make another last second run.

Edin Bavcic kept the Cologne hopes up as he scored inside and made another three pointer showing that another new interesting and talented player had arrived in the BBL. With Frankfurt leading 66-54, the fans had one more huge chance to workout their jaw muscle as Keith Simmons left a motionless Bavcic in the dust coming from the wing and making a powerful two handed stuff. Cologne now just waited for time to run down, but not before Lorenzo sunny boy Gordon stepped back on the court and put some finishing cosmetic touches on his stats making two buckets. As time ran out, The Deutsche Bank Skyliners left the court with another deserved win. 'We played very well and together today. We did a good job rebounding the ball and played very strong defense for long stretches of the game,' added American Adam Emmenecker. 'Derrick Allen stepped it up in the fourth quarter, which led them to the victory', said Michael Jordan. 'This was a good physical game. We didnt underestimate Cologne, because they had won three games. We rebounded well and did a good job against a team that was in shape', stressed skyliner skipper Murta Didin.
The Deutsche Bank Skyliners were led by American Derrick Allen with 16 points. German Konrad Wysocki added 12 points. The Cologne 99ers were led by Edin Bavcic with 21 points. American Robert Turner chipped in with 12 points.

The Deutsche Bank Skyliners climbed up two spots to position four, while The Cologne 99ers remain at position 16 with one win more than the Giessen 46ers. The Deutsche Bank Skyliners were the better shooting team making 47% of their shots from the field, while Cologne shot 41%. Both teams shot slightly over 30% from the parking lot. A big reason for the win besides the consistent defense was the dominance under the boards as Frankfurt secured 36 rebounds while Cologne plucked only 29 rebounds. The points in the paint also spoke a clear language for Frankfurt as they had a 32-16 dominance and their effort under the hoop in second chance points was phenomenal with a 13-4 edge. Edin Bavcic had a big game in a losing cause, but was overwhelmed by the strong Frankfurt team. 'Frankfurt is a strong team and are deep at all positions. They have big strong physical centers that know how to play the game', added Edin Bavcic.

The Cologne game was huge simply because it was a game they had to win. February will not be a cake walk, because after Frankfurt travel to Bremerhaven next weekend, which wont be easy either since they are on a two game winning streak, they then have to tackle Ulm at home, Gottingen on the road and Alba Berlin in the Top 4. Coach Murat Didin (agency: Interperformances ) had a big smile on his face in the VIP room after the win and some words of wisdom for his team. 'Every game is a new challenge. The Eurochallenge is over, so the new players have a new challenge to increase their physical strength. This is not an easy time for the players, but I feel we all will taste and live the advantage of being strong later in the season', warned Murat Didin (agency: Interperformances ). But before Frankfurt or Cologne will step on the court again, it is time for the whole world to witness who will win the Superbowl, the worlds most watch sporting event. Michael Jordan is from Philadelphia, but has his thumbs up for his neighbour, the city of Pittsburg. 'I predict that The Pittsburg Steelers will win the Superbowl 21-17 against The Arizona Cardinals', warned Michael Jordan. The Deutsche Bank Skyliners head back to work on Sunday February 8th in Bremerhaven.